ripping dvds and converting to avi

[BIG SEXY]

anyone know of a decent program, preferably freeware, that can rip and convert dvds to avi format? ive tried using dvd decrypter to copy the disc then convert it with winavi but the avi ends up with no sound.
before anyone jumps up and down, the reason for this is a mate of mine is going bush for work for 2 years and wants to store his 300 odd dvds on an external hard drive so he can watch them on laptop.

[Kahuna]

Handbrake is pretty popular

http://handbrake.fr/

[zipzap]

Try this mate, free for today only http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/

[BIG SEXY]

cheers for the help. ive given up. i can either rip the dvd and convert the vob etc files to a single avi file with no sound or i can rip the dvd and convert the vob etc files with sound but 13 seperate files!