Backing Up DVD’s (Personal Use Only)

Making a backup of a DVD should be easy... right? Wrong! All recently released DVD's from big film companies have some sort of encryption to prevent you from creating back ups. Why would you want to create a backup of a movie that you paid for and own? DVD's, like CD's are vulnerable to scratches and dents. If this happens the disk becomes unreadable meaning you'd have to shell out another $20 to get a new copy with the risk of it happening again.

There are a few open source and freeware options that are available but fall short when it comes to the most recent movies (such as "Star Trek" 2009). Options that I have used in the past required a set of several programs to produce 1 movie usually taking a few hours to complete.

Recently, the good people at Giveaway of the Day and Digiarty Software allowed people to freely download WinX DVD Ripper Platinum. Normally $29.95, this program has performed flawlessly (with one exception). Even at $29.95, this software is a bargain considering it creates a backup of your movie library preventing you from losing potentially hundreds of dollars if your disks become broken.

WinX DVD Ripper Platinum

I also suggest downloading the open source program XBMC, which is a media player and entertainment hub for digital media on your computer. This program is able to use the internet to download information about your movies to sort them (by actor, year, genre, etc.). By enabling UPnP, game consoles like the PS3 will be able to see your computer as a media server and you will be able to steam your movies from your computer to your TV.

Disclaimer: This website is NOT endorsing the use of these programs for illegal file sharing. Use these programs for personal backup of DVD's you already own. Use these programs at your own risk.

About Aaron

Computer Instructor for J. Ryan Solutions, a company which manages computer labs in housing developments throughout the city of Boston, Cambridge, and in the Washington, DC area.