DVD Download to VIDEO (i.e. .avi, or similar)

Hi, I'm new at this and have checked the forums and FAQs but couldn't find a clear answer to my question. I have downloaded (via a tracker at tradersden) a live show ready to be recorded to DVD (it has the VIDEO_TS folder and is organized as described in the video FAQ). I have no DVD-recorder and my intention was to use this video in the computer or burn it to CD.

What are the needed steps and the best free software to do this? If possible it should be able to cut the video into parts that will fit in a 80min/700mb CD, though the video is only a little over 20 minutes, so I'm not sure if this is necessary (the whole file was 709mb, which seems to be a lot for such a short video, any hints on how big it should be after converting will also be helpful).

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can give and for taking the time to read this!

ps: My OS is Windows XP

[DoIFeelLucky]

Well, would you be wanting to burn a SVCD, or do you just want an .AVI file that you can play on your computer?

If you just want an .AVI, I highly recommend Doom9's DVD backup guide. You'll have bypassed the first step (ripping) since you've got unencrypted VOBs on your hard drive already. Probably the best free codec that you can use in an AVI is XviD.

Here is Doom9's XviD guide, which uses only free software.

An AVI is pretty much what I'd been looking for, so thank you!

[DoIFeelLucky]

Properly encoded and at comparable bitrates, XviD simply blows VCD- or SVCD-compliant MPEG files out of the water.

[TSP]

Hi! If you want see this video in your computer, dont convert to avi, burn the folder in a cd(data disc). When you want to see this just use powrdvd. is a small dvd file

Cheers!

[DoIFeelLucky]

That method works, if it is small enough to fit on a CD. I know there's a bit of leeway after 700 megs, but I'm not sure how much so this might be too big. If it will work, sure, go for it!

[Spelunker]

Originally Posted by DoIFeelLucky

Properly encoded and at comparable bitrates, XviD simply blows VCD- or SVCD-compliant MPEG files out of the water.

I thought he wanted to play it on his dvd player.

[AAR.oner]

videohelp.com
doom9.org
both sites have info on DVD > .avi

Thanks everyone for the help! I'm interested in the option to burn it to cd, what should I burn, the entire thing (VIDEO_TS folder + txt + video_ts.md5) or just the contents of the video_ts folder or the folder itself?

Also, where can I get powrdvd? (I didn't find anything by that name and powerdvd isn't free)

[Five]

drag 'n' drop the VIDEO_TS folder (the folder and the contents!), also create an empty AUDIO_TS folder. then burn and it should work in you.