Advice on Ripping DVD to Computer

[kas25]

I have the Sony RDR-GX7 dvd recorder that I used to make dvd -r's of my home videos. I've been trying to rip them to my computer with limited to no success. I've tried dvddecrypter and i've received various errors (ie, can't find dvd, files locked, etc).

I have a Dell Inspiron 8100 purchased over 4 years ago so it could be the hardware. Before I go out and buy a media pc, though, i want to make sure i'll be able to flawlessly rip these dvd's to my computer so I can wathc them on a media server.

Is there a software for novices that I can buy and easily rip these dvd's?

any advice would be appreciated.

[gastrof]

Have you finalized the discs before putting them into your computer?

[lafos]

You might want to check the structure of the DVD to make sure it's conventional. If it is, and you burned the disc, then it should work. You can get a good description of the structure at doom9.org.

It might also be your PC's DVD drive. Does the DVD play in your PC?

[kas25]

You might want to check the structure of the DVD to make sure it's conventional. If it is, and you burned the disc, then it should work. You can get a good description of the structure at doom9.org.

It might also be your PC's DVD drive. Does the DVD play in your PC?

I did finalize the disc and the dvd does play in WinDVD on my pc. I'm not very familiar with the structure of the files and i'd like not to have to get familiar with the nuts and bolts as I'm a novice/intermediate user

. If a bought a new Sony Vaio system(or HP) which comes with a much faster processer, etc as well as software aimed at backing up home videos, could I still be in the same situation as I am in now? I'm willing to replace my old laptop but I just want to make sure it will solve my problems. I'm not looking to do any hard core editing, just have all my burned dvds avaiable on my hard drive to play in Windows media center. My only concern is buying a $1,500 media pc aimed at solving all my video worries and I'm in no better shape.

[Johnny Quest]

Two suggestions: dvdfab decrypter, which can be downloaded for free here:

http://www.dvdidle.com/free.htm

or just drag and drop onto your hard drive as the disc should not be encrypted with css, macrovision or any other copy protection schemes.

The Dvd structure is defined as the resulting files and folders burned onto your dvd by the recorder. When you browse the dvd folders you should see two folders: audio_ts and video_ts. The audio folder should be empty and the video folder should contain several files with file extensions such as .ifo .iso .vob .bup and so forth.

[kas25]

Two suggestions: dvdfab decrypter, which can be downloaded for free here:

http://www.dvdidle.com/free.htm

or just drag and drop onto your hard drive as the disc should not be encrypted with css, macrovision or any other copy protection schemes.

The Dvd structure is defined as the resulting files and folders burned onto your dvd by the recorder. When you browse the dvd folders you should see two folders: audio_ts and video_ts. The audio folder should be empty and the video folder should contain several files with file extensions such as .ifo .iso .vob .bup and so forth.
Thanks for the suggestions. If I drag and drop onto my hard drive, will this be a playable format on Windows Media Center?

[Johnny Quest]

Yes, WinDVD can play the files if dragged and dropped, just point it to video_ts folder.

[mjitkop]

or just drag and drop onto your hard drive as the disc should not be encrypted with css, macrovision or any other copy protection schemes.

I agree with this suggestion. :)

[kas25]

Yes, WinDVD can play the files if dragged and dropped, just point it to video_ts folder.

How do i set up a video_ts folder. Simply name a folder video_ts?

Since my ultimate goal is to play the movie, not on WinDVD, but a media extender (D-Link or Lnksys), what format will this file be? Am I better off using a Roxio media software (I don't mind paying the $$) if this gives me more options on the type of video file?

I am looking at getting a Dell XPS 400. I assume this, combined with the Roxio software and a Lynksys media extender should do the trick? Any pitfalls to think about? thanks for the advice!!

[Johnny Quest]

I think you're a little confused. First, you don't create the video_ts folder, it already exists on every standard burned dvd and would simply be copied to your hard drive.

Also, the extender is not a player, it just transmits to devices, in order to play a dvd file you will have to use a player like windvd or mediaplayer, both of which can read the video_ts folder on your computer.