[sandbag1]

Well unless they illegally enter my home and do an illegal search, I should be OK?

[jackbauer24]

RipIt is great but i need more than just ripping. I want something to copy the dvd, 1 to 1, i also want something to convert it to Apple TV, which i then import into iTunes, using Meta X to get the metadata for the movie/tv show which automatically adds it to iTunes. I have to use a separate program for the copy (scary to say, i run fusion for that because i paid for anydvd before i made the mac switch), then i use handbrake to convert to apple tv, then meta x to tag the file, import to itunes.....would be great if i could consolidate programs so i can copy/convert/tag from one program. is there one i'm not aware of? i'll pay for it, if i can get what i want.

Thx

MacPro
2 2.8ghz quad core
10gb ram
3.5tb
30" apple display

[derekc]

The closest I know of is the previously mentioned FairMount. Using it you can often (not always) accomplish what you are after. With it running you can mount many DRM infected DVDs onto your Mac with the DRM crap and damaged sectors removed. You can then potentially do a DVD to DVD-R burn. It is Open Source and free. The current version is 1.0.3. It is provided free with DVDRemaster here:

http://www.metakine....ucts/fairmount/

Note that the resulting mounted DVD is sloooow. But the mounted DVD can be successfully (under ideal circumstances) burned directly to another DVD. Try Toast, Burn, SimplyBurns, etc. Max out your buffer if your burning app has the option. Burn the new DVD as slowly as your burner will allow. Fast burns will likely die from buffer overrun errors. Have as few apps competing for CPU time as possible, just to be safe. It might be useful to do a simulated burn first to avoid beer mat burning syndrome.

And the usual lecture: Remember to only use this method for backups. Despite the FUD attacks and fraudulent pseudo 'laws' the industrialists attempt to dump on our heads, it will always be legal to maintain the personal usability of any media you license. That's the purpose of backups. Sharing licensed media with others is unlikely to ever be legal, unless you're a library or are given specific permission. Thus ends my due diligence. Death to DRM.

[derekc]

Now for one Pay-For-It method:

DVDRemaster standard version costs $40. It will burn backups of many DRM infected DVDs via the included FairMount program. But it also provides direct conversion from DVD to formats compatible with both iPods and iPhones. Any video that plays on an iPod also plays on AppleTV, which is what you're looking for. Metakine provides a tutorial here:

http://www.metakine....ls/convert.html

The DVDRemaster demo is included when you download FairMount. Use the previously provided FairMount URL. There is a Pro version of DVDRemaster for $50, but is not required for conversions.

[DJMac317]

You can also try my program VideoVangelist. The new version rips DVD's to nearly any format, and the resulting file it actually converts is a 1 to 1 rip of the selected title into one file, which can be converted either with VideoVangelist or any other program you wish to use. http://www.whimspluc.../videovangelist Plus it's only $10.00

[jackbauer24]

Thanks for the quick reply, i of course am only making a copy of my purchased originals. i'm running a demo now of dvdremaster, using fairmount, making an apple tv version of a harry potter dvd. it looks like it can convert to formats and make a 1x1 copy, not bad. guess i'm out of luck with a tagger :) 2 out of 3 ain't bad. i like the fact that it can import to itunes automatically, nice touch.

those 2 are the important ones anyway, takes away from starting a vm of windows xp (which i hate seeing on my mac!) and using anydvd to make the copy. this one and the other one recommended at least make a dvd copy and convert to apple tv, that's key.

[jackbauer24]

thanks for the quick reply, i'll give it another try. i downloaded it yesterday or early this morning but didn't like the fact i can only convert 5 min or something like that. having a demo be able to do 1 rip and 1 conversion or let it work for 3 days or something like that would be great for users to figure out which one they like the best, so they can spend money wisely. especially these days.

nice program from what i saw. does it grab imdb info for meta tags? i may be asking too much :)

[smax013]

Chris Breen said:

I've spoken with intellectual property lawyers about this and other copyright-versus-fair-use subjects and I was surprised to learn that even they don't have a solid answer to this one. The truth is, no one really knows. The consensus is that it's a violation of the DMCA to make copy-busting software (which is one reason you see HandBrake no longer including this technology but, instead, relying on another application to install it) but not to use it for the purposes of archiving your media (and using those archived copies in devices you own).

And that is the key...no one knows until there is a court case that creates "precedent". Thus, you can get all the consensus in the world and it won't mean spit if you get sued for circumventing the copy protection and lose in court.

My personal opinion is that I doubt that any movie companies are too eager to pursue some end user who rips their DVD to put it on their computer, iPod or AppleTV out of the fear that they COULD lose and thus set precedent and then let EVERYONE know that it is OK. Right now, they are likely hoping that many will NOT do it out of fear of the DMCA.

My lay understanding is that right now if you circumvent copy protection FOR ANY REASON, you are technically violating the DMCA. But, then that butts heads with the Fair Use provisions of Copyright law. And so the question becomes, which trumps which. Unless Congress modifies the DMCA (which there has been talk about doing), we won't know for sure until a court has a case on the issue and makes a ruling. Personally, I bet that Fair Use would win, but that is pure speculation on my part.

[smax013]

fmaxwell said:

It's okay to violate unconstitutional laws -- in fact, it's something that we all should do, openly, publicly, and defiantly. The DMCA violates the First Amendment and is a disgusting example of what happens when major corporations wield too much influence with our lawmakers.

Yes and no. A law is not unconstitutional until a valid court determines it to be unconstitutional (and it has fully gone through the whole appeal process). You or me declaring it unconstitutional alone don't mean spit. Thus, you are perfectly free to "violate" a law you deem to be unconstitutional, but you should be prepared to defend yourself (and thus pay some lawyer a crap load of money) in court...telling the judge that the law is unconstitutional in your opinion won't get you too far...other than to jail and/or into a fine.

[SD_BFU]

System Preferences - CDs&DVDs - When you insert a video DVD - Ignore.


Then for playback you can use VLC, or whatever you like to rip the DVD. No region protection will be in effect.


Works for my Mac OS X 10.5.6


On legal side - if I own legally purchased media, I have my right to copy it as many times as I want/need if I'm not DISTRIBUTING it.


Very gray area however. What is a "distribution"? I burned a copy of a DVD and gave it my brother. Distribution? If I invited 10 friends to see a movie, is it a form of distribution? Or a broadcast?


Or if I borrowed a DVD from someone and copied it for my collection? How different is that from just downloading?


USA dramatically needs to reduce the number of money-hungry lawyers, IMHO.

[reevescajr]

Yes, there is a grey area here, but not nearly as grey as you are trying to make it. In my mind with all copyright issues is to ask yourself the question, "Am I depriving the owner/seller of the DVD of income by making the copy?" If you purchase the DVD, obviously not. If you borrow or rent it, just as obviously, yes. The same holds true if you give copies away. Those folks don't have to buy the DVD. I agree with your comment about lawyers, but don't use that as a justification to steal.