DVDs to VCDs question

[gurl]

Do I need a DVD player in order to rip DVDs to VCDs?

[Mirror_Image]

We'll approach this with the Socratic method:

Do I need a DVD player in order to rip DVDs to VCDs?

Q: In order to rip a DVD, what is the first step?

A: To rip the files off of the DVD, of course.


Q: How do we rip the files from a DVD?

A: By reading them from the disc.


Q: So, could we read these files in a DVD drive?

A: Certainly; if it can read the DVD, it can also play the DVD, and thus can also rip the files.


Q: How about a CD-ROM drive; could I rip the files with a CD-ROM drive?

A: I'm not really sure if you could or not.


Q: Can a CD-ROM drive play a DVD?

A: No, you need a DVD drive to play a DVD.


Q: If a drive is unable to play a DVD, can it read the data on a DVD?

A: Probably not.


Q: Why not?

A: The laser in the drive is probably not suited to reading DVD media.


Q: If the drive's laser cannot read a DVD, how can it rip/extract any files?

A: Hmm, I guess it couldn't. That makes sense.