DVD Ripping software

Hey, I was wondering if its possible to rip DVD's onto you harddrive like you can with CD's?
I'd like to get all my DVDs on my HDD so I dont have DVD's everywhere!
If so, is there any free software out there - and by doing this is there any loss in video quality or will it be just like watching the DVD as though its playing through the optical drive?
Thanks

 

Yes, it is possible. The program you want is K9Copy. Depending on which distribution you're using, I may or may not be able to tell you how to install it.

Just ripping a DVD will not result in any loss of quality. However, you should remember that a DVD9 can be 8.54 GB, so most people prefer to compress the DVD into a file that's 1-3 GB, depending on the length of the video. This will result in a minor loss of quality, but that's acceptable for most people.

If you don't want to compress the DVD, you will end up with a .iso file, which can be played in pretty much any Linux video player (i.e. MPlayer, Kaffeine, Totem, VLC) as long as you have the DVD libraries installed (most distributions will automatically install this).

If you do want to compress the DVD, you will end up with a video file in whatever format you choose. I suggest that you use x264 or Xvid to compress the video. Either method will result in a .avi file. Keep in mind that you will lose the DVD menu system if you compress the video like this. Once again, the file can be played in pretty much any Linux video player, given that the appropriate codecs (either x264 or Xvid, depending on which one you choose) are installed (as with the DVD support, x264/Xvid support will probably be automatically installed).

 

Thanks for that, where can I find this K9Copy software?

 

As I said, what distro are you using?

 

Aw im sorry, you'll have to excuse my ignorance - whats a distro?

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_distribution

You're probably using Ubuntu, SuSE, Mint, or Fedora.

 

Im really sorry (im oh so dumb when it comes to things like this)
I think i should have mentioned that im using Windows Home Premuim and not linux...

 

Oh god!! I've just made a huge mistake - i've posted this in the wrong section! HELP! Im so sorry!

 

Oh, well sorry then. I don't use Windows, so I don't know anything about it.

You really should try Linux though. It's much better than Windows

You can have both Vista and Linux on the same computer at the same time. It's really easy to install, completely free, doesn't get bogged down over time, and has no virus problems. I know several people who don't know a thing about computers that use it. Once they tried it, they never wanted to go back to Windows.

 

Thanks for being so understanding, I feel like i'v wasted your time as you've gone to all that trouble to write replies and everything!
How does it work, because sometimes i'd want to use windows as i have lots of software for windows, but the DVD thing would be good, on bootup does it ask you if you want to use windows or linux?

 

No worries. I'm sure there are other people out there who'd want this information, and now they can find it when they Google for it.

Well, you can actually run some Windows programs on Linux, by using Wine. For example, I use that to play Guild Wars. Also, Calvin's sticky on Linux Alternatives to Windows Software is very useful. Most of that software is free as well, and much of it comes preinstalled with distros like Ubuntu, so you don't even have to do anything to get it.

Yeah, that's exactly how it works. You get a list of operating systems on bootup and you pick from that. A new version of Ubuntu just came out 2 days ago, so you should check that out

 

Thanks so much! I think I may check it out, but dont have the time at the moment as im off clubbing tonight!!