So I'm trying to capture footage off a DVD for a client.

(No, it's not from a movie. Yes, it's just your typically burned DVD. Yes, the person "owns" the content on the DVD.)

I'm trying to capture it in FCP.

I can see the .VOB file and I can import it into FCP, but with no audio. I did some googling and found "Mac the Ripper", but again same result -- video but no audio when in FCP.

Something I'm doing wrong? Is Mac the Ripper worth anything? Is there a better free program?

I've also heard of buying a cable to plugs into the back of a basic DVD player that plugs into a firewire port or USB port, and change the FCP settings to recognize the player...does that work?

(Note: I don't do a ton of importing DVD footage at this time, so I don't see it economically reasonable to purchase software that I'd only use once or twice a year. But if that's the only solution -- or the cables are the best solution -- then so be it).

Thanks!

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Excuse the double posts -- I'm new at this thing.

MPEG Stream Clip is what you are looking for, not Mac the Ripper.

The audio is not coming in because it's AC3 format. I could tell you a dozen free utilities available for PC, but I don't know what's available for Mac. If I were you, I'd google "AC3 demux software mac".

I had this problem when I owned a miniDVD camcorder (thank god those days are over with)... MPEG streamclip was the answer after exploring everything else out there (even mac the ripper). I did have to buy a 20$ quicktime plugin if I recall...
steve

II did have to buy a 20$ quicktime plugin if I recall...
steve

If you have FCP, you SHOULD have the MPEG-2 QuickTime component Stephen mentions. FCP/FCS ships with it.