Ripping DVDs

[Andreas Rex]

Does anyone know of any free ripping software which can rip as a VOB file?? I want to 'backup' my collection, so any general advice on doing so would be helpful...

Muchos gracias!

 

[db]

do you actually want to rip them as VOB files, or just "backup" to DVD-R?

if it's the former, DVD Decrypter is what you're after.. if it's the latter, it's not as simple as copying a CD unfortunately.. there are various "one click" app's, but they're not great quality..

it's not something i do myself, to be honest, so i'm not familiar with anything off the top of my head.. i'll have a look for you though..

 

[Andreas Rex]

I downloaded DVD Shrink 3.2 for free, dead easy and quick, and it's worked an absolute treat. It gives you the option to untick the sections which aren't required (foreign languages etc), making the file much smaller. I've tried a few, and they all fit on one 4.7gb DVD, and are really decent quality too. Highly recommended.

 

[Astro Boy]

Hey there, Im doing the same as Andreas here and 'backing up' my DVD collection. Unlike Andreas, mind, Im wanting to back them up on my hard drive as avi files.

Now then, I've done a little research and have started using a programme called 'Cucusoft Ultimate DVD and Video Converter Suite 7.13.7.7'. Its great - you can decode a DVD and simultaneously convert to whatever you want, avi or MPEG4 for example - it even has a choice of ipod compatable file formats.

Personally, Im converting to .avi and have chosen a convenient file size between 700mb and 1gig. The problem is that these avi movies, when played back, seem quite pixillated compared to a dowloaded avi movie of similar size. I presume that whoever has 'backed up' the downloadable movie has ripped it to a hard drive as a high quality VOB and then done a conversion to divx, avi, or whatever.

Does anybody have any thoughts on this? Any pointers in the right direction? Any help would be greatly appreciated and gratified with some skill!

edit: spelling

 

[shoes]

Most downloaded films come as DivX files, you need a DivX converter. Not something i do really so can't point you in the right direction, google might help though

 

[Astro Boy]

yeah, they are mostly encoded in DivX / XviD with an .avi file extension.

this programme im using is a 'one click does all' application and as db said earlier in this thread, they're not great quality.

have decided to use dvd decrypter to rip to the hard drive and then am going to have to find some sort of converter. this is probably going to be the best way to retain a reasonable amount of quality whilst keeping the files sizes manageable.

time is a factor here. having to rip and THEN convert is a ball ache to be fair but if its the only way..........

thanks for your response shoes.

will keep updating............

 

[Wookie]

You might find this DVD to DivX (Xvid) Conversion Guide worth a read...

 

[The Stafford Beast]

Unless you know a few unix commands or pay for some DVD ripping software, the free apps are usually rubbish.

Btw... In light of The Pirate Bay case, it is legal to make 1 backup of your CDs/DVDs and keep it to yourself. It's only illegal when you start selling or duplicating bits of the media to other people without permission.
I know the law is different over here than to Sweden, but apparently if this 'media circus' is correct, then it's illegal to tell people where to find certain computer files. Actually, it's probably illegal for me to hyperlink The Pirate Bay site. Never mind - I'll hand myself into the police a bit later... lol

 

[My Name is URL]

Actually, it's probably illegal for me to hyperlink The Pirate Bay site. Never mind - I'll hand myself into the police a bit later... lol

No you won't, they'll be round in about 30 seconds...... 30 cops and 10 riot vans should do the job nicely, can't be too careful with your sort....

Your why this country is in such a bad state

 

[Astro Boy]

@wookie - thanks for the link!

ok i seem to have it sussed. the one click application by cucusoft has its uses but to solve the problem i mentioned earlier................

firstly, rip the dvds vob files to your hard drive. this can be done by usung DVD Decrypter. make sure its set to IFO mode so the audio is ripped into the vob files and not stored separately in a folder (file mode creates separate AUDIO_TS and VIDEO_TS folders, which is what you need if youre going to burn a DVD with the menu structure onto a disc. making a clone).

secondly, convert those high quality vob files to an avi with a DivX encoder using Auto Gordian Knot 2.55.

well easy but a little time consuming. ive had to settle for file sizes around 1gig but thats not too bad. to make the video quite good the audio had to be slighty sacrificed by encoding it as an MP3 with a variable bit rate (VBR).

all free software btw BUT if you wanted to back that DVD up as a DVD on a disc while preserving the menu structure you really need to use a programme called Nero Recode and that isnt free unless you download it illegally, which cannot be endorsed on Stafford Forum

i used to do what andreas did at the start of this thread but the collection of discs just got massive. added to that it was difficult to find a type of disc (+R or -R) that played well. they would initially work but after a year or so i'd find that some of them didnt play on certain DVD players. frustrating to say the least, after so much time was put into the collection. its relatively cheap now to purchase a 1TB external hard drive to store the movies on and at the moment im finding it a great alternative to burning a shed load of DVDs.

any questions, just ask

edit: added information, spelling, grammar, rhubarb

 

[Gramaisc]

Actually, it's probably illegal for me to hyperlink The Pirate Bay site. Never mind - I'll hand myself into the police a bit later... lol

No you won't, they'll be round in about 30 seconds...... 30 cops and 10 riot vans should do the job nicely, can't be too careful with your sort....

Your why this country is in such a bad state

You'll be going down with him, Sonny. You have copied his hyperlink into your reply. Some criminals can be real idiots.

I can hear a helicopter now - but it seems to be coming this way.

 

[Astro Boy]

Actually, it's probably illegal for me to hyperlink The Pirate Bay site. Never mind - I'll hand myself into the police a bit later... lol

No you won't, they'll be round in about 30 seconds...... 30 cops and 10 riot vans should do the job nicely, can't be too careful with your sort....

Your why this country is in such a bad state

You'll be going down with him, Sonny. You have copied his hyperlink into your reply. Some criminals can be real idiots.

I can hear a helicopter now - but it seems to be coming this way.

and you! and me! oh and stafford forum will be shut down. admin?

 

[Gramaisc]

I suspect that this falls within the remit of Anti-Terrorist legislation - that helicopter sound a bit on the small side - hope it's not an ARSS!