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DVD Recording Tools

Here is a collection of freeware and freely distributable tools that can back up DVDs, remake and compress them and then burn them to DVD. These tools should be used on Windows XP for best results. The following applications make up the DVD recording tools package.

All of these utilities are contained in a single zip file, dvd_tools.zip. The total file size is 2.7 MB.

Please note that development and support for DVD Shrink and DVD Decrypter ended in the early part of 2005. The links above were valid at the time of writing but may now be obselete. The versions of the applications contained in this package were the last releases available.

Short description

Burncdcc is an iso burning utility from Terabyteunlimited. It is compatible with a wide range of DVD burners. Use it to burn isos generated by DVD Shrink. Hint, set the burning speed for lower than the stated DVD disk's write speed, also use read verify.

DVD Decrypter is able to rip files from DVD Video and copy them to a hard drive for back up purposes. Please note that it is illegal to copy a DVD that you do not own. Save the files to the VIDEO_TS folder shown in the folder structure below. If the total file size is 4.5GB or below, Img Tool can be used to create an iso that can be burnt to DVD with a DVD burning utility such as Burncdcc.

DVD Shrink is an excellent DVD compression and reauthoring tool. It is capable of using DVD Decrypter to rip a DVD, and also burn the DVD if Nero burning software is installed.

Img Tool Classic can create a DVD iso from files backed up to the hard drive and by using DVD Decrypter, burn the iso to DVD. Please note, that the Img Tool should be pointed to the top of the AUDIO_TS and VIDEO_TS directory, in this case the 'dvd' folder.

Tips on usage

It is recommended that files systems that are able to support single file sizes greater than 4GB, such as NTFS, are used. Though these DVD tools are able to call other applications to perform the entire process of ripping a DVD to burning the DVD, it is safer to carry out the process in stages. Below are the step by step procedures.

Create the file structure as laid out in the image below.

  1. Use DVD Decrypter to rip the DVD files to the VIDEO_TS folder on the hard drive.
  2. Use Img Tool to create an iso if total file sizes are below 4.5GB and no reauthoring or compression is required.
  3. Use DVD Shrink to compress or reauthor the DVD files. It can also create an iso file.
  4. Use Burncdcc to burn the DVD iso file to DVD disk.

Fig.1. Folder structure for storing DVD files.

folder structure for storing dvd files

Img Tool is pointed at the 'dvd' folder.
Place the ripped DVD files in the VIDEO_TS folder.
The *.iso file is placed in the iso folder.

Back to Short description

Gary Hollands. December 2004, revised August 2005.

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