Question about DVDFab

[Instant Martian]

Hi guys,
I was trying to backup a couple of discs and the only software that seems to work is DVDFab.
I made a Full DVD copy, the original DVD is more than 6GBs, the output is a little bit more than 4GBs.
What am I missing?

[transporterfan]

Probably set to copy to DVD5 instead of DVD9

[Baldrick]

Some dvds will show a bigger size because of the dvd encryption/arccos protection.

But you can also try backup the anydvd and bdlot iso master.

[Instant Martian]

@transporterfan
It was set to DVD5 when I ripped the first DVD but I switched to DVD9 for the second one.
Nothing changed.
BTW, does this mean that DVDFab can shrink too?

@Baldrick
A bigger size of that amount? Some GBs?
As for the software, I went for my usual set at first (RipIt4Me+DVDDecrypter) but it got stuck and entered an endless "Inserting Dummy Sectors" routine, so I gave up.
I don't have AnyDVD on my pc, BDlot DVD ISO Master failed too.

[transporterfan]

Yes. http://www.dvdfab.com/tutorial/DVD-to-DVD-Full-Disc

What size was reported for the original second disc?

[jman98]

A bigger size of that amount? Some GBs?

Yes indeed. In fact, we've had a report where because of this bad sector type copy protection (this is what you have based on the RipIt4Me output you reported) the DVD claimed to hold something like 90 GB, which is more than even dual layer BD can hold. So yes, it's certainly possible that the DVD is claiming to hold 6 GB when in fact it's actually single layer size. Claiming to hold more data than actually exists is an attempt to trick some conversion programs into doing massive compression when such is actually not necessary.

[CobraPilot]

Instant Martian: I went for my usual set at first (RipIt4Me+DVDDecrypter)

Although many on this forum deride this combination as being out-of-date, as you have experienced--and I can confirm--, it is often STILL very useful.

My further experience: When this combination won't work (and yet doesn't "hang" like you described, which is sometimes the case), you will likely see a notice that "will require 6% compression to fit on a DVD5", or some VERY low number, meaning impossibly high compression needed. THAT'S your clue that that you have a complex protection scheme and that DVDFab (to decrypt), followed by DVDShrink (to, well, shrink) is the likely pairing for success. Had that happen to me just this week.

[tarzan54]

I have been using DVDfab for years to rip to hard drive then shrink with DVDshrink with great success, Just wish they would come out with a program like shrink for blurays.

[Instant Martian]

@transporterfan
the second DVD is 6114MB (according to DVDFab), I set "DVD9", the output is 4,19GB.
As for the guide you linked, it's what I did (except specify the Region Code and the burning).

@jman98
Really? Never heard of that.
I learned something.
Anyway, according to DVDFab the discs are dual-layer.

@CobraPilot
I don't know, maybe it is out-of-date but as far as it works I don't see a reason to change.
The p.i.t.n. is when it doesn't work.

you will likely see a notice that "will require 6% compression to fit on a DVD5"

Let me get this straight: does 6% mean it will be compressed by 94%?

@tarzan54
Thanks to you too.

I usually stick to free software but just f.m.i., if I buy a "payware" the periodic updates are free or do I have to pay each time?

[CobraPilot]

Instant Martian: @CobraPilot
I don't know, maybe it is out-of-date but as far as it works I don't see a reason to change.
The p.i.t.n. is when it doesn't work.
you will likely see a notice that "will require 6% compression to fit on a DVD5"

Let me get this straight: does 6% mean it will be compressed by 94%?

Yes, that "6%" equates to MASSIVE (94%) compression because the protection scheme tricks some software to interpret there are many times more data on the disc than is even possible. jman98 explains that above. DVDFab is seldom tricked by these schemes although new ones appear regularly, typically followed by an update of DVDFab.

[transporterfan]

@transporterfan
the second DVD is 6114MB (according to DVDFab), I set "DVD9", the output is 4,19GB.
As for the guide you linked, it's what I did (except specify the Region Code and the burning).

If you followed the guide, then I have to assume it is some protection mechanism.
Try updating.