Copying DVD library

Furn462

Whilst I've made the shift from physical to digital on the music side I still have a mountain of DVDs that sit taking up space. I find myself loath to buy physcial DVDs these days as they only take up further space.

So I've decided to make the move to digital on a film front but I don't want to have to fork out (again) for replacing the films I currently have from iTunes (or the like). I'm after some software that can copy my DVDs and allow me to store them on an external hard drive. I've seen/read about HandBrake as a good option, however their website talks about not being able to copy DVDs that have copy protection. Anyone know if this is likely to scupper my plans? Are there any other options for performing the same task?

Thanks.

fwor

Furn462 wrote: »

Anyone know if this is likely to scupper my plans?

If you care about doing it legally, yes it is. Almost all commercial DVDs are going to be copy protected.

If you choose to ignore the legalities then there are plenty of options, but how to get round copy protection is a subject that this forum does not permit.

Idiophreak

Could you not just chuck away / store the dvd cases and put the discs themselves in some storage binders. Something like this:
http://www.dixons.co.uk/gbuk/tucano-prima-200-cd-dvd-case-black-04751419-pdt.html?srcid=867&cmpid=comp~Google~Consumables~04751419&istCompanyId=4be69b13-f6de-4a80-8d9b-22e0185f57a7&istItemId=mriqxla&istBid=t
(googled at random) would save you a bunch of space for £15. Would also save you a *bunch* of time that it's going to take you ripping all these things...

googler

It's illegal to copy them under current law. Setting that aside, they probably have copy-protection on them. It's illegal to circumvent the copy protection.

As someone said, for the regular ones in standard cases, keep the disc and the paper sleeve insert, and throw away or store elsewhere the box.

I keep my mountain of CDRs on the spindles that the blanks are supplied on. That's one option. Paper sleeves are another, binders and storage systems a third.

Iconic

googler wrote: »

It's illegal to copy them under current law. Setting that aside, they probably have copy-protection on them. It's illegal to circumvent the copy protection.

Are you sure it's illegal? So everyone that digitizes their CD's to MP3 is breaking the law?

Is using this software illegal http://www.makemkv.com/ ?

WhiteChristmas

Iconic wrote: »

Are you sure it's illegal?

Yes.

Iconic wrote: »

So everyone that digitizes their CD's to MP3 is breaking the law?

Technically, yes.

Iconic wrote: »

Is using this software illegal http://www.makemkv.com/ ?

If you use it to convert material without the express permission of the copyright owner, then yes.

neilwoods

Yes it is illegal, but you will you get prosecuted, chances are a million to 1. More and more of the new DVD's are coming with a digital copy, as the industry knows most people will make a backup copy or create a mp4 so they watch it on there portable machine.