Problems ripping some dvds to my laptop

[iPwntUrMum]

Hey all.

I read somewhere that ripping dvds to your laptop would keep it running longer when just on the battery, as it doesn't spin the optical drive... so now I'm trying to rip a couple of dvds to my hard drive.

I'm having some trouble setting it up though, can someone help? I'm using Handbrake 0.9.5, released within the past week.

I choose the cd drive as the source, and it scans the titles and all, and finds the long first title. Then I go to adjust some picture settings, etc and I hit preview. Sometimes I can get some video, sometimes just a blank black screen. I can get audio, but it cuts out just as much as it cuts in - I'd say on for one second and off for one second (literal seconds.)

When I get some video, it's horribly artifacted. I'd give a screenie but now I can't get any video at all... just the horrible audio.

Does anyone have experience with Handbrake, and could you help me out? I'm running vista by the way.

Thanks!
Pwnt

 

[Ric]

When ripping DVDs, you normally need some sort of decoder for your specific region as a lot of DVDs have some sort of copyright protection.

The best combo software I've ever used is something called Clone DVD and Any DVD.
You can see more here.

Of course, these products cost, but uh...
Haha, I'll just stop here before I get in trouble.

I'll look into Handbrake and see how it works today, maybe I'll be able to help you more.

Edit:

Any DVD-like source: VIDEO_TS folder, DVD image or real DVD (copy right protection methods including CSS are not supported internally and must be handled externally with third-party software and libraries), and some .VOB and .TS files
Most any multimedia file it can get libavformat to read and libavcodec to decode.

That's telling me any DVDs you try to rip which are copy-right protected will not function properly. This may be why you're getting half-assed results.

 

[iPwntUrMum]

I'll check those out.

I know that, however I downloaded VLC Media Player and that was supposed to let me do it, since I'm ripping for legitimate reasons. It was supposed to use VLCs codecs I believe.

 

[Cacophonus]

DVDFab works well.

 

[iPwntUrMum]

Now that you mention it, it did say something about regional something or other.

And thanks Caco, but I'm trying to find something for free

 

[Ric]

On most DVDs I've bought(I live in Florida, USA), the regional setting you need is on the back of the DVD or its case, in small print. Something like "Region 1", "Region 2", next to NTSC or PAL symbols and other copyright symbols.

So when ripping the DVD, if it asks you about regional settings, take a quick look on the DVD or its cover and look for the region.

If I am correct, Region 1 is US and Canada.
You can see more here.

There's also a permanent way to set the specific DVD player/ripper region's through Windows, but I think this has a limit of 3 times per life time of the DVD player/ripper that you can change it. I had to change mine from "0" to "1" before I could start properly ripping/playing DVDs.

Hope it helps.

 

[Cacophonus]

I don't recall VLC letting you rip or burn . As to free, look for DVDDecrypter (might be two words). Haven't used it in a LONG time, but used to do my ripping with it- and if I recall correctly, it was/should be free.

And yes, if you're in the US, you should be in REGION 1: NTSC; keep in mind the disc you're trying to rip must be from there as well. REGION 2: PAL is most of Europe.

 

[iPwntUrMum]

Okay, well it doesn't even ask me... Confusing. Maybe I'll look into that anydvd and clonedvd combo.

As for VLC, it doesn't actually rip the disk in VLC. Handbrake uses vlc's resources, I believe.

 

[iPwntUrMum]

Well what do you know! I downloaded the trial of AnyDVD, and had it running in the background like it's supposed to. I then went into Handbrake and scanned the titles and went to preview... it works! Thanks for the links all, now I gotta find some money for anydvd

 

[Angeal]

Yup, It's a very good idea i have done it many times with movies we've got.

I think it's better just to rip it that way you don't damage your cd and you'll always be able to watch it

so i'm glad it worked for you