shawa

Hi,

Can anyone recommend a free program to rip a DVD to hard disk?

I want to be able to play it back on a standard 28" widescreen TV, hopefully without pixellation.

I DON'T want to burn it to a blank DVD.

I've seen DVD Shrink recommended here, but I also noticed that some people complained about the playback quality.

I should stress that it's a movie (but I'm only intending to keep it until I've watched it).
Cheers!

jpor

iTrader: (1)

DVD Shrink would be the way to go. Don't know why people complain about the quality. Although I suppose it depends on the quality of film your ripping. In essence you are shrinking an original from 6gb down to 4GB then you might see some quality issues. But you do have an option just to rip the film and not the other contents such as trailers etc..

Hanley

If you dont need to burn it back to a DVD then why do you need to shrink it?

If you don't want it shrinking then use DVD Decrypter

http://=http://www.afterdawn.com/sof..._decrypter.cfm

jpor

iTrader: (1)

ALso check out this site for ideas:

www.videohelp.com

RichardS2005

Try DVD Fab Decrypter - DVD Decrypter isn't available anymore, it got bought up by someone....

bioforger

iTrader: (1)

DVD Decrypter got shut down by the feds

Also decrypter/shrink won't rip alot of recent films, so use anydvd or smartripper, which will.

Hanley

If you really want DVD Decrypter then I can mail it to you

Hanley

I have AnyDVD 5.8.3.1 which is only 1.3MB and can be mailed if you want that

D16GER

DVD Decrypter was actually bought by, wait for it...............Macrovision!!

They obviously decided that the easiest way to get rid of it was to buy it. Buggers

If you just need to rip to PC, look at AnyDVD.

shawa

Thanks for all the responses guys.

I've installed AnyDVD and have ripped a DVD, but I don't know how to play it back. Sorry, I'm a total newb when it comes to video files!

Do I need to convert the files and if so, what do you recommend I use?

If I don't need to convert them, what will play them?

They seem to be mainly .VOB files (in directory VIDEO_TS).

I've looked on videohelp.com, but I can't find an answer.

bioforger

iTrader: (1)

You just need a software dvd player like, Cyberlinks PowerDVD or any of the other freeware players out there, or if you have a DVD decoder already installed, windows media player will work to, load up the 1st .IFO file (if it has a menu) usually VIDEO_TS.IFO to play it in WMP.

shawa

I've installed WinDVD and it works a treat!

Thanks.

shawa

Some additional questions...

Can anyone recommend any free codecs for playing back DVDs via Windows Media Player 10? If so, what's a safe site for me to download them from?

Which leads to my next question...will I be able to play back DVDs ripped onto my hard drive, using Windows Media Player 10?

I already have a Compro DVD player which came with my TV card, so I don't really want to buy WinDVD unless I have no other option (although my Compro DVD application won't play back these ripped DVDs).

messiah

Another vote for DVD Decrypter or whatever its called now - like has been stated - you can choose not to rip stuff like subtitles etc so you get the film and only the film.

jpor

iTrader: (1)

Try here:

http://www.avi-vcd.com/codec.asp

This is a good place to get the Kazaa all-in-one CODEC pack.

Albert47

Try

DVD Cloner III works a treat!

I think you can download it off beashare!

Adam

shawa

Yes please, to AnyDVD and DVD Decrypter.