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I am new to this forum...and glad I found it. From the list above (software in particular) I assume the manufacturers listed are good and make quality products? I read forums all over the web about this and that company is spam,adware etc. etc. how does a hobbiest know which is good software? Who to trust? Most web sites (reviews) are affiliated with 1 or many companies. I even read where Lordsmurf shotdown TOPTENREVIEWS.
I for one am not wild about freeware software, it is either no longer supported or filled with crap that takes over your computer or is so complex a hobbiest like me can't figure it out. I don't mind paying for software from a reputable quality company.
The programs I have interest in are downloaders / video converters / rippers - burners / and media players.
Hope I have come to a place that can steer me in the right direction. Thanks for your time

Some freeware is great, just as some payware (ESPECIALLY the $25-50 range) is crap. It really depends on the exact program. Several of the rippers above, for example, are excellent: AnyDVD or DVDFab -- these are sub-$100 payware. But for the best media player, you need look no further than the freeware VLC -- even the best payware can't touch it for feature and quality. I try to find the best tools, period, whether it's $0 or $500.

When in doubt, ask. We'll be glad to help find what you need. :)

And yes, we chose this stuff because it's good -- especially anything listed in bold.

Thank you for the quick reply and I hope your feeling better these days. I would like to start out with a video converter to convert my youtube downloads (flv) to put on ipad or extract audio for mp3 or wave. I just would like some guidance on a few good companies that make quality products. I need to narrow that down instead of searching 100s of site that sell inferior software.

I've always liked the software from any-video-converter.com

It has a spammy name, and an even more spammy domain, but don't let that fool you. Over the years, they've made some nice template-driven software for needs just like yours. I use it myself, when I just want videos converted in pretty good quality, and it's for myself (personal). It has templates for iPad, and for MP3, and it's exactly what you're after.

The only flaw I've found is it doesn't like some foreign characters in the name. For example, I have the Gangnam Style video by Psy, and it doesn't want to convert it as-is with the Korean characters. But that's it.

Get the "Any Video Converter Ultimate" for $45. :)