I need a free program to rip DVDs

I bought a Dell a week or so ago and reformatted. I don't feel like calling them and ordering the stuff I need to watch DVDs in Windows Media player/burn DVDs. So I just use VLC to watch them.

However, I want to rip DVDs to my HDD. I was wondering if there is a free program (or a not so free program that could be reccomended and I'll find a way to get it) that I could get to copy the DVDs to my HDD and burn them to other DVDs.

 

Never used it, but DVD Shrink gets mentioned a lot.

BlindWrite or Alcohol 120% could probably work also.

 

So, I guess you are against illegal downloads.

Don't Dells have reinstall CD's for their CD/DVD programs?

 

LOL doesn't matter if he is against it or not. NBR doesn't support piracy, so please don't post any solutions that suggest that.

 

www.doom9.org

They have tons of information on that. What I do is, I use DVD Decrypter and rip it in IFO mode, then use AutoGordianKnot to make it into avi. XviD is the codec.

Direct link to the guide using the abovementioned tools: http://www.doom9.org/autogk.htm

 

Probably only if you burn them to DVD/CD before you re-formatted.

SG - That wasn't directed at me was it? - he said to recommend commercial programs and he would find a way to acquire them, so I mentioned some. Hope it was okay.

 

Doom9.org has some good stuff. I use it to back up my dvds because i'm the paranoid type who has to keep a backup of everything

 

Tiger: No that is fine. I just didn't want anyone to suggest downloading the movies or anything like that. For that matter downloading the key to paid software, etc.

 

dvdshrink, dvd decrypter (both are kinda out-dated but free so it might not work on all)
anydvd+clondedvd2 (shareware but with latest updates)

 

I think they have taken DVD Decrypter off the net,supposedly it got sold off and the new owners did not like having this 'free' program avaiable on the net.But you may still find a link,used it heaps and it is very very good,never not worked.

 

I second AnyDVD + CloneDVD2, but I say + CloneCD. I think they have a sale right now, like $10 off, but it might already be over. They also often have sales posted on CDFreaks, and when they do, they are stickied to the Slysoft forums.

AnyDVD is what you need to remove CSS protection and all that good stuff from movie DVDs. I hear there's freeware that does it, but I like AnyDVD and its cute fox icon, so I don't care.

CloneDVD allows you to shrink the movie (like to fit it on a DVD-5), and it also allows you to remove chapters and extra languages before burning, either to make a better DVD or to have less degradation in quality when you shrink it because it's shrunk less. I always remove the FBI warning chapters, for example. The interface is really nice. CloneDVD allows you to save your new, custom-made DVD to an image, and also to burn from an image.

CloneDVD is a transcoder. CloneCD is not. CloneCD can clone DVDs as well as CDs, write images, burn from images, but it will not allow you to copy some files and not others because, well, it's not a transcoder. It helps to have both types of programs for the different things you may need to do.

It's cheaper if you buy a bunch at a time, and with the coupon, it comes out to like $50 for all three. I also download Virtual CloneDrive, which just allows you to mount disk images in a virtual drive or ten, because like its competitors, it's free, and the sheep icon that shows up when there's no disk mounted is really cute.

Did I mention CloneDVD has really cute sheep on the startup screen, and when you are burning? It shows you the scene that it's burning (screen changes like every second or so), and the sheep is sitting there eating popcorn. Aww!

Clone... Sheep... It's genius!

Malia

 

I think its illegal to even rip dvds that u own, at least in US.

 

Here's something odd I found out, (beginner).

I had burned some home movies to a few DVDs a few years ago. Yesterday I loaded Nero 7 (Trial version-30 days) and when I 'backed' up my first DVD to my HD, I saw the output files were MPEGs, (not Vobs)

What a great find by mistake.

The files are much smaller. big plus

I see no quality loss in the picture, (I played the new files on WMP right next to the DVD on the TV set)

I can put the movies on a CD vs a DVD, so family members then can play on ANY PC and of course CDs are cheap, cheap, cheap!

MPEGS seem to load quicker and you can skip 'chapters' quicker than DVD vob files.

2 By-the-way comments

BTW#1 - Nero has a very easy 'Edit Movie' tool to cut those home movies down, even Dad gets tired of watching all of little Billy's birthday parties.

BTW#2 - AVI files - pros and cons to MPEG files ? (Maybe I'll do a Poll)

 

lol, you've converted the DVD

Incidentally, you might as well find out the bitrate settings etc and report back

 

I would second Malia's recommendation of AnyDVD and CloneDVD2, two of the best programs out there and are constantly updated. In regards for not calling Dell, it couldn't be more easy. Have you tried using Dell Chat Support to order your discs? I have found Dell Chat Support to be very helpful and willing to make things right. It's fast, easy, and no need to call anyone. Just do it over your comp.

 

"find out the bitrate settings etc and report back"

why ?

 

You can use dvd shrink, is easy use. It's free. Put it in google and go to their page.

 

General interest

Like songs, you can encode video files at diff bitrates - the higher the bitrate the better the quality, etc but bigger filesize

Don't need to do it I already have my own settings. I just wonder what others may use

 

I've always used DVD Decrypter and if you're looking for a tool that would receive more updates but is essentially the same thing you can try DVDFab Decrypter (free).

 

Not illegal. It might be a violation of DCMA or software copyright, but that is undetermined. There is a thread discussing that aspect here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=64071

 

Free: RipIt4Me
Pay: AnyDVD/CloneDVD

 

It is illegal. The DMCA specifically prohibits the circumvention of copy protection. Ever wonder why some older versions of Nero supported this, but then didn't? Or why all the DVD ripping software is off-shore?

Anyway, I think, morally speaking, you should be able to back-up DVD's that you legally bought, and I will assume that the OP was looking to do this. Try out Shrinkto5 (not sure how they spell it). It is based of DVD Shrink and is what DVD Shrink would be had they not been put out of business. DVD Decrypter is also good, but again no longer available. Try www.afterdawn.com for software no longer available. I love the internet! Once the cat is out of the bag you can't put it back in!

 

i have no moral issues. i think i remember reading somewhere also that technically and legally speaking, it's illegal to rip your cds sometimes, in some places. It's all ridiculous, i'm watching a dvdr copy of ferris beuller as we speak

 

LOL! That is great! I agree though you should be able to use the movie you paid for the way you want.

 

The DCMA also is supposed to prohibit the copying to a different media, regardless of copy-protection.

So technically making cassettes of you own non-protected music CD's to listen to on a car cassette deck would be bad.

 

The law's out of date, is all

Here in the UK a couple month ago they changed the law to allow ppl to copy CDs onto their PC...which everybody did anyway

If the suits had their way everybody would pay twice - a physical then pay for a download I say go ahead - I'd like to see them win in a court of law. It's not like you're copying to distribute to mates - it's for personal use

P.S. Not that I condone ppl breaking the law If US law don't allow it, don't do it!

 

IANAL, and we are getting sorta off-topic from the original post, but you also need to realize that there is a difference between criminal and civil law.

No one is saying a prosecutor is going to throw you in jail for copying a DVD movie to your HD.

What is possible is that Universal Studios (or whoever owns the rights to the movie) could sue you in civil court for unknown damages for copyright violation, although it is doubtful that would stand up.

 

I can see them do it to make an example. I'm sure it's been done. However, since you're not downloading it, it's virtually impossible to find out that you've done it. And even if they somehow find you with a burnt DVD in your possession, they still need to prove that you are the one that did the burning. (Otherwise, all they have on you is possession of stolen property, or maybe accessory after crime, which are criminal offenses so they can't sue, and the state won't care enough to sue.) They can't prove you did it unless they search your laptop. I'm not sure if they have search warrants in civil court, but if they do, they don't have probable cause to get one. I could be wrong, but regardless, the chances of getting caught are virtually nonexistent.

Malia

 

Technically, not stolen property - property which was creted in violation of the DCMA.

True, but the cynic in me wonders how long it will be before you connect to Windows Update and Bill Gates searches your HD for pirated software, removes any copies it finds (backing up an image of it to their servers), send E-mails with any records it locates of your name, address, IP address and phone number to the software companies involved and the Department of Justice, and your local newspaper and employer . . .

Remember the Homeland Security Pizza joke?

Also not sure MicroSoft isn't more Big Brother-ish than the Department of Homeland Security.

 

Re: I need a free program to rip DVDs was the question

Here are some, most already mentioned, but apparently this suite works well together, and is integrated to work with each other, and they are all FREE.

Ripit4me, DVD Decriptor, DVD Shrink, one other ? (this last one handles the lastest newer DVD encriptions - sorry I don't have the name here)

As I mentioned earlier, I have home movies (analog) that were burned to DVDs, and in the process to copy the DVDs to give to Grandparents etc, I found you can convert to MPG files and copy to a five cent CD and have better interoperability.

Because they were analog, the process someone did to burn to DVD a few years ago, already degraded the quality. (hey, they're home movies, poor quality adds to their character)
But I can understand newer home movies (digital camera) would be better served quality wise in certain file formats, bit rates, etc.

The new computers purchased today are coming (almost) standard with DVD writers. This is creating a large wave of DVD 'rookies', like me, entering the DV world. So the simple first task of DVD 101, 'how do I copy a DVD?' gets frustrating for us 'rookies' as well, because there is NOT a simple MS Office- like standard. It's a maze of forums, software, tools, add-ons, plug-ins, multiple-standards, and pieces, and fear of burning DVD coasters.

Please be patient with us rookies.

BTW - it's illegal to NOT come to a complete STOP at every STOP sign.

EDIT - Mega thanks to this forum and to those offering specific help.

 

Well, the technology and the Internet speeds are not there yet
And when it catches up, if you delete the image after you burn it, and then run a program every night to overwrite all the empty space 35 times, you'll be ok

Malia

P.S. Good DVDs cost 35c, bad DVDs cost 15c - at prices like that, who cares if you make a coaster?

 

Malia - you're getting good prices for your 'good' DVDs


FixVTS is the name of the 4th part of that suite I mentioned earlier and here is a link to set them all up, and in specific order, and for FREE.

http://www.ripit4me.org/guide.html

 

Just buy them 100 or 200 at a time. No cases or whatever, that stuff takes up space, and why pay for a spindle - I've extra spindles sitting around waiting to be filled. Once burnt, store them in CD cases that you have left over from back when you used to buy music CDs. There are sales & rebates all the time. Even DL DVDs are not that much now, the last 20-pack of Verbs that I got ended up costing me $1.30 per DVD after shipping and rebates. That's HALF the cost of a venti trippio, and those things are cheap - and it lasts longer, too.

Malia

 

Generally cheap media will burn fine provided one has a competent burner. The kicker is most cheap media degrades much quicker than quality media. It's up to you if you want to spend half as much for cheaper, lower quality media and have to re-burn everything when they degrade and become unreadable in a few months (happened to me). As for decent media, anything Taiyo Yuden is the best and Verbatim supplies good media as well (based on my experiences).

 

Chang,

My point exactly. When "twice as much" = 15-20c, I'd rather invest the few pennies and not have to worry about it not working when I actually need it. I get TY everything except for DLs, since TY doesn't make DLs, and for that I get Verbs. I've never had any media degrade on me, even cheap media that I got before I knew anything about this stuff - and I'm talking year 2000 here - but I've heard some horror stories, and as Churchill once said, only fools learn from their own mistakes.

What I did have happen once though, and it's so ridiculous it's funny, I put a post-it note on a CD that someone burnt for me because I didn't have a Sharpie handy, and just left it there until I needed it a couple months later. When it was time to use it, I took off the post-it, and with it came the silver foil on the CD! Of course, with nothing to reflect off of, the drive can't read the CD. I just laughed and laughed! Lesson: with cheap media, degradation is not the worst case scenario.

Malia

 

Haha . I've never had that happen to me. Your story makes me want to see if I can produce that result...haha!

I've read in many places it's not recommended to use permanent markers (aka Sharpies) on CD-Rs because the chemical composition of the ink in the marker corrodes/degrades the metal layer on top of the CD drastically reducing your CD-R's life. I've never had this problem as most of my CD-Rs come with a coating on the top of the disc. This doesn't apply to DVD media as the metal recording layer is sandwiched between two layers of plastic.

 

There was a thread on CDFreaks a while back about that. The concensus seems to be, Sharpies are fine, but if you want to be super careful, buy those special $5 markers. I get inkjet printable disks because they are white and really smooth, which makes them quite pleasant to handle and to write on, and it really doesn't seem like the Sharpie can penetrate the smooth surface. It feels like very thin vinyl. Oh, and make sure to get hub printable ones - that means that the white "sticker" goes all the way to the middle and you don't have that stupid clear ring wasting space.

Malia