Advanced .vob to .avi - Flask or better

[engineerer]

I'm trying to get Flask re-running after a hard drive reformat (it won't, so far), or alternately, find some software that can do similar things.
In particular, I'm looking for software that can:
1. convert only a portion of a vob file (not the whole thing), to an avi file; and,
2. crop and/or resize the frame (such as, to convert from 16x9 to 4x3).
Flask was perfect for both of those tasks, but it seems to be largely unsupported since 2002, and I can't find the documentation and/or plugins I need, and none of the versions I've downloaded will start the process, after I've identified a segment of a vob file I want to convert.
The ideal output for me is an avi file, which I can plug directly into Premier.
Can anyone suggest comparable or better software, that can do the above, or else provide an active link to some good Flask documentation?
Thanks

[UncasMS]

DVX works wonderfully for these kind of tasks

[engineerer]

Okay, I'm trying to get DVX working. It told me I need 8 different plugins. Example problem: it demands to have Besweet version 1.5b29, but all the sites I've found have replaced that version with 1.5b31. Which DVX will NOT accept, apparently.
I've spent 2-3 hours so far, and it looks like I might have another dozen to go, before I can actually try it. Any advice?

[anonymez]

'gordian knot' is the best IMO, especially when used in conjunction with xvid. simple step-by-step guides at http://www.divx-digest.com and http://www.doom9.org

[Taelon]

Well I'll go against the grain and suggest VirtualDubMod or VirtualDub-MPEG2, both can easily edit VOB files, and resize the output. No plug-ins needed, .avi output is standard, doesn't get much easier.

[tigerman8u]

I would go as "Taelon stated and use Virtualdub mpeg2

[engineerer]

Thanks, guys. I'll give GK and VirtualDub Mpeg2 a try.
For those who might be interested in Flask, here's some info I finally stumbled across. A good source is:

http://nickyguides.digital-digest.com/flaskmpeg.htm

The plug-ins that apparently are needed:
DivX Mpeg-4 Codec 3.1alpha (or greater)
Fhg Radium MP3 codec (now under a Fraunhofer name, or something similar)
Advanced Bitrate Calculator 1.8

After loading those, I got it working.

[UncasMS]

in DVX simply go to *extras* => *paths* and click download

you dont have to search for all the plugins, dvx downloads them automatically

i have used gordianknot for quite some time before i came across an early beta of DVX

had contact with the author for a long time and a lot of suggestions were realized in no time

DVX is the most advanced tool imho