Several unique terms and phrases describe the features of software we review on this site, some easier to grasp than others. This list briefly defines terms relevant to DVD and Video to iPod Software.

Ratings

Features Set

Features that help customize or personalize DVD conversions are the conversion quality, file format, output file name and screen size. Selecting the conversion start and stop time as well as converting by DVD chapter or title are also useful features.

Batch conversion is the most convenient feature because several movies can be converted while you're away from your computer and when the conversion is complete, the program will automatically save the converted files and shutdown the program.

Ease of Use

A simple interface designed with a menu toolbar and function buttons such as add file, upload, convert, etc. makes DVD conversion easy. The company's Help section or the product's Help file should also provide tutorials and answers to questions about using the software.

Quality of DVD

The converted file should have a clear picture and crisp sound. Dialog and other sounds should also be perfectly coordinated with the action of the movie.

Quality of Video

Many different video formats can be loaded onto your computer from digital cameras and camcorders or downloaded from the Internet. Converting these video files into iPod compatible formats is easy and the resulting file should look great.

Speed of Conversion

The time spent converting a DVD to a video file should not take more than the length of the DVD. For example, a two hour movie should not take more than two hours to convert to a video file. Exceptional software will convert a two hour DVD in an hour or less.

Help/Support

The company's website should provide FAQs or tutorials as well as contact information such as an email address or telephone number for customer service or technical support questions.

Features

CSS Decrypter

The software incorporates a decryption program that allows you to make copies of major motion pictures produced in Hollywood. However, some CSS encryptions are harder to decrypt than others and some software with a decrypter may not be able to convert all movies.

Select Quality/File Size

You can choose the size and quality of the video format you are converting.

Select Output Dimensions

Users can select the height and width of the converted picture as well as the movie format such as letterbox or widescreen.

Crop

The movie picture can be cropped to a specific shape or size.

Name Output File

Users can name the files they are converting. Many of the DVD/Video to iPod programs allows users to name the chapters of a converted DVD.

Automatic Shutdown

Users can start converting several files, then go to work or go to bed. The software will save the files and shut the program down automatically.

All-in-one

Many DVD/Video to iPod conversion suites are installed in two separate programs - A DVD to iPod conversion program and a video to iPod conversion program. User-friendly software combines both programs into one.

Select Start and Stop Time

If you need just a clip of a DVD or video, you can select the conversion start and stop times.

Convert by Chapter/Title

You can choose specific chapters of a DVD to convert without coping the entire disk.

Convert by Episode

The software allows you to choose specific episodes to convert on an episodic DVD like The Simpsons, Friends or CSI.

Convert All Episodes

You can convert all episodes on an episodic DVD using a "batch" or "select all" feature, without having to choose and convert each episode individually.

Batch Convert

The software will convert several files at a time.

Works with iPhone

The software can convert DVDs and video formats to an iPhone compatible resolution.

Works with 3rd Generation iPod Nano

The software can convert DVDs and video formats to a resolution compatible with an iPod Nano with video.

Formats Converted to Mp4

VCD

Video CD. Slightly lower in quality than SVCD.

SVCD

Super Video CD. This format is slightly lower than DVD in quality and capability.

MPEG-4

Moving Pictures Expert Group. This is a group that standardizes compression and format extensions for video files. All of the MPs are related to this standardization: MP3, MP4, M4A, M4V, etc.

AVI

Audio Video Interleave. A file format that includes audio and video introduced by Microsoft in 1992.

XviD

Xvid compresses large video files into smaller ones. It can also be used in multiple platforms on multiple operating systems.

DivX

A type of file compression that shrinks large video files, while maintaining high quality.

WMV

Windows Media Video. Microsoft's multi-layered format that has become popular on the Internet. WMV can also be written onto DVDs.

MOV

Format most commonly connected to Apple's QuickTime. The .mov extension is for QuickTime Movie.

rm

RealMedia is for streaming media.

rmvb

This stands for RealMedia Variable Bitrate. It is like rm, but is generally for content that is stored on your computer's hard drive.

Tivo/DVR

A DVR brand.

ASF

Advanced Systems Format. A streaming format associated with Windows Media Player.

3GP

A format used mostly by 3rd Generation mobile Phones

vob

Viedo Object. Most DVDs are in .vob format, but the .vob is not exclusively DVD. Video Object streams the video, audio and menu information.

Conversion Speed(Conversion Time/Video Length)

DVD

The percentage displayed is representative of the time it took the software to convert a DVD divided by the actual length of the film. Ratio 1.0 means the conversion time and runtime are equal. Less than 1.0 indicates conversion time is faster than actual runtime, more than 1.0 is when conversion takes longer than watching the film.

Video Formats

We divided the video's conversion time by it's actual runtime. The percentage displayed indicates the time it took to convert verses the time it would actually take to view the video.

Technical Help/Support

Forum

A message board for users to chat about different features they like or to find out answers to problems they might have with the software.

eMail Support

Software distributors have an email address to contact customer service or technical support.

Guides

User guides included with DVD and Video to iPod software.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions.

 ©2003 – 2008 TopTenREVIEWS, Inc.