Just out of curiosity, what do you use to rip? It sounds like it takes a really long time -- mine only takes however long the source material, plus several minutes to set up (I will do a chapter at a time from a DVD). Also, does it allow you to maintain the proper 2.35:1 aspect ratio of a widescreen DVD, eliminating the matte around them? ... I guess that is, if you use the source material that Jackson wanted us to see, rather than the butchered "full frame" versions ;)

And I haven't submitted any vids to the Film Festival, though I am aware of it, because I will not be able to attend.