Copying unprotected DVD discs

[Valnar]

I have a video DVD that's less than 4.2GB and has no copy protection on it. It's as easy to copy the files off the disc as it is to rip them with Smartripper. Both methods work fine!

So does it matter which way I do it? Can I now just easily copy the files to a new DVD-R and it should work in the same structure? Or do I still need to go through an authoring program?

ie. video_ts and audio_ts folders with all included VOB, IFO, etc. files.

-Robert

[SLK001]

So does it matter which way I do it?

So, why are you asking us? Why don't you TELL us?

To answer your question (which should be obvious) is yes... the SmartRipper method takes more steps (and UNNECESSARY steps as it turns out). All SmartRipper does (basically) is apply the CSS key matrix to the encoded DVD VOB files and then writes the result to a HD. With the encryption gone, SR has no key to decode with, so simply copies the files to the HD.

Just use a DVD Copy program (I use NERO) to perform a copy.

[SLK001]

Oh dear, dear dearlilie,

Yes, you CAN simply copy one DVD to another (I do it ALL the time). You are probably thinking about an encrypted DVD, which you CAN copy (almost), but the copy will be a coaster (since no CSS key CAN be copied to a DVD-R - per the DVD-R specifications). The data on this copy will be identical to the data on your encrypted DVD, but without the key, will be useless.

[alfa1234]

Oh dear, dear dearlilie,

Yes, you CAN simply copy one DVD to another (I do it ALL the time). You are probably thinking about an encrypted DVD, which you CAN copy (almost), but the copy will be a coaster (since no CSS key CAN be copied to a DVD-R - per the DVD-R specifications). The data on this copy will be identical to the data on your encrypted DVD, but without the key, will be useless.

How do you tell a dvd movie is encrypted? And if so, how do you cancel the encryption WITHOUR ripping it to HD via SR or another similar program?Thanks

[SLK001]

The best way I know to tell if a DVD is encrypted is to let SmartRipper search for a key. If it finds one, then the disk is encrypted (a safe bet is to assume that any DVD of a theatrical release out of Hollywood is encrypted).

You cannot remove or cancel the encryption without ripping to a HD (encryption's a bitch, isn't it?).

[Bud]

SLK001

How about a step by step on how you do your DVD "Back-Up" please, sounds like you got it down. I have Panasonic DVD-Recorder and Nero 5.5.80. You can e-mail if you want. Many thanks

Bud