The Staff at Darkside_RG have compiled a list of recommended software we have had the pleasure of using and abusing.
Conversion= AutoGK, VirtualDub, AviSynth, DVD Decrypter, mEncoder, FFmpeg
Playback= VLC, GOM Player, Cyberlink PowerDVD, MPlayer
Other= DVD Shrink, Subrip, Nero 6, Adobe Premiere, Ulead VideoStudio, Pinnacle Studios, Sony Vegas, FLV player, AVInfo, Avidemux
If you have any questions regarding the above software, please post your question in the Technical Support Forum found here