DVD copying?

[sgw75]

I've heard so much about DVD copying using a program called DeCSS, and from what I understand, it copies huge .VOB files to your hard disk. Now, that's a whole hell of alot of space for one movie. Is DeCSS illegal to have, or is the movie industry just pissed off? Personally, I've got quite a bit of DVD's and the thought of being able to copy the original (for personal use only)is great. But man...all that space needed is crazy! Someone mentioned to me that you can convert the .VOB into an Mpeg with a small hit to visual/audio, but with a very nice size difference. But in order to do that, one must copy this here, paste this here, install that, split this, blah blah blah. Kinda makes one not even want to back-up the **** thing. I remember using rippers and encoders for MP3's (jeez...what a waste of time). Then progs like MusicMatch came along and I backed up my entire CD collection at 160kbps/44khz stereo. Do you think the same thing will eventually happen with DVD's? If anyone knows of a great way to make Mpeg's out of .VOB's that's easy and doesn't require chanting and dancing, then please...show me the way. I'm no pirate...just a plain guy that feels we have the right to back-up any digital media we spend our hard earned cash on.

[U-96]

It almost certainly is illegal. As is copying CDs. Naturally this all applies to how strictly the law is applied.
I read a very lucid aricle recently on why DVD encryption sucks and is pointless. The author considered (and warned) that while coding is done at a software level at the moment, it will soon be hard-coded into your monitor/TV set. No hacks there.
The present system is not meant to be secure, merely to demonstrate deliberate action was required to copy data.
The regional coding system certainly feels to me like profiteering on behalf of the movie distributors.

U-96

[seti]

A lot of software licences grant the privlige to create a back up cd-rom. So you would have to read the copyright info for dvd's. But I imagen it would be no different from vhs. How does that go again???....something like "copying this in part or in whole is strictly prohibited...". As for converting into mpeg...you take a major hit in sound quality. You go from Dolby Digital 5.1 channels (most dvd's) to stereo. And all the storage, oh my, the storage....I think it's best just to make sure you keep your dvd's safe.

[This message has been edited by seti (edited 12-11-1999).]

[joe111]

I'll answer the portion about your storage need. Now there is a DVD-RAM drive. A DVD-RAM (double-sided) can hold 5.2 GB of data. I suppose that's the same amount as a two-sided DVD movie. One of these now goes for less than $300, including one media. Check it out at www.buycomp.com. (http://www.buycomp.com.)

[AuraEdge]

..whats the RAM in DVD ram stand for anyways?

The thing is, the DVD-RAM disk costs more than a dvd (30+ dolars for the DVD-RAM)...so whats the point? If you need to backup that badly, just buy 2 copys..

[sgw75]

Nah...a DVD-RAM drive will probably be added to my wish list when blanks get a little cheaper. I just wanted to know if converting .VOB's to Mpegs' would actually be worth it. But I suppose I'll just wait. Thanks for the input.

[seti]

Um, I'm not completely sure about this....but I belive I read somewhere that you will not be able to copy dvd's with a dvd-ram drive. I'll try to confirm this.

[seti]

Well I was half right. DVD-RAM disks are enclosed in a plastic, caddy like case. So you are bound to useing the dvd-ram drive to watching the backups.

[Apostle 83]

I was in third grade when cd's started to get used on average systems- my school had one system w/cd drive, and the cd's were enclosed in a 'plastic caddy' when in the comp. I don't think it will last. I think the primary reason they are like this is to protect them, as they are expensive now. When they get cheap, plastic caddies'll drop like a bad habit.

[AuraEdge]

..The CD-r drive I got about a year ago is a caddy drive.. a Sony 2x/8x
I still prefer caddy to tray tho
Trays really bite http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif
Also the CD drive on my friends Gateway P166 is a caddy drive.
The 'Caddys' on dvd-RAMS are not removable.

I believe caddys drives are cheaper to make than slot or tray, because there are less moving mechanisms in Caddy drives (you push the Caddy in and it locks in)..thats probably how they started.

[seti]

Isn't it a pain to have to swap the diskes in and out of the caddy all the time?? I hate swaping them out of the drive as it is. I'd like to get one of those drives (I think they're pioneer) that loads like a car deck. You just slide it in the slot and it grabs it from you.