Could someone point me in the direction of a software program that would allow me to make backup copies of DVD movies that I already own. Not looking for anything illegal, just want to archive the originals to keep them from getting damaged.

Thanks,

Buzz

Mike,
I know nothing about DVDs, but I have heard of this freeware program on the ODP DMOZ editor forum.

DVD-Guides.com

I am sure some expert dvd ripper burners will soon check in, hopefully.

Buzz,
This is probaly more information than you wanted but here is what I have learned after spending a considerable amount of time trying multiple different software programs to do the very thing you are asking for the very same legit reasons. After many burned and ruined DVD's and frustrating failures I came across a free piece of software that works better than any other I have tried with a near perfect success rate. It is called DVD Shrink and can be obtained at no charge at www.dvdshrink.org I have been using version 3.2.0.15 but doing a little research before answering this question found that a newer version 3.2.0.17 is now available for download. I have not tried the new version but am sure with the difference being so many decimal points over it won't be much different.

The secret to success is to also have NERO Burningrom version 6 (or higher) This is not a free download but if you know someone maybe he can get you a version with a license crack that will be affordable. You do not have to have NERO as you can use any DVD burning software to burn a disk once DVD Shrink has compressed, an original DVD is actually larger than the blank DVD's, but the quality difference after shrinkage is not noticable. If you leave out extras and the foireign language tracks then the compression is less. I have burned DVD's including everything and can not tell the difference when viewing on my 65 inch HD TV. the original and created a file stripping out the anti-copyright stuff.

The nice thing that DVD Shrink does is give the option of what you want to copy off of the original, you can do the entire disk or just the movie. I fyou do just the movie then when it is put in your DVD player it just auto starts without having to surf the menu's or watch the advertisement crap first. I use this when making copies of Holly's kid movies for the DVD player in the van. That way the original does not get damaged by being tossed around the van and when you are driving just pop it in and let it rip.

This is getting long but one more nice piece of software also available at an affordable deal if you know someone (hint I may be someone one day) is called Alcohol 120% (I have version 1.9.5) it can rip a DVD down to an ISO file and then it will moungt that image directly from your HD to a virtual DVD player. Your PC will then see the virtual DVD player just like an actuall physicall DVD player and you can view the movie on your PC with your favorite DVD player software (such as Windows Media player) then if you later decide you want to make another copy just use the DVD Shrink to make a copy of the ISO mounted in the virtual drive to the blank DVD in your DVD burner.

Hope that made sense, anyway I can get you all of the above software if you can not find it the way I did through variouse dark alleys on the internet. Like I said the DVD shrink is easy, they even say something about it should be everyone's right to make backup's of there DVD's so they give it way free just to stick it to the movie man.

Makes me so proud, warm, and fuzzy that Steve recomended same software as I did.
And Steve really knows his computer stuff. :yes:

It all looks so complicated to me. I still not figured out why a floppy ant floppy. :unsure:

Dvd shrink works great!!! Sometimes you get a difficult dvd to burn (especially some of the just released stuff) then I use anydvd with clonedvd. Works great :thumbup:

Thanks for all your help. Here I go... wish me luck.

Buzz