Handbrake

DVD Archiving

First, create unencrypted copy of DVD on computer (dvddecrypter, or linux alternative).

Next, in handbrake, import ripped Folder from DVD decrypter

leave all settings as defaults except
   Video Tab: RF 23.5
   Compress the video

VHS Archiving

VHS, unlike DVD tends to have film grain on it. This trips up the video compression, leaving ugly artifacts all over the place. You have to be very conservative about compressing VHS, the following are notes that I took while I was archiving many of my tapes.

Compression: Handbrake trials:

8.6 gb file --> 7.2 gb file
.mp4
(defaults) H.264, peak framerate, RF 22 
could not open .mp4 without codec

8.6 gb --> 385 mb
.mkv
H.264, peak framerate, RF 40
absolute crap quality

8.6 gb --> 1.03 gb
.mkv
H.264, peak framerate, RF 30
semi-obvious pixellation, watchable

8.6 gb --> 2.73 gb
.mkv
H.264, peak framerate, RF 25
mildly grainy, acceptable quality

8.6 gb --> 1.61 gb
.mkv
H.264, peak framerate, RF 27.5
mildly grainy, but low quality fuzzy in white. close, but too low quality