DVD to IPod ripper software

Ok so I just got an 80 gig video IPod I need to put some video on it. I spent last night trying to download and use a few programs and none worked or I couldn't get connected to the servers. I tried Handbrake and I kept getting some strange error message and it was something really technical. I tried using DVDDecrypter and I needed something to merge the VOB files and I downloaded it but it wouldn't merge them.

So now I need to know what one step solution is out there. I don't care to pay for it. I know Quick Time Pro requires a purchase and a seperate purchase of the MPEG 2 plug in. Anyone know how expense the plug in is?

Downloaded this last night (free trial) and I have tried 2 others. So far this one is in the lead. One I took off the computer and the other will only work for 5 minutes and turns it self off. It's a built in safety feature since it's a trial.