How to Backup or Copy DVDs for FREE

Well I have been reading some of the tutorials on how to copy dvds but so far each and every one of those are suggesting you pay for some sort of program or another. I don't know about you but I already spent the 20 bucks on a dvd, I don't want to incur any more charges to make sure my 4 year old doesn't put peanut butter on my copy of shrek 3.

Step 1. Get the programs

OK this is the easy part I am going to link you to the programs and give a little description of each. These are the easiest user friendly programs you can use (oh and free). There are plenty of other programs out there but if you are reading this you want the easiest way. And if you are like me you like your programs like I like my women cheap and easy.

First program is dvddecrypter. It does just what the name implies. It decrypts the dvd copy protection. Some movie companies have added protection to their dvds so you can't copy them because of those nasty pirates out there. Obviously they didn't take into account honest upstanding citizens like you and I that just want a LEGAL backup so the original won't be ruined by the cat. And here is the link

Second program is dvdshrink. Again this does just what the name implies. It shrinks a dvd so it is able to be burned. Basically newer dvds are on what is called DVD9. Its a dvd that carries 9 gig or is dual layered. and the link

And thats all you need for programs. For the hardware you need about 15-20 gig free space, a dvd writer (if you don't have one go get one I'll wait), and of course a blank dvd-r/+r.

Step 2. Get wit da program

After installing the programs, pop in the original dvd in your dvd drive and start up dvddecrypter. Your source drive should be the dvd drive you plan to copy from. Next on the menu bar click Mode-iso-read. Next click the folder in the middle to chose your destination for the disk image. I personally set up a new folder for this process then just delete it after I am done. After your destination is chosen click the icon that looks like a dvd with an arrow pointing to a hard drive.
After decrypter (thats what the kids are calling it) is done run dvdshrink. On the menu click File-Open disc image. Then find the *.iso file you just made with decrypter. After its done doing its analyzing thing you should see the dvd structure on your screen. Some times it is already done for you and you can just back up right there. But other times you may have to do a few things to get it the right size. At the top of the screen you should see the green bar. If there is any bit of red the file will be too big for a regular dvd-r. IF there is no red then close shrink and skip right to the burning.

Step 3. Shrinkage

First get rid of crap.

I personally don't need the Korean subtitles or Russian sound dubbing so uncheck all that you KNOW you won't need. For the audio you normally only need the 5.1 stuff thats the actual movie anything else is the director or actors commentary. I personally don't listen to those so they take a hike.

Second changing the video.

The main reason movies are on dual layered disks is because they put both versions (wide screen and full screen) I personally prefer the wide screen version. To see which is which just click one of the titles and press the play button you will see the little preview. The one you decide NOT to keep go to the video and select "still pictures". That will drastically reduce the size of your finished product. Now go to all the extras (these are outtakes special features and such). I always chose the lowest quality for these because I tend to watch the movie not the special features. Just go to the video section chose "custom ration" and bring the slider all the way down. then go to the main movie do the same thing except bring the slider all the way up as far as you can go without getting a little red on the bar.

There is another way to just put the movie on a disk called "reauthor" but like i said i am giving you the easy way. I only use reauthor for multi movie dvd when i want to put the whole harry potter series on one dvd or something. I will post a tutorial on that later for those that wish to see it.
Finally back that up.

click the back up button and make sure the settings are like so... target device is iso image...target image file is the folder you started with (make it a different file name of course). put in a blank dvd-r and check the box "launch dvd decrypt..." then click OK and go make some lunch. By the time you come back you will have a working copy of your movie. Go ahead and delete the folder to make room for another

Step 4. Burn baby burn
If you have the *.iso image ready and the right size just change the mode in decrypter to mode-iso-write. Chose the lowest speed setting and click the icon.