Copying DVDs

[theFONZ]

I got a DVDR for Christmas and would like to make some copies of my favorite DVDs for personal use. The program that came with it will not do this. I don't think what I am doing is illegal so does anyone know what a good program to use is?

[cstreit]

Not illegal if they are for your own use and for archival purposes... but I can't help you on the application...

[mikester]

Get DVD Decrypter and DVD Shrink (google search for both) and you'll be all set to go. Of course you'll also need your friendly neighborhood cd burning software that supports your DVD player. A real nice freeware product is CDBurnerXP Pro.

Enjoy!

[theFONZ]

OK, so I can't just copy a DVD like I copy a CD and then play it in a DVD player? Sorry if I sound like a noob at this.

[cegerer]

Nope. That would be too easy.

[jhelgesen]

Originally posted by theFONZ
OK, so I can't just copy a DVD like I copy a CD and then play it in a DVD player? Sorry if I sound like a noob at this.

If you could "find" a copy of DVDx copy, you can do it in one step. Not available new as far as I know anymore.

[Robert Coats]

Originally posted by theFONZ
OK, so I can't just copy a DVD like I copy a CD and then play it in a DVD player?

There are software products out there that allow you to duplicate a copy-protected, commercial DVD using a computer with a DVD burner. I've tried a few, but never was able to get consistent results.

I then found this product:

The Clarifier Classic

It works as a "black box" between a DVD player and a stand-alone DVD recorder. Dirt simple to use, just plumb it between VIDEO OUT of the player and VIDEO IN of the recorder. It filters the copy protection signal and allows the video signal to pass through. Connect the audio cable direct. I bought and infrequenlty use one and can testify it works nicely.

Pro: Simple, no fuss, no muss. No computer or software required. If you can press PLAY and RECORD, you can make this work.

Con: Only copies the actual audio and video; you won't get any chapter marks, subtitles, menus, etc. from the original DVD. Some slight loss of quality due to the analog nature, but I can't tell a a difference.

[Rufblackbird]

Copying movie DVDs involve a couple of steps. First, stick the movie into your computer's dvd drive and see how big the file size is. It's usually 9 Gigs or so, which we'll refer to as DVD9. Normal DVD+/-R discs are half that, around 4.5 Gigs. If the movie is DVD9 you'd have to first "rip" the DVD and save it on the harddrive. Then you have to use a compressor to compress the movie into half. Then burn. If the movie is 4.5 Gigs or less, then you can just copy it direct.

The programs I use are "DVD Decrypter" to rip, "DVD2one" to compress, and Nero to burn.

The most important thing about getting good results, are the discs that you use and the drive that you have. Some are better than others.

For more reading see this site.

[Don 944 LA]

A Must : http://www.videohelp.com/

I personnaly use " AnyDVD " along side "Nero Ultra" and never had any problems backing up DVDs ( Blockbusters DVDs that is )

The above sites link is a must for any newbie or even seasoned veteran to this technology. I like the ability to look up specific hardware features and what media will/will-not play on it as people supply comments of specific media on players and recorders. There are also many many tutorials on methods and applications dealing with conversion to/from Divx/Xvid/etc..

AnyDVD: a standalone application that does nothing but act as a decoder ( similar to standard codec ) and runs in the background.

Nero Ultra : Full retail package that allows you to do ANYTHING you want to except copy a copyright encripted file ( where AnyDVD comes in ) . I think that it runs about $100, but there is a demo version as well. The stuff that comes with your burner is a junk version... The demo version of Ultra just needs a serial number to unlock the time feature and aditional features..

hope that helps

[Joeaksa]

I do it to every CD that comes in the house. Make a "working copy" and put the orginal in a safe place. That way when there is a party and someone scratches it, or someone breaks into the car and its stolen I can just make another copy.

Need to start doing the same with my DVD's! Good thread!

JoeA

[Serg]

Don't copy your DVD's it's illegal, just "back them up". You're doing the same thing but you can be prosecuted for the earlier not the latter. (at least for one back up).

[Serg]

DVD Shrink can compress if needed, it can decrypt, you can eliminate unneeded files, (french translation, spanish subtitles, etc.), and you can eliminate regions from your DVD source so you can "back up" DVDs from other continents other than American. (Asia, Europe,etc). Use Nero to burn. (Very good).

DVD Shrink is free!!

[Don 944 LA]

Nero Ultra shrinks to 4.7GB
It lays out everything and allows you to remove previews, menu items, audio tracks etc. to make space and improve quality..

Hopefully soon, the 9GB DVD blanks will be cheap enough to buy..

[Teutonics]

I've also found DVD Shrink to be the best and easiest to use freeware application. Another good resource site with links to lots of freeware apps is doom9.org. Use the "Guides" and "Download" links on the left.

[amity914]

pssssst,i copy any disk with no issues.
mpegx.com afterdawn.com all the info you need is there

[Joeaksa]

Updating an old thread.

Have for several years used 321Studios DVD Xcopy to backup my DVD's for use when I travel.

Tried it for a few days on my new Casino Royale DVD and it keeps popping up with an error and closes the program.

Anyone else had this problem?