[BobC]

I thought someone in this Circle may be able to recommend a DVD ripper.  Preferably freeware.

I have a pile of mini-DVD-Rs from home movies which I want to rip to my PC for cataloging and backup.  Running Vista.  I can't seem to figure out how to rip using Movie Maker.

If no freeware - is there a piece of software I should use?  Like Nero?

Thanks, Bob

[Bear]

I recently used DVDFab with good results.  www.dvdfab.com

[ctviggen]

The one I use is AnyDVD (and then DVD Shrink), but AnyDVD is not free (DVD Shrink is free).  AnyDVD removes copy protection, and then DVD shrink creates a "copy" to either hard drive or burnable DVD. 

[eclein]

+1 on Shrink, it has worked well for years here.

[BobC]

If they're not copy protected (home movies) then can I just use Shrink?

[ctviggen]

If they're not copy protected (home movies) then can I just use Shrink?

Apparently, my reading comprehension sucks, as I didn't realize that's what you were doing. 

I believe you can use DVD Shrink, as all AnyDVD does is remove the copy protection (and, from what I understand, does this completely in the background so that DVD Shrink doesn't know AnyDVD is there). 

[BobC]

Cool.  Thanks. 

DVDshrink.org website wants to scan my computer.  Hmm, need to think about that maybe.

[ctviggen]

DvdShrink.org doesn't actually host the program for some reason.  You can get the program here:

http://www.afterdawn.com/software/cd_dvd/copy_dvd/dvd_shrink.cfm

I've used this for quite a while. 

[BobC]

Schweeet!

Once it saves it as an ISO file, how do I convert it to a format that I can view and burn copies?

[BobC]

Is there a way to convert to .MSWMM?  Or what is it, a .AVI file?

Whatever I need to be able to burn a copy to DVD-R for friends / family.

[ctviggen]

Unfortunately, I can't answer those questions.  The ISO file that's saved can be burnt to a DVD and played in a DVD player.  I use Windows Media Center to play the ripped version on my hard drive.  You can probably convert to a different format, but I don't know how to do that. 

[BobC]

Man this is frustrating.

So I have success ripping my DVD-R to the computer using freeware called Fairuse Wizard.  Worked ok, but SLOW.

Now I have an AVI version.  BUT Window Media Player doesn't recognize it, and Media Center crashes.  I was able to play it using Cowon Media Center though. 

I burned it to a DVD and tried my DVD player.  No luck.  I've now learned the DVD players don't do AVI the hard way.  Need VOB, I guess.

So whats the deal with AVI?  Good only for You Tube and portable devices?

[ctviggen]

Why did you want AVI?

Not sure if you can believe Wikipedia, but AVI has some significant drawbacks for video:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_Video_Interleave

Did you try DVD Shrink?

[BobC]

Yes, I used Shrink and it worked.  But it created an ISO and I couldn't get my players (Media Player, Media Center, etc) to recognise them.  So I tried Fairuse Wizard which made AVI, which I was able to get at least one player to recognise.

I liked DVD Shrink because it was faster.  So if I burn the ISO file to a DVD, will it play in a DVD player?  And how can I convert the ISO into a format that will play on a computer? 

[GHM]

ConvertXtoDVD works fine for me converting AVI or just about any other format back to DVD. It's as simple as drag and drop. The DVDs look professionally made with menus and the works. You can download a trial version and use it for what you're trying to do. Here you go http://www.vso-software.fr/products/convert_x_to_dvd/?ap=avangate&aid=2202&afs=will_3

Sounds like you're missing some codecs as well. Down load the Media Player Classic Home cinema http://mpc-hc.sourceforge.net/. It will play pretty much any video file out there.

[BobC]

Thanks GHM.  Found that last night.  The trial version puts a watermark on the video.  And the software is $50.  I guess if I'm going to spend money I'll spring for Nero 10 which I believe does everything.

Any Nero Multimedia Suite 10 users out there?  Happy?  Ability to rip and burn DVD's?  it's suppose to manage FLAC files good too 

[GHM]

Check your mail Bob.

[walkern]

I've used Magic DVD copier for years, and it works like a champ.  Couldn't be easier to use.  The same outfit also offers a DVD ripper version.  Not familiar with it... but I suspect it too would be very simple.  You can download the software for free, although it is only a trial version... but you get 6 or 7 rips or copies with the free trial... which might be enough for your current needs.  Just google Magic DVD copier or ripper and check them out. 

Neil

[BobC]

Thanks!