A super easy way to backup your protected DVDs

Author:    Source:    Read:    Date: 2006-07-06    

　
This program is a freeware utility that helps you backup your copy protected DVDs.

Recently released DVDs are now very often equipped with stronger copy protections - such as ARccOS™ and RipGuard DVD - that programs like DVD Shrink or DVD Decrypter have problems handling.

With the help of RipIt4Me, ripping these DVDs will be a very easy task. The program is fully automated and the wizard will guide you through all the necessary steps involved. If you prefer, there is also a true "1-Click" mode that will perform all the involved steps automatically for you.



The current version is 1.2.0.0 and you can download the program on the RipIt4Me Download Page.


How the program works

RipIt4Me uses DVD Decrypter as a ripping engine and FixVTS to clean the ripped files.

It shouldn't take you much more time for you to use this method than if you had used DVD Decrypter on its own.

In short:
  1. Insert your original DVD that you wish to backup in your DVD reader/burner.
  2. The DVD will then be ripped to your hard disk.
  3. It will clean up the DVD and, if necessary, remove the bad cells from the VOB files, remove any fake titlesets and fix the pointers by running FixVTS.
  4. Finally, it will open up the ripped files in DVD Shrink for you.


What is new in the latest version?
 

  • Fixed a nasty bug that caused RipIt4Me to completely fail in some rare cases (Fun with Dick & Jane R2, for example).
  • Changed guide link.
  • Removed DVD Decrypter maximum speed setting. (not really necessary, might annoy some).
  • Added version history to Help menu.
  • Fixed bug in routine that detects protected cells. Also changed the way the original PSL is created. The ranges no longer overlap.
  • For scratched discs, added user option to continue with the cleanup or to abort.


Acknowledgements

A big "thank you" to all the people that are involved in this project - you know who you are.


This Guide

This guide is divided into four sections:

1. Installation

2. Running RipIt4Me
 

  • 2.1 Wizard Mode
  • 2.2 1-Click Mode

3. Preferences

  • 3.1 General options
    • 3.1.1 Check for updates at startup
    • 3.1.2 Check DVD Decrypter at startup
    • 3.1.3 Empty directory before rip
  • 3.2 Advanced options
    • 3.2.1 Remove protected cells
    • 3.2.2 Remove tiny cells
    • 3.2.3 Remove last vts(s) if needed
    • 3.2.4 BOV: scan cells less than #
  • 3.3 1-Click Mode
    • 3.3.1 Run FixVTS after rip
    • 3.3.2 Run DVD Shrink after rip
    • 3.3.3 Disable RCE warning
  • 3.4 FixVTS settings
    • 3.4.1 Remove unreferenced video
    • 3.4.2 Process in place
  • 3.5 Paths

4. FAQ

Note 1: Don't have any on-the-fly decrypting tools, such as DVD43 or AnyDVD, running in the background while you use RipIt4Me and while you rip the DVD with DVD Decrypter.

Note 2: If you have auto play activated or that the inserted DVD automatically starts another application - turn off that feature before you run RipIt4Me. It will only create problems for you. You can read in this guide - Turn Off the CD-ROM Auto run - how you do this.

Note 3: RipIt4Me will change some of your default settings in DVD Decrypter to assure that they are the best ones when ripping protected DVDs. The changed settings should not cause any problems for you when you rip other DVDs. The original settings are restored immediately after the rip.

Note 4: Your screen setting should be set to 1024x768 and above for best performance.

 

1. Installation


These programs needs to be installed on your computer:

All programs that needs to be installed are freeware.

 
  • DVD Decrypter version 3.5.4.0



    If you don't have the final version 3.5.4.0 of DVD Decrypter installed - download and install it first. You can download it here.

     
  • DVD Shrink version 3.2



    Optional installation. Used to verify the final result of the ripping and cleaning phases. You can download DVD Shrink here.

     
  • FixVTS



    FixVTS is used in the cleaning phase. With the help of this program, you can clean the mess created by the ARccOS™ or RipGuard protection. If you don't do this cleaning, you could end up with an error when you try to open the files in DVD Shrink.

    If you don't have this program installed, you can download it from the FixVTS homepage. The latest version is 1.301.

    The first time RipIt4Me runs, it will ask you to locate FixVTS.exe. RipIt4Me will remember that location from then on.

     
  • RipIt4Me



    How to install RipIt4Me:

     
    1. Create an empty folder anywhere on your hard disk. I strongly suggest "C:\Program files\ripit4me".

       
    2. Save the downloaded RipIt4Me.exe file in the folder you created in step 1.

      If you don't have an extracting/unzip program for .zip files, you can use this freeware program:

       

Back to Index
2. Running RipIt4Me


There are two modes in the program that you can use - Wizard Mode and 1-Click Mode.



Wizard Mode gives you a bit more info along the way and lets you bypass some of the steps if you've already performed them (for example, the rip).

 
  • 2.1 Wizard Mode

    The Wizard will guide you through the different steps that are needed so that you can backup your DVD.

     
  • 2.2 1-Click Mode

    A true 1-click ripping procedure. Will do the same task as the wizard, but you will only need to select the place where you want your backed up files to be saved. Then you can let the program automatically process the various steps until it opens up in DVD Shrink for you.
2.1 Wizard Mode

 
  1. Insert the original DVD in your DVD reader/burner.

    Keep the DVD inserted during the whole run with this program.

     
  2. Start RipIt4Me.

    You will then see the main screen of the program:



     
  3. Press the button to start the work.


 


 

  • Step 1 - Pick Drive and Folder



     
    1. Select the DVD drive to rip from.

      By default, the program will assume that your DVD reader/burner is assigned to D:
      Change it, if necessary.

       
    2. Select the target directory for your rip.

      Type in the path in the Target edit box or browse to a directory where you want to save the ripped files.

      If you type in a new path in the edit box for a directory that is not yet created on the hard disk, RipIt4Me will create that folder for you automatically.



      When you have selected the directory press the 'OK' button.



       
    3. Press the button to continue with next step.

       
      • Note: If you should select a directory that is not empty, RipIt4Me will alert you with a pop-up window asking if you want to overwrite the existing files in the directory.


     


     

  • Step 2 - Create PSL file



    This file is needed to tell DVD Decrypter how it should rip your DVD.

     
    1. Press the button to start the creation of the PSL2 file.


     


     

  • Step 3 - Rip with PSL file



     
    1. Press the button to start the ripping.

      DVD Decrypter will now be launched automatically by the wizard.







      If everything worked properly, DVD Decrypter will report that it has imported the RipIt4Me.psl file.

       
    2. Press the 'OK' button.

       
    3. Press this icon to start the ripping.

      DVD Decrypter will now rip the files to your hard disk.


     


     

  • Step 3b - Optional cleanup



    See section 3.2 of this guide for a discussion on what the options do.

     
    1. Press the 'Do it!' button.


     


     

  • Step 4 - Cleanup with FixVTS



    This is the last part of the wizard. FixVTS will process all titlesets to correct the structure of the DVD so it will open in DVD Shrink.

    You can always do a test to see if the DVD will open up in DVD Shrink first. If it does, there should be no need to run FixVTS.

    For a discussion on what the two options do, see section 3.4 of this guide.

     
    1. Press the button.



       
      • Note: The first time you use RipIt4Me, it may ask you for the location of your installed FixVTS program.



        Browse to the location and double click on the FixVTS.exe file.


       

    2. Press the button.

      The files will now be opened in DVD Shrink.


     


     

  • Step 5 - Save the logs

    When you are 100% happy with the rip, select the menu option "Main" -> "Save Logs"



    to move the DVD Decrypter.log, the RipIt4Me.log and the temporary files out of the VIDEO_TS folder. They will now be located in the (hidden) folder: C:\Documents and Settings\Your Username\Application Data\RipIt4Me

     
    • Note: The Application Data folder is created by Windows, not RipIt4Me. Microsoft decided to make it hidden. You can change it though. Open My Documents and from the menu, select Tools - Folder Options - View. Change the setting to "Show hidden files and folders" and click the "Apply to all folders" button. You can now see the Application Data folder (and other hidden folders).
Back to Index
2.2 The 1-Click Mode

 
  1. Insert the original DVD in your DVD reader/burner.

    Keep the DVD inserted during the whole process.

     
  2. Start RipIt4Me.

    You will then see the main screen of the program:



     
  3. Press the button to start the work.


 


 

  • Step 1 - Pick Drive and Folder



     
    1. Select the DVD drive to rip from.

      By default, the program will assume that your DVD reader/burner is assigned to D:

       
    2. Select the target directory for your rip.

      Type in the path in the edit box or browse to a directory where you want to save the ripped files.

      If you type in a path in the edit box for a directory that is not yet created on the hard disk, RipIt4Me will create that folder for you automatically.



      When you have selected the directory press the 'OK' button.



       
      • FixVTS settings

        For a discussion on what the two options for FixVTS will do, see section 3.4 of this guide.


       

    3. Now press the button to start the process.

      This will start DVD Decrypter and the ripping process automatically and finally it will launch DVD Shrink for you.

       
      • Note: If you should select a directory that is not empty - RipIt4Me will alert you about that with a pop-up window and ask you if you want to overwrite the existing files in the directory.


     


     

  • Step 2 - Save the logs

    When you are completely happy with the rip, select the menu option "Main" -> "Save Logs"



    to move the DVD Decrypter.log, the RipIt4Me.log and the temporary files out of the VIDEO_TS folder. They will now be located in the hidden folder: C:\Documents and Settings\Your Username\Application Data\RipIt4Me

     
    • Note: The Application Data folder is created by Windows, not RipIt4Me. Microsoft decided to make it hidden. See above for how to change it, if you want to.
Back to Index

3. Preferences




You shouldn't need to change any of the default settings. If you don't know what you do, leave them as they are.


You can always reset the settings to default by pressing the "Defaults" button.


3.1 General options



 

  • 3.1.1 Check for updates at startup

    If you enable this option, you can be sure to always have the latest version of RipIt4Me installed. Every time the program is launched, this check will be performed.

    Default setting is 'enabled'.

    You can also use the menu option to manually check if there is a software update available.



    You will then see one of these pop-up windows:

     
    • No update available



       
    • Update available



      If there is a new version available, accept the download and just install it over the old version.


     

  • 3.1.2. Check DVD Decrypter at startup

    In some rare cases, where you do have version 3.5.4.0 of DVD Decrypter installed, RipIt4Me might alert with the following message every time you run the program.



    In most instances, a fresh installation of DVD Decrypter ver 3.5.4.0 will fix this problem, but on some systems it can still show up. To turn off this message, disable the option "Check DVD Decrypter at startup".

    RipIt4Me will work without problems even if you should encounter this message when you start the program as long as you have ver 3.5.4.0 of DVD Decrypter installed.

    Default setting is 'enabled'.

     
  • 3.1.3 Empty directory before rip

    If enabled, this option will automatically erase the files in the selected rip folder if it's not empty. RipIt4Me will only erase these filetypes: VOB, IFO, BUP, LOG, PSL and TXT.

    Default setting is 'disabled'.


3.2 Advanced options



In an ARccOS DVD, it is always necessary to remove the junk from the IFO files, but you don't always need to remove the bad sectors from the VOB files.

As long as the ARccOS references are removed from the IFOs, this material will show up as unreferenced in DVD Shrink and that should be sufficient to make a copy of your DVD.

If you do decide to clean the VOBs, FixVTS has to physically move sectors from one place to another on the same hard disk and that takes a little time - so it's faster not to have to remove anything from the VOBs. Of course, the "cleanest" rip is to remove all the bad stuff (and this will save you space and lower your compression).

I recommend that you use FixVTS on your protected DVDs.  

  • You have three possibilities:

     
    • RipIt4Me remove on and FixVTS remove on

      All the bad stuff is removed both from the IFO and the VOB files. This should leave a minimum in the unreferenced section in DVD Shrink, compared to the other two combinations. This is the recommended procedure.

       
    • RipIt4Me remove on and FixVTS remove off

      All the bad stuff is removed from the IFO files, but not from the VOB files. Blank packs are replaced by stuffing packs. It will show up as unreferenced in DVD Shrink.

       
    • RipIt4Me remove off and FixVTS remove on/off

      Nothing is removed from the IFO files and nothing is removed from the VOB files (except blank packs that are replaced by stuffing packs). The stuff shows up in the normal place in DVD Shrink.
  • 3.2.1 Remove protected cells

    There are several cells in the beginning of an ARccOS™ protected title. These cells are not useful and serve only to skip the protected cells when playing the DVD, by means of various "cell commands". Among the skipped cells are the cells protected by read errors, which DVD Decrypter replaced by dummy sectors when you successfully ripped the DVD. During the clean up, you can process the VOBs with FixVTS to physically remove the now unreferenced ARccOS™ cells.

    In some cases (still not very clear) the sound is desynchronized when playing the main title on a standalone. (Take care, this desynchronization is generally not perceptible when played with a software player on a PC!) By removing the unnecessary cells, the sound desynchronization should be fixed. If you are going to use AutoGK (or something like that), you need to remove the protected cells from the IFOs and VOBs because of a "bug" in DGindex, which causes mis-sync in the audio/video.

    It is also better to remove the unnecessary cells if you have to compress the DVD so that it will fit on a DVD-5. You will be able to use a lower compression level.

    If you enable this setting, you should also enable the FixVTS setting 'Remove unreferenced and blank cells'. If you don't, there's no point in enabling this setting as the protected cells still physically will be left in the VOB files.

    Default setting is 'enabled'.

     
  • 3.2.2 Remove tiny cells

    This setting is only activated if you also enable 'Remove bad cells'.

    When playing the title, some of the original cells (usually 2 or 3) are still played. Those played cells are short (less than 1 sec), but since there are cell commands attached to them, the player takes generally a couple of seconds to play each of those cells and start the movie. This means that the playback of the real title cannot begin immediately, and in extreme cases, the player may "hang".

    If you enable this setting, all "tiny" cells (playback time of less than 1 second) that were originally left over from the ARccOS™ protection will be removed.

    Default setting is 'disabled'. It is usually safer to keep it disabled.

     
  • 3.2.3 Remove last vts(s) if needed

    On most DVDs released from Sony that are ARccOS™ protected, the last Video TitleSet is a fake (you generally see about 1 hour and 36 minutes of black video in it, designed only to take up valuable space). If you enable this setting, the last fake VTS will be removed. If RipIt4Me finds other fake VTSs, it will remove them, too.

    Default setting is 'enabled'. It is very useful to keep it enabled as these fake VTSs can take up hundreds of Megabytes.

     
  • 3.2.4 BOV: scan cells less than #

    Button Over Video (BOV) is a feature seen more and more on recent DVDs. The purpose of BOV is basically to make a transition from your main movie to some extra that is in an another VTS. One good example is the white rabbit feature in The Matrix. Other examples are Bambi II, Stuart Little 2, Spiderman and Men in Black II.

    RipIt4Me scans the title VOBSs for BOVs. To speed things up and not waste time scanning parts of the VOB that are unlikely to contain buttons, RipIt4Me only scans cells that are of small to average duration. The preferences allow you to adjust the maximum duration of cells which will be scanned for BOVs.

    Default value is '120'.


3.3 1-Click Mode



 

  • 3.3.1 Run FixVTS after rip

    FixVTS will reindex your video files and also if you have selected it to do so, remove unused space from the deleted protected cells.

    Default setting is 'enabled'.

     
  • 3.3.2 Run DVD Shrink after rip

    You have the option to automatically launch the ripped DVD in DVD Shrink.

    Default setting is 'enabled'.

     
  • 3.3.3. Disable RCE warning

    If you enable this option, you will not have to answer to this window during the rip phase. RCE (Regional Coding Enhancement) is an additional layer of protection that some studios have placed on selected DVDs to prevent them from playing on region-free or multi-region players.



    Default setting is 'enabled'.


3.4 FixVTS settings


 

  • 3.4.1 Remove unreferenced video

    If this option is checked, FixVTS can also remove unreferenced cells (i.e. cells that are in the VOB files, but never played back, according to the IFO file). It can also fix blank packs that are sometimes introduced by DVD rippers when they encounter unreadable sectors. These blank packs can either be removed, or replaced by compliant "stuffing packs" - meaning less compression/shrinking needed and better picture quality if you need to shrink the files to fit on a single layer disc when you burn the files.

    Default setting is 'enabled'.

     
  • 3.4.2 Process in place

    If this option is checked, FixVTS will not create a backup of the original files but the process will be much faster. If there should be a problem (unlikely), you can always rip the original DVD again.

    Default setting is 'enabled'.


3.5 Paths



Allows you to set/change the locations of DVD Decrypter, DVD Shrink and FixVTS.

If you want to change the location, click on the and browse to the new location of the program.

Back to Index
4. FAQ

 
  1. When to use Wizard mode and 1-Click mode?

    If you want to have full control over the process, use the Wizard mode. The outcome will be identical as if you had selected 1-Click mode so long as you use the same settings.

     
  2. What options should I have checked?

    You can find a discussion on what the various options stand for in section 3 of this guide. The default settings should work very well on all DVDs.

     
  3. Should I do the optional cleanup?

    If you know that you are backing up an ARccOS™ or RipGuard protected DVD, I suggest that you perform it. Even if you don't perform it, the DVD will in most cases, open in DVD Shrink.

     
  4. Should I always run FixVTS - even if it opens up in DVD Shrink?

    If you can open the DVD in DVD Shrink and you can't see any odd issues such as a major part of the DVD being in the "Unreferenced Material" section of DVD Shrink, there is no need to run FixVTS.

     
  5. Does the automatic updater update all involved programs?

    No, you will only be notified when there is an update for RipIt4Me. However, you can download the latest version of FixVTS by clicking 'Downloads' on the menu. Ensure that you install it to the correct folder. DVD Decrypter and DVD Shrink are no longer updated.

     
  6. Is RipIt4Me available in other languages?

    For the moment, RipIt4Me is only available in English. Hopefully, there will be translations of the program at a later stage.

     
  7. RipIt4Me doesn't automatically pick up my DVD drive.
     
    • Check that another program is not locking your drive.
    • Try to see if you can see the inserted DVD in Windows Explorer.

     

  8. I can't get the program to work or I get odd results in DVD Shrink

    Start a thread in the RipIt4Me forum and post as much information as possible about your problem. Include (as a zipped attachment) at the very least your:

    • Full DVD Decrypter log
    • RipIt4Me log
    • FinalPSL file
    • ButtonInfo.txt file

    You may also be asked to post IFO files. If so, post both sets (as zipped attachments) - the original IFOs copied off the DVD and the final IFOs after the Ripit4Me process has completed.

     

  9. Do I need to use this program on all my DVDs?

    RipIt4Me will not be needed in the following instances:

    • On Older DVDs (released 2004 and earlier).
    • If DVD Shrink can open the DVD properly.
    • If DVD Decrypter can rip it without any problems and you are able to open up the files in DVD Shrink.

    Later year's releases of Sony, Disney, ScanBox DVDs that are protected with either ARccOS™ or RipGuard DVD copy protections need to be run thru RipIt4Me.

    However, RipIt4Me handles all DVDs, so there will be no problems if you run all DVDs through RipIt4Me.

     

  10. What logs are created and where are they by default?

    RipIt4Me creates these files:
     
    • ButtonInfo.txt

      Information about the DVD's buttons. A temporary work file used by RipIt4Me.

       
    • DVDDecrypter.log

      The logfile from the rip with DVD Decrypter. It will show you the rip in detail.

       
    • FinalPSLFile.psl

      This is the PSL file that you can use if you want to rip the DVD again without using RipIt4Me. You can simply start DVD Decrypter, import this PSL file, rip the DVD and then run FixVTS on the ripped files. The DVD should then open fine in DVD Shrink.

       
    • FixVTS.log

      Logfile from FixVTS that shows you what was done during the fix process.

       
    • RipIt4Me.log

      The same log as you can see in RipIt4Me's log window during the process. The only difference is that a time stamp is inserted before each involved task.

       
    • RipIt4Me.psl

      A temporary work file used by RipIt4Me.


    When you use the menu option 'Main' -> 'Save Logs' the log files will be moved out of the ripping folder and saved in this location: C:\Documents and Settings\Your Username\Application Data\RipIt4Me. The DVD's label will be added in the front of the old log file name.

     

  11. If I ripped my DVD with all options off, how can I do the cleanup without having to re-rip the DVD?

    Start RipIt4Me in Wizard Mode. Press "Next" and answer 'Yes' when you are asked if you wish to overwrite your files. Then, press the "Skip" button twice to move to Step 3b (Optional Cleanup). Perform that function and the rest of the steps in Wizard Mode. This will not work if you select 1-Click Mode.


 

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