DVD Copying Tutorial

[mcmav37]

I use this way and I have never had a problem or made a bad disc. Popcorn rules, and is especially good for those of us without Toast (and with no good reason to get it).

I admit that I have never done any DVD copying/archiving, so I haven't used any of these programs, but I was wondering why you can't just use Popcorn to do this? Why do you need MactheRipper first? I looked at the Popcorn site and it is supposed to be software to make copies of DVD's, so why do you need the extra step? Is it because Popcorn cannot or will not handle copy-protected material, which most DVD's probably are, so you need MactheRipper first?

 

[jeremy.king]

Is it because Popcorn cannot or will not handle copy-protected material, which most DVD's probably are, so you need MactheRipper first?

In the words of the bus driver from Billy Madison:

"That is correct."

Popcorn won't bypass CSS encryption.

 

[noel4r]

This is how I used to do it before getting Popcorn, but I will tell you its the best $50 you can spend if you are archiving lots of DVDs.

I think I just might buy Popcorn. Thanks for the info.

 

[eclipse525]

Ok.. so I got Popcorn and it all seems very simple and intuitive. As I tried to burn a DVD from the TS_Video folder i ripped with MacTheRipper, I got the following error message.

"The drive reported an error:
Sense Key = ILLEGAL REQUEST
Sense Code = 0x72, 0x05
SESSION FIXATION ERROR"

Does anyone know what the heck this is? Am I doing anything wrong?


~e

 

[eclipse525]

One other thing... is it possible that something in ripping process (MacTheRipper) could've caused the error? Seems like it went smoothly. I can play the movie.


~e

 

[TID]

regional coding

I bought a DVD in Japan. Still haven't seen it. Can I use this combo to get around the foreign region coding of my (legal) disc? Thanks.

 

[Abulia]

Even Easier...

Here's an even easier step: get Fast DVD Copy.

Step 1: Insert DVD and press "Copy" button.

Done.

Wonderful software. Highly recommended for $99. Copies (and removes) CCS and Macrovision protection and removes region restrictions.

 

[noel4r]

Here's an even easier step: get Fast DVD Copy.

Step 1: Insert DVD and press "Copy" button.

Done.

Wonderful software. Highly recommended for $99. Copies (and removes) CCS and Macrovision protection and removes region restrictions.

Wow, that is definitely easier but costs $50 more than Roxio Popcorn... Hmmm what to do, what to do........

 

[daveL]

One other thing... is it possible that something in ripping process (MacTheRipper) could've caused the error? Seems like it went smoothly. I can play the movie.


~e

Sounds like a media error to me. Does your media match your drive spec, i.e. you can't use 4x media in a 2x burner?

I've never had problems between MTR and Popcorn *as long as I rip the entire DVD with MTR*. There were occasions, when I first started using Popcorn, where a movie-only rip with MTR would not be accepted by Popcorn as valid input. Once I started ripping the entire DVD, Popcorn has worked flawlessly.

HTH

 

[crachoar]

...This site does not condone piracy of any type.

...But it is absolutely wrong to advocate the illegal piracy of software via online license keys (or any other means).

Why make such a big deal about nothing? He didn't even suggest pirating those programs. Please read before crying wolf.

About creating 'images' to burn...

You don't need to do that guys. You just take your 'VIDEO_TS' and 'AUDIO_TS' folders (ripped and compressed - I use DVDBackup and DVD2OneX) and burn them to a DVD-R as a data disc (DVD-ROM).

Just make sure you delete the '.ds_store' files before you burn the discs - otherwise, they will only play in your mac.

 

[eclipse525]

Sounds like a media error to me. Does your media match your drive spec, i.e. you can't use 4x media in a 2x burner?

Yeah.. I thought that at first but no, i'm using 2x DVD-R media on an iMac with a PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-104 drive. I keep getting that error in Popcorn and DVD2oneX keeps bombing every time I try to make an image disc of the Video_TS folder.


~e

 

[eclipse525]

You just take your 'VIDEO_TS' and 'AUDIO_TS' folders (ripped and compressed - I use DVDBackup and DVD2OneX) and burn them to a DVD-R as a data disc (DVD-ROM).

Just make sure you delete the '.ds_store' files before you burn the discs - otherwise, they will only play in your mac.

I tried using DVD2OneX to make an image disk and it just hangs at 2%, no matter how long I leave it. Any clues?

 

[eclipse525]

I did a little research and found out that under the Recorder settings I need to have "Buffer Underrun Prevention" checked. They say you need to have this option checked if you are running other applications at the same time.

After I did that, it worked just find. Hope this helps someone else.


~e

 

[Artful Dodger]

Hi, hope this helps out for everyones interest in this subject for legal backups. They also can help out with other video Q's. This has helped out alot for myself http://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=9&sid=c6f89b3443096deac3daede2b2fd1ecf.
Again as on this forum and the link above it is stressed-legal backups, enjoy.

 

[marknicholls]

How about a DVD-to-DivX tutorial for people who only have combo drives (can read but not burn DVDs) and a DivX-certified DVD player (such as the Philiphs DVP-642)?

This would also be nice with a Mac mini connected to a TV (and a big external 120-200GB HD) to make a video library (a-la-iPod).

Does anyone know anything about this? Would it be possible to shrink a DVD to under 1gb and not notice considerable deduction in quality?

 

[Artful Dodger]

Quote:
Does anyone know anything about this? Would it be possible to shrink a DVD to under 1gb and not notice considerable deduction in quality?

How about a DVD-to-DivX tutorial for people who only have combo drives (can read but not burn DVDs) and a DivX-certified DVD player (such as the Philiphs DVP-642)?

Try the link above they have a sticky with all the info your heart desires on many ways to do things with dvds and more. You can also print out a step by step for each method you so choose, look under galacticas web page which is the first sticky and enjoy.

 

[marknicholls]

Here's an even easier step: get Fast DVD Copy.

Step 1: Insert DVD and press "Copy" button.

Done.

Wonderful software. Highly recommended for $99. Copies (and removes) CCS and Macrovision protection and removes region restrictions.

Copies an entire dual-layer DVD video to one single-layer DVD-R(W) disc - will there be considerable loss in quality does anyone know?

 

[daveL]

Copies an entire dual-layer DVD video to one single-layer DVD-R(W) disc - will there be considerable loss in quality does anyone know?

Of course. If you take 7.5 GB (most new releases) and squeeze them down to < 4.7 GB, the quality has to suffer. You're not changing the compression used; it's mpeg2 before and after (has to be for a standard DVD title).

With Popcorn or DVD2oneX, you can exclude the video extras, extra sound tracks and subtitles, so the quality ends up *much* better than just making a copy of the complete original DVD. Personally, I don't have the time of the interest in the extra stuff anyway.

As to some of the other questions above, there's plenty of info on the Web. Why don't to try Googling "rip DVD" and "rip DVD Mac". Afterdawn.com has a lot of good info, for a start.

 

[Abulia]

Copies an entire dual-layer DVD video to one single-layer DVD-R(W) disc - will there be considerable loss in quality does anyone know?

There's a demo version of the software availabe at the link I provided. Why don't you download and let us know? Otherwise if someone wants to give me the name of a popular dual-layer disc I'll run the test myself (will take a few days to fit into my schedule).

 

[Abulia]

With Popcorn or DVD2oneX, you can exclude the video extras, extra sound tracks and subtitles, so the quality ends up *much* better than just making a copy of the complete original DVD. Personally, I don't have the time of the interest in the extra stuff anyway.

Not to be a pain, Fast DVD Copy does this too. (Points to link above for more information.)

"Freedom to choose all items or specific items to copy including menus, trailers, audio streams, subtitles, bonus material and special features "

I've used this software. It's absurdly easy to use. Why anyone would want to mess with the hassle of Mac the Ripper, Popcorn, and Video_TS folders eludes me. Fast DVD Copy does all this (and a lot more), much easier.

 

[stevietheb]

How about simplifying it for people a little.

1. Insert DVD and open MactheRipper - select settings as appropriate and rip to local hard drive. I suggest that you create a folder with the same name as the DVD before you start ripping - this will be your target folder.

2. Launch Roxio Popcorn and select VIDEO_TS mode. Select the target folder from step 1 (Popcorn will find the appropriate VIDEO_TS folder), set settings as desired - this is up to you - then click the big read sphere in lower right. Popcorn shrinks and burns in "one" step - not to mention its cheaper than DVD2OneX.

To each their own, but I have found this process the most simple and easy to follow.

This is the method I use...quick and easy!

 

[stevietheb]

I've used this software. It's absurdly easy to use. Why anyone would want to mess with the hassle of Mac the Ripper, Popcorn, and Video_TS folders eludes me. Fast DVD Copy does all this (and a lot more), much easier.

I haven't used that particular software...but MacTheRipper and Popcorn ain't exactly rocket surgery.

BUT, if it reduces everything to one step...then huzzah!

 

[eclipse525]

Not to be a pain, Fast DVD Copy does this too. (Points to link above for more information.)

"Freedom to choose all items or specific items to copy including menus, trailers, audio streams, subtitles, bonus material and special features "

I've used this software. It's absurdly easy to use. Why anyone would want to mess with the hassle of Mac the Ripper, Popcorn, and Video_TS folders eludes me. Fast DVD Copy does all this (and a lot more), much easier.

Your right, it's REAL easy with less steps. I do have a question however. Have you ever tried to back up a Playstation2 game. I tried to and it copied fine but my Playstation didn't recognize the disc? Anybody have any idea's?

~e

 

[daveL]

I haven't used that particular software...but MacTheRipper and Popcorn ain't exactly rocket surgery.

BUT, if it reduces everything to one step...then huzzah!

Yah, for twice the price of any other solution, just so you don't have to start a second app. To each his own.

 

[noel4r]

Yah, for twice the price of any other solution, just so you don't have to start a second app. To each his own.

I agree, besides Roxio is the more reputable company and with the 50 bucks I saved, I'm halfway to my new iPod Shuffle .