what is the best program to replace dvd shrink?

[neo*2]

hi there, here is my problem. I recently reinstalled win xp pro and for some reason during encoding process dvdshrink/win xp completely freeze causing me to restart computer. I'v found others with this same problem never really found a cure other than to use different software.

So what I want is the best alternative to dvd shrink while still using decrypter and like everyone else an easy to use interface that is capable of defeating sony protection as well (too much to ask?)

All I want is the ability to backup the latest dvds with movie only mode.

Any help would be appreciated, thanks again...

[steve2713]

Nero Recode, DVD Rebuilder

[jtoolman2000]

Latest ANY DVD , not last wekks or somtime even a few days old, but the very latest. Couple that with about any other ripping shrinking tool. Recode as
steve2713 suggested will work on the sony protection if you tag ANY DVD along with it. Very latest Decrypter as well. It's tool bad Shrink is fowling up with PC as it is really the best way to backup DVDs IMHO

[Ward River]

Use Windows 2000 Pro instead of XP

[Sabro]

No problems with XP Home or Pro SP2 and Shrink here.

You may want to check your ASPI Layer as SP2 on XP Pro corrupted my ASPI when it upgraded, otherwise no problems.

Sabro

[D.A.R.J.R.]

I recommend Nero Recode.

[Gurm]

Here's the situation.

Step 1: Install Windows
Step 2: Install DVD Shrink
Step 3: Try to shrink a movie

If your machine "hangs" during step 3... and you haven't installed anything else... then there is something wrong with your machine. Please fix it and then return here for more advice.

[lumis]

thats why i keep an acronis true image hdd image of a clean windows xp installation on a hdd..

it doesnt take long to backup my current c: drive to another hdd with acronis, maybe 6 or 7 minutes..and it only takes 4 or 5 minutes to restore the partition.. and its very easy..

this is also kind of handy if you rely on "trial-ware". :P not that i'm advocating anything like that...

[neo*2]

I've formatted xp pro a few times and never had this problem with shrink causing everything to freeze .Though the only difference is I installed Firefox browser this time around . I checked the ASPI file in Nero tool kit and noticed there wasn't one installed under system ASPI just Nero ASPI, would this make a difference? Never noted this before...

Another quick question, do I use other encoders in the same order as I would dvd shrink?

1. Rip movie to HD w/ decrypter
2. Shrink down to movie only w/ dvd43 or Anydvd ect.
3. Burn w/ Decrypter

Any objections to dvd43 free version 3.5.2, seems to work well with sony protection.

I haven't tried any other movies, as this problem came after the new xp format during the encoding of the Star Wars series??

Lastly will decrypter and dvdclone2 work well together with sony protection..?????

Thanks in advance

[Gurm]

Neither DVD43 nor AnyDVD shrink movies, to my knowledge they are background rippers.



Seriously, make Shrink work. If it doesn't, there's something ELSE wrong and you're just going to be unhappy when MORE stuff fails to work for you.

[chas0039]

I agree, get Shrink to work. Also, CloneDVD is a very quick program with easy removal of unwanted features. At $40 it is a bargain.

[Gurm]

I think the biggest problem with the "Shrink doesn't work, what else should I use?" attitude is that if one program crashes... others will as well. It's like having a car that doesn't work in 4th gear. 4th gear makes the engine shut off. Instead of just over-revving 3rd and going straight into 5th, it's probably best to FIX the car so that 4th gear no longer shuts it down...

[Cinemagic]

DVD Shrink works fine with Win XP Pro and SP2. Look in Task Manager and see what other programs and services are running. You could have some type of I/O conflict with another program. Are you running antivirus software (such as Norton)? I have had numerous problems with Norton, particularly slowing down the machine. McAfee was better, but Trend PC_cillin seems the best for maintaining system performance, IMO.

You should have system aspi. The ASPI drivers allow the program to talk to the CDROM/DVD drives. If you are missing the aspi drivers, you can download them from Adaptec's website.

But Gurm's advice is definately sound. There is a problem and it's not DVD Shrink. Fix the problem or you'll be plagued with it until you do.

[Abond]

@neo*2
Try ReJig.

[dvdguy4]

Never had a problem.

[Gurm]

Norton and McAfee are both TEH DEVIL.

I recommend AVG.

But seriously you might have some weird hardware glitch. You just reinstalled - make sure the install actually went in ACPI mode and not classic - otherwise you've likely got IRQ conflicts up the WAZOO!

[judgmentday]

Norton and McAfee are viruses. It's the worse antivirus software that you can install to a computer. Try AVAST for home. http://www.avast.com
Its free and works great!

[Richard_G]

The only time I've ever encountered a problem with DVDShrink freezing the machine, the CPU heatsink was clogged with dust and the processor was overheating. Might be worth checking if you've got a clean install of XP.

[gguerra3]

I use CloneDVD/AnyDVD works great over many backups no problems. You can dowload 21-day free trial of both.
http://www.slysoft.com/en/download.html

[Richard_G]

Why download a free trial when Shrink and Decrypter both work perfectly and are free for life? Fix the problem, don't try to work around it. My money is on overheating CPU, flakey power supply or you haven't re-installed something correctly.

[Cinemagic]

Okay Richard_G, if you're going to place money on the problem, you need to narrow down your bet. You're basically saying that your money is on either the hardware or software. I'll put my money on the windows install and the missing ASPI files. Either a download and install of the ASPI drivers or re-install of Windows XP will be the fix. Of course we haven't been provided enough information to make any type of reall intelligent guess, so I think I'll change my mind and go with your prediction - either hardware or software. Then again we both could be wrong and it could be a simple matter of operator error. hehehe

[Richard_G]

When I say bad install, I mean not done properly. The OP says he's formated XP Pro, but he should be formattting his hard drive and re-installing from scratch. He may mean the same thing but I doubt it. The only sure way of finding the cause of the problem is to format the hard drive, install XP, install motherboard chipset drivers, install Shrink and try it then. If it still freezes, it's hardware, if it doesn't, it was software but I would suspect that isn't what he has done.

What most of us mean by format isn't the same as what some people think. Doing it properly wipes everything from the hard drive and a lot of people don't want to do that so do a re-install over the top of an existing one or use a recovery disc. Neither of those will do the job properly.

[neo*2]

Hi Guys, Firstly just wanted to say thanks to all for your input towards my dilema. Unfortunately I was once again forced to format hard drive , wipeout everything and start from scratch. This time though everything is running fine and I figure must off been a software conflict with my ISP security package I downloaded and installed before decrypter & shrink.

[neo*2]

Oh just to settle the bet I did indeed format hard drive, chipset, drivers ect.., didn't really think it was hardware as it was running well previously...

[Richard_G]

Glad to hear you got it sorted. I knew it was either hardware or a dodgy install of something.......

[Gurm]

Bleh. ISP Security package, huh? Sounds iffy.

[spiderman2k1]

I would go with ANYDVD and cloneDVD or DVD2ONE. Try DVD43 if it works good for you use it. I'm a ANYDVD user.

[Cinemagic]

Actually, I think the ISP security package sounds pretty logical. You know what Norton and McAfee do to systems. Now that many ISPs are getting into the free firewall/antivirus/antispyware game, who knows what they are trying to get people to install on their machines.

Glad you're up and running again.