Converting dvds to mp4 for iPod use (a question)

[Route66]

I've got a program (dvdfab) that allows me to convert movies over to mp4 format for use on my video ipod, but it takes on the order of an hour and a half to two hours per movie to convert. My question is this: Is there a better program out there that will convert movies over more quickly?

[Jim]

There are plenty of other programs that can do the same job, but converting video to MPEG-4 does take quite a bit of time. Personally, I still tend to use low-key programs like 3GP for tasks like that.

I know it's not much of an answer, but I'd prefer a high quality video over a quicker encoding time anyway.

[Route66]

Just seems like a PITA when I want to convert over about 20 or so movies from dvds I've got...it's gonna take several days of running these through...just converted the extended edition of Narnia and it took 2 and a half hours. It's not a huge deal - the quality I get now is good, just looking for a way to pick up the pace and get the same quality.

Now if I were to add another gig to my machine (it currently sits with one gig), would that help? Or is it more dependent on the processor than it is the memory with converting video like this?

[Jim]

The CPU is a far bigger factor than the memory when converting something like that.

If possibly, try prepping your files ahead of time, and then queue them up to process while you sleep. When morning comes around, you'll have two or three completed projects.

[Route66]

I've got an AMD 3800+ 64 processor, maybe it's time to upgrade again ;) Anywho, I appreciate the input. I'll have to take a look at this program and see if there's a method of doing batch conversions...maybe copying the .vob files over to the hard drive, and then converting them straight on the drive. That way I can do like you say and let it run over night.