Importing a DVD sound track

Question

Is there a way to import a sound track from a DVD into itunes then copy it to an ipod?

Answer 1

Audio Hijack will work, but it is a real-time process and records all sounds, including system sounds, when recording.
Instead of recording, you can "rip" the audio only from a DVD and convert it to MP3.
It is not a quick process, but it certainly can be done. I have followed this process for several concert DVDs that I own and I am quite happy with the results. Best of all, it can all be done with free software, but there is one small program to buy to give it a more professional touch and amke it much easier on the ears.
First, download OSEx. This will allow you to extract only the audio files from a DVD.
To demux/extract only the audio with OSEx, splitting the audio in one file per chapter (usually equivalent to a song for music videos):
- After starting OSex and inserting your music video DVD, make sure the correct title is selected by clicking on the "TI" button.
- Click on the "VID" button an deselect the video stream(s).
- Click on the "Aud" button and select the appropriate audio stream (usually 2 channel AC3).
- Click on the "Fmt" button and select "Elem. streams."
- Click on the "Seg" button and select "Chapter" to split the audio by track in separate files.
- Click "Begin" to start audio axtraction.
If you have a few songs that span several DVD tracks and have no break in them, you can encode them as one audio track by selecting those tracks together and encoding them as a single selection.
Then, download mAC3dec. This is a program that will convert the resulting AC3 files from OSEx into MP3s. I use the highest bitrate - 320 - so that my audio is as close to the source as possible.
Then - the finishing touch - but one that costs $10.95. It is well worth it. Download MP3 Trimmer. This sweet little program allows you to trim the beginning and ends of files off and even apply a fade in and out without re-encoding the file and eliminating the resulting loss of sound quality. This means that you can cut the applause out of the beginnings and endings of the tracks, and since you can fade in and out, you lessen the "shock" of the breaks in the tracks that can be so annoying.
All in all, it sounds harder than it actually is, but it is well worth it for a whopping $10.95 for all three programs.
BTW, I am not connected with these companies at all and receive no compensation of any kind. It is just a process that I did a lot of research on and came up with these three programs and the steps to create a nice, professional sounding CD from concert DVDs.