DGMPGDec (an evolution of jackei's original DVD2AVI) is written in functional style using C-language constructs. The required C can be learned very quickly. I taught myself C in 2 days using the first edition of the K&R book from zero knowledge of programming and computers; I was a philosopher at that time (later went on for an MSc). I venture to say many of the developers here have a similar history. So the OP should not feel intimidated by C code, and given the logical thinking and analytic mind she has already demonstrated she should be able to master C in hours. Perhaps then the OP would be empowered to contribute useful code to the community, to augment her penetrating questions.
The C Programming Language, 2nd Ed.
Kernighan and Ritchie
https://www.amazon.com/Programming-L.../dp/0131103628
Here is the second edition on-line. It is a true classic in computer science.
http://net.pku.edu.cn/~course/cs101/...medium=twitter