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Question

DVD ripping HELP! -- newbie questions

Jul 18, 2015 8:16AM PDT

I have home movies on DVD and would like to be able to not only convert them to various digital formats but also to then be able to burn back to DVD to make copies. I'm leery of free downloads because I don't know the trustworthy companies and don't want computer viruses or spyware. Best Buy has some stuff but I don't want to spend $80 (unless I have no choice) and if I do spend money, want to make sure I'm getting something that works and works well.

Could someone direct me to what I need? I will be using Windows 8.1 on an HP with AMDFX processor, 3.5 GH with 10GB of RAM, 64 bit (this info from my husband because it means nothing to me, lol). I told you this was newbie question.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Use Kubuntu
Jul 18, 2015 8:24AM PDT
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Answer
A word about Ninite.
Jul 18, 2015 8:32AM PDT

Since the DVD is yours and not copy protected, we can discuss this. But first, here's why I use Ninite.com -> http://www.howtogeek.com/201354/ninite-is-the-only-safe-place-to-get-windows-freeware/

I see Imgburn, CDBurnerXP (works on Windows past XP) which will let you duplicate these DVDs for backup. Both will let you create the .ISO file which can be a backup on the HDD and also playable with VLC Player (which is on Ninite.)

But for video conversion we'll have to step outside to get https://handbrake.fr/

Still free so far but here's where most people get upset. What you are doing is technical and takes practice and a lot of time. It's not uncommon for a rip or conversion to take hours. Folk new to this are always asking for a faster or easier app.

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Thank you and one more question
Jul 18, 2015 12:22PM PDT

Thank you R. Proffitt! Handbrake did an awesome job of converting the home movies to mp4 and could be watched on computer. But then we tried to convert the mp4 files to be burned on disc. This seemed to work but only a relatively new Blu-Ray player would play the disc. Our older DVD players would not. If the other family members to whom I want to send the movies don't have a way to play it, I guess I need to figure out if the mp4 file can be emailed or shared somehow. May be too big to email. I'm wondering if Handbrake can convert to some format that an older DVD player can read.

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Try dropbox or similar.
Jul 18, 2015 12:29PM PDT

Then you can send them a link to click on.
Dafydd.

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So far, true.
Jul 18, 2015 12:37PM PDT

The MP4 when put on DVD would play on BluRay or more advanced players. To create a Video DVD (which is a standard set in stone) you can try http://www.dvdflick.net/ which is free.

Again, it's pretty advanced and takes time to master as well as render.

Finally there are Video DVD players that will not play recorded Video DVDs or will only work with DVD plus or minus. I found the whole mess to be too unreliable to tell anyone that a recorded DVD will work. But most of the time it will work. You can imagine how the newer folk will ask how to make a Video DVD for that odd/old Video DVD player. The answer is known but they often can't accept it.

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Many thanks!
Jul 18, 2015 12:41PM PDT

Many thanks! I appreciate all your help!!