converting a dvd to mpeg4 or mp4 files for pmp playback

[havsumhope1]

i recently purchased a portable media player.. a msi megaview 561.. it plays mp4 files and divx and .avi and has a 20gb hard drive..

i thought it would play mpeg2 files, but it doesnt'. i've been using ulead to rip down my video collection to mpeg2 files for distribution through my home network.

i have found that converting the mpeg2 files again to mpeg4 files results in just horrid video quality.

now my prismiq that plays my video files through my network on my tv.. they also play mpeg 4.

it seems like i'm gonna just start ripping thiings to mpeg 4 so i can play them back on most all of my playback devices (computer, tv, pmp).

does anyone know how to convert a dvd directly to mpeg4?

currently, i'm playing the dvd on a dvd player and capturing in the mpeg 4 format on my pmp, but it only converts to "half size" mp4 (320 X 240) - not ideal for playback on tvs or computer.

i'd like to just rip my dvds directly to full size mp4, without having to capture it with my pmp or through my computer's ati tv capture card.

can ulead 'read" a dvd file on a dvd and just convert it to "mpeg4"?