Back-up copies of DVD's?

[yiv]

My children have tons of DVD's. Is it possible (and legal) to make copies of the films on my computer and connect the computer to the TV so that they can watch the movies directly from the computer (and I can put away all the films and get a lot of extra space in the living room)?

Can anyone tell me how to copy the films, because they seem to be protected somehow to prevent people from copying them (but I only want to copy them onto my computer for my childrens' own use - that must be possible and allowed!?)

 

[WmAx]

Yes, they can be copied to the computer and directly viewed playing from the computer. However, this is not legal on DVDs which emply copy protection(s), which applies to most commercial DVDs. Unfortunately, it is not lawful to discuss how to do this on the forum. For info on how to copy DVDs, refer to:

http://www.afterdawn.com

-Chris

 

[WmAx]

Since you are not asking how to copy and make a dvd, just put it on your computer....


...Since no copying to another DVD, then all you need is a decrypting program....

The decryption part is what is illegal to give directions of how-to.

-Chris

 

[brian32672]

Since my posts are going to be deleted, I guess I will once again have to give those links.
Or just PM me. I will give you my email address.

For the OP, you can just go to Best Buy and buy a program that will copy a dvd to your hard drive.
Check out these from Best Buy LINK1 LINK2 LINK3

As well check out this place (videohelp.com)
And just click on the 'How To' (and whatever you would like to do)
http://www.videohelp.com/
This will be more specific to the how to - LINK

As well go here LINK


EDIT:: Admin. if you are going to do the discourtesy thing of removing my posts completely, and not possibly editing out what you want (as in my second post, all I talked about was what you can pick up at any LOCAL BEST BUY)
Please do me the courtesy, of at least removing what was quoted from me - from other members.
I find that quite rude = Discourteous

 

[Pyrrho]

My children have tons of DVD's. Is it possible (and legal) to make copies of the films on my computer and connect the computer to the TV so that they can watch the movies directly from the computer (and I can put away all the films and get a lot of extra space in the living room)?

Can anyone tell me how to copy the films, because they seem to be protected somehow to prevent people from copying them (but I only want to copy them onto my computer for my childrens' own use - that must be possible and allowed!?)

It is generally legal to make backup copies of DVDs and CDs that you own (provided that you do not sell or give away copies or the original), regardless of whether they employ copy protection, which, supposedly, exists to prevent pirating (i.e., unauthorized distribution). Of course, for legal advice, you should consult a lawyer in your area. In my opinion, however, the main point of copy protection is to prevent people like you from making legal copies, so that when your children scratch the discs, you have to buy new ones. It simply does not and cannot stop pirating of discs. They cannot say this is why they are putting copy protection on the discs for legal as well as public relations reasons.

You can use a computer to copy DVDs, if you have a DVD 'burner' and appropriate software.

 

[ruadmaa]

Legal To Make DVD Backups???

It is generally legal to make backup copies of DVDs and CDs that you own (provided that you do not sell or give away copies or the original), regardless of whether they employ copy protection, which, supposedly, exists to prevent pirating (i.e., unauthorized distribution). Of course, for legal advice, you should consult a lawyer in your area. In my opinion, however, the main point of copy protection is to prevent people like you from making legal copies, so that when your children scratch the discs, you have to buy new ones. It simply does not and cannot stop pirating of discs. They cannot say this is why they are putting copy protection on the discs for legal as well as public relations reasons.

You can use a computer to copy DVDs, if you have a DVD 'burner' and appropriate software.

I think you are giving some very, very bad advice. No, it is not legal to make backup copies of your copyrighted DVD disks under any circumstances. Many people do it, but that doesn't make it legal.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I think you are giving some very, very bad advice. No, it is not legal to make backup copies of your copyrighted DVD disks under any circumstances. Many people do it, but that doesn't make it legal.

Where are you getting this information? Fair use laws and the legallity of backing up audio and video discs has been legal for years. What is NOT legal is discussing exactly how to get around the encryption that may be on SOME discs (not all). Backups = legal - Pirating (stealing/selling) = illegal.

I have made copies of all my discs that my son watches and put the originals into a 400 disc DVD changer where he can never touch them. The copies go with us on trips/etc. so they can be destroyed and scratched without anyone getting to upset.

I've never been a huge fan of 400 disc DVD changers, but am liking it more and more with my son around.

The hard drive approach works as well - but remember, if you copy an entire DVD it may be about 8GB or more of data. 10 DVDs is about an 80GB hard drive! If you just copy the movie (no extras) then it is typically closer to 5GB... Do the math though. 100 DVDs is a 500GB hard drive. How much does that cost? How much is a 400 disc DVD changer? What hassles do you have dealing with the PC as your DVD server in the first place? What happens if the hard drive fails?

I have thought long and hard about going to a hard drive solution, but I don't want to drop $3,000 on a HTPC with a terrabyte or two of storage and all the maintenance that may be required to go with it... and all the cabling that definitely will need to go with it.

 

[AzN_plyR]

wait until WOOT has those 250gigs western digital drives for 50 a piece and buy a few!

 

[Pyrrho]

I think you are giving some very, very bad advice. No, it is not legal to make backup copies of your copyrighted DVD disks under any circumstances. Many people do it, but that doesn't make it legal.

As BMXTRIX notes, there is something called "fair use" in copyright law. Do a search on the subject and see for yourself that it is legal to make backup copies of discs (again, for your particular area, consult a lawyer for any legal advice).

What is generally illegal is to distribute copies, or to make a copy that you keep and sell the original (which is equivalent to keeping the original and selling a copy). Do not be fooled by whatever words are printed on a disc; they can print all sorts of misleading nonsense on them, which are not laws. Many times, companies put things in writing that are not enforceable, because most people are gullible and will believe that they cannot do something that they have every right to do. To know what the law is, one should consult a copy of the laws or a lawyer (who has done or can do such things for you).

 

[WmAx]

As BMXTRIX notes, there is something called "fair use" in copyright law.

And some such rights are effectively bypassed by the DMCA(Digital Millennium Copyright Act), such as when you have to break the DeCSS encryption [if used on the disc] to copy the files to your hard drive. You may not [legally] remove such digital protection schemes when they are present. So, on one hand you are permitted to back up software[assuming you actually purchased a copy; some software is never actually sold a copy of, but a license for use is sold instead, and you do not technically own the disc, under some such licenses, so that they can remain immune from applicable fair use rights] that own a copy of, but you are not permitted to break the digital protection scheme(s) if present, that is a necessary step in exercising your fair use right. Also, I'm not entirely sure that movies are legally classified as software, and if not, other laws would apply to what is considered fair use[but the DMCA still prevents breaking of digital protection schemes].

-Chris

 

[jonnythan]

The illegal part is using decrypting software.

Decrypting the encryption used on DVD's is specifically prohibited by law under the DMCA.

This is why there are no commercial programs sold at, say, CompUSA, that allow you to make copies of commercial DVD movies.

 

[BMXTRIX]

The illegal part is using decrypting software.

Decrypting the encryption used on DVD's is specifically prohibited by law under the DMCA.

This is why there are no commercial programs sold at, say, CompUSA, that allow you to make copies of commercial DVD movies.

Regardless, most people know that it is a retarded law and absolutely insane for movie studios to still put encyrption on discs. People who don't want to follow the law have ZERO problems right now getting around encryption. The encryption has been broken for many years now. Piraters have been copying DVDs for many years now. How to do it is easily found online.

But, those who WANT to make legal backups under fair use laws can't do so legally if encryption is in place. They MUST break the law because if their disc gets a scratch, then they are out of the money for the disc.

No, you don't buy a license and NOT own the disc. If that were the case, then you could simply return the disc and get a new one everytime it were damaged so you could maintain your LEGAL license to play that disc. You actually are buying the disc with the ONE copy of the material on it and you are allowed to make a backup. This has been covered time and time again in the court systems.

You may not break the encryption legally. So stores don't sell the software that does it.
You may not discuss with others how to do it directly. So, boards like THIS close down threads that get to close to talking about it.
You may back up ANY DVD you own legally if there is NO encryption on the DVD currently. DVDs do not require encryption and not EVERY commercial DVD in the world is encrypted.

Stores used to sell software with full decryption capabilities. The digital millenium laws forced that legitimacy out of stores and out of people's hands.

Go figure.

People talk about Blu-ray and HD-DVD having to much protection, but look at what already is in place for DVD. At least with mandatory managed copy (MMC) on HD discs you will legally be allowed to do what the above poster is requesting. Seem like something that is LONG overdue with DVD content.

Does make you wonder how Kaleidescape can legally exist though doesn't it?

 

[yiv]

A 400 disc DVD changer sounds like good idea! I have never heard of it before. So you just put the DVDs into the changer and your kids don't have to touch the DVDs when they want to watch them!? Isn't it difficult to find the right movie?

Is possible to convert my childrens old VHS-movies to dvd's so that I can put them in the the above mentioned DVD changer as well?

Where are you getting this information? Fair use laws and the legallity of backing up audio and video discs has been legal for years. What is NOT legal is discussing exactly how to get around the encryption that may be on SOME discs (not all). Backups = legal - Pirating (stealing/selling) = illegal.

I have made copies of all my discs that my son watches and put the originals into a 400 disc DVD changer where he can never touch them. The copies go with us on trips/etc. so they can be destroyed and scratched without anyone getting to upset.

I've never been a huge fan of 400 disc DVD changers, but am liking it more and more with my son around.

The hard drive approach works as well - but remember, if you copy an entire DVD it may be about 8GB or more of data. 10 DVDs is about an 80GB hard drive! If you just copy the movie (no extras) then it is typically closer to 5GB... Do the math though. 100 DVDs is a 500GB hard drive. How much does that cost? How much is a 400 disc DVD changer? What hassles do you have dealing with the PC as your DVD server in the first place? What happens if the hard drive fails?

I have thought long and hard about going to a hard drive solution, but I don't want to drop $3,000 on a HTPC with a terrabyte or two of storage and all the maintenance that may be required to go with it... and all the cabling that definitely will need to go with it.

 

[BMXTRIX]

The VHS to DVD conversion is about the same legality issues that have been discussed (to death) already as there is likely macrovision encryption on them. Once again - do a little Googling on what you want to do and it isn't to hard, but you need a DVD recorder for sure.

Sony is about the only game in town when it comes to DVD megachangers.

I have their new one - the 995V with HDMI output. I just use component video and I'm looking to modulate it as well so our DVD collection can be played back on any TV in our home.

The player has a keyboard connection so you can actually enter title names for every disc (keep a list on your PC as you go along though!). It also allows for you to pick a frame from the actual video to use as the 'graphic' for that movie. When you go to the 'GUIDE' you can see the titles of the movies and scroll through them by name, disc location, or genre. The artwork you have can help younger ones find a movie more easily. Or just put in a disc number (like 128) to start disc 128 playing.

It is NOT as seamless as it sounds - the player takes about 60 seconds to switch from one disc to another and it is a bit slow in starting things up. But, it definitely has kept the 200 or so DVDs I have in pristine condition.

Looks like it is well under 400 bucks online.

 

[yiv]

OK, even if it is a bit slow, I still think the DVD changer will be perfect for our needs.

I did not quite understand the part where you wrote " I just use component video and I'm looking to modulate it as well so our DVD collection can be played back on any TV in our home." Could you explain that for me? What does component video mean? And is it possible to wire the DVD changer somehow, so that the kids can watch the movies in their room instead of in the livingroom where the DVD changer is located?

Sorry about these basic questions, but as you can see I am a complete beginner when it comes to these matters.

 

[ruadmaa]

Do You Know How To Read???

Where are you getting this information? Fair use laws and the legallity of backing up audio and video discs has been legal for years. What is NOT legal is discussing exactly how to get around the encryption that may be on SOME discs (not all). Backups = legal - Pirating (stealing/selling) = illegal.

I have made copies of all my discs that my son watches and put the originals into a 400 disc DVD changer where he can never touch them. The copies go with us on trips/etc. so they can be destroyed and scratched without anyone getting to upset.

I've never been a huge fan of 400 disc DVD changers, but am liking it more and more with my son around.

The hard drive approach works as well - but remember, if you copy an entire DVD it may be about 8GB or more of data. 10 DVDs is about an 80GB hard drive! If you just copy the movie (no extras) then it is typically closer to 5GB... Do the math though. 100 DVDs is a 500GB hard drive. How much does that cost? How much is a 400 disc DVD changer? What hassles do you have dealing with the PC as your DVD server in the first place? What happens if the hard drive fails?

I have thought long and hard about going to a hard drive solution, but I don't want to drop $3,000 on a HTPC with a terrabyte or two of storage and all the maintenance that may be required to go with it... and all the cabling that definitely will need to go with it.

When was the last time you read the FBI warning on the front of EVERY copyrighted DVD disk??? There are absolutely no provisions for making backup copies or any other copies. DVD's do not fall under the same laws as CD's. If you are so sure copying is legal why don't you write Disney or Warner Bros. and find out.

I might also add that admitting that you copied DVD's leaves you wide open to a lawsuit. It's nothing to laugh about.

 

[quicksilver]

If they sue me for making backups of my legally purchased DVD's....they must have alot ...alot...alot of time on their hands...not like there is a war going on...or terrorism...or poverty...

Yes come sue me because i don't want my overpriced DVD's scratched to hell when i have a party....good ole US of A.

 

[WmAx]

When was the last time you read the FBI warning on the front of EVERY copyrighted DVD disk??? There are absolutely no provisions for making backup copies or any other copies.

It does not matter what the studio claims. Established case law and the copyright code(Title 17 of U.S. Code) are what matters. You can find similar warning on many music CDs today, yet they are not applicable to a normal user; you do not need authorization to copy and convert the digital data off of a CD, it is established as an accepted fair use by previous case law.

There is no direct reference in code to digital movie copies. I do not know if it would be handled as if it was software. But besides this, the federal courts have consistently upheld fair use concerning interoperability and time-shifting. One recent example is MP3 players. This method of copying digital data from the CD and converting to a compressed separate copy to use on a portable digital device is not covered in the copyright code. Taken at face value, it could be interpreted as a violation of copyright. However, this was set precedent in a California court as a fair use right by the consumer after the music industry tried to challenge a major [Rio] MP3 player manufacturer. The same goes for VCRs for copying copyrighted works off of television, which were blatantly illegal, but were deemed legal by the Supreme Court as a fair use when the movie studios challenged a major [Sony] manufacturer of VCRs. Based on the recent popularity of portable MP3 players with color video screens and video playback capability, it looks like an exact repeat of the VCR and MP3 player cases, but combined. If this were to go to the supreme court on this basis, it would probably be deemed a fair use since it is directly relevant to both the MPAA vs. Sony and RIAA vs. Rio cases. Currently, no such issue has yet occurred, there for it is technically illegal to remove a copy protection as specified by the DMCA for any reason at this time, excepting selective ones [TITLE 17 > CHAPTER 12 > § 1201] that are provided for in law for researchers, interoperability/reverse engineering, libraries, law officials and archives.

-Chris

 

[BMXTRIX]

...admitting that you copied DVD's leaves you wide open to a lawsuit. It's nothing to laugh about.

Yes, it is. It's a complete and total joke. The entire situation is beyond laughability for how flat out dumb it is.

ANYONE who wants to copy a DVD, not just serious 'piraters' can do so with free software they can acquire online in under an hour. So, with it being SO easy to copy DVDs, what reason do studios have at all for putting the protection onto DVDs in the first place?

Answer: To irritate those who just want to enjoy the movie they bought and are worried about damaging it.

Oh, and copying DVDs is perfectly legal. Breaking the copyright encryption is not. Don't believe that I spoke of doing that.

Federal law also provides legal rights for people to backup the videos that they make since manufacturers don't happily replace damaged discs...

 

[ironlung]

I can't seem to figure out how to copy AnyDVD with copy protection