Ripping Movies from DVD to CD-R
by Solthae
I wrote this guide in reply to Cybersavior's letter in 19:3 concerning an advertisement claiming to sell software which will copy DVD movies to CD-Rs using a DVD, DVD-R, CD-R writer, and their software.
This is 321 Studios' DVD Copy Plus "program" specifically, but they are everywhere.
I am delighted to say that this is not only a reality, but also that the software to do it is all freeware (including, no joking, the software they sell you). I am sad to say that the people who sell you these freeware programs do not pay the authors of the freeware anything (no donations, no fruitcakes in the mail, nothing) and provide you only with a shitty guide for your money.
So here is a simple (and hopefully not shitty) guide to start one on this process and also point them in the direction of more and much better guides and information.
Overview
We will be first getting the data off of the DVD and onto your hard drive with SmartRipper.
Then we will be converting these DVD files to MPEG-1 format.
Last, we will burn these MPEGs to a CD-R in VCD format.
Needed Hardware:
Needed Software:
(Coincidentally, these are the same programs included in 321 Studios' DVD Copy Plus.)
More recent versions of:
If any of those links don't work, try www.vcdhelp.com or just search Google/Yandex. (Note: These are not the only free programs out there, just the ones I cover in this guide.)
Using SmartRipper
1.) Open SmartRipper. (Put DVD in drive first.)
2.) When SmartRipper is opening there should be some automatic reading of the DVD drive and analysis of the data on the DVD. The only time this didn't work for me was when I was trying to be cheap and read off the DVD drive over a network on another computer.
3.) A neat little interface will pop-up.
4.) Settings:
Target: This is a filename with a file specification browser button to the left of it. Use this to specify the location of the file to be saved. I always leave the name as vts_01, so if you change it you're on your own here (shouldn't make a difference though).
Stream Processing Tab: This is the tab next to the Input tab. Click it and make sure Enable Stream Processing is checked. In the Streams list box, select the video stream (it should say something like: [0x0E] Video NTSC...), then with it highlighted, click the Demux to Extra File on the right. Select the audio stream from the list as well. I have skipped all these steps other than making sure Enable Stream Processing was checked and have had it work. It's up to you.
Setting Button: Click this button to bring up some options. These you can leave except for one. You have two choices here. Either you can select File - Splitting, Every Chapter or Max Filesize. With Max Filesize you should bring it up to at least 9000 MB. Leave the rest alone until you are ready to do a little more advanced playing around once you get a few burns under your belt.
Title -> Program Chain -> Angle: Select Program Chain 1 then Angle 1. The time in the brackets next to it should be the same length as the movie length.
5.) Press Start button (it won't appear until a target on a hard disk with sufficient space is selected.
6.) Wait a while (30 to 60 minutes).
7.) Another window should pop-up and when done an O.K. box will pop-up stating Rip Complete.
Using DVDx
1.) Open DVDx.
2.) Go to File -> Open then open the .IFO file created in the target directory specified in SmartRipper.
3.) Go to Settings -> Input Settings (if it doesn't pop-up automatically). Specify anything that is not already selected.
Audio: Select the audio stream you burned (i.e. English).
Audio/Video Synchronization: Make sure this is checked. Most of the things should already be checked so you won't have to worry too much.
Press O.K. If you get some errors, that is O.K. Don't panic! These are more generally just warnings. I've always still been able to convert with them.
4.) Go to Settings -> Output Settings.
Resolution: Select 352x240 for NTSC.
Mode: Select to change the video mode (None to leave same as is on DVD).
Volume Don't Exceed: This is the size of the MPEG that will be created. Select 800 MB if you will be using 800 MB CD-Rs and 730 MB for 730 MB CD-Rs. If you wish to only convert specific chapters select Custom Chapters then Settings.
Next to Max Frame click Whole then Apply.
5.) Here is the really cool part. Your movie will appear in the box in the middle and you can scan through it and check it out. Neat!
6.) When done marveling at the movie on your hard drive select File -> Select Output and change the file name and location to your liking.
7.) When you are ready, click the Encode button, but be warned these conversions can take hours!
Using VCDEasy
1.) Open VCDEasy. If you get an ASPI (Adaptec Easy SCSI) error when you start VCDEasy (I did the first time), then you need a new ASPI Driver. Go to www.vcdeasy.org/modules.php?name=_Guides&id=Cdrdao#ASPI and scroll down to "How to install ASPI drivers for VCDEasy" (or just search through www.vcdeasy.com).
2.) Select your CD writer from the CD Writer drop-down combo box.
3.) Uncheck Simulate.
4.) Change the Volume Label to the name of the movie (or whatever you wish).
5.) Select a location for the binary (BIN) output file.
6.) Next, click Add Files. A common dialogue box will pop-up. Make sure to select only one of the .MPG files (if there is more than one). These are the two files created in separate parts no bigger than 800 MB (or 730 MB) that you specified in DVDx.
7.) Now click Settings.
CD Writer: Select your CD writer.
Speed: 4x (This is a good speed that will not wear out your writer.)
Buffer: 64
Force Driver: Click on the More Information link and you will be taken to a page that will give you the options you need to select according to your writer. Look up the needed setting according to your vendor and model. This is a very important part. It is most likely you will be selecting generic-mmc, so you may just try it if you dare.
8.) We're almost done here. Insert a blank CD-R into your writer.
9.) When ready click GO. It shouldn't take more than the usual time it takes to write a CD-R.
10.) Enjoy your backed-up movie.
More Sources for Information
A great site for all your VCD, DVD, SVCD, MPEG, etc. conversion guides and programs: www.vcdhelp.com
Check out the VCDEasy website and why not donate a few dollars for its creator(s) generosity?
Check out 321 Studios' website for free information on troubleshooting the freeware programs that they charge you $60 for: www.321studios.com/support.htm
Conclusion
Backing up your DVDs can be a satisfying experience as well as a frustrating one.
Watch out for "Blue Screen of Death" errors sometimes when using SmartRipper?.
I hope this simple guide has answered the same questions I had when first faced with these programs and this process for the first time.
Support the generous people who distribute freeware with all your might. These are the people of inspiration for those of us who oppose greed, hate, and general fascism at every turn.
