Any legal way to convert dvds to ipod friendly format?

[dhardawa]

Wondershare DVD to iPod Ripper

I downloaded the trial of this and it is SO easy. You choose to rip the dvd. You can edit some things if you want. It saves it as an MP4 file on your computer. Then, you go to iTunes and import it. I did it on a Shrek movie to try and it worked perfectly. The whole software package is $29.95.

 

[bdoyledimou]

With the huge amount of free legitimate and widley used products on the net, i wouldn't use anything that charged me for the service.

Handbrake is a great product, it is fast, simple, and free with a lot of user support. No reason to use anything else.

 

[GrtWtNorth]

I'm nervous about using free software because many include malicious code and spyware. Two years ago, I did some research and found a good legitimate DVD ripper program provided by Cucusoft. I think I paid $60 for the license.

 

[TikiGoddess07]

I have tried about 5 different DVDs with Handbrake and only one worked -- the WDW planning video.

I tried one of the Mickey cartoon compilations -- the picture was all scrambled.

What am I doing wrong?

Kathy

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Legally, the answer is technically "no"

I don't see why it's not legal. You own the DVD. It's fair use to convert it to another format. Just like it's fair use to turn the tracks on a CD into MP3 files.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I have tried about 5 different DVDs with Handbrake and only one worked -- the WDW planning video.

I tried one of the Mickey cartoon compilations -- the picture was all scrambled.

What am I doing wrong?

You need to use a decrypter to decrypt the data on the DVD first.
I use DVD Decrypter

 

[thosecrazystephens]

FYI Handbrake is very time consuming. I closed my macbook accidentally when I got up to get something forgetting that I had started ripping a dvd (that we own and no digital file was provided) and it stopped and I have to start it all over again. It was awful.
I don't know if that is user error and there is some way around it or not, but just remember, do not close your laptop if you are ripping something.
Also some dvd's still don't work on our ipod (Little Mermaid, Bride Wars, and few others) but I think that is again a user error. Just make sure you understand exactly how to do it (I didn't read enough I don't think lol) cause there is nothing more frustrating than to spend 2 days ripping dvd's only to have several of them not sync to my ipod!
After that experience I just started buying them from itunes. After all it will only take about 6 movies to keep a child occupied on a long road trip when you count the naps and sleeping time and the fact that kids don't mind watching the same things over and over.

 

[Brewmeister]

I don't see why it's not legal. You own the DVD. It's fair use to convert it to another format. Just like it's fair use to turn the tracks on a CD into MP3 files.

Unfortunately, The MPAA is terrified of digital copies of its member's movies floating around so they have paid congress to pass laws to make the ripping illegal.

Copyright law allows for making copies for personal reasons, but the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) makes it illegal to break any copy protection encryption, which all commercial DVDs have, even if the copy being made if for legal reasons, such as personal use. Mind you, DVD encryption is so weak that even a child could break it (in fact, it was a teenager that first broke it), but the law makes it illegal to make, distribute, or use the decryption software.

Fortunately, CDs are not encrypted, so ripping them for your own use (as long as you maintain possession of the CD) is perfectly legal under copyright law as long as you don't share the MP3s.

Disclaimer - I am not a lawyer. My above statements are opinion based on articles and forums read on the internet, but I cannot guarantee them to be completely accurate.