Obviously I'm new at this, never even attempted this before, so explain like I'm a 2year old...lol. What I want to do is take a DVD movie and make a copy. I was told that I had to download it first to my computer then burn it. I have a dvd burner, but don't know the first thing about this. Yes, I'm going to need LOTS of help!
Here are two very easy guides for ya 100% free 1. Here = DVDFab+VobBlanker+dvdShrink+Imgburn My main method just becuz i addicted to VobBlanker 2. Here = RIPit4ME = Dvd decrypter+FixVts+dvdShrink+ImgBurn I would go with this one(if u r not computer savy) as it has a one click mode and is pretty easy. Just follow either of these guides step for step and u can back up any dvd out there. Post back with any ?s
Hello Chic, I'm not new to burning, but do to the daily advancement of DVDs I thought it best to get back into AfterDawn. Depending on which DVD you're trying to burn - depends on which of the programs to use to make it an easy job. For starters; If it's an old DVD, and you want to practice Use DVD Shrink 3.2 and burn with DVD Decrypter If it's one of the newest out, hang in here with me and we'll learn a thing or two from the crew. Don't overwhelm yourself with 100 DVD programs at one time! I recommend: DVD Shrink + 1. DVDFab 2. Ripit4Me 3. DVD Decrypter The rest is all in the updates. I just wish DVD Shrink would follow along , and stay in with the rest of the programs. Hawk
Hi Chickpants and welcome to AfterDawn! What do you mean by "download". Are you talking about going to a movie website and downloading a movie or do you mean taking a commercial DVD and copying it? If you are actually downloading movies from a download website you will need a different program to convert it to a DVD. If making copies of original commercial DVDs, use the programs/guides 300bowler and Hawk1966 mentioned. Excellent (and Free!) first choices. ( BTW,There are lots of ways to make copies.) Don't think though that you need every single program listed here to get started. I do like Hawks idea of burning an older movie first with Shrink/Decrypter. This is an excellent way to learn the basics. Newer movies have all kinds of advanced encryption so it takes a bit more work, using programs like DVDFab Decrypter or Ripit4me to get through. Try a few 2005 or earlier flicks. At first you will have a lot of questions so make sure to come back here and we will try and answer them. We want you to succeed! BTW Hawk, Shrink won't ever be updated. "Mr. Shrink" went to work for Ahead software and is the creator of Nero Recode 2.
Well, that's not good. I have recode 2, and as an opinion it sucks (?) I'll have to look into it again, I must be doing something wrong - but I can't even get it to touch Saw 3 VOB 8. Spits it out like a bad taste! lol
I think I used Ripit4me on S3. Even with AnyDVD, Recode or Shrink would not touch it. I also think it worked with AnyDVD/CloneDVD combo. I know there are a bunch of posts on this movie.
The advice you have already gotten is really good. However when I was a total newbie to this, I found the easiest and cheapest way to go was Shrink and Imgburn-both free programs. In my humble opinion they are the easiest to learn. There are some really terrific guides on this site under user submitted guides. Once you have those programs working and it shouldn't take long-then you can add the others to your system. I use AnyDVD (costs about $40) in the background for decryption in about 95% of the movies I backup because it is a nobrainer to use. However for some of the tougher new encryptions RipIt4Me with DVD Decrypter, Shrink, and Imgburn is the way to go. It takes longer, but does a really good job. Both AnyDVD and RipIt4Me are updated regularly. Some people use DVD Decrypter or Nero to burn. They do a nice job, but are slightly more difficult to learn. A word of caution. If you have Roxio on your machine don't put Nero on at the same time. They will conflict. Also too many media programs on one machine can cause software conflicts. Up till now I haven't heard any conflicts with the programs everybody has mentioned. Have fun learning!
First I would like to thank everyone that replied for all your help and advice. Secondly I have some concerns, in the 1. section that 300Bowler left me I read an article that really concerned me, actually it scared me, last thing I want is to crash my computer, and is it really that complitcated? Here is what I read: NOTE: Before you're going to rip any DVDs/movies or insert any original DVDs into your drive, let's "disable AutoRun" (this is highly recommend) to prevent from getting hijacked by Settec's Alpha-DVD protection. Some DVDs will install bunch of craps into your system without your consent if you have AutoRun turn "On" and it will abort or crash your system when it's transcoding or burning. In addition, it even goes as far as removing your burners, etc. Third and last, I just got this newer computer, I didn't have much say in it, it was a surprise gift. At first it looks like there are 2 seperate sections for CD/DVD's, but the top one is the only one that opens, and if thats the case how do I copy? I am adding a link to the website that has a picture of the computer I have, just incase anyone is interested or confused about what I'm trying to say. My other computer had a E and D drive I don't have that on this one Link to view of computer: http://conns-cai.stores.yahoo.net/sr2177cl.html
I do not have the autorun feature turned off in my computer. There is an easy way to deal with that. Before I do anything else, I put the DVD in my computer and let the window come up that lists the options for playing a DVD. I click on take no action which turns the auto run feature off. Then I open Shrink and write an ISO file to the hard drive. After that I burn the file with Imgburn. There are more complete instructions in Alkohol's RipIt4Me+Shrink+Imgburn in the section of user submitted guides on this forum. Many of my friends have used this combination on their computer and without crashing. You really don't need to use 2 DVD burners to do a movie which is called burning on the Fly. That process usually causes more problems than it is worth. Writing a file to the hard drive takes a little longer, but you end up with a much better DVD when you are done. You usually get less errors that way. There are some real experts on this site that can help walk you through the process. It can be scary at first. I know I've been there. I would recommend you do a restore point before you start- then you have a place to go back to if you have a problem. Don't give up. It really is worth the effort it takes to learn to write a backup copy. I would recommend the first movie you do be one of the older ones without some of the major encryption problems that some of the newer movies have. You can do the tough stuff later after you have gotten familiar with using the programs. Don't try a Sony movie the first time-do something like a Warner Brothers movie.