Hi all,

I have two general questions:

1) Does using Windows DVD ripper application softwares (like DVD Shrink or DVD Decrypter etc.,) damages/corrupts your DVD reader?

2) What is the legal status upon using such softwares? (Most of these softwares are either freewares or sharewares)

Thanks for your replies,
Have a nice day :)

pnkemail1

Why don't you post what you THINK are the answers to those questions and then someone here may respond?

Ripping software *should* not damage your drives. I say should because there have even been instances in the past where using the wrong type of media could damage a drive. It could be psossible that a software could attempt to execute a command to a device that could damage it. I'd say it's possible but very unlikely.

As for the legality of using that software, that depends on where you live. Wheter the softare is purchased or freeware has no relevance. In the US it is still an open issue in some respects. The DMCA forbids circumventing any copy protection, however the "fair use" execmption in the copyright laws allows for the right to make a backup copy (which does not include "loaning" that backup to others)

So, if you don't own a copy ofthe DVD in question it is definitely illegal. If you do own a copy then the answer is not so easy. It is illegal according to the DMCA, but I have never heard of anyone being tried for making a backup.

Michael J

I've ripped hundreds of DVDs, Blu-Ray disks, and HD-DVDs using Slysoft's AnyDVD HD. Big movie fan here :). I haven't damaged my drive yet. :)

DVD Decrypter is no longer officially available, but is still hosted by some sites. One advantage of DVD Decrypter is that it lets you rip whichever angle you want off the DVD, whereas AnyDVD will rip ALL of the angles. With certain Disney/Pixar titles, having all of the angles mixed together can cause the end credits of the movie to play for one second in English, then for one second in French, then Spanish, and then back to English. These titles are quite rare, and if you never watch the credits, it really doesn't matter. The rest of the movie usually plays back fine.

If you decide to get DVDDecrypter, make sure that you DISABLE AUTOMATIC UPDATING as soon as you install it!

SlySoft's AnyDVD HD is not free, but it's a safer download (from a trustworthy source), and has the ability to crack HD-DVD and Blu-Ray titles as well.

Make sure that you own each disc that you decrypt and rip/encode!

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Hi
Thanks jackbomb, Michael and OtheHill for your replies

I agree with you that copyright laws differ among countries and no copyrighted DVDs or CDs should be copied or backed up.

Regarding the second answer, I remember somewhere reading at internet that frequent usage of such DVD ripper softwares might damage the DVD player (like having difficulty in playing the DVD etc) because (I don't understand the following part) the mechanism of the DVD reader/writer have to work in a different way than the normal reading techniques. Unfortunately I am unable to quote the original reference. It seems the reader processes/strains more when compared with the normal reading process. I am not aware of this. Nevertheless it said something to this meaning.

Your opinions please,
Thanks :)

The process of ripping and shrinking a file is done by software before burning a disk. The writer doesn't know or care what your are burning.

I as well have backed up hundreds of DVDs as well. My first DVD Burner (a 5 year old Pioneer 4X drive, which has ripped most of my discs) is still going strong today. However, I have several new drives that have given up the ghost. As with any piece of hardware there is no way to predict when it will fail. It can fail in a few days or many, many years.

There may be some truth to the fact that a drive is used in a differnt way when ripping or that the process is more demanding. But, I have never seen any studies on that.

But, let's remember that DVD Burners are a comodity these days. You can get one for about $30. My kids only have access to the back-ups and I can't tell you how many dollars I have saved from discs they have trashed. So, even burners that have failed after about a year have paid for themselves.

BTW: Music CDs do not contain copy protection, so they do not fall under the DMCA and fall under the fair use doctrine of being able to back up a copy for personal use.

Michael J