The Beginners Guide To Backing Up Your Collection

At this point, this guide may not be as updated as i would like. However, it will be updated as necessary and as the forum rules allow.

If you're new to the world of backing up your store bought new releases, or your collection in general, this is as good a place to start as any.

Keep in mind, due to the overall size of this guide, i will not be posting detailed descriptions or screenshots of how to effectively run each program in each step. Some of this is still left to you, the user to do some research of your own. We are working on putting up guides for everything we can here though. Be patient.

First, lets establish some terminology that will help understanding the steps required for successfully backing movies up.

Ripping ~ The process of taking information from a disc you own and transferring to your pc.

Processing ~ An optional step (depending on method) that renders the ripped files more compliant for DVD playback.

Endcoding/Transcoding ~ Taking a large file, say 8 or 9 gig and either compressing or re-doing the files in such a way that they fit onto a standard 4.7gig disc for playback.

Burning ~ The process of recording the information from your PC to a blank disc that should be playable in your standalone DVD player.

Okay, now that we're all caught up on the lingo involved with the process, lets get to the fun stuff.

Ripping Your DVD:
After purchasing your DVD, you need to get it to your PC (or on the fly, though this is not a process i endorse nor use often)

The two major rippers out there right now...DvdFab or AnyDVD. Both come with a free trial period. Take advantage of it! Use both and get a feel for how they work and which one suits your needs and wants better. That's the whole purpose the trial period!
DvdFab HD Decrypter is a free-for-life ripper that's just a stripped down version of it's paid counterpart.

DvdFab HD Decrypter (free version) ~ http://www.dvdfab.com/free.htm
(you can also acquire the trial version as i believe they are all-in-one with the latest version - 6.xxx)

AnyDVD (trial) ~ http://www.slysoft.com/en/

Processing The Files:

*if you are using anyDVD this step is not normally necessary*

After ripping the files to your Hard Drive, the files need to be cleaned up for better overall DVD compliance. In short, bad files, incomplete files, and complete useless junk can be left behind. Let's get rid of it!

The two most commonly programs used for this are VobBlanker or FixVts.

VobBlanker ~ Here @ TechKings

FixVts ~ Here @ TechKings

Using either of these tools render the files cleaner, and more easily processed in the next couple of steps.

Endcoding/Transcoding The Files

Many movies, once ripped can take up to 9 gig of space. Most commonplace back-ups are done on a 4.7 gig disc. So, how do we make those files fit and not suffer from poor viewing quality?
Let's talk about it.

This part of this beginner's guide could be the longest as the user options here could swing various ways. For example, those not wanting to re-encode or compress might wish to use a dual layer blank DVD. This section is not for you.

This section is going to outline the most common ways to get your movie files to a standard single layer disc.

*Note, one way to cut down on compression is to rip and burn Movie Only leaving out menus, extras, etc.*

Once the files have been cleaned up you're ready to move to the next step.

Dvd Shrink was once king of the backup movie world. Now, it's roles is primarily to compress or transcode movie files to fit onto a standard single layer disc.

Since Dvd Shrink has been forced out, i will not be providing a link. Google is your friend. However, beware of current scams that offer the new version of Dvd Shrink. Dvd Shrink was last updated in 2005; thus it was, thus it will be. Any site offering a new version --especially one requiring payment-- is a scam.

See here for more details: Dvd Shrink 2007-2010 SCAM!

For low compression back ups, Dvd Shrink is still quite the useful program. Use it to compress the files in such a way they can be burned onto a single layer disc and fit.

I'm not going into all the ways Dvd Shrink can be used, and all the tools and settings of it. Again, use google for the time being while we are still working on all the guides we'd like to have.

You can either output to Audio/Video_TS folders or an ISO for burning. Or you can set Shrink to automatically call on Nero (versions 7 and below) or Imgburn: LINK for burning.

Or, for higher compression necessities use Dvd Rebuilder. (there is a free version and a paid or PRO version) Again, i won't be going into too many details on how to use this program here.

Dvd Rebuilder: free version: Here @ TechKings

Now, these are not the only two options available for this step, but they are widely used and with great results. Other options are out there, and those will be added later.

Burning Your Files to a Disc:

Many people backing up their movies use single layers discs. There are many brands, and two formats available. For more information on such, search the forums.

Personally, i use either Taiyo Yuden, Verbatim, or Sony for almost all of my backups.

A handy, light-weight and extremely successful burn engine...oh...and it's free too! Is Imgburn.

Here @ TechKings

Another that is commonly used is Nero. You can do a search for this one, as it's a payware program.



General Tips/Advice
* Use good media! One cannot expect poor blank media to yield high quality results!

* Don't burn too fast. There's no real great rule of thumb here as different drives and different media coupled with different PC's with a variant of specs will all perform slightly different. A good place to start, is burning at half the rated speed of the disc (with no multitasking!). For more advanced users, the resulting burn can be run through Nero CD/DVD speed for quality results, then it becomes a bit of trial and error to see what works best with your setup.

* Post logs if you have a problem. That's why the programmers put those logs there, to help diagnose things when they don't go accordingly.

* Keep the firmware for your drive up to date!

* Consistency. When you find the process, the media, and the burn speed that works best on your machine and fits your needs...stick with it. Though, i'm a fan of experimentation myself.

That concludes this beginners guide. If you see something i missed, or something that needs a little bit of clarification, please PM me as we'd like to keep the pointless stuff out of this thread.

Thanks
7thsinger

*If you do experience any problems during one of the phases of backing up your DVD's please read here: Having a problem backing one up? Start Here!

Then post in this forum: http://www.techkings.org/dvd-ripping-successes-problems/

I'm sure many of our VIP's and regulars can help out.

I remember when I first introduced myself to all of this.....

It can be head-wrecking if you don't get pointed in the right direction.

It's great to see you are going to provide guides for those starting out as well as those a little more advanced.

Good stuff 7th, keep it up.


-

Well done bro.

In the dvd structure, there are pointers to guide the player (either a stand alone or software on a pc) to the correct data position (for the video to play). In the ripping process, sometimes these navigational pointers get misdirected or lost. The post commands need to be set to pre commands (use do safely mode) .Vob blanlker does a superior job at correcting this over fixvts. Users will find Anydvd gives a cleaner rip than dvdfab/HD

If you are using dvdfab/HD as your main ripping engine, then fixvts or vob blanker is a must post processing step. While Anydvd rips are usually cleaner, I feel that the rips from it would benefit from vob blanker as well. Furthermore , vob blanker acts as a superb editing tool (it can blank out unwanted "elements" from a dvd).

Very nice information to add Endo, very appreciated.

Great info 7th,and by all beeps on this.Thank you all

It's guides like this that helped me out when I got started with all of this.

Originally Posted by 7thsinger

At this point, this guide may not be as updated as i would like. However, it will be updated as necessary and as the forum rules allow.

If you're new to the world of backing up your store bought new releases, or your collection in general, this is as good a place to start as any.

Keep in mind, due to the overall size of this guide, i will not be posting detailed descriptions or screenshots of how to effectively run each program in each step. Some of this is still left to you, the user to do some research of your own. We are working on putting up guides for everything we can here though. Be patient.

First, lets establish some terminology that will help understanding the steps required for successfully backing movies up.

Ripping ~ The process of taking information from a disc you own and transferring to your pc.

Processing ~ An optional step (depending on method) that renders the ripped files more compliant for DVD playback.

Endcoding/Transcoding ~ Taking a large file, say 8 or 9 gig and either compressing or re-doing the files in such a way that they fit onto a standard 4.7gig disc for playback.

Burning ~ The process of recording the information from your PC to a blank disc that should be playable in your standalone DVD player.

Okay, now that we're all caught up on the lingo involved with the process, lets get to the fun stuff.

Ripping Your DVD:
After purchasing your DVD, you need to get it to your PC (or on the fly, though this is not a process i endorse nor use often)

The two major rippers out there right now...DvdFab or AnyDVD. Both come with a free trial period. Take advantage of it! Use both and get a feel for how they work and which one suits your needs and wants better. That's the whole purpose the trial period!
DvdFab HD Decrypter is a free-for-life ripper that's just a stripped down version of it's paid counterpart.

DvdFab HD Decrypter (free version) ~ Fastest DVD Copy Software | Best DVD Decrypter from DVDFab
(you can also acquire the trial version as i believe they are all-in-one with the latest version - 6.xxx)

AnyDVD (trial) ~ SlySoft Products | Copy Movie DVDs with AnyDVD and CloneDVD

Processing The Files:

*if you are using anyDVD this step is not normally necessary*

After ripping the files to your Hard Drive, the files need to be cleaned up for better overall DVD compliance. In short, bad files, incomplete files, and complete useless junk can be left behind. Let's get rid of it!

The two most commonly programs used for this are VobBlanker or FixVts.

VobBlanker ~ Here @ TechKings

FixVts ~ Here @ TechKings

Using either of these tools render the files cleaner, and more easily processed in the next couple of steps.

Endcoding/Transcoding The Files

Many movies, once ripped can take up to 9 gig of space. Most commonplace back-ups are done on a 4.7 gig disc. So, how do we make those files fit and not suffer from poor viewing quality?
Let's talk about it.

This part of this beginner's guide could be the longest as the user options here could swing various ways. For example, those not wanting to re-encode or compress might wish to use a dual layer blank DVD. This section is not for you.

This section is going to outline the most common ways to get your movie files to a standard single layer disc.

*Note, one way to cut down on compression is to rip and burn Movie Only leaving out menus, extras, etc.*

Once the files have been cleaned up you're ready to move to the next step.

Dvd Shrink was once king of the backup movie world. Now, it's roles is primarily to compress or transcode movie files to fit onto a standard single layer disc.

Since Dvd Shrink has been forced out, i will not be providing a link. Google is your friend. However, beware of current scams that offer the new version of Dvd Shrink. Dvd Shrink was last updated in 2005; thus it was, thus it will be. Any site offering a new version --especially one requiring payment-- is a scam.

See here for more details: Dvd Shrink 2007/2008/2009 ~ SCAM! - TechKings

For low compression back ups, Dvd Shrink is still quite the useful program. Use it to compress the files in such a way they can be burned onto a single layer disc and fit.

I'm not going into all the ways Dvd Shrink can be used, and all the tools and settings of it. Again, use google for the time being while we are still working on all the guides we'd like to have.

You can either output to Audio/Video_TS folders or an ISO for burning. Or you can set Shrink to automatically call on Nero (versions 7 and below) or Imgburn: LINK for burning.

Or, for higher compression necessities use Dvd Rebuilder. (there is a free version and a paid or PRO version) Again, i won't be going into too many details on how to use this program here.

Dvd Rebuilder: free version: Here @ TechKings

Now, these are not the only two options available for this step, but they are widely used and with great results. Other options are out there, and those will be added later.

Burning Your Files to a Disc:

Many people backing up their movies use single layers discs. There are many brands, and two formats available. For more information on such, search the forums.

Personally, i use either Taiyo Yuden, Verbatim, or Sony for almost all of my backups.

A handy, light-weight and extremely successful burn engine...oh...and it's free too! Is Imgburn.

Here @ TechKings

Another that is commonly used is Nero. You can do a search for this one, as it's a payware program.



General Tips/Advice
* Use good media! One cannot expect poor blank media to yield high quality results!

* Don't burn too fast. There's no real great rule of thumb here as different drives and different media coupled with different PC's with a variant of specs will all perform slightly different. A good place to start, is burning at half the rated speed of the disc (with no multitasking!). For more advanced users, the resulting burn can be run through Nero CD/DVD speed for quality results, then it becomes a bit of trial and error to see what works best with your setup.

* Post logs if you have a problem. That's why the programmers put those logs there, to help diagnose things when they don't go accordingly.

* Keep the firmware for your drive up to date!

* Consistency. When you find the process, the media, and the burn speed that works best on your machine and fits your needs...stick with it. Though, i'm a fan of experimentation myself.

That concludes this beginners guide. If you see something i missed, or something that needs a little bit of clarification, please PM me as we'd like to keep the pointless stuff out of this thread.

Thanks
7thsinger

*If you do experience any problems during one of the phases of backing up your DVD's please read here: Having a problem backing one up? Start Here! - TechKings

Then post in this forum: Dvd Ripping Successes / Problems - TechKings

I'm sure many of our VIP's and regulars can help out.

Excellent 7th i just came across this thread,its very informative and very well put together great post....

Originally Posted by 7thSinger

Burning Your Files to a Disc:

Many people backing up their movies use single layers discs. There are many brands, and two formats available. For more information on such, search the forums.

Personally, i use either Taiyo Yuden, Verbatim, or Sony for almost all of my backups.

Hi all, but I've looked all over the stores, and I can't seem to find the Taiyo Yuden brand anywhere. Can you help me out ?

TIA,

dodo

Taiyo Yuden are only sold online, as far as I know. You can try newegg.com, meritline.com, and supermediastore.com for deals on them.