Is there a freeware program can I get that would allow me to make copies of my DVD collection. I don't want to make bootlegs or anything, I just want to make backups of my favorite movies so the kids don't keep scratching the originals and I have to go out and buy all new copies; just like I do for my CD collection. Will I have to get decryption software too since they are copyrighted, or is there a program that can make copies without any of the extra hassle?
Hi Grace - You seem to have it pretty well sussed. Copying DVD's (from your own collection, of course) requires two stages. First is the 'decryption'.....the files on a purchased DVD are encrypted for copyrighting so you need software which will remove the encryption....a decrypter! Unfortunately, the best decrypter (AnyDVD) is shareware but there are a couple of good free alternatives. 'DVD43' is genuine freeware and very easy to use....in fact, there is no user input at all, no configuration...just install and each time a DVD is inserted into the drive it works away in the background. The second choice is DVDFab Decrypter. This is actually a crippled (less features) version of their shareware.....I believe it is still free but there seems to be some confusion among the freeware sites, i.e. some list it as freeware and others as shareware. It is probably a better product than DVD43 but is also slightly more difficult to use. Here are links for both:
http://www.dvd43.com/
http://www.softpedia.com/get/CD-DVD-Too ... pter.shtml
The second part of the equation is compression. Purchased DVD movies are recorded on dual layer discs and when we copy them we are attempting to get the same size files onto a single layer disc, so we need software to compress the files so they fit. Fortunately there is an exceptional freeware available for this..DVDShrink. It's been around a while and has a stellar reputation. There is a bit of a learning curve involved but I am expert in its use and would be more than happy to offer any help/advice. Get DVDShrink from here:
http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video ... shrink.cfm
The download button is in the green box off to the right.
cheers......JIM
Grace - Oops, I forgot to mention the 3rd part of the equation....burning software. DVDShrink syncs automatically with Nero, so it is preferable, but any burning software will do the job for you. Anything other than Nero requires just one extra step....i.e. after saving the new DVD files from DVDShrink to hard drive, you will need to open the burning software and point it to those files for processing....that is not necessary using Nero as the burning just happens automatically.
cheers.....JIM
Thanks a lot for your guide,JIM.
it makes sense to me,very useful.
You're most welcome Grace. Good luck with it. If you get stuck anywhere along the way just post here or send me a PM ...we'll sort it out mate.
cheers....JIM
[quote="ozbloke":1qd0810f]Grace - Oops, I forgot to mention the 3rd part of the equation....burning software. DVDShrink syncs automatically with Nero, so it is preferable, but any burning software will do the job for you. Anything other than Nero requires just one extra step....i.e. after saving the new DVD files from DVDShrink to hard drive, you will need to open the burning software and point it to those files for processing....that is not necessary using Nero as the burning just happens automatically.
cheers.....JIM[/quote:1qd0810f]
If I may add my $0.02, I would highly recommend Imgburn for making the final transfer from HDD to DVD. I've used it since it was first released and it's not failed me once (although I currently use AnyDVD in unison with CloveDVD, but these are not freeware options). If you're not completely satisfied with your current DVD burning software you may want to give Imgburn (which is freeware) a try. D/L link is below....
Regards,
JoseyWales
Hey JW - Thanks for the recommendation. IMGBurn is indeed a superior free burning solution but it does involve a slight learning curve for DVD files.....not a complicated process but like most things is only easy when you know how. Nero is the top pick to use with DVDShrink because of the automatic integration...no configuration, it just does it. However, if Nero is not available then a big [i:z6txvieh]yes[/i:z6txvieh], I agree with your recommendation 100%.....IMGBurn for sure!
cheers.....JIM
It's not free, but I love [url=http://esd.element5.com/product.html?productid=300101281&cookies=1&affiliateid=200036005:2miyj3gg]DVDFab[/url:2miyj3gg]. It takes care of the entire operation (decryption, recoding, burning) and allows conversion to other formats. It's quick, does a good job encoding, and is updated often.
[i:248nceq1]"Is there a [b:248nceq1]freeware[/b:248nceq1] program can I get that would allow me to make copies of my DVD collection."
[/i:248nceq1]
Uh, yeah...thanks Dave but this is the, err...'Freeware' section. But hey, you're the 'chief'.....you post anything you like, anywhere. No worries!!!
JIM
I know Jim. I was just expanding on the AnyDVD, DVD43, DVDfab Decrypter thingy, just a little off topic.
Yes, the Freeware (give me the free stuff) does do a good job on the older DVD's; but that's because copy protection was much simpler then. Now a day, if you want to copy/alter/extract (yes, even your own legal DVD's), you need to purchase the software, simply 'cause it's constantly updated.
Remember it's big business and big money, so spending a little to allow one to legally copy/alter/extract is not an option - it's the only sane recourse. And as Dave mentioned, DVDfab is true alternative, Mindblower!
"For the needy, not the greedy"
Dave & MB - Perhaps one of you guys could clear up the confusion over DVDFab for me....please. Some sites categorise it as freeware and others shareware. There was a time when it [i:2f2vqmfb]was [/i:2f2vqmfb]free, then a period where you could download a trial version of the commercial product which would revert to a free crippled version when the trial period expired. What is the current status??
http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/DV ... 32478833/1 This popular site lists DVDFab as freeware, most of the others as shareware. Is that possibly because the entry on Fileforum is outdated (although it is dated 22nd January, 2009)?
BTW: I do agree entirely that the best products for this operation [i:2f2vqmfb]are [/i:2f2vqmfb] the commercial offerings. Although I do still use DVDShrink for compression and ripping, I have AnyDVD for decryption...the point you both make about keeping up to date with current encryption methods is a very valid one and only the commercial products do that. However, bearing in mind that Grace did specifically request advice on [i:2f2vqmfb]freeware[/i:2f2vqmfb]....DVD43 [i:2f2vqmfb]is[/i:2f2vqmfb] a viable freeware alternative, especially for someone like Grace who wishes to back up her existing collection (assuming it wouldn't contain any very recent movies). Most of this was covered in my original post.
Thanks for the input guys,
JIM.
I'm sorry you're being tormented ozbloke, since you are 100% completely correct in all you said (before and now).
I'll only try and clear up with regards to DVDfab (as I do use the commercial software). When you visit their site, you are encouraged to try a 30 day trial of several of their products. Some consider this as Shareware, but it's not. The site also contains some Freeware software. They are not crippled versions, just older versions without the bells, whistles, and updates of the newer commercial versions.
Best one reads the history revision and see what advances were made. Many of them don't do anything for a typical user interested in making a copy. What is interesting, is that they are keeping up with the times (I'll let you discover on you own). So this is my 2 cents on DVDfab, Mindblower!
"For the needy, not the greedy"
Hey MB - Thanks for the quick response. I am assuming then, the free (older) versions would not include ways and means for overcoming the latest protections?
You [i:14fmapsc]are[/i:14fmapsc] a tease MB if the above is true, what do yo mean by..."they are keeping up with times". Is that a reference to the commercial version only?
thanks again,
JIM.
DVDFab currently offers a 30 day trial. It is fully functional. Older versions may be freeware, but they will not be able to decrypt the latest movies (say 2 or 3 years?).
Free DVD was once called DVDFab Decrypter and will only copy DVDs with analog encryption. So again, nothing newer than 2 or 3 years.
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