[theefman]

Recent experience with Xbox Video has spurred me to stop using online movie services and start putting all my movies on my home server. These are mostly old HD DVD's with some newer Blu Ray discs. I presume mkv is the best format to convert these into (esp with VLC now available as a metro app) so I was wondering what software/procedure would be best to rip my movies. I bought Slysoft AnyDVD a while back if that is needed, what else should I use for this? Thanks.

[Guzzler3]

Container war! MKV vs MP4.

Personally, I would use MP4 as it is supported natively with Xbox and Windows, Windows Phone. MKV files, you have to find a player for each platform. Both will take x.264 video, and AAC or AC3 audio codecs.

As for encoding, Free is good with Handbrake

[theefman]

Thanks, mp4 would make sense as it would definitely be more compatible. Have you used Handbrake for encoding to mp4? How much quality is lost, or can it do a lossless copy? Thanks.