How to Backup DVD's to Video Compact DIsks (VCD's)

Why, you might be wondering, would one want to copy a movie into a VCD, which takes twice as many disks as a DVD for a standard movie? I'll tell you why: It's still cheaper. Until DVD's drop their prices to below that of CD-R's, archiving your movies into Video Compact Disks is still a smart choice. The following method outlines how I create a VCD to use, and keep the DVD into storage instead, away from accidental scratches, not to mention the occasional use as a flying ninja weapon by your son's friends when you're not looking.

WARNING: The following is for making disks for alternative archival purposes, and must be used under fair-use laws established by the entertainment industry. Besides, it does not allow for keeping the Special Features portion of the DVD, only the movie itself. And I find it does not work with about 10-15% of all DVD's out there. There are three phases in each project, and each movie takes a few hours to complete, making it a bit impractical except for a couple of times a week. With that said, here's how I do it:

Step 1: Decrypt: There is a free utility out there called DVD Decrypter that can pull out files encrypted conventionally on a DVD. When the program is installed and running, it detects a DVD in the drive and attempts to read the files on it. Click on Edit and select "Main Movie Files". This will locate (surprise) the files of the main move, and nothing else. When they have been highlighted, click on the green arrow near the bottom of the window to transfer them to your hard drive. Allow about 45 minutes to an hour for feature-length films.

Caveat 1a: Some film companies, mostly foreign productions, like to organize files differently, by distributing chapters to different sections of the disk. You might find yourself getting only a portion of the movie. In this case, you go back and select the other sections after saving the first chapter(s).

Caveat 1b: When you get an error that you can't figure out, or even understand, like a bunch of assembler code instructions and an arrow "helpfully" pointing out where the operation stopped, that's it. Unless you're a rainman-type genius, it stops here, no matter how many times you retry. This is where I lose about 10% of the movies I attempt.

Step 2: Compress:I purchased an inexpensive application (distributed by the Cosmi company for $9.99 at your favorite retailer) called DVD Ditto. There are many like it but I found this one first, and has served me well for years. This user-friendly app allows you to take undecrypted .VOB files and convert them into .avi or .mpg videos that you can play on your computer. Clicking on the "Make VCD" checkbox actually assembles an .mpg file, while "Make DVD" puts together an .avi file instead (Why? I'm a geek and I don't know why). I find .mpg's are a little more compact, and play on more computers, but functionally are the same as far as our entire archiving process is concerned.

You will be asked for preferences, such as what to name the output file and where to save it, and whether to break the movie up into smaller files. I like to keep the entire movie together, stored in its separate folder. While I'm at it, I choose the subtitles feature whenever possible, and if I'm feeling spontaneous, pick the language I want the movie to be in.

Caveat 2a: These are permanent choices that cannot be disabled or modified while watching a VCD. If you like to watch Inner Space in Japanese with English subtitles, that's fine. If you also want English, you'll want a separate Ditto session, using another filename.

Caveat 2b: Again, any weird coding errors that happen here will stop you cold. Sorry.

Step 3: Burn, Baby Burn: My computer came with Ahead Nero burning suite, so I didn't have to purchase it separately; although $50-60 wouldn't have been a bad investment for something I use a lot.

Choose the CD tab and "Make a Video CD" and you will be taken to the VCD project area. Click on "Add Movie Files" and you get a window where you get a chance to put in the .avi or .mpg you made in the last step. Keep in mind you may have to split the 1-plus gigabyte movie up into two halves to fit in two 650-megabyte CD-R's. You can even edit the movie, add chapter stops, and re-design the menu page if you like, before burning the movie to disk. Allow for just under the length of the movie to complete the burning phase. For further details, consult your burner software manual.

Caveat 3a:Sometimes Nero will unpredictably "hang" but make you think it's still busy. More than once I have left this program running for hours after going to bed. A simple restart usually solves this. Usually.

Caveat 3b: I strongly recommend deleting the .vob files after you're done. They simply take up too much room.

Now that you have your VCD version of your movie, you can store the original DVD in a cabinet while you watch the copy. You can even take the copy in the car, bus or plane without fear of losing or damaging your precious movie and having to buy another. A forgetful friend wants to borrow your DVD? Lend them the copy. Your friend loses the copy? Use a blank CD-R as a flying ninja weapon; for heaven's sake, don't damage the movies.