[fishguy]

I have and use Handbrake and Mac the Ripper, but I have some DVDs that either one cannot rip, including Star Wars I-III. What are some other software titles I can try that might work? There is one called "any dvd converter for Mac" but its $50. Windows has a great viewer/ripper called AnyDVD that removes protections etc in the background, but I haven't found a similar title for Mac.

Anything to at least get the TS files off and then Handbrake can do the rest.

Also, what do I need to convert movies to a format that final cut express can handle? What converters best handle that?

Thanks!

[mduell]

Fairmount, but it's not nearly as capable as AnyDVD.

You can do a ridiculously high quality transcode with HB (like High Profile preset, RF 15) and import that to FCE if you don't find a better way.