DVD burning

Ok, even though i'm an AV tech, i'm not too familiar with alot of the software out there. Lets say a buddy of mine had some DVD's (not sure about the level of protection on them) whats the best way to copy them? get a program to rip them to my computer then burn them to a disc? anyone have any experience with burning dvd's, copywrited or otherwise?

 

I have had hit and miss success with a number of programs, but I haven't paid for any of them. So, when the trial period ended, I looked for another. Problem comes in that there a few methods of encryption/protection.

Check this out...
http://www.dvdxcopy.com/

 

That is a good program! That's how I got 300.

 

DVDShrink is the best program i've ever used
http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_software/dvd_rippers/dvd_shrink.cfm

It will copy then in MPEG2 format so that you can burn them later or if you have Nero or some other dvd burning software it will use that program to burn the disc directly. It will also rip copy protected dvd's.

EDIT: it will also automatically compress the dvd so that it will fit onto a single layer dvd disc. Most dvd's are dual layer so they can hold more than the usual 4.7gb.

 

sweet, thanks for the responses guys. back in college i tried to rip a season of "arrested development" using some program and it wasnt compressed so a whole season took up like 20 gigs or more. BTW, i need to mention that i need a way to get this program for free, if i were gonna spend money i'd just buy the DVD. i'll try some of the suggestions. thanks again

 

i know i know. i have spent ALOT of time away from work so i've been spending alot of time catching up. it sucks

 

oh yeah, dvdshrink is free

 

I hear that AnyDVD is updated frequently and will crack the protection on any disk out there. Then use Shrink to make it fit on a single layer blank.

AnyDVD I'm told is free to try for a trail period, I don't know how long though.

 

All of your info can be found here:

www.doom9.org

This is what I, I mean my friend used to do this stuff. Most of the stuff there is free and there are guides on how to do this stuff. Hook me up if you find the site useful.

 

Excellent resource! Thanks!

 

I used to use DVDDecryptor to rip then DVDShrink to compress to single layer size, but then DVDDecryptor was bought by Macrovision and deep sixed AFAIK. Seems like DVDShrink sorta faded away too without any new development, but it's been a year or so since I bothered trying to copy a DVD so things may have changed.

I just download Divx/Xvid .avi files and leave them on my computer now. Stream them via my Xbox to watch.

 

Where do you download divx files from...All the ones i see are crapy quality

 

DVD Fab Platinum 4 is what I use.

Also, if you have ripped movies to .avi or a format that can't be burned to a dvd, use VSO ConvertXtoDVD.

 

like lsocoee said. bittorrent.

www.miniova.org
www.thepiratebay.org

and many others. Just need to find someone that releases good quality consistently. I usually stick with aXXo on mininova, but since he stopped releases as often (and went dark for a few months) I've tried a few others. I typically look for dvd rip ones. Not the latest, but they've been ripped from a DVD so no movie theater shadows or crappy audio. Or anything else you'd expect from some schmuck sitting in the audience trying to hold a camera steady, or the annoying warnings/ads from a screener video. Some of the TS ones ain't too bad. Almost like it was done by a projection operator using line outs on the projector to a PVR. Unless they somehow sneak a tripod in a theater with no customers! I've seen a few without shadows or the "distortion" you see from recording the movie being displayed on the screen.