Suggestions for DVD backup software

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pjamieson

441 posts

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Chorus

#27636 2-Nov-2008 14:16

While I was at it I thought I would ask if anyone has any suggestions for some free (or time limited) software for making backups of DVD's into avi (and yes I do mean for personal backup reasons, not for file sharing).

Something that would let you choose the individual titles on the disc and rip to the same kind of format/quality and size of a normal avi movie (ie: 700 MB @ 640 pixels wide). The software I currently have has 2 options, the first is too low in quality and the second is too large in file size.

PJ.

NZtechfreak

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#175255 2-Nov-2008 14:44

Auto-GK is great for encoding to good quality avi's (and free to boot). Its basically a GUI for a bunch of free encoders - many of the conversion softwares that ask you to pay are essentially the same thing. You'd need to first rip them from the dvd - DVD Decrypter is great for that (just make sure the option is set to choose which files you rip, and that file splitting is off so they're all set for converting).

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eXDee

4032 posts

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#175257 2-Nov-2008 14:49

First of all, either have DVD43 running in the background and go straight off the disc, or use DVD Decrypter to dump it to hard disk.

Then theres two good options depending on what kind of flexibility and simplicty you want.
Handbrake is very flexible, allows encoding as Mpeg4, Xvid and h264. Heaps of settings that can be adjusted and tweaked to get the exact kind of rip you want. Has a little bit of a learning curve but once you get to know how to do everything its very useful.

AutoGK is more simple, and allows encoding as Xvid or DivX. Haven't used it personally but many use it due to its simplicity.

I prefer handbrake since it allows more control.

STI

239 posts

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#175525 3-Nov-2008 20:02

These days due to low price of storage I find it best to rip DVDs straight into a single VOB file. No conversion/compression == no loss of quality. DVD Decrypter is the only software you need for this, and it's free.

pjamieson

441 posts

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#178134 15-Nov-2008 13:29

I don't have the space for keeping the VOB's on Hard Drive, but have successfully tried DVD Decrypter & Auto-GK (have to play around with settings to get the correct size for Auto-GK) but they work well thanks!

Am trying Handbrake and DVD43 now.

Anyone know software like DVD Decrypter that lets you combine VOB's or edit VOB's off the Hard Drive?

STI

239 posts

Master Geek

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#178145 15-Nov-2008 16:17

if you combine vob files then it will not compress your files. But program this program may do what you want. It can't edit vob files, but can combine them. Note also there is an option within dvd dcrypter to rip movie into a single vob file.

kiwigeezer

19 posts

Geek

#178939 19-Nov-2008 22:29

DVDShrink...nothing else is as simple or powerful depending on what you want it to be.

digitaldream

62 posts

Master Geek

#179034 20-Nov-2008 11:19

I find DVDFab very easy to use. It also has more functionality than most other programs I've tried.
You can rip to basically any format, including .avi at any specified settings.

It's not free, but definitely worth it.