+ids and optical discs don’t miX. &or that matter, neither do adults and optical discs. %ver since we left a folder full
of DVD discs in an airline seat pocket, we carry dupes of our DVDs on the plane, instead of the originals. The easiest
way to back up a DVD is with DVD Shrink. %ven though the application is still freely available (just search 'oogle),
it’s no longer supported by its author. This freeware utility compresses a standard dual-layer DVD down to .3'",
allowing you to burn the contents to a single single-layer DVD disc. It will even decrypt encrypted DVDs for you.COPY COPY MOVIES & MUSIC
Back Up Your DVDS
MAMAMAXIMXIMXIMXIMUUUUMMPPPCC APRIL 2006
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
ST%0 /0%. T(% DISC
After inserting
the disc and
starting the
application, click
“Open Disc,”
and then OK.In this phase, DVD Shrink analyzes the disc’s contents to deter-
mine whether the movie is encrypted, and it catalogs the con-
tents of the disc.7(AT /T(%2 S/&T7A2% CA. I 5S%
DVD Shrink is freeware, and as such, is quite limited. There are
several utilities for purchase that offer a lot more fl exibility and
features, including: Nero Recode, AnyDVD, Intervideo DVD Copy
4, DVD Decrypter, and #1 DVD Ripper.DVD Shrink (free, http://www.dvdshrink.org)
The DVD you want to copy
A blank DVD discST%0 3 %8AMI.% Y/52 /0TI/.S
ST%0 2 A.ALY:% T(% DISC
Once DVD Shrink fi nishes analyzing the disc, it will show you all
of the audio and video streams present. You should uncheck any
streams you won’t need, such as French subtitles and the trail-
ers for coming attractions. Our test disc is pretty bare-bones, so
there’s nothing we need to remove. Click “Backup” to continue.ST%0 4 "AC+ IT 50
ST%0 L%T @%2 2I
Now we need to tell DVD Shrink where to save the ripped DVD.
Be sure to check “Create VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS subfolders”
in order to make the burning process easier. Click “OK” to begin
the backup process.Now DVD Shrink
copies the contents
of the DVD to your
hard drive, and recompresses the video content so that it
will fi t on a single-layer disc. The time it takes to complete
this phase boils down to two things: your optical drive’s
speed and your CPU’s sheer processing power. Because
DVD Shrink is multithreaded, it can take full advantage of
dual-core processors and complete the transcode in half the
time it takes a comparable single-core system.ST%0 Y/52% D/.%
You’re all
done. The fi les
have been
copied to the
predetermined
destination.
Now just fi re
up your DVD
burning app, tell it you want to burn a DVD video disc, drag the
“VIDEO_TS” folder into your burning utility, and fi re away. Your
DVD is now safe from the clutches of the unruliest infant.