This guide will show you how to copy your DVDs in 3 easy steps.
Before we start -- is it legal?
Since the issue is still being litigated, it is unclear whether it's legal or illegal. Though there is a small theoretical risk of criminal prosecution under the DMCA, the movie and recording industries typically pursue commercial users rather than consumers.
So, if you're game let's begin.
Like the title says, copying DVDs involves 3 steps: Decrypt, Shrink and Burn.
- Decrypt - making sure the DVD is readable and ready to be processed and "shrinked"
- Shrink - compressing the DVD data to the standard 4.7 gigs, which will allow you to use a standard DVD instead of having to buy expensive double-density blank DVDs. You will rarely, if ever, notice any decrease in video quality
- Burn - creating the new DVD using your DVD burner
Step 1: Decrypt
The easiest way to decrypt a DVD is by using DVD43. It is a program that runs in the background and decrypts copy-protected DVD’s on the fly. It has the effect of making a DVD unrestricted and region free, allowing other programs to access and process it. It will also remove audio CD protection.After installation, DVD43 will run in the background and show itself as a yellow smiley in your system tray. Once you insert a DVD into your drive it will take a few seconds to recognize it and then will change to a green smiley, indicating that it has successfully removed the protection.
For the latest version go to the program site.
Step 2: Shrink
We will use DVD Shrink to make our DVD "fit" into a standard 4.7-gig DVD.DVD Shrink allows you to choose which parts of the programs you want to include. For example - you can decide to keep only the main title and get rid of bonus features, audio data for languages that you do not want, previews, etc. (of course, you can also choose to include everything).
Once you've decided what to include in your new DVD, DVD Shrink will "compress" everything, creating an ISO file (a disc image) that will fit into a standard 4.7-gig DVD.
Download DVD Shrink v.3.2.0.15 here. Please read this scam alert about fake DVD Shrink sites.
Now, all we have to do is --
Step 3: Burn
Although DVD Shrink can burn the resulting DVD image by integrating with Nero (if you have it installed), I prefer to use Imgburn.Imgburn is a lightweight, simple program that does one thing very well -- burn any image file into a DVD (or CD for that matter).
You can download the program here.
That's it. With these simple and FREE tools you should be able to handle most of your DVDs. Every once-in-a-while you may come across a DVD with a realy strong encryption that DVD43 can't handle.
I will be posting about how to handle this in future posts. If you need it sooner, just leave a comment and I will help.
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3 comments:
Well, It looks like I ran into one of those dvd (region2) that DVD43 can't handle. Any suggestion would be great.
thanks.
Some DVDs are trickier than others to back up, and that's where RipIt4Me comes in. It's a free app for Windows that combines the power of DVD Shrink, DVD Decrypter, and FixVTS to make even the stubbornest DVDs easily conquered. RipIt4Me has two modes, Wizard and 1-Click, which are pretty much what you'd guess. Wizard mode gives you a few options for a little more control over the process, and 1-Click mode just gets it done without asking you any questions. RipIt4Me is a tiny 64kb download, but you'll also have to download and install the above programs. Simple instructions can be found in the RipIt4Me Guide.
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