Hello everyone! This is my first post, so be gentle! I am new to burning and backups and loving it! This is an amazing site and the knowledge and depth of resources is quite mindblowing! (1) I always hear DVD Shrink and DVD Decrypter mentioned together, either as a combo or otherwise. Why?! Are they not essentially the same sort of thing? (2) Is one better than the other? If so, why? If not, how do they differ?! (3) Would you introduce Nero as a commercial burner, into the equation? Why or why not? (4) Doom9 lists Decrypter as to be used for DVD-5s and Shrink for DVD-9s, though he lists Shrink in the "Speed over Quality". How does it compare to DVDMaestro, DVD Rebuilder and Scenarist NT, listed in the "Quality over Speed" section of the Doom9 guide section? I appreciate your time! If there is anyone who can answer all of those, I will be most impressed.
I will have an attempt at answering your questions. 1. While similar in some ways, Shrink and Decrypter do differ. Both can rip and encode a DVD. However, Decrypter cannot compress a DVD while Shrink can. Similarly, Shrink cannot burn a DVD while Decrypter incorporates a burning engine. Decrypter appears to be more powerful as a ripper/encoder compared to Shrink and is useful as a backup for DVD's that Shrink may encounter problems with. My preferred method of ripping/encoding/burning is to use Shrink in the reauthor mode to get rid of unnecessary extras and use Nero to burn the files. This works over 95% of the time. Occasionally, Shrink will encounter problems ripping/encoding a particular DVD. The workaround is to use DVD Decrypter in the ISO Read mode and then open file in DVD Shrink to compress the file to fit onto a DVD5 (4460Mb) disk. If the DVD is less that 4460Mb in size you can use DVD Decrypter to rip/encode and to write (ISO Write mode). 2. The programs are complementary rather than competitors. In the majority of cases the use of Decrypter is not necessary. 3. Nero is also a useful burning engine and I tend to use the Shrink/Nero combination for approx 95% of my burning (approaching 500 with no failures other than damaged originals). 4. Not entirely sure with this one but essentially it is saying that if the DVD is over 4460Mb (DVD 9) use Shrink. If under 4460Mb (DVD5) you can use to Decrypter to read, write and burn in the ISO mode. Overall, I've been very satisfied with the qualtity acheived using either Shrink or Decrypter. I cannot comment on how it compares with the other programs mentioned. Trust this is of some assistance.
jlrm, I'm going to make this short but sweet 1) DVD Decrypter - Rips DVD (decrypts) in ISO, IFO, and File mode - Burns ISO (image) of DVD DVD Shrink - Rips DVD in File mode - Reauthorizes, and Shrink a DVD to fit on DVD5 Disk 2) Is one better than the other? Hmmm well decrypter is better at ripping the DVD, but it can’t make it fit on a DVD5. You could say Shrink doesn’t need decrypter if you use another proggy to burn, but decrypter doesn’t need Shrink if you use another proggy to Re-author your DVD. I say (TIE) 3) If you are strictly backing up an original DVD I wouldn’t recommend NERO it is to buggy. Don't get me wrong I love Nero and use it for everything else, but you can use Decrypter or Copy2DVD to burn in Shrink and both are pretty much flawless. 4) First of all you can use either proggy for DVD9 Shrink or Decrypter. There is a case where Decrypter doesn’t need Shrink. Compared to Maestro well lets see [bold]Maestro pro's[/bold] - Author, Shrink, Make your own Menus, Change parts in the movie. [bold]Maestro con's[/bold] - Won't Rip an original DVD cost $10,000 [bold]ScenaristNT pro's[/bold] - Can do just about anything you want to a DVD and I mean anything! [bold]ScenaristNT con's[/bold] - Cost around $30,000 it is a commercially licensed product [bold]DVD Rebuild pro's[/bold] - fast CCE encoding (CCE is best encoding avail) [bold]DVD Rebuild con's[/bold] - Cant rip, cant remove subtitles/audio tracks, Have to install a bunch of other crap for it to work, and it has disappeared since last year when Apple bought the company out. Good luck with support. So you see there really is no comparison. DVD Decrypter and DVD Shrink are free and make perfect back up copies of your DVD’s. Two of those programs you listed are commercial programs and your average Joe is never going to even see let a lone use them. There really is no need to even mention them on here because 99% of us couldn’t afford them anyway, and why would I throw my money away on them when I can’t tell any difference from my original and my back up using Shrink and Decrypter? I’m going to throw a couple programs out there that you could compare or use the same (there are literally hundreds out there) Nero Recode – Works just like Shrink. Better encoding, little slower, won’t rip Copy2DVD – burning program can be used in conjunction with shrink, small but effective, flawless burns. Ok I said I was going to make this short Here is how I burn my DVD’s with 100% success rate, and I have tried just about every different combination out there. DVD Decrypter – Rip DVD to hard drive in File mode (selecting all the files) DVD Shrink – Reauthorizes the DVD, take out all the menus, sub pictures, and unnecessary Audio. I usually only keep ACH 3 – 5.1ch. Copy2DVD – To burn Ok I’m done you all have a great day!
Your help is much appreciate. Here are some responses and more questions: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- USER SPECIFIC ANSWERS: flip218: "Just out of curiosity what programs are you using?" I had used DVDX XPRESS on it's own. I had bought it and PLATINUM together and told that PLATINUM could copy copies. It does not seem to be able to, but that is not the issue for me now! I am just annoyed I was sold those applications by someone who should have been able to tell me about DECRYPTER and SHRINK being free! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- USER SPECIFIC QUESTIONS: colw: "Decrypter cannot compress a DVD while Shrink can. Similarly, Shrink cannot burn a DVD while Decrypter incorporates a burning engine" (1) It seems both can be used together but, though I have done some research, I cannot find a guide to tell me how to "SHRINK Rip and DECRYPTER burn". Is there one? colw: "... use Shrink in the reauthor mode to get rid of unnecessary extras and use Nero to burn the files." (2) How come? I could do this, as it seems easy, but would like your reason(s) nonetheless. colw: "approaching 500 with no failures other than damaged originals" (3) That seems like a major issue! Does this happen often? How can it be prevented? colw: "If under 4460Mb (DVD5) you can use to Decrypter to read, write and burn in the ISO mode" (4) It doesn't seem as though may are. I like to establish streamlined patterns, so would it matter if I used SHRINK on files of that size? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- USER SPECIFIC QUESTIONS: bbmayo: "I wouldn’t recommend NERO it is to buggy" (5) It seems to work for colw. How come that is, do you reckon? For what reason(s) do you consider it too buggy? bbmayo: "...but you can use Decrypter..." (5.5) As I asked colw... though I have done some research, I cannot find a guide to tell me how to "SHRINK Rip and DECRYPTER burn". Is there one? bbmayo: "ScenaristNT pro's - Can do just about anything you want to a DVD and I mean anything" (6) Despite your words, I must ask... Can it copy it's own copies? bbmayo: "Nero Recode – Works just like Shrink. Better encoding, little slower, won’t rip" (7) So what would someone want it for? I have seen it mentioned, but have no idea why. bbmayo: "Copy2DVD – burning program can be used in conjunction with shrink, small but effective, flawless burns" (8) How is it better than Nero then, as you seem to believe it is? I did a google search and could not find a site for it. Where can I download it, oficially if possible? bbmayo: "Here is how I burn my DVD’s with 100% success rate" (9) Quite often, it seems as though people mention two tools. How come you use three? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GENERAL QUESTIONS: (10) I have heard about ALCHOHOL. I wish to use a minimum of applications for maximum effect, should I use it? Does it compete with any of the aforementioned? (11) DVDX XPRESS guides advised me to use IFOEDIT and VOBRATOR, but that seems clumsy. SHRINK seems to be able to menu edit, remove screens, etc. True? (12) Does removing "multi angles" allow for smaller files and less compression? Is SHRINK best for this? Does removing them remove their icons during playback? (13) I duplicate children's movies (ex: Shrek), as insurance against damage, but am worried about the copies being lost and then traced back to me. DVDX XPRESS puts a watermark on copies. Does Shrink not? (14) Before discovering and attempting to understand SHRINK and DECRYPTER, I used DVDX XPRESS and NERO. How does that compare with other combos? (15) I am a Canadian, based in London... UK. Are there any other DVD fan(atic)s reading this, who are here also? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks to: flip218, colw and bbmayo for your interest and (in advance) to anyone else! I have never come across a forum so accessible, well mannered and easy to use!
Wow you ask a lot of questions.. LOL ;-) Ok here we go and remember these are just my opinions First I love Nero and have not ever had a problem myself with it, but if you search threw AD you will see a lot of people have. Check out my sight I have Created a guide on how to rip, reautor and burn with Shrink & Decrypter http://home.comcast.net/~bbmayo/ As far as ScenaristNT beineg to be able to copies it's own copies I can't remember, but for that money I would think it could. Some people like to use nero Recode because they say it produces better quality. Myself I can't tell any difference in using Recode or Shrink. I would imagine if you had to Shrink the movie down a lot Recode would probably do a better job at rendering your video. I however only copy the main movie so I hardly ever have to compress a movie at all. I wouldn't say Copy2DVD is better than Nero. Because you cant do a lot of things with Copy2DVD that you can with Nero, but if you want to burn a disk then this little baby does that perfect every time! Here is where you can get copy2dvd http://www.download.com/CopyToDVD/3000-2242_4-10342429.html it is a fully functional 21 day trial period proggy. How come I use three proggys? Well just personal preference really I like to have all the files on my HD versus a disk Image. This way I can do more with them later if I want. If I just used Decrypter & Shrink I would have 1 ISO (image) on my HD and that isn't as easy to work with. I could just use Shrink and Copy2DVD and that would work for that reason. I like the sucess rate and speed of Decrypters ripping a lot of people on here have problems ripping there DVD'd to there HD with Shrink and use Decrypter as a back up because it will better rip a DVD. So you see rather than use Shrink for that I just use Decrypter to begin with. ______________________________________________________ Dont know much about Alcohol 120% myself but I think you still need a proggy to rip the DVD Ignor DVD Express Guide this program is outdated and absoulete You dont have to be worried about the copies being traced back to you because if you own the original there is nothing illegal about backing up your personally owned DVD's. Anyway how could they possibly trace them back to you? Shrink does not put any kind of mark on your copies Whew!! your killin me LOL Hope this helps you out
Much appreciated. I cannot properly respond now, as I am leaving work (UK based), but will save to digest and respond tomorrow!
"Wow you ask a lot of questions" I can never attain guru status without starting somewhere and making a conscious effort to learn "First I love Nero and have not ever had a problem myself with it" Neither have I... at this stage. "Check out my sight... http://home.comcast.net/~bbmayo/ " IF ANYONE IS READING THIS AND HAVE NEVER BURNED EVER, YOU NEED LOOK NO FURTHER... EVER. I could not have hoped to find a more clear, concise, thorough and ideal site for knowledge and resources. It has the essentials, does not overdo things and provides a few links that do well, rather than too many or those that are too technical. One of the most interesting ideas was one that now seems obvious, though I forget in which guide it is: compress the file just a bit smaller than the capacity of the DVD, so as not to burn to the edge and cause defects. Your page / guides should be "officialised" on this site! "I wouldn't say Copy2DVD is better than Nero" Good... because I have Nero and, though I have money, I would prefer to make as good a complete burning solution as possible for the minimum outlay possible. "This way I can do more with them later if I want" ... or lose them all at once? "So you see rather than use Shrink for that I just use Decrypter to begin with" That seems mixed up to me. Let me see if I read correctly... you rip with Decrypter, shrink and/or edit with Shrink and burn with something else like Nero? "if you own the original there is nothing illegal about backing up your personally owned DVD's" I have heard of sites that explain the law, relating to being able to back up your DVDs. Do you have links to any of those explanations? "Anyway how could they possibly trace them back to you? Shrink does not put any kind of mark on your copies" Good for Shrink then - another thing it has over DVDX, as XPRESS watermarks each copy. I realise those can be removed, but it's much better if they are never there! "Hope this helps you out" It does indeed, more than I am sure you could imagine. Some MORE QUESTIONS though: On your main site page, you also mention two other applications you have never mentioned here and that I have never read anyone else mention: DvD Identifier & Virtual Dub (1) Why would I want to use either of those? (2) What would I want to use them with? (3) In what sequence would I want to use them with the things from question 2? I have sent you an email, from my personal address to the one listed in your guides, and look forward to a response!
jlrm365, I am glad you find my sight useful. That was the intent. To weed out all the garbled up mumbo jumbo that just confuses the average person who just want to make back up's of there DVD's. Mainly geared toward the true newbie Now I will address your last questions 1) DVD Identifier will simply ID your Media when inserted in your drive. I use it mainly to just see who manufactured my blank DVD's. Virtual dub is a free proggy I use to edit MPEG, AVI, DivX, and other video formats. I mainly use it to cut commercials out of TV shows I record and want to burn on DVD. There is a lot you can do with it, but that is mainly what I use it for. 2) I guess I answered that in 1 3) Same as 2 Yes I rip the entire DVD in "File Mode" with Decrypter to my hard drive. Then I open up those files in Shrink and reauthor and compress my movie to fit on 1 DVD5. Then I burn the files produced with Shrink with either Nero or Copy2DVD Hope this answered your questions WinXP SP2 AMD Athlon XP 2400+ (2.01GHz) 1GB DDR 3200 ATI All In Wonder 9600 Burners Nec 2500A / Pioneer DVR 105
"Mainly geared toward the true newbie" I virtually am... but the title still leaves a negative flavour. Those guides of yours seem to cover everything anyone would want to know, so what's so much more amazing that classes someone as advanced? Thanks for the clarification on the last three questions. Did you receive my email?
Lol I don't know if this is sticky...haven't checked but you should post this thread in flashing neon on the newbie forum. I feel like i walked home when i could have gotten a taxi. I think i might do some vts removal and menu creation just for the hell of it but at least now I know i aint alone at the plate.
Adavis - What do you mean? This IS the newbie forum! Do you mean that you took some bad advice and looking at Mayo's guides was all the advice you needed and a lot simpler? Several people have said that since! bbMayo - The label links on your site are good but do you know of others?! I have just bought a new Epson that allows printing direct to white-top disc, so no more messing around with labels and bad smears, but do you know of a decent freeware label creation package?
Jlrm, I have seen some other lable sites but I cant remember where? I usually use those 2 and haven't had a problem finding a lable I needed. Your Epson should have came with some pretty good software for creating your lables. If you are talking about making your own lables from scratch I use Adobe Photo Shop, but we all know thats not free
bbmayo I could do the same, as I am a designer by trade, but have so many other interests (hence my desire to find a simple burn and rip process, as detailed above) that it never happens. I have taken to simple text labels and altering the colours to suit the genres. It leaves quite a crisp look in my DVD binder, which is a plus. Some other questions... 1 - At what point can the source DVD be removed from it's drive, assuming there is a source drive and a blank. I am guessing that during Shrink's deep analysis and encoding processes it should stay but when it's burning I should be able to remove it, should I not? 2 - Does bumping the computer at any point influence: a) the analysis stage, b) the encoding stage, c) the burning stage?
Jlrm It all depends on which method you are using to back up your DVD. It very well could during any of these stages. Again it would depend on which method you are using though. Bumping your PC could move the DVD in the tray which would cause problems/ kind of like bumping an old phonograph. Hope this helps
To be honest, not really... but I have managed to figure it out. It's common sense really, that when something has been ripped, the source need not remain in the source drive. I have been using Shrink/Nero exclusively and having no problems at all, now removing the source during the burn phase. It seems obvious, but you treat these things with kid gloves when you are learning!
