I wish developers would learn that not everyone puts their taskbar at bottom of their desktop. Both progs open at top of desktop under my taskbar, meaning i either have to unlock and shrink taskbar or use taskmanager to kill the progs to close them!

Just wanted to say thanks to GAOTD- I am a novice trying to keep up with my tech savvy preteens and have learned a lot here - btw, to all complaining - it is FREE. Thanks for the time and effort of all the people who comment, review, etc. Its been helpful!

If you're going to sell the effort of creating the GUI, why just have one output format? Won't someone create something like Format Factory (or Super... I hate that one, though) but with more professional-looking GUI... There must be some use even in business settings. You know, like webex converter. Now that would make more sense to pay.

Thanks to GOTD. As someone who ofetn has to reformat his hard drive I really appreciate re-runs, as I loose them all each time.

Thanks to the developers for supplying free software.

#15 - spot on. If you don't like the website, find another.

Cheers

Marc

#12: "And what’s really funny is that the GNU/open Source apps are usually more mature and polished that many of these audio/video utils!"

FWIW...
Most of the converters on GOTD use the same open source code as free or low cost alternatives -- ffmpeg for example. When apps tie individual code libraries together, so the user only has to deal with one GUI instead of several, each portion performs the same regardless what app it's been made a part of.

Of course you might like 1 GUI better than another, or 1 app may use different routines for things like re-sizing, & that stuff is all you can really compare & contrast, as it shows up in relative ease of use, speed, & quality. Plus, Extra's Ripper works off DVD video playback -- most free ware does not [none that I'm aware of]. For some that's a clear advantage.

With their DVD to iPod Video Converter, Extra gives customers an option to save a little cash, when/if all they need is an iPod/iPhone converter... obviously if you don't own an Apple product, or if you have other devices not made by Apple, this isn't for you.

Retail DVDs have DRM, sometimes quite a few DRM measures, & software like DVDFab & AnyDVD work around it. Extra's Ripper works off the playing DVD video -- essentially it's the same basic idea as recording a film with your camcorder. Converting the original, digital video gives you better quality, but realistically, when you're downsizing to fit an iPod screen, who cares?... you'll never see the difference.

Like many others, Extra DVD to iPod Video Converter uses ffmpeg, Real, Xvid, & Lame to convert your video, & unfortunately they use older versions... you might want to head over to videohelp.com to download & install the latest Xvid set-up file afterwards -- the others aren't registered with Windows, & should not conflict or replace what you have already. 6 other files are heading for your System32 folder [SystWOW64 in 64 bit Windows] though, & while they shouldn't effect video software you already have installed, there's always that possibility, so plan on being able to put things back should you have problems with this or any software.

Extra DVD to iPod Video Converter takes up ~38 MB, with 140 files, 8 folders in the program folder -- the system files take up ~3 MB. The trial offered on Extra's site & today's GOTD are different -- the main executables in the GOTD are more recent.

As is always pointed out, there are plenty of alternatives -- head over to videohelp.com & doom9.org for info, links etc. Most all free alternatives work with the original video files, rather than the playing video, Extra's converter *might* work a bit better on low power PCs & laptops [less disk use, & recording the playback might avoid some data processing]. Otherwise, several individual tools have been developed that each handle one step of the conversion process, & you can either use these tools as-is, or tied together with a front end GUI, like Super or Format Factory etc.

I've been getting programs here for a long time. I know there are many converters offered here and they are offered repeatedly (nice when I reformat). I don't expect to see photoshop or Autocad here. If those complaining about the offers here think they can get publishers to offer better programs for free, then let's hear about your wonderful site.

I just hope that GAOTD keeps up the hard work they are doing.

Thank you GAOTD - Joel

For all peoples.You are angry because life is boring but wait a minut and all will became specialists in converters and downloaders,next will go to others categories.You say that East are not so good like West.If you are soo good and clever why Gaotd not put here soft from West?Examples:Ulead,Arcsoft,some Adobe products and many others good products.Why is this invasion from East?You are happy that is for free but why not put here your products?You are afraid that West will became poor?I think that your products is now produced in China and others country from East.Your good products for poor peoples are only trial,here this products are free for everyone.You complain that it must? to pay for a part of a product but you have in the past all products:Extra DVD ripper with CD Ripper included and it was for free.Why complain that must to pay when you don't pay nothing.Don't be soo pesimistic,be happy with what you have or put here soft from your country to demonstate what generouse is West.Don't say West And S.U.A. that they save the World from hungry and others problems?What you are waiting.Save me.Or you wait to save you?I make and East make what he can at his level.Poor peoples to save the rich peoples,what a joke.

My laptop is filled with converters from Giveaway of the day. I am of the opinion that there is no use for a program that only converts one way to one kind of player as so many of us have multiple players, I've got ipods, phillips, sony, laptops, blackberry and I need one that lets me click a file, click a player and then does the rip. I've got to clean this laptop's hard drive up it's filled with too many converters and rippers!

"The program is available for $48.67, but it will be free for our visitors as a time-limited offer. "

$48.67??? This is a simple utility, it is NOT an application. And is is a cut-down utility at that! For not much more than $48.67 I can buy one of hundreds of mature fully-fledged applications. It is enough that we seem to get nothing but video downloaders and/or converters, but it is galling that the often eastern European developers of unfinished and untested utilities like this think that people in the West are all rich and stupid and will happily part with their money for junk.

Some of the most talented and productive programmers I have met are from eastern Europe, and junk in this category at inflated prices gives them a bad name.

For those people who say "you're getting it free dumb@ss", evaluating a piece of software means evaluating the whole package: marketing, delivery, installation, features, functionality, usability AND price. And the price of THIS utility is ludicrous.

Two major pet hates of mine:
This 'software' was clearly NOT tested on 64bit platforms.
This software contains no help file.
And, as Askraf said "This whole disable-options-but-leave-them-visible-in-program is a huge pet peeve of mine. It is so annoying. It makes me feel like the developer is laughing at you."

Actually, I would go further and say that is is an example of the developer(s) creating one application that is probably worth $50 and split it up into several different applications all marketed at way above their actual value due to developer arrogance and the firm belief that people west of the Danube are all gullible idiots with more money than brains.

Sorry guys, I've seen some really useful little GOTD's from aspiring and talented developers. But they are hidden is a smelly morass of mostly-useless half-finished audio/video utilities that you can get FOR FREE ANYWAY. And what's really funny is that the GNU/open Source apps are usually more mature and polished that many of these audio/video utils!

Come on GOTD, give us something more interesting. This is getting really tiring.

how about a dvd ripper (decrypter), for people who just want to copy movies to dvd's, not i-pod ,phones , or anything else. just us "old folks" who aren't into all the new gadgets..

For me with XP, DVD 43 region it work very well.Always XP will be the best.I don't have problems with convertors,i test it and what is good remain in my collection.Non exist an universal convertors at this moment.I want more and more convertors please don't stopit.For who want to emmbeded(not link)mp3 in power point ,exist a soft free :mp3 addin who make this.Only after install it must to make some setting in power point at:Tools>Options>General>Link size with file greather than and put value:50000 kb for examples to embedding big size of mp3.After that insert your mp3 into a free power poit template for example.It will appear an icon for sound.Click right on this icon and click on play sound.It work.Next save this power point in file Microsoft power point presentation.Succes.Here is http://www.topbytelabs.com/freestuff/

I agree with 'bem' (No.5), please give us something new, no more converters etc., I log onto your site every day without fail, and in the past there was always something interesting to download, now it's boring!! Same old thing over and over, and while I'm on a winging roll, what has happened to the game downloads---not even avaiable on Saturdays anymore? I hate to say it but your once wonderful site is falling on the wayside, what has happened?

I'm getting sick and tired of you guys offering the same things over and over...it's like listening to top 40! Somebody doesn't like their job at good ole GAOTD. Really guys, please no more of the "same old thing".

To convert DVD video to iPod, the freeware HandBrake is a pretty good choice.

http://handbrake.fr

But my friend told me HandBrake doesn't work so well on Windows. It works perfect on Mac system.

And I am using Aimersoft iPod Converter Suite. It can also help me convert DVD and video to iPod. Very easy to use and very comfortable interface. It takes about 30 mins to convert a nearly 2 hour movie for iPod.

Thanks for sharing!

With so many categories of software to offer why this "CONVERSION CRAZY"? OK, most paid software today have a similar FREE option, and frequently the free is better than the paid. But there be SOMETHING NEW the free developers did not build (YET). Agree with #5

No disrespect to the various developers or this site but enough with the converters and downloaders and converting downloaders for awhile. Please. This is overkill.

VISTA x64 users-I had to use ADMIN mode to avoid Run32DLL error note.
Is this unique for my PC situation??? Don't know-but thought I'd share.

COMMENTS FOR BOTH PROGRAMS:

PROS:

* smooth download/installation/activation/registration on Vista HP x64 SP2 OS.

* Smooth program access without needing to use Run As Administrator rights.

* Clear, intuitive, easy-to-understand, easy to navigate User Interface (GUI).

* Numerous conversion configuration options provided for user to select from.

* Easy, smooth, simple, fairly quick program operation, without any guidance.

CONS:

* Online-only guidance and instructions provided (and not within program itself.)

* GUI is a bit drab and dreary, not visually appealing - needs sprucing up (IMHO).

* conversion outputs too specialized, compared with comparable freeware options.

* Developer includes movie advertising in preview pane of IPOD MP4 converter program.

* Run32DLL Error Message received during installation - ADMIN mode solved problem.

SUMMARY:

Overall, both programs operate smoothly, efficiently, and easily (even without Help Guidance within program itself), and they both operate as stated within program descriptions. Thus, a definite two-thumbs-up for today's GiveAway. Thanks much, GOTD and Extra, for these nice two-in-one programs.

FREEWARE OPTIONS:

HandBrake

MediaCoder

DVD43 won't work with vista 64os so if you want to use the region code change you'll need to look to another paid for program. Too bad they couldn't build this into the program otherwise it would have been a good giveaway.

For who have installed Extra DVD Ripper Express in the past here ,is no need to install this ,because is in DVD Ripper Express.DVD 43 region aditional program is free and small,not so big problems that install another soft to be completed.Extra DVD Ripper is supergood.i work with him and i give it 10.Soo this program must to be good but is limitated version of Extra DVD.Thank but i will waiting for:Extra FLV SWF video converter(my favorits formats).

The Good
* Is a package of two software: Extra DVD to iPod Ripper Express and Extra Video to iPod MP4 Converter.
* Extra DVD to iPod Ripper Express
o Has support for iPhone in addition to iPod and iPod touch.
o Can rip DVDs from actual DVD disk or DVD files/directory from your computer.
o Has option to shutdown computer after done ripping.
* Extra Video to iPod MP4 Converter
o Has support for iPhone and Apple TV in addition to iPod and iPod touch.
o Multiple input videos including SWF (!).
o Supports batch processing.
Many more pros not listed here to avoid being marked as spam by the filter

The Bad
* Extra DVD to iPod Ripper Express
o No local Help file.
o Developer just disabled all the output options except the iPod/iPhone ones instead of removing them all together (annoying!).
o Needs a third party program to bypass region locks.
* Extra Video to iPod MP4 Converter
o Program won't maximize after I minimize it; have to force quit.
o No local Help File

Free Alternatives
DVDSmith + FormatFactory
WinX DVD Ripper

For final verdict, recommendations, and full review please click here.