What exactly do you need to copy DVD video and audio to .mpg files on the hard drive?

I know that you could route your DVD player's outputs through one of those digitizers -- much as you do with VCR or camcorder output, but there must be an easier way.

Mark this resolved. I figured it out.

It might be helpful to other users if you share with them how you solved your problem

The new DivX has a very nice automated Converter. Nero Does as well...

Thanks. My goal was to be able to use movie snippets in reviews and lectures (not for commercial purposes, of course). I learned that DVD Shrink could copy the whole DVD to the computer disc, and I suppose that I can play that back and extract mpegs . . . maybe.

Originally Posted by ProfessorM

Thanks. My goal was to be able to use movie snippets in reviews and lectures (not for commercial purposes, of course). I learned that DVD Shrink could copy the whole DVD to the computer disc, and I suppose that I can play that back and extract mpegs . . . maybe.

uhh - DVD shrink will COPY the dvd and make an ISO. Its intent is to shrink a dual layer dvd movie down to fit on a 4.7gb dvd-r. It also removes the copyright stuff. So-If you owne a dvd its ok to make a backup copy using dvdshrink.

It will not make MPG's or AVI's for ya though. You might want to look at DivX or XVid for doing that to your home movies.