I don't advocate piracy, but here's some info that may be of interest to porn collectors as well as people who rent mainstream DVDs and occasionally find one that they'd like to watch after the return deadline. You need a Windows-based PC (XP, not Vista) to do this. Mac users are free to feel superior as their compensation for missing out on this gem.:stups:
1. Get yourself a DVD burner. If you're buying a new one, get one that's bundled with Nero Burning ROM software. These are cheap.
2. If you didn't do #1, buy the cheapest version of Nero Burning ROM software. All you need are the basics...the ability to burn DVDs.
3. Install Nero.
4. Download DVD Shrink v3.2 (free) from DVD Shrink v3.2.0.15 (freeware)
and install it. DVD Shrink will automagically find and use Nero to burn DVDs.
5. Put the disc you want to copy in the DVD burner. If you're asked if you want to play it, open Explorer, whatever, just hit cancel.
6. Start DVD Shrink.
7. Select "Open disc."
8. Select the drive with the disc you want to copy and hit OK. Wait while DVD Shrink analyzes your disc.
9. DVD Shrink will automatically compress the disc contents to fit on a 4.7GB standard blank DVD. NOTE: buy blank DVD-Rs for maximum compatibility with DVD players (not DVD+R).
10. Un-check sub-picture languages (subtitles) that you don't care about to save space and improve picture quality on the copy.
11. Click "Backup!" If prompted to remove region encoding, choose yes or no (I usually remove encoding). Provide an area on your hard drive to store temporary files or accept the default (a new folder). Tell DVD Shrink which DVD burner drive to write to (it's OK if it's the same drive).
12. That's about it, just follow the prompts. If you have a 2nd DVD burner, DVD Shrink will automatically write to it if you specify it as the target. If you've said to write to the same drive as the original disc is in, DVD Shrink will eject the original and wait for you to put in a blank disc.
The DVD burner pays for itself after a disc or two. If you also have to buy Nero, maybe three discs to payback. (Hint: it might be cheaper to buy a DVD burner bundled with Nero than it is to buy just a copy of Nero). After that, it's all gravy.
DISCLAIMER: This will NOT work with all discs (Sony, Disney, Pixar are particularly problematic). And I am NOT your helpdesk if you have trouble...Google is...just trying to pass along potentially helpful info to what appears to be a very visually-oriented community. I see ads on Craigslist from time to time where people are trying to unload tons of videos they bought at retail, trying to recoup a tiny part of their investment, and I just have to shake my head. Blank DVDs are 10 - 15 cents each in quantity. Watch the sales at the office supply stores and buy when they're on sale.
1. Get yourself a DVD burner. If you're buying a new one, get one that's bundled with Nero Burning ROM software. These are cheap.
2. If you didn't do #1, buy the cheapest version of Nero Burning ROM software. All you need are the basics...the ability to burn DVDs.
3. Install Nero.
4. Download DVD Shrink v3.2 (free) from DVD Shrink v3.2.0.15 (freeware)
and install it. DVD Shrink will automagically find and use Nero to burn DVDs.
5. Put the disc you want to copy in the DVD burner. If you're asked if you want to play it, open Explorer, whatever, just hit cancel.
6. Start DVD Shrink.
7. Select "Open disc."
8. Select the drive with the disc you want to copy and hit OK. Wait while DVD Shrink analyzes your disc.
9. DVD Shrink will automatically compress the disc contents to fit on a 4.7GB standard blank DVD. NOTE: buy blank DVD-Rs for maximum compatibility with DVD players (not DVD+R).
10. Un-check sub-picture languages (subtitles) that you don't care about to save space and improve picture quality on the copy.
11. Click "Backup!" If prompted to remove region encoding, choose yes or no (I usually remove encoding). Provide an area on your hard drive to store temporary files or accept the default (a new folder). Tell DVD Shrink which DVD burner drive to write to (it's OK if it's the same drive).
12. That's about it, just follow the prompts. If you have a 2nd DVD burner, DVD Shrink will automatically write to it if you specify it as the target. If you've said to write to the same drive as the original disc is in, DVD Shrink will eject the original and wait for you to put in a blank disc.
The DVD burner pays for itself after a disc or two. If you also have to buy Nero, maybe three discs to payback. (Hint: it might be cheaper to buy a DVD burner bundled with Nero than it is to buy just a copy of Nero). After that, it's all gravy.
DISCLAIMER: This will NOT work with all discs (Sony, Disney, Pixar are particularly problematic). And I am NOT your helpdesk if you have trouble...Google is...just trying to pass along potentially helpful info to what appears to be a very visually-oriented community. I see ads on Craigslist from time to time where people are trying to unload tons of videos they bought at retail, trying to recoup a tiny part of their investment, and I just have to shake my head. Blank DVDs are 10 - 15 cents each in quantity. Watch the sales at the office supply stores and buy when they're on sale.
