Freeper Advice Requested

That...would be me.

[ExGeeEye]

I would like to make fair use copies of DVDs in a compressed format for viewing on my laptop or android phone. I have a DVD burner on a Win10 laptop. Any recommendations (other than "throw away that stoopud WinBox and get a Mac or the latest Linux distro")?

[spel_grammer_an_punct_polise]

Along with some of the other good suggestions on this thread, I would get rid of Win10 and rollback to Win7.

[BBB333]

As Dalberg-Acton mentioned in post #9:

Make MKV stripes any decoding/copy protection and creates a ‘container file’ - save it to your desktop in a file folder. (For best practice go to preferences and set ‘skip files shorter than X seconds to 600).

Handbrake converts the file to .MP4 or .M4V (works best with iTunes) and there are many useful presets in the latest version.

I use both and they work very well.

Best!

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Step1: rip with MakeMKV
Step 2: rename output file [Movie Name] ([Year Released]). Get the right info from IMDB. VERY IMPORTANT to get file name right.
Step 3: encode with Handbrake. Be sure to look up best settings.
Step 4: add metadata with iFlicks.

[BBB333]

As a follow-up:

Make MKV takes about 30% of the time of the DVD to convert, think 30 minutes for a 90 minute DVD....

Handbrake takes about 80% of the time of the DVD - depending upon the output settings AND YOUR PROCESSOR! Your processor fan will be on high!

I understand DVD’s have ‘fair use’ protections and that Blu-Rays do not (technically).

From what I hear Blu-Ray’s take a lot more time in Handbrake.

[Two Kids' Dad]

Thanks for posting the thread. I’m sure there’ll be plenty of good info posted in the replies.

Will revisit this at home later.

[Concentrate]

I suggest you NOT download anything illegal. Then they won’t destroy your computer.
Why would anyone want an illegal copy of a movie, anyway? Or even a legal copy? Does having it on your drive make you feel better? I don’t get it.
So, go ahead if you wish, but don’t complain when they destroy your computer, like I know happened to someone I know. Twice! :)

[Egon]

I tried VLC on Linux to rip a DVD to a MP4 file. Would have been great except the sound was out of sync and got progressively worse.

Yep. Same here.

[agrace]

I heartily concur, handbrake is great.

[Joe Bfstplk]

https://www.redfox.bz/en/anydvdhd.html

[Defiant]

There are lots of programs that defeat copy protections. One that works very well is DVDFab. I’ve tried MakeMKV, not much success. However, to make copies of DMCA protected movies, even if you own the disk, is a violation of copyright under the current law. It is wrong and stupid, but legislators have sided with Hollywood on that. Still, people will find ways to rip or copy. One of the best that I have seen is an Audials program that copies a movie while you play it on your computer. It makes a decent copy, not the highest quality. You can also use that program to copy streaming content from the internet. I think it only works with Windows.

[Dalberg-Acton]

I have DVDFab and Audials, but I ditched Windows for Linux Mint.
I had to build MakeMKV from source, but it had simple (like me!) instructions. Works great and I can rip a BluRay quicker than DVDFab even with requiring two steps (MakeMKV and Handbrake).

[Biblical Calvinist]

First, you will need to use a ripper that will defeat the copy prevention software that is embedded in all DVDs and Blu rays...there are basically three softwares that will do this. (all others are suspect...they won’t work well, in other words.)

01. ANYDVD - free for 30 days, then they offer a subscribers license, good for a year; at a premium cost. ANYDVD is the BEST Ripper available, upgraded perhaps once every 3 weeks, (current with new copy prevention schemes) Easy to use as well. Here’s the website = https://www.redfox.bz/en/anydvdhd.html

02. DVDFAB - (particularily “DVDFAB HD Decrypter”) Free for 30 days, BUT the RIPPER part of the software is ALWAYS free; but the copy prevention is not always current. Say..always maybe 6-8 months not current. The REGULAR DVDFAB has more options, yet again, after 30 days, offers a pay subscription for premium cost. Here’s the website - http://www.dvdfab.cn/

03. the third option is MAKEMKV.. This software WILL rip almost every DVD and BluRay.. the BETA software is ALWAYS free...but the Pro MAKEMKV software is subscription based at a premium cost. Those who use the BETA MAKEMKV DO have to request a KEY each month to continue to use this software.. the key is free.

Oh, and MKV is a CONTAINER format.. just like Mp4 is a container format. Many Digital files use the Mp4 video container and the ACC audio format, simply because these formats are almost universally used in computers, tablets, and so on. MKV is a very useful video container, often used with the Dolby Digital AC3 audio format.

Now.. ONCE the dvd or blu ray is ripped to your hard drive.. well.. it can be rather large.. DVDs can be up to 8 gigs in content..Blu Rays can be up to 50 gigs in content..BUT Blank dvds are only 4.3 gigs... HOW can we fit 8 gigs of content, or even 50 gigs of content onto a blank 4.3 gig DVD ?

The answer lies in COMPRESSION.. with the H.264 codec...(which is miraculous!) large videos can be compressed down to 4.3 gigs, or even less..and still look SPECTACULAR.. they can look as good as the original~!

So.. there are many different encoders available, FREE and pay...you can do a search on VIDEOHELP.COM for video software encoders...

BUT the Encoder that I’ve used for years, is probably the best one available out there, and it’s FREE.. sure; there is a learning curve to using it, but it’s worth it. This software is called “BD-REBUILDER”.. Here’s where this software can be downloaded - https://www.videohelp.com/software/BD-Rebuilder

And here’s a website that explains a bit HOW to use this software tool. (IMPORTANT - read the introductory grey section paragraphs (written by J.Dobbs, who created this software) before installing BD REBUILDER.. there is a method to properly, correctly installing the software. - http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=143716

For those who have had OUT OF SYNCH problems in the past..this is mostly due to the video itself being in VARIABLE FRAME RATE.. the frame rate speeds up in action scenes, and slows down in static scenes.. thus the framerate varies. The only solution to this problem is to convert the video with VARIABLE frame rate to CONSTANT frame rate.. this can be done with BD REBUILDER OR Handbrake..(the simple version of Handbrake is VIDCODER)

Questions ? I may have answers..but best to ask the guys on the VIDEOHELP.COM forums.. they are the real experts.

I rip my own dvds and Blu rays to an external hard drive, which I play through an external media player.. all my movies are set up as in a JUKEBOX.. The movies are really easy to play...

Ok.. that’s my two cents.. have fun!

[TexasRepublic]

Thanks to you and all others for such detailed suggestions!