DVD Ripping!

[y4na]

I have a bunch of DVDs lying around and I want to get them on my hard drive. I was wondering if there were any free ripping programs that the TBCS community would like to suggest?

[knowledgegranted]

DVD fab5, the trial version is FTW. The program itself is marvelous.

[gntlkilr]

Handbrake.

maybe use AnyDVD for the CSS encryption.

Or DVDFAb 5 or above.

[billygoat333]

I also use anydvd and the clonedvd program. both have free 30 day trials.

[x88x]

It's expensive, but I also would highly recommend anyDVD. As for what you do after that, personally I like to just keep the straight rip. That lets me keep the absolute best quality, and storage is so cheap right now, there's no reason not to, imo. If you prefer to rip it down though, I also liked handbrake, though it's been a couple years since I used it..I imagine it's probably worlds better now than I remember it being..and I remember it being pretty good

[SgtM]

This is a gray area that can go wrong real quick, although intentions are good, so I'll say this just once. You can only do this with DVD's that you own.

Now that that's out of the way, I use DVD Decrypter to make a straight ISO of the disk, and mount the image with Daemon Tools.

[billygoat333]

Daemon tools is a must-have piece of software. one of my most used on my desktop.

[x88x]

This is a gray area that can go wrong real quick, although intentions are good, so I'll say this just once. You can only do this with DVD's that you own.

Thanks, you make a good point, but I figured that since he opened with "I have some lying around that I want to rip to my computer" that there shouldn't be a problem. That being said, and not to rain on anyone's parade, but US Copyright laws relating to this are royally fubar. Too many lobbyist or something, idk, but last time I looked into it (granted, a year or so ago, but I would think any major changes would have made huge waves):

having an 'archival copy': legal
downloading that 'archival copy': illegal (civil)
breaking CSS/AACS/etc encryption: illegal (civil) (regardless of whether you own the DVD or not)
having the software to break said encryption: legal
making and distributing the software to break said encryption: illegal (civil)

Like I said, royally fubar, but like SgtM said, a very gray area. I have never heard of anyone being prosecuted, or even charged or anything, if they only rip their personal discs that they own, and don't share them or upload them, or anything. Hopefully legislation will change eventually, but who knows when that will happen. For now I say we operate within the spirit of the law, and only rip stuff we own, to our personal systems, for use only on our personal LANs.

Now that that's out of the way, I use DVD Decrypter to make a straight ISO of the disk, and mount the image with Daemon Tools.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I feel obligated to point out that while DVD Decrypter is an awesome program (getting a little outdated, but still awesome), it is technically illegal to distribute it. Back in June 2005 (shortly after the UK passed their DMCA equivalent), Macrovision UK approached Lightning UK (the author of DVD Decrypter) with choice: either you let us buy all source/licensing/distribution/etc rights to DVD Decrypter, or we're gonna prosecute you for writing it. Now, as anyone in his position would do, he chose to sell it, and Macrovision promptly revoked all distribution rights. It's a little hazy whether they can revoke usage rights to already distributed copies though, anyone with a more in-depth understanding of the case and the legal precedent, I'd be interested to hear your opinion.
a few links about the acquisition:
http://www.afterdawn.com/news/archive/6501.cfm
http://www.afterdawn.com/news/archive/7056.cfm

Sorry in advance if I killed this thread

[XcOM]

Honestly DVD shrink the the best, it dosen't convert into other formats, but it will take the DVD and either rip an ISO, rip the VOB files and shrink them, remove menus, languages, subtitles, edit the play order, crop the film.

I would recommend it

[SgtM]

Honestly DVD shrink the the best, it dosen't convert into other formats, but it will take the DVD and either rip an ISO, rip the VOB files and shrink them, remove menus, languages, subtitles, edit the play order, crop the film.

I would recommend it

Oops.. you're right. I have DVD Shrink and DVD Decrypter. Usually use DVD Shrink.