movies formats for multi media playback. what is good?

Sorry, just to be clear - you want to convert iso to an iPhone compatible format? Mac or PC?

I use Handbrake to convert my DVD's to iTunes friendly formats.

So do I, but I thought it was Mac-only, which I've just discovered is false...

So the answer is Handbrake (free)!

not just iPhone but for general viewing and at least keeping the 5.1 sound.

will have a look at the 'brake.

why does it not hold its settings.

very annoying.

TBH not very impressed with it other than it is free. it is not like I can load it up and let it work away.

I use Matroska for everything other than music. But I have the luxury of not caring whether Apples supports that.

Is the vlc app still on the AppStore? I play various divx formats on my iPad with the vlc app, but there were rumblings it was going to get taken down, open source politics getting in the way.

I'll suggest Total Video Converter - it does basically any format and has ready made profiles (including fruit based).

Its around 30 dollars but you'll never need another video converter program.

Mm now that i am on the larger ISO files 16+GB using the high profile and ticking the large file box the encoding is 10 hours plus.

thought?

WinX DVD Ripper for the mac is good , you get to keep 5.1 and subs if required . You can convert to anything ( though they keep trying to sell you other programs the WinX DVD does )

It gives you 100 of options on how to convert your video files and i can convert my dvd to a good quality that plays on anything including itunes and ipod touch etc and will take up about 2gb + of space

My General rule of thumb is 2500kbps Video Quality , 25 video frame rate , H264 mp3 Format , high quality engine , keeping original size and aspect ratio 

That will play on DNLA , iPhone well anything really