DVD Copy Software

[mjreaves53]

Group,

I travel every week with my work. I never know if I will find anything good on TV so I pack a cheap DVD player, approiate cables, and a supply of movies to watch. I hate to take my bought DVDs with me as many times they set in a hot vehicle all day long.

My question is this, what is the best software that I can use to make a backup of my purchased DVDs to travel with me?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

[Stuart Sweet]

It may not be legal to copy DVDs you've purchased. You'll need to look at the packaging.

For copying DVDs that you legally have the right to copy, look into DVDFab Decrypter.

[brant]

i use a program called Magic DVD Ripper. (http://www.magicdvdripper.com/)

they have a free trial. it was about $35 to purchase.

Its worked flawlessly. My 4 year old had nearly destroyed all of his DVD's and a few of mine, so I backed them up to my hard drive.

It takes about 20 minutes to make a copy of the entire DVD including features and all the audio tracks. You can backup just the movie in about 10-15 minutes.

I found a free program online called DVD Library Manager searching forums at The Green Button (http://thegreenbutton.com/) that allows me to add all of the DVD information and box cover within windows media center.

When I open WMC, I have all my DVD's in the 'movie' section with the covers and all DVD information. It downloads this from imdb.com and amazon.com. Its just like putting the physical disc in the computer (we watch movies on HTPC).

Probably illegal, but i don't use any p2p services and I don't make copies for anyone else. It makes movie-watching that much easier when I can just browse my HDD and pick something, and I don't have to worry about jr. damaging any more discs.

[Stewart Vernon]

As long as we stay on the legal uses...

DVDFab not only will copy DVDs but it will convert videos or DVDs to a mobile format if you have something you are legally allowed to convert to such a format for your iPod or mobile phone.

[Getteau]

All of these are free and I use 3 or 4 different programs because my kids destroy so many DVD's.
1. DVD 43 - runs in the systray on your box and help pull out the copy protection so other programs like DVD Shrink will work.
http://www.dvd43.com/

2. DVD Shrink - I use this program 99% of the time. It allows you to "re author" the DVD so you can take out all the extra features, languages and sub titles. If needed, it will also compress the movie itself so it will fit on a standard 4G DVD. If you have Nero installed, it will use Nero to burn directly from the program. if you don't have Nero, you can save the movie as an .ISO and use another program to burn that to DVD. I put a link to the freeware version, but it looks like they now have a new version for $30.
http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_software/dvd_rippers/dvd_shrink.cfm

3. DVD Decryptor (not DVD Fab Decryptor). I use this guy on the DVD's the kids have scratched. It is designed to keep working if it hit a track that is un-readable. For example, my kids scratched Snow White so bad, the DVD player wouldn't even recognize the DVD. With DVD Decryptor, I was able to make a copy of the DVD. It took two days and you can see pixilation during the movie when it hits those bad spots, but it was able to copy the disc.
http://www.dvddecrypter.org.uk/

4. DVD Fab Decryptor. Since DVD Shrink is no longer made, I've been having to use this guy more often lately. Mainly I use it to copy the DVD to my hard drive and then I use DVD Shrink to re-author the DVD to get rid of all the extras. The nice thing about this program is the retail version supports Blu-Ray, multi-layer DVD's, games ... so it has a lot of features. For me, I just need the free version because I only use it for regular DVD's.
http://www.dvdfab.com/free.htm

[Ken S]

Slysoft AnyDVD is the best there is...frequent updates to keep up with their competition as well. They have an HD version as well. This isn't going to boil the DVD down to 700GB...it makes a pure playable copy of the DVD BD on your HD. You can then use shrink utilities if you wish.

Please check and make sure you are not violating any laws or agreements before copying though.

[dave29]

Slysoft AnyDVD is the best there is...frequent updates to keep up with their competition as well. They have an HD version as well. This isn't going to boil the DVD down to 700GB...it makes a pure playable copy of the DVD BD on your HD. You can then use shrink utilities if you wish.

Please check and make sure you are not violating any laws or agreements before copying though.

Agreed, they have the best software going.