I know those programs. I can already do it one step at a time, but I need a different program for each step which is a lot of work and takes up huge amounts of space. I'm hoping to find a program that can do all of it at once, or at least rip just the audio straight off a DVD.

Also note the 48kHz->44.1kHz option.

Doesn't the empeg support 48 KHz?

Keep in mind that this is possibly illegal even if you're just doing it for backup or compatibility purposes, as you say. Gotta love the US legal system and it's international cronies.

As far as I know it isn't illegal here in the Netherlands. We don't have a DMCA or similar. (Yet...)

/Pepijn