Software suggestions

Posted on 09/05/2006 by Meryl Yourish

Okay, tech folks: I want to get a program that captures audio and video from what’s running on my computer, such as FairStars Recorder (I’ve tried it and don’t like it enough to buy the pro version).

Ideally, it would let me grab a song from a DVD and transform it into an mp3 file. For instance, I have a DVD of Mary Chapin in concert, and I’d like to be able to take the songs and put them on a CD so I can listen to the concert versions without having to play the DVD. I’m pretty sure this is legal, as it’s for my personal listening, not for sale.

I’d like a program that would take the songs and transfer them in fairly good quality.

Any suggestions? The only other caveat is I don’t really want to spend a lot of money. I’m looking for something in the midrange (double digits) price if possible.

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4 Responses to Software suggestions

  1. Eric J says:
    09/05/2006 at 2:06 pm

    I would guess some poking around http://www.doom9.org/ will turn up instructions and cheap or free software.

  2. Li'l Mamzer says:
    09/05/2006 at 9:04 pm

    Meryl, after trying various programs, the best for ‘ripping’ CD tracks into mp3 files is, believe it or not (IMHO) Windows Media Player.
    It’s blazing fast, intuitive, and easy to use. Hard to believe it’s from Microsoft and free, but it’s true.

  3. Elder of Ziyon says:
    09/05/2006 at 9:30 pm

    You need two things: a DVD rip program, and a video editing program.

    I am not near my usual collection of computers but DVD rippers should be easy to Google. They should be free or close to it.

    Now you need a video editing program that can import the video file (probably an MPEG) that you generated and then export it as an MP3 file. It is entirely possible that Windows Movie Maker can do this, and it is free if you have XP SP2. Other programs that might be able to do it would be products from Ulead, Sony and Serif – all of them make decent low-end editors but I cannot check their features from where I’m at, sorry.

    You do not want a video capture program, because the quality will be poor.

  4. Meryl Yourish says:
    09/05/2006 at 9:58 pm

    You’re all assuming I have chapters. I don’t. It’s one big file, like a tape, really.

    I need something to capture it off my video/audio card.

    Windows Movie Maker can’t do this. I tried.

    Actually, you’re misunderstanding me. I don’t want the video at all. I want to capture the audio from the DVD, and only parts of it. I want to take individual songs and put them on a CD.

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