Ripping DVDs the Easy Way

Thu May 17, 2007 1:30PM EDT

See Comments (33)

Reader William Barnebee writes: I own a bunch of DVD's and my wife is wanting me to convert them to her iPod for her. With the mish-mash of software I have, it's a multi step process and doesn't always work.  What is the best software out there for one-step converting of DVD to MP4 (iPod video format). And since I OWN the DVD's is this legal to do, as long as I don't share the files?

First question: There are several one-click methods for ripping a DVD for your iPod, but I don't know of any that are free. Check out the PQ DVD to iPod Video Converter Suite, for example.

But when it comes to free tools, I still follow the tried-and-true two-step process I've always used, using DVD Decrypter to remove copy protection and copy the VOB files to my hard drive, then using AutoGK to turn those VOBs into an AVI file.

You can find some good tutorials on using these two programs to rip a DVD step by step by clicking here and here. I've got more commentary on AutoGK here.

Sadly, you may have to use a third program if your iPod won't play these AVI files. Best to convert to QuickTime's MOV format:  Try River Past Video Cleaner to do this.

I know it's not the one-step conversion process you wanted, but these are reliable applications that work well every time.

Still, these are aging apps: Anyone out there have an even better solution?

As for the second question, that's a legal gray area that will not likely be resolved anytime soon. The simple answer is no, it's not completely legal to make a digital copy of a DVD. Why? You're normally allowed to make copies of content for personal use under copyright law, but DVDs are protected by an encryption scheme. Circumventing that encryption (which is now child's play) is what is against the law, specifically the DMCA. The two laws are at odds with each other. However, I know of no case of someone being sued for ripping a DVD for personal use; it's only those distributing the copies that have been sued. While I am not a lawyer, I think you're reasonably safe in putting movies you own on your iPod.

Comments on Ripping DVDs the Easy Way

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  • 1 Posted by wrgbarnebee on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:51PM EDT Report Abuse

    Thanks! That clears it up a bit. Much apreciated

  • 3 Posted by brighamg5 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:13PM EDT Report Abuse

    I've searched hi and low for the same thing. My friend uses a product called "DVD to Ipod Converter" (http://www.cucusoft.com/). It's not free but hey, for $30, it's very easy. I've tried it myself and it works great 99% percent of the time. Occasionally I come across a DVD that for no apparent reason it freezes the program. Here's a tip...close the program and reopen it each time you use it, that seems to make things run better.

  • 4 Posted by sciencetroll@verizon.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:08PM EDT Report Abuse

    I use Plato DVD to iPod Converter. It is a free version and it works just fine. I have to decrypt the DVD files before converting them though.

  • 5 Posted by ib4it on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:22PM EDT Report Abuse

    still using dvd shrink

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