5punk

Tried some of the software Berk linked in his handy links post, but it either doesn't work or is too confuzling.

What do I need to turn a DVD into a handy file on my HDD?

Presumably I'll need:

Some sort of DVD iso making thinger
A compression doobry
The ability to use a mouse

I have:

Daemon Tools Lite
can't find a working compression doobry - halp!
A cage full of mice ready for abuse

What sort of handy file? avi or iso?

To decrypt (ie: remove country-specific gubbins from the DVD):

DVD Decrypter (free) which dumps all the resulting IFO and VOB etc files from the disk to your hard drive
or
AnyDVD (not free) but works in the background, automatically decrypting anything in the DVD drive


To reauthor (remove all the adverts and extras and squish it down to a writeable DVD size):

DVD Shrink (free) - There are instructions and a download link here. It can also make an ISO image of your new DVD.


To convert the VOB/IFO files directly into AVIs:

Use AutoGK (free), instructions here.

DVD shrink decrypts too, but it's old(and slow) code and doesn't always work with modern dvds, IME.

Dr. kitteny berk wrote:What sort of handy file? avi or iso?

AVI, so I can play it on my TV with my mediacentre.

They're UK DVD I've bought legit, just want them on the NAS so I can watch them on any of various devices around the house. Also, DVDs are crap and break.

I was hoping for a one button press tool that turned a DVD into an AVI file, but it looks like it's not going to be that somple.

I take it I need to rip it first (using DVD Decryptor or somesuch), then fettle it into something not huge (DVD Shrink, which btw doesn't want to run on my machine), then turn it into an AVI (AutoGK).

I think I might go by a DVD player, a lot less fucking effort narf.

With AnyDVD running, you don't have to take any action to decrypt and can skip the middle step if you don't want to reauthor into a new DVD, just point AutoGK at the big files on the disk and let it make the AVIs (which will be compressed with DivX/XviD).

divx might do the job?

AnyDVD HD makes disc ripping super easy and fool proof. It's bloody expensive, for sure (I got a lifetime license that will supposedly disappear soon) but I can pop any DVD or Blu-Ray disc and be ripping it in seconds.

To be honest, if you can play H.264/MP4 video through your media streaming setup, I'd use Handbrake. It's easier to use than AutoGK or RipBot264. Combined with AnyDVD all you need to do is pop it in and tell Handbrake to rip the movie.

110 Euros? Yikes. I don't own that many DVDs...

I'll try the DVD Decryptor + AutoGK thing and see how I get on. Not going to bother refettling since DVDShrink seems to hate me.

So, thanks to FJ I've been merrily putting all my DVDs onto a NAS, which is mighty convenient.

My next problem is that I have a few films that I purchased and downloaded from the likes of Blinkbox. These all seem to have a retardedly annoying licensing model that only lets you watch them on the first computer that they see - i.e. my desktop - which means I can't sling them on the NAS and watch them on TV without buying a laptop, repurchasing the films and plugging it directly into the telly. This is faaabulous.

Is there any method, nefarious or otherwise, of transferring or removing said licenses?