I have a huge DVD collection and want to use it on BB..

[galladanb]

Hi everybody!

I have a huge ( over 400) DVD collection and would like to view them with my BB..
These are all store purchased, retail versions, and not any bootleg in the lot.

Now I am not looking to break any laws here or go into illegal production,
but I would like to be able to view them via the BB.

I think there are several products that claim to be able to do it all,
But my budget is around $60.00.

Your thoughts? What one do you use? Which one do you hate?

Is there a way to go from dvd disc to hard drive easily???

[RoyalEF]

I converted my entire DVD collection using Handbrake/VLC Player (both free). I found them to be quite good (although VLC 2.0 caused me issues on mac OSX-I stuck with previous version for now). I used nothing else to convert my collection. They are available for Windows--but I find the Windows interface to be worse than the Mac version.

Do you have disk storage ready for this massive collection? You can control the size of the resultant file (by decreasing the quality) but estimate a (too) low-quality of 350MB/hour to a very high of 1500MB/hour. Most of my DVDs I shoot for 500-1000 an hour. making sure they are de-interlaced as that is a big savings in final compressed size. Some people post uncompressed video files that consume 6GB/hour but I find this a total waste of disk space.

[galladanb]

Thx Royal,

I will check out Handbreak... But VLC is just a player right? What would it do for conversions?

I also found a couple of others, Audials, and Sound Taxi. Both claim to be able to do the job, both @ $60.00 each.
And I tried DVD Shrink 3.2, but that takes a long time per disc, and it did not work on many of the ones I tried.

Anybody use these or even heard of them? I found them while looking for a way to remove DRM roadblocks...

And is there a good way to convert VOB files into a single avi file?

I tried one yesterday, and it basically captures the screen and recreates the movie without the DRM.
Takes forever, or at least 1 to 1 Playback to record time. Yikes, that will take forever on a big collection...

[mbryanr]

Makemkv, anydvd, dvdfab are 3 choices...depending on what you want to accomplish.

Conversion with Handbrake...not worth my time, and quality is still less than original.
400 DVD's x ~5G = 2TB....easy.

[drunkwithpower]

MakeMKV is free (for DVD conversion) and can be used to rip the DVDs to MKVs. If the resulting files are too large (since they are 1:1, no compression), then you can use handbrake to encode/compress them. This is by far the cheapest route as it doesn't cost anything.

[galladanb]

@ Mbryanr, Makemkv, anydvd, dvdfab so how well do they each do with original factory type discs?

Handbreak clearly states not to be used for discs with protection...

I will give them a try and see what's up! THX!!!

I luv your math BTW!!! I concur, Doctor!!!

@ drunk... Thx for the reply!

[mbryanr]

Makemkv can make a complete decrypted backup of the disc, but the primary purpose is to create a decrypted mkv "movie only" file, 1:1 copy.
DVDFab and AnyDVD decrypt well and a few more options - but I prefer the simple mkv file.

Edit: and yes Handbrake only works for decrypted files...another process in addition to the decryption, which is why I avoid it. YMMV and dependent on your needs.

[galladanb]

Ohhhh, me likie "Makemkv ", fast free and it bloody works...! Yeah.

But my my what a huge file it makes... I made a mkv from a vob folder, maybe that's why?
Not worried yet... But I have soo many to do and I don't want to start down the wrong path...

Anyway, so far so good!!!! THx!!!!

[mbryanr]

Makemkv is a 1:1 copy. 400 DVDs is only 2TB, maybe 2.5TB. You'll be happy later if you keep it that way. But if you are tight on $ or disc space, encode some of them down. What do you have available for hard drives?

[galladanb]

Currently, I have 1tb external hooked up to one USB port... I plan on getting more space soon, when I can afford to. It only has about 300 gb so far.

But, I am getting ready to begin digitizing ASAP!

Do you have extras for sale? LOL!!!