Does anybody know why some DVD`s can be copied to Harddisk (I am running DVD`s on my PC with the Sigma DVD Station) and others not. Often, rented DVD`s can not be copied, a message appers saying "Device does not accept copy command". This happends while copying the the Win Explorer, also other copy-programms show a similar message. Copying a DVD is not illegal if done for private use. I would appreciate any help.

Rented DVDs are no different from the ones you purchase. It's probably a function of a data-level Macrovision... when protected, you can't copy the actual data files. Movie studios don't want you to be able to make perfect copies of their material.

Thanks Daniel,
I do not know what Macrovision has to do with a Copy. Some *.VOB files can be copied without any problems, on others the above mentioned message appers. This happens not only with the Windows explorer, also with the copy program "Double Image" which should copy all kind of media typs.

I guess that other people like to back up DVD`s as well, so there will hopefully more response on this thread.

Torsten -

I'm shooting wild ducks here, but might it have something to do with the archiving bit? (read only, archive, etc.?)

Torsten -

As an afterthought, here's one other reason why you'd want to copy a DVD to a hard drive.

What about those movies where the stupid engineers require you to flip the disk in the middle of the movie?

I'm thining of Stargate from New Line cinema, where you have to get up and flip the disk to the second side.

Duh.

I'd like to be able to pull off all the tracks and burn them onto a SINGLE SIDED disk for my own convenience, so that I can watch the movie undisturbed.

Hi Robert,
I got a ripper, downloaded from www.dvdutils.com , the latest version dated Oct.14. Wells, so far it copies copy protected movies to my harddrive, but when playing them the signal is distored and picture not visible. So far I guess the ripper does a good job but it seems that it does not remove Macrovision copy protection or whatelse creats the mess playing the movie from HD. Anyhow, a good start with this ripper. If you find out why the copy does not rum propper, pls. mail me. I have tried out with "Zone selector" to run the movie disabeling Macrovision without any effect.
I will post a message here when I find out. Let`s work together!!

P.S. I tried with the US Version of "Matrix"

Torsten -

Although I think this thread has less to do with "archiving" DVDs than something else, I am interested in recreating Stargate onto a single-sided DVD that I don't have to flip.

And, I'm sure in the future, there will be other stupid engineers that put too much "additional" content alongside the move that will cause me to want to pull the movie off only, and leave the other stuff behind.

I prefer to watch movies undisturbed.

Regretfully, at this time, I don't have enough hard drive space left to experiment with. After ripping my entire Jazz CD-ROM collection to high sampled MP3's, there isn't much room left.

I'll have to pick up a new drive before I can experiment further, and see what develops.

Hang tight, and if you don't hear from me within a couple of weeks, shoot me an Email to follow up.