[steamboat26]

Just wondering if its actually legal to rip DVDs to your hard drive...(and if it has been known to mess up anyones computer)
Also, i have been researching Mac the ripper and it says that it can rip a DVD in about 15 minutes, whereas the posts on macworld say it takes upwards of 1 hour, whats the actual ripping time?
Thanks

[jax]

hasn't messed up my computer.
ripping times would depend on the size of the movie and the specs of your computer.

[steamboat26]

Thanks, I have also read that the ripped movies can't be played on iDVD- does this mean that you can't play ripped movies on front row or am I missing something?

[ladyuser101]

Legal? That depends on the absence of laws where you live. You probably won't find laws directing you to rip! /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif It's probably better to ask how and in what way is ripping regulated by laws and treaties. I live in Australia where home use of owned media is considered legal (or perhaps not worth prosecuting). File sharing is not legal. I travel in many Asian countries where no laws or treaties govern ripping. I just got back from Hong Kong where there are few restrictions. Some countries make it illegal to even discuss things like this online. My understanding is that there is a conflict between law and fair use in many places like the US. Moral, ethical, social, and fairness doctrines apply also to some people regardless of law. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif In the US you can be sued regardless of law so it may not be worth the principle. Most forums do not want you to link to ripping software to avoid a lawsuit (although some will allow linking to a website where you can find information and software). There's really no one answer depending on where you live.
Computer damage? The CPU will run flat out for the ripping and the followup DVD burning so don't let it overheat even though that is unlikely. I use a platform with a couple of fans.
I just ripped a Hong Kong purchased Region 1 DVD with 4.08GB of data in under 30 minutes (actually during a 30 minute program on television) from a slow Sony DVD writer. Burning and verifying took another 30 minutes on a SD with Toast. While the amount of data on the DVD and the specs on your computer are important, running the DVD from the fastest drive you can get will help a lot. Use a DVD-ROM instead of a DVD writer for the rip since they are usually faster.
I ripped the R1 DVD to play on an XBOX 360. I own a LG (GoldStar from Korea) DVD player that will play any region so I don't rip often. HTH /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Edit: iDVD is not a player. You're thinking of DVD player on the Mac (in the applications folder). I just tried DVD player on the DVD I ripped to my hard drive and it said it was not supported. I used VLC media player and it opened right up.
I probably will be ripped for this post but I am currently located in Korea where this is not illegal. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[steamboat26]

Thanks for the info...so it is illegal to rip DVDs in the U.S?

[Rugby]

...with MTR you can remove the region codes

[ftaok]

[indent]In reply to:

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Thanks for the info...so it is illegal to rip DVDs in the U.S?

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[/indent] This is really a sticky question. Prior "Fair Use" laws/rights allow for duplicating copyrighted material for back-up purposes. However, with the advent of the DMCA, duplicating material that has digital encryption has been outlawed.
So the $1,000,000 question is "does the DMCA overrule the Fair Use provisions?"
I would say that as long as you're ripping DVDs that you personally own (not rentals or your buddy's collection), you're OK. But when you give/trade/sell the DVD, you should technically delete or destroy any copies.
In reality, no one is going to bust you for duplicating DVDs, unless you're running an illegal distribution ring.
Let your moral compass guide you.
ft

[ladyuser101]

Read about details here , here , and especially here .

[steamboat26]

Thats bad news, but thanks for the info anyways

[Jon Seff]

My understanding is that creating the software to remove DRM is illegal under the DMCA. Using such software, especially for backing up or converting DVDs you've purchased, is not as cut and dry. It may or may not be against the law, whereas making and disseminating the software is.

[ladyuser101]

It is hard for me to read the actual text of the DMCA without getting the impression that it is expressly for two purposes as follows: a. eliminate the software tools for bypassing technological controls and b. eliminate the actual practice of bypassing technological controls. The language was deliberately made more generic and inclusive so that almost any practice was disallowed. That's one reason why the librarians were against it.
As the saying goes, "If you are going to cross the street against the light, it is better to do it with a hundred other people." Whenever I visit the US I am usually the slowest driver on the road during the first few days until I learn the massive flow of 10 to 20 MPH over the speed limit by commuters is tolerated by the police.
Many people routinely bypass technological controls. The Apple SuperDrive has built in controls so bypass them with an external firewire drive. DVD player won't play your region, bypass it with VLC. A DVD won't fit on your iPod, bypass the technological controls of the DVD with Handbrake. VOB files won't import to iMovie, bypass the technological controls with MTR. The more people who rip, the healthier the market will be as it becomes more diverse.
I don't think ripping to make a backup copy is Fair Use. Copying a disk with all technological controls in place as a backup copy is Fair Use. Ripping is avoiding technological controls. I think that is what the DMCA means but I also think it is a bad law because its effect is to hijack the entire digital world. The technological controls are so easy to bypass because they are not creative and don't deserve protection. People need the freedom of expression that the internet offers.
The more people who rip the healthier the market will be.

[macnuke]

let's be realistic.
I rip 100% of my DVD's.
I also use Popcorn to burn a copy.
I file the originals and manuals away for safe storage.
my copies are what I actually run/use.
when damaged, I can replace them for the cost of a blank.
legal or not, I operate that way.
that being said...
are they going to raid my home?
i really don't think so.
are they going to confiscate my powerbook and disks?
well, i travel, there is always that chance, but they better have a pretty good reason to violate my rights.
and should i ever be busted for the copies, do you think for one minute that a jury of my peers is going to convict me when I can produce originals and proof of purchase and why i shouldn't have to go out and buy a new copy from a corporation that has millions and millions just because i scratched it?
nope, fair use.. i will make copies as long as I have the means to do so.
even Apple advocates a back-up of your downloaded iTunes files. tunes OR movies.
question.. upon inserting your movie/music and hitting the play button, and it's indistinguishable from the original.. without looking, are you running the original? or the backup?
you CAN actually do a 100% copy of a DVD.
you don't have to disable macrovision
you don't have to region free.
and believe it or not, it will still work.

[ladyuser101]

macnuke wrote: let's be realistic.
Realistically, you're at a political disadvantage. Politicians took money from special interests to write and sign this into law. That's what they do. I think it is a bad law because of the disadvantages to you.
Realistically, you're at a financial disadvantage. No one will raid your home. Before a lawsuit or legal proceding, you will be asked by letter to pay a fine of $2,500 and admit that you are guilty. Your lawyer will advise you that is the cheapest way to go. Your spouse will caution you not to lose the house. Your children will say your principle will lose their educational opportunities. Your friends, who also break the law, will want to stay out of the line of fire. When you are broke from fighting this attack, it will stop. It will never make it to the courtroom. Your peers, if you have any , will never convict you of anything.
Realistically, you are at a technological disadvantage. No company is creating new digital hardware, a new digital zeroes and ones system, a new internet, a new anything. These technological controls are using what is normal and allowed just by owning a computer. As you point out, no one can tell the difference between an original or a copy. As you point out, anyone can make either an exact copy with the technological controls left in or rip a copy with the technological controls removed. Both will work just fine...just by using your computer normally. You cannot separate the technology into what is use and into what is control.
Realistically, you are at a moral or ethical disadvantage. Most people want to believe themselves moral, ethical, lawabiding, upstanding and worthy. The recording industry is under no such obligation and they have discovered the internet where the distribution of their product does not cost them anything...except lawyers to control computer usage...so they can make money freely. The whole copy issue is framed in moral, legal, ethical, fair use terms to have you stop the practice of copying digital work.
macnuke wrote: fair use.. i will make copies as long as I have the means to do so.
I support this completely. The more people who rip the healthier the market will be. No one has to but I think everyone should have the right to disable macrovision/region/registration for personal use. It is the creative idea, not the technological controls, that should be protected. Fair use should allow libraries, schools, news, governmental and personal use of digital material. Okay, maybe that's not realistic.

[macnuke]

err I beg to differ dearie.
set me in a court.. after I used the letter they threatened me with to finish a job that requires paper upon completion.
i did state I don't share.. and I have the originals and proof of purchase.
put a jury in there and see what they say.
besides..
no wife.
kids college funds are untouchable.
and the majority of my possessions are not mine..technically.
amazing what you can do with the law in La.
no money need be spent pre trial to the point of going broke..
one letter from your attorney to them for a cease and desist.
turn and walk away.
after that.. stand your ground.. innocent until proven guilty. and do not reply.
they can only pester you so much then it's harassment.
and use a one time only lawyer for the letter. that way, (s)he can deny being on retainer or your lawyer.. as you have none, they can send you one letter, one phone call.. your response.. silence.
a jury of my peers would never convict.