fed up with sucky footage! how do you prepare your footage??

[Taruto!]

Here's what I do:
* Load DVD VOB files with DVD-DIVX. (Strange program, but reasonably easy to use and gives decent results once you get used to it.)
* Rip with DivX 5.05 or XviD, no sound. Any screensize that's combatible with the encoder is available.
* (If using Premiere, I dunno about WMM) Convert files to .MPGs with TMPGEnc.
* Load clips into the video maker and start editing.
* Once finished, export as an AVI file. (WMV if using WMM)

Oh gosh. TWO recompressions even before being sent to the video editor? That can't be good for quality.

I'm forced to recommend the ripper --> indexer --> AVISynth method that Otohiko mentioned (well, at least he linked to an explanation).

True, but I find it's the easiest method for me to use, and the clips still turn out better than some footage I've seen. *shrug*
I might give the other recommended ways a try though, if the result's will turn out better. Some clips go pretty grainy if the double compression really kicks in ^_^;

[AMVfreak]

I might give the other recommended ways a try though, if the result's will turn out better.

Definitely will turn out better.
Taking that extra time to do it can bring some very satisfying results.

[post-it]

Hey . . dumm question here

are there any VOB editers out there; something that can edit Directly from
the DVD itself ( besides Panisonics packaged editer! ) ??

- now THAT would save a lot of time AND save the Quality of the Video.

? anybody know of one ?