DVDShrink Alternatives?

[wrems]

I really like/prefer DVDShrink + AnyDVD to rip DVD’s. I grab the main title in an uncompressed folder format with subs and 1 audio track. Normally, DVDShrink works perfectly, but lately it’s been causing more and more problems. I get errors, discs won’t read, and so on.

The weird thing is when I run into these problems I can use AnyDVD to rip the entire disc to folder structure. Then I can turn around and import this title into DVDShrink flawlessly and grab the main title. ??? Why it doesn’t work the first time around with AnyDVD running in the background is beyond me...

I’d like to try other ripping tools ones that preferably work with AnyDVD and that work similarly to DVDShrink. Any Suggestions? They can be free or paid I don’t care I’m more interested in the feel of the UI. I like the control and simplicity of DVDShrink and the reauthoring capabilities, it’s a great tool. I’ve tried a few that I’ve found on the web and haven’t found the right one.

I’m hoping you folks have some direction to give me

[reggie14]

If you only want the main menu, why not use a tool like MakeMKV and rip the main title to an mkv file? You're still getting the original video quality using that. And its usually easier to work with mkv files than DVD folder structures anyway.

[wrems]

I've been leaning towards MakeMKV. It's the best I've found. At the same time, I was hoping that maybe there are others out there that I have overlooked. It's mostly getting comfortable with the different UI...

[bialio]

I switched over to MakeMKV a while ago and I like it quite a bit. I've even tried the BD ripping that it does and find it to be very good.

btl.

[reggie14]

I find MakeMKV very easy to use. My main complaint is that its still pretty buggy. Over the last 6 months I've probably ran into 10 or so DVDs and blu-rays that won't rip in MakeMKV. Usually they get fixed in the next release. But, sometimes it seems like every new release adds just as many bugs as it fixes. And they usually seem to be bugs related to the format of the DVD and/or blu-ray, as opposed to CSS/AACS problems, which means running AnyDVD alongside doesn't help.

I'm just running the beta for free now. I'm not going to pay for MakeMKV until its either significantly less buggy, or the developer puts out updates roughly as often as Slysoft.

My other complaint is about subtitle handling, and I think that's more a SageTV issue. I think MakeMKV marks forced subtitles on blu-rays as forced subtitles in the mkv file produced. But Sage doesn't automatically enable the forced subtitles. That's annoying in movies like Avatar and Defiance, where subtitles are important. But at least Sage added pgs subtitle support in mkv files a while back. So, now we can at least turn on subtitles manually.

[bialio]

That is annoying with the subs. I usually just go in and select only the forced in MakeMKV, then turn them on in Sage. It works but it'd be nice if sage enabled forced by default.

btl.

[wrems]

One thing either I've missed in MakeMKV or is not an option is to title the actual file... I end up with a file that Title00.MKV. That annoys me, then I have to go back and name the file. I think it should name it to the folder name given in the output directory.

[paulbeers]

I always just use DVDFAB. There is even a free version that just rips DVD's to hard drive (and yes you can pick which audio tracks, what subtitles, and main movie only if you wish). I've never had any issues with it.

[reggie14]

Originally Posted by wrems

One thing either I've missed in MakeMKV or is not an option is to title the actual file... I end up with a file that Title00.MKV. That annoys me, then I have to go back and name the file. I think it should name it to the folder name given in the output directory.

Well, the title names on pretty much all DVDs and Blu-rays never quite correspond to the actual movie title, so I always have to rename things. But, it would be nice if there was a way to rename the file before you actually rip it.

[gplasky]

DVDFab allows you to name it before you rip it.

Gerry

[wrems]

For some reason I have never much liked DVDFab. I haven't used it in a while... Maybe should try it again.

[gplasky]

I think they have some Xmas deal going on. Doen't hurt to check it out.

Gerry

[Brent94Z]

I like and use CloneDVD2 from the same guys who make AnyDVD. Very similar to DVDShrink.

I use CloneDVD2 and AnyDVDHD to copy my DVDs to the hard drive with a max size of 4.7gig (DVD5 I think) while maintaining the menus and previews but removing foreign languages. Works great

[valnar]

DVD Rebuilder + CCE or HcEnc has given the best DVD shrink quality (to fit on a single 4.7GB DVD-R) for years. There is nothing better.

Making MKV's is a different story.

[barney B.A.]

Another vote for DVDFab

[mayamaniac]

DVDFab plus AnyDVD combination has not fail on me yet, successfully ripped every movie I tried so far. DVDFab would complain about AnyDVD everytime I run it, but I haven't seen a problem with both running at the same time. I usually rip the movie alone with subtitles and 5.1 audio. And yes, DVDFab lets you rename to folder of the rip before hand. After its done ripping, I drag the ripped movie folder into Handbrake, set Normal preset, switch to MKV, set 5.1 AAC for audio, add english subtitle/caption, and encode. Takes about 20 minutes for average movie and MKV filesize is about 1.2Gb. Plays smooth with the extenders.