[Gig-O-Ram]

Okay, here is a question from my wife...

She wants to do some video editing from some of her DVDs, but has no way to load them into her computer because of the protections on the discs. She heard that there are some free video editing downloads out there, and was wondering what would be good to look for. She's not opposed to buying software, so she would be interested in hearing about what good retail titles are available as well. But it's always nice to get free stuff if you can.

Thanks.

[Gnufsh]

Open source video editing:
Cinelerra:
http://heroinewarrior.com/cinelerra.php3

VirtualDub:
http://www.virtualdub.org/

LiVES:
http://lives.sourceforge.net/

Jahshaka:
http://www.jahshaka.org/

[wing]

I have an APEX dvd player with a aftermarket chip in it that disables copy protection. I basically dub them to my dvcam. I do short video clips for the youth group and regular services at church and sometimes they want clips to demonstrate something so dont rip me a new one for haX0ring the d1skz

[JerMe]

As fas as commercial software goes...

I used Ulead VideoStudio for a couple weeks earlier this year. It was version 9 then, and now there's a version "10 Plus". Easy to use:
http://www.ulead.com/vs/runme.htm

Next step up featurewise (and difficulty) would be Adobe Premiere Elements:
http://www.adobe.com/products/premiereel/

Then there's the "prosumer/professional" applications. I personally use Ulead MediaStudio Pro:
http://www.ulead.com/msp/runme.htm

There's the all-famous Adobe Premiere Pro:
http://www.adobe.com/products/premiere/

I don't like Avid products, but here you go:
http://www.avid.com/

Apple Final Cut Pro (You'll need an Apple machine, obviously):
http://www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/finalcutpro/

Whatever you do, STAY AWAY FROM PINNACLE products. Avid products are buggy enough. If you value you projects, or your computer for that matter, don't install anything Pinnacle.

[Gig-O-Ram]

Thanks, guys, for the help and the links. I've given them to my wife for her perusal, and I guess she'll pick what she wants to use. And I guess we won't be using anything with the name Pinnacle on it...she values her computer and her projects too much, LOL!

My wife thanks you all as well!


Now she is wondering if there's any free software out there that would let her get past the copy protection on the DVDs. She knows about the retail ones like "DVD-X copy", but was wondering if there was anything out there that she won't have to pay $100 for.

[FudgeNuggets]

mwuuuuhahahahaha, my favorite topic: Here's what you need, if I catch your drift

For backing up valuable DVDs:
DVD shrink
Alcohol 110%
DVD Decrypter

for converting files from xyz type to DVD compat Mpeg2:
TMPGENC

All the above are FREE!!! and easy to use, well maybe TMGENC will require a bit of reading, but this should get you what you need, whatever the scenario

[Gig-O-Ram]

Thanks, FudgeNuggets! I'm assuming these things can be googled, or otherwise searched?

[FudgeNuggets]

Originally Posted by Gig-O-Ram

Thanks, FudgeNuggets! I'm assuming these things can be googled, or otherwise searched?

absolutely

[Gig-O-Ram]

Originally Posted by FudgeNuggets

absolutely

Well, she looked up some of these things, and found herself at a Finnish website (AfterDawn.com) that had offered some of them at one time, but no longer does because new laws prohibited it in 05 and 06. Gotta love those copyright laws...

She found another site (DVD-Guides.com - possibly based in Greece) that seems to have what she wants, she just needs to register for the downloads.

[Spion]

DVDFab Decrypter is an alternative to dvd decryper if you have problems finding dvd decrypter.

another option for video editing which wasn't mentioned is Sony Vegas. its probly not in the price range you want, but its still another alternative.

[Big_Tex]

http://home.comcast.net/~bbmayo/index.html
here is a site i used at one time to learn how to do the things you or wife want to do hope it helps

[FudgeNuggets]

Here's a link to DVD-decrypter.
http://www.dvddecrypter.org.uk/

[Gig-O-Ram]

My wife wants to thank you guys for your help! She says that if all goes well, she will soon be making her own music videos to share with friends.