How-To: Backup Your DVDs and Watch Them in iTunes

INSIDER RESOURCES

Special Sponsored Section

The video player requires Flash 8 Player or later. Please download the latest Flash Player.

FEATURE
100 Snow Leopard Tips, Tricks, and Features

FEATURE
OS X Browser Speed Wars: May the Fastest App Win

FEATURE
The Complete iTunes History -- SoundJam MP to iTunes 9

FEATURE
iTunes 9 Tips and Tricks - Solve the Mysteries of the New iTunes

TOP STORIES

Feature

How-To: Backup Your DVDs and Watch Them in iTunes

Posted 03/21/2008 at 5:25:55pm | by Roman Loyola

One day, we wanted to watch one of our favorite DVD movies. We popped in into our DVD player, sat back on the couch, relaxed, and let ourselves get thoroughly into the action. Then it happened, and of course during a totally gripping scene: The movie playback suddenly got choppy, and then froze. Our DVD player was stuck, and we had to turn it off. When we ejected the DVD and flipped it over, there it was: a scratch deep enough to disrupt the movie, as well as put an end to our viewing experience.

As versatile as DVDs are, the disc surface area is quite sensitive and prone to scratches that’ll render it unusable. If you have kids at home, chances are you’ve spotted your little ones enamored with the shiny discs and how they make great toys. Or maybe you’re just a little careless (unintentionally or not) with the discs. That’s why it’s a good idea to make backups of
your DVDs.

To do so, you need a freeware app called MacTheRipper (www.mactheripper.org) to extract the contents of the disc to your hard drive, and Roxio Toast 8 Titanium ($99.99, www.roxio.com) to burn the movie files onto a new DVD (you can also use Roxio’s Popcorn, which costs $49.99).

Commercial movies sold on DVDs are made so that you can’t easily copy them. MacThe Ripper can rip the movie from many commercially made DVDs for your own personal use (making a backup, for example), but just remember that making copies of protected DVDs for distribution is illegal.

1. Region Setup

If DISC RCE says CLEAR, set the RCE Region to Off.

After you download and install MacTheRipper, launch it. Read the disclaimer. Insert the DVD you want to back up. MacTheRipper should automatically sense your DVD. Look at the section labeled DISC RCE. If it says DETECTED, you need to set the DVD’s region in the RCE Region menu. If it’s a U.S. DVD, set the RCE Region to RCE 1 (visit http://shurl.org/CIwvB to find out more about DVD regions).

2. Fast-Forwards Allowed

Check this box, and you can skip the boring parts, such as the FBI warning.

You know how you can’t fast forward or skip certain parts of a DVD, such as the title screen or the FBI warning? They’re called User Operation Prohibitions (UOPs). You can set up your new DVD so you can skip these parts. Click on UOPs, then in the new screen that appears, click Disable DVD UOPs.

3. WHAT TO EXTRACT

By default, MacTheRipper extracts the whole DVD for backup.

Click the Mode button. You can select Main Feature Extraction if all you want is the movie. If you want to extract parts other than the main movie, you can use one of the Title Extraction settings, but you’ll have to figure out on your own what parts of the DVD you’re selecting.

4. GO!

In Toast, create a new DVD using the VIDEO_TS Folder option.

Click the Go button to start ripping your DVD. How long it takes depends on the amount of content on the DVD and the speed of your Mac (MacTheRipper isn’t a Universal app, so Intel Macs don’t get a speed boost). Once the rip is done, you’ll have a folder full of files. You can then use Roxio Toast to burn a new DVD or you can leave the files on your hard drive and use the DVD Player application to watch the movie (File > Open DVD Media, then select the folder with the files).

COMMENTS: 21

TAGS: tip of the day

COMMENTS

Welcome to the year 2000, if
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 2008-03-21 15:23

Welcome to the year 2000, if not earlier.

Fail.

Login or register to post comments

Hold on, tiger
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 2008-03-21 21:37

You and I may have been aware of the techniques described in this article, but you must remember that a whole lot of users know nothing about these possibilities.

I'm from the UK and I have tried for years to get one of the Mac publications to have an article dealing with these exact matters. They're unwilling to do so mostly because of the potential legal problems of describing how to rip DVDs.

However, I run a consultancy business and have over 600 people on my books. Not one of them know that it is possible to rip DVDs and turn them into iPod-compatible files.

This is huge for them and kudos to Mac|Life for bringing this info to them.

If you already know about this, move on: this article isn't aimed at you. However, I'm willing to bet that most readers (not the techies or web savvy ones who post here) will be glad someone isn't afraid to talk about this issue.

Login or register to post comments

hold on tiger
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 2008-03-23 14:54

there are many apps that can covert a "ripped" movie to itunes format (h264). Like DvdRemaster (shareware), Handbrake (freeware), iSquint (freeware). even VLC media player has a transcode option which is a bit complex for new users but it is freeware. Now to the rippers, there are a few like MTR, Fairmount, and OSEx which is kind of old, note that OSEx needs VLC media player installed on your hard drive for it to work.

Login or register to post comments

Dumb@ss
Submitted by Kevin LaSur (not verified) on Fri, 2008-03-21 22:12

Hey MacLife folks, ignore that first commenter. I'm new to the Mac; I finally gave up on Vista and decided to go with Leopard and I'm loving it. This is incredibly useful to me.

To the first commenter: a year ago Steve Jobs said at a keynote that 50 percent(!) of Macs sold were new to the Mac. So this how-to is new to a lot of people like me. Get out of your mom's basement once in a while and get some perspective. Instead of sounding l33t, you just sound like an @ss.

Login or register to post comments

I meant to say
Submitted by Kevin LaSur (not verified) on Fri, 2008-03-21 22:14

that 50 percent of new Macs were sold to new Mac users.

Login or register to post comments

Pee Pee Head
Submitted by dookiehead (not verified) on Sat, 2008-03-22 02:47

dude serious you ever heard of Handbrake? this "ripper" is crap. FAILED!!!

Login or register to post comments

No, you failed
Submitted by Kevin (not verified) on Sat, 2008-03-22 10:13

If you actually got the magazine - which you obviously don't - then you'd know that this article is PART OF A LONGER ARTICLE THAT ALSO COVERS HANDBRAKE.

dookiehead=FAIL. Give it up. You are sad.

Login or register to post comments

DVD-Ripper
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 2008-03-22 06:41

It is important to point out that MTR 2.66 is pretty old and unable to copy newer DVDs which have "enhanced" copyprotection. There is a new version 3.x out which is updated whenever the movie-companies try sth. new. For that reason it stays in perpetual beta. This version is not freely available any more, the programmer expects users to support his effort by giving a gift.

Login or register to post comments

META X
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 2008-03-22 10:29

You should add something about the program Meta X. It lets you take those Handbrake mp4's you create and tag them with all sorts of Metadata taken from Amazon.com.

That way, you get to see the box cover, director, description, rating, etc. The same like you would if you bought the movie off of iTunes.

Login or register to post comments

Thanks
Submitted by atalanta on Wed, 2008-09-24 09:42

Thanks. I will look into Meta X since it sounds like something interesting to play with.

Login or register to post comments

It's funny because any time
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 2008-03-22 14:21

It's funny because any time a person would ask backing up (copying) a dvd, the thread would get locked.
There's nothing wrong with that as i'm sure 9/10 times it was someone trying to copy a movie they borrowed or rented... but nonetheless.

It's funny.

Login or register to post comments

Legal concerns
Submitted by CyberZeus (not verified) on Sat, 2008-03-22 17:52

First off, great article but a couple of comments:

1) This is no longer freeware - a user must pretty much pay to get a license key.

2) Any software (including MTR) that is used in the circumvention of CSS or any other copy protection scheme is illegal in the US. I am not sure where this magazine is published so this point may not concern many users but for those of us under US jurisdiction, it is a VERY important point to consider. In the US, it is legal to make backup copies but it is illegal to actually posses and transfer the technology used to crack the copy protection - go figure but that is the current law.

Login or register to post comments

...yes, but what's the real threat?
Submitted by Mojo151 (not verified) on Mon, 2008-03-24 18:47

The real threat here isn't really that you would download and use a ripping program. Based on how you described it, the folks supporting and developing MTR would need to be concerned with offering the software in the first place. Really, the threat doesn't become active until you start to distribute the content. At that point, you've exceeded your 'personal use' and maybe worse, you could be making a profit on it. Then from there, the fact that you used a software to circumvent CSS just becomes a page in the story used to prosecute you.

But, for personal use, and legitimate backing up... I'm pretty sure you're safe. Maybe not 'safe' to the letter of the law, but don't get brash and greedy with the content. What's even more fun to consider is this... you own a certain DVD. Your friend owns the exact same DVD. You rip a copy for your use... and give him a copy as well. He owns a license to use the content from his DVD just as you do. Have you broken the law by providing him the content extracted from your copy of the DVD?

I know, I know... who cares...

If you're new to the Mac family, welcome. Try Mac the Ripper to rip a part or a whole DVD to file formats you can then burn to a disc (probably with Toast 8)... and let that one get scratched up in your car instead of the original. Want to see it on your iPod? Then google this word: Handbrake

'nuf said.

Cheers
Mojo151

Login or register to post comments

for users who are trying to
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 2008-03-23 14:35

for users who are trying to back up newer titles that they purchased and that have newer protections and cant back up their dvds with version 2.6.6 should visit ripdifferent.com for details on how to obtain the newer version :)

Login or register to post comments

Please read the stickies at
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 2008-03-24 07:30

Please read the stickies at ripdifferent.com. They really hate answering the same questions all the time. Also, it doesn't hurt to use the search function either if you have questions.

Login or register to post comments

Free option?
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 2008-03-24 08:26

Do you have to use Toast or is there a different program you could use to burn your TS-Folder? Maybe one you don't have to pay 60 bucks for?

Login or register to post comments

Free Option
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 2008-03-28 10:10

there is DVDRemaster which lets you burn video ts folder and Dvd2onex. Both run for $39.99 each! the free way ofcourse is using disk utility. go to File-> New->Disk image from folder. now choose the folder that also includes audio ts and video ts folders. next choose where to save and under image format choose read only. Under encryption choose: none. let it create and then burn it with disk utility

Login or register to post comments

Not bad.
Submitted by Starflux (not verified) on Mon, 2008-05-19 13:49

Good article but yeah, really all you need is handbrake and iLife. You rip the dvd with handbrake and then use iLife to get it on a DVD. I know you mentioned it along with other software in the article but really handbrake is all you need.

Login or register to post comments

MP4's
Submitted by BAP61 on Thu, 2008-08-07 18:12

I have a large MP4 collection. It includes B/W and color TV shows and movies. Ripping is much more complex than has been mentioned in this small article. I have not read the print version. 1 - Size - The bigger the bit rate, the better the video, but the larger the video. Know where you will watch the video. 2 - Handbrake picture settings - intermediate Handbrake training. Deinterlace - When ripping files that are interlaced (look it up), turn on deinterlace. Most interlaced files are NTSC TV and have a 29.97 framerate, but PAL can too Check the cropping, files originally made from VHS tapes will usually have chromatic changes or noise at the edges that can be cropped away. 3 - Codec - no where you want to play your standard MP4 = FMPEG not as good as H.264 and slightly larger files but very fast plays on most devices - Lacinema plays these unless small width of frame H.264 Main - cleanest Handbrake codec, but will not play on iPhone/Lacinema H.264 iPod - next best Handbrake codec, but will not play on Lacie Lacinema iPhone/iPod will play them if Frame size ≤ 640x480 4 - B/W - some old B/W movies and shows have chromatic aberrations that you can take away by turning on Grayscale encoding

Login or register to post comments

I never buy from louis
Submitted by suaili on Sat, 2009-09-12 00:06

I never buy from louis vuitton outlet, the price is expensive and I always bought online.

Anybody knows the numbers of Louis Vuitton Outlet in CA, I need to call them and get my LV bag repaired.

Login or register to post comments

omega watches
Submitted by benet (not verified) on Tue, 2009-11-10 18:18

Every little chat Salon 1000 ah!replica watchYou are my best's buddy
jsfbjf

Login or register to post comments