Ripping DVDs

[alpine_uni]

I have a few questions about ripping DVDs to my computer, and was hoping that some of you may know a thing or two about it.

1) What is a good FREE dvd ripper out there?
2) How much space will a regular movie take up on my hard drive? How about a season of a television show?
3) After I take and rip it, can I store it on a CD instead of my hard drive, or is the file too large?

Thanks!

-mike

[habbywall]

Don't really know about two and three, but I have a mac and I use DVDVX, it is free and it works wonderfully. Don't know about PC's though.

[UniTyler]

Not that I ever actually do this, but I know how...


Download the freeware (not demo or shareware) DVDFab Decrypter
On DVDFab, select the folder to save the files to, and decrypt the DVD (around 5-8 gigs usually).
If the DVD is too big to fit on your blank DVD (bigger than 4.7 GB, usually), then use DVD Shrink to shrink it automatically without much quality loss.
Download the freeware Deep Burner.
On Deep Burner, select "Burn Data CD or DVD" in the little popup window.
Select "No Multisession" in the next popup.
Import the Audio_TS folder, then the Video_TS folder to burn.
In step 7, be sure to import the folders as wholes, not the individual files.
Burn the DVD, and play!

To put it on a CD, shrink it to CD size (700 MB usually), and do everything else the same.

[harper]

If the DVD is too big to fit on your blank DVD (bigger than 4.7 GB, usually), then use DVD Shrink to shrink it automatically without much quality loss.

To put it on a CD, shrink it to CD size (700 MB usually), and do everything else the same.

DVD Fab Decrypter came with a 27 page, illustrated instruction manual in .pdf format that was easy to use. That was through version 2.xx. I have not seen a manual for version 3.xx.

DVD Shrink is preset to burn using DVD Decrypter (no longer legally available) or Nero. Those are options you can select in DVD Shrink.

I think compressing to 700MB will make it barely viewable.

[edsbelly]

I don't burn dvds. But in a hypothetical world where I did, I would have used DVD shrink 3.2.

It's fairly simple to use.

1. You insert the DVD into the DVD drive then open DVD shrink and select open disk.
2. Then after it's opened, you select backup! and choose your settings and your burn directory.
3. Then I would use nero or somthing like it to burn the image to the DVD.

Hope I helped.

Ed

[timtimtimmy]

would u steel a car

[johnfoss]

would u steel a car
Unless it's a Corvette, they're made out of aluminum! :p

Do you think it should be illegal for people to make their own personal backup copies of purchased DVD movies that they own?

[ThisGuyIKnow]

Unless it's a Corvette, they're made out of aluminum! :p

Do you think it should be illegal for people to make their own personal backup copies of purchased DVD movies that they own?

No because when you purchase a DVD you are paying for the DVD manufacturing cost and one home use license.

As long as you legitimately are only making a back up copy for yourself I see no problem with it.

But when you're making a "back-up" copy and then selling the original or giving it to a friend that's a BIG difference.

[gkmac]

would u steel a carIf somebody borrows a DVD with the owner's permission and gives it back afterwards, that's not stealing. The majority think that adding "rips their own copy" will still think it's not stealing, because the original DVD is still given back.

[ThisGuyIKnow]

If somebody borrows a DVD with the owner's permission and gives it back afterwards, that's not stealing. The majority think that adding "rips their own copy" will still think it's not stealing, because the original DVD is still given back.

Well if you lend a DVD to a friend and he rips a copy and gives it back to you he is stealing because he's stealing the license.

The idea of intellectual property was something established by Jefferson over 200 years ago. It's certainly nothing new. It's just become easier to steal intellectual property than it was at his time.

[Borgschulze]

DVD Shrink works great for someone who isn't all that technically inclined.

You can't store a DVD on a CD, because it's not the same thing.

A CD is 700mb, a DVD is 4.37gb (DVD5 Single Layer) or 7.95gb (DVD9 Dual Layer)

1gb = 1024mb

would u steel a car
I don't see a 4) Comment on how piracy is illegal.

[forrestunifreak]

Do you think it should be illegal for people to make their own personal backup copies of purchased DVD movies that they own?

I copied my Universe 2 DVD, and for good reason. The hole around the middle actually cracked in multiple places, and now it is unplayable. Good thing I copied it in time.

And I didn't get an ass kicking, even. :)

[Borgschulze]

I copied my Universe 2 DVD, and for good reason. The hole around the middle actually cracked in multiple places, and now it is unplayable. Good thing I copied it in time.
Send me a copy.

I'll trade you Saw II.

Just because I'm that good.

[entropy]

Well if you lend a DVD to a friend and he rips a copy and gives it back to you he is stealing because he's stealing the license.
Actually, from a legal standpoint in the US, that's copyright infringement, not theft. They are two different things, and treated differently. Further, copyright infringement must be performed with the clear purpose of financial gain to be considered a criminal act.

Wikipedia link (take grain of salt first):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright_infringement

Feel free to debate the moral standpoint though. I won't get in your way.

[johnfoss]

Send me a copy.

I'll trade you Saw II.

Just because I'm that good.
That is what the MPAA would like you to think is stealing.

And I didn't get an ass kicking, even. :)
You + (VCR/DVD copying equipment) = Ass Kickin'. Dan will be looking for you... :p

Actually, from a legal standpoint in the US, that's copyright infringement, not theft.
So those pre-movie ads that show the people downloading movies are a bit of an exaggeration, right? But I guess telling people that illegally copying movies (no license) is "infringement" wouldn't sound like much...

[john_childs]

What's funny is that I have never ripped a protected DVD (protected with CSS (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Content_Scramble_System)). I have never had a need to or a desire to. I may have to turn in my geek license.

I have, however, ripped and shrunk and edited unprotected DVDs. Primarily DVDs of TV shows recorded with my DVR DVD recorder.

[gkmac]

What's funny is that I have never ripped a protected DVD (protected with CSS (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Content_Scramble_System)). I have never had a need to or a desire to. I may have to turn in my geek license.Like the bit about the geek licence!

I've "needed" to rip DVDs several times, but not to burn a copy. I've taken my laptop to juggling club and other places a few times to show some DVDs, except the DVDs have been ripped to the laptop's hard drive beforehand so they can safely remain at home.

[ThisGuyIKnow]

Actually, from a legal standpoint in the US, that's copyright infringement, not theft. They are two different things, and treated differently. Further, copyright infringement must be performed with the clear purpose of financial gain to be considered a criminal act.

Wikipedia link (take grain of salt first):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright_infringement

Feel free to debate the moral standpoint though. I won't get in your way.

I said steal because I meant steal.
From dictionary.com

steal
1. to take (the property of another or others) without permission or right, esp. secretly or by force: A pickpocket stole his watch.
2. to appropriate (ideas, credit, words, etc.) without right or acknowledgment.

The definition of property includes intellectual property, and to make a copy of a DVD is taking it without permission or right.

It IS stealing. Just because the government charges it differently that doesn't change the definition of the word.

All copyright infrigment creates a possible tort regardless of whether financial gain came about because of it.

If you want to steal media fine, do so, but don't try to argue that you're doing nothing wrong.

[entropy]

It IS stealing. Just because the government charges it differently that doesn't change the definition of the word.
That's a moral argument, and I respect your opinion. Now I will clarify my position:

United States Copyright Law:
http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap5.html#501


[...]
§ 506. Criminal offenses5 (http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap5.html#5-5)

(a) Criminal Infringement. - Any person who infringes a copyright willfully either -
(1) for purposes of commercial advantage or private financial gain, or
(2) by the reproduction or distribution, including by electronic means, during any 180-day period, of 1 or more copies or phonorecords of 1 or more copyrighted works, which have a total retail value of more than $1,000, shall be punished as provided under section 2319 of title 18, United States Code. For purposes of this subsection, evidence of reproduction or distribution of a copyrighted work, by itself, shall not be sufficient to establish willful infringement.
[...]


Further, In Dowling v. United States (1985) (http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?navby=search&court=US&case=/us/473/207.html), the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit held that copyright infringement does not "easily equate" to theft and unauthorized copies are not stolen property. Copyright infringement is not a property crime; in fact, copyright infringement is only rarely handled as a criminal matter.

Perhaps copying a single CD or DVD from a friend for personal use is immoral (debateable), but it's certainly not criminal. Equating it to stealing will not hold up in a court of law.

[ThisGuyIKnow]

You're trying to justify your opinion based on legalities, but to make unauthorized copies of a work IS still illegal regardless of quantity or whether or not profit is being made.

Yes, it's not a criminal charge if it's under a certain value, but it's still something you can be held civilly liable for.

Taking something without permission IS stealing. That nothion is something that is almost universally agreed upon across cultures, countries, and legal systems.

In the U.S. we have intellectual property rights that establish things like films, songs, written words as property or "something".

Copyright law establishes that you do not have the right to take copies of someone's work without permission.

So to copy DVDs is taking something without permission which as defined by most cultures throughout the world IS stealing regardless of the enforced legalities of the issue.

[johnfoss]

The definition of property includes intellectual property, and to make a copy of a DVD is taking it without permission or right.
I think it is a question of degree. If I make a backup copy of my copy of Superman Returns, for me, I've stolen nothing.
If I make a copy and loan it to my friend, I still think it's fair use.
If my friend watches his while I watch mine at home, we're over the line.
If I *give* it to my friend, we're further over the line.
If I *sell* it to my friend, we're definitely well over the line.
If I sell a stack of them, like all the movies and software we saw for sale in China around Unicon X, I'm definitely in danger of serious court proceedings.

But copying my own piece of intellectual property, for backup purposes, not stealing. Loaning it out, still not stealing.

[entropy]

...to make unauthorized copies of a work IS still illegal regardless of quantity or whether or not profit is being made.

Yes, it's not a criminal charge if it's under a certain value, but it's still something you can be held civilly liable for.


Yes.


Taking something without permission IS stealing. That nothion is something that is almost universally agreed upon across cultures, countries, and legal systems.
And I maintain that copying something ≠ taking something. You call it "stealing," and I call bullshit.

[Gilby]

Taking something without permission IS stealing. That nothion is something that is almost universally agreed upon across cultures, countries, and legal systems. Help, I can't breathe... as doing so would be stealing the oxygen.

On second thought, I'll just reorganize my Cs and Os, like I can with my 1s and 0s.

[alpine_uni]

Almost forgot I posted this thread... so pretty much the 10gb left on my hard drive would only be enough for one DVD, and to try and squeeze it on to a 700mb CD as a file would make it horrible to try and watch?

[Gilby]

Compressing video to 700MB using one of the latest mpeg4 derived codecs will actually not turn out too bad for a couple hours of video.

[ThisGuyIKnow]

I think it is a question of degree. If I make a backup copy of my copy of Superman Returns, for me, I've stolen nothing.
If I make a copy and loan it to my friend, I still think it's fair use.
If my friend watches his while I watch mine at home, we're over the line.
If I *give* it to my friend, we're further over the line.
If I *sell* it to my friend, we're definitely well over the line.
If I sell a stack of them, like all the movies and software we saw for sale in China around Unicon X, I'm definitely in danger of serious court proceedings.

But copying my own piece of intellectual property, for backup purposes, not stealing. Loaning it out, still not stealing.

Exactly I see no problem with making a copy of something to keep on hand as not to damage the original, especially useful for use by children who have no concept of keeping things nice. Such has been considered to fall under fair use.

However if you had rented the DVD or borrowed it from a friend and made a copy it's a completly different issue.

[ThisGuyIKnow]

Yes.


And I maintain that copying something ≠ taking something. You call it "stealing," and I call bullshit.

Well even if you don't want to call it stealing, it's still wrong and shouldn't be done. It's still illegal even if your chances of getting charged/fined are next to none.