NetFlix for Free . . . Plus a DVD-Copying Tip
Related link: http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/wlg/7956
Man, are public libraries a fantastic resource! In addition to the expected books and magazines, my local library has a surprisingly good collection of CDs and DVDs. Because the discs are in such great demand, though, finding ones I wanted to try had been an exercise in serendipity.
Then I discovered that by entering my library card number and PIN on the library’s site, I could search for and reserve materials from the entire county library system. The items I request are shipped to my local library, which sends me an e-mail when they arrive. I then have a week to pick them up. It’s like getting NetFlix or Amazon for free, although you have to return the materials after three weeks. (Actually, in many cases, you can renew the materials online as well, so you get more time.)
Today, I checked the site to see when my books and discs were due, and discovered that two DVDs I’d borrowed last week had already expired. Apparently they’re so popular that they only lend for seven days. Because you can’t renew overdue materials and I didn’t know when they’d show up again, I decided to copy them to my Mac. That will save the library the time and expense of reshipping and storing the discs for me. It will also allow other library patrons to see the discs sooner.
After I watch the movies, I’ll delete the copied files; I have no interest in piracy, just time-shifting. As Matthew Russell pointed out in “How Intellectual Property Laws Can Drain Your Battery's Juice,” watching a DVD from your laptop hard drive saves energy as well.
Copying the commercial DVD was free and simple. I fired up MacTheRipper, selected “RCE 1” from the RCE Region menu, and hit Go. (Even though the program creates files that will play in any region, you need to specify the disc’s native region if it exists already.) Fifty-seven minutes later, the DVD and all its bonus features were converted to files in a 4.36GB folder called VIDEO_TS on my hard drive.
Those files were unplayable, so I used another freeware program, DVD Imager, to package them as a disk image. When I subsequently double-clicked the disk image, Apple DVD Player launched and played the movie. Had I wanted, I could have burned the image to a blank DVD-R, but as I said, I wasn’t interested in pirating the disc, just watching it once at a convenient time. However, I’m sure I’ll be using this simple two-step system to make backup copies of my own discs. Many of the library DVDs I check out are so scratched they’re barely playable.
What are some other ways to use the files in the VIDEO_TS folder? How about DVD backup utilities for Windows or Linux?
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Worthless?
Oh, I agree that Netflix is more convenient and well-stocked, and for many people, that’s worth paying for. But I go to the library regularly anyway, so there’s no time penalty: I just swing through the Reserves section on my way to the checkout desk and grab my DVDs.
I used the Netflix analogy because it was an intriguing way to describe the library’s service. Both systems let you order digital media online, then deliver it in a physical format. —David
hmmm... time-shifting?
"Now if you were making an archival copy of one of your own DVDs, that would be different, but..."
I must disagree with this comment.
This is one of the nastier aspects of the DMCA,
that you break the law when you descrypt the media,
even if you own the original!
The Mother Lovers! The DMCA has to go!
Free?
This is only a free alternative to Netflix if your time is worthless. You pay for Netflix because you're paying to have the movies delivered in a timely manner at your doorstep.
hmmm... time-shifting?
Technically, I suspect you’re right, though I’ve learned that the law is sometimes gray rather than black and white. The question in my mind is: Who is harmed by my time-shifting the DVD content? Had I kept renewing the disc at the library until I got around to watching it, I would have prevented others from discovering it.
Come to think of it, the biggest file-sharers are libraries. Indeed, mine offers audio books as free downloads. The files, which are in encrypted WMA format, expire after 21 days but can be renewed at least once. I can read O’Reilly e-books through my library’s Web site as well. —David
hmmm... time-shifting?
Putting on the asbestos suit...
While I commend you for your honesty, you really are likely to still be committing copyright infringement when you rip the DVD to your hard drive if you don't own it. Copyright is an anti-copying right, that is, the copyright holder can tell you that you cannot legally copy a copyrighted work under X circumstances. Would you really ever be liable, no, likely not. But technically you're still copying it in a manner not intended by the copyright holder.
Now if you were making an archival copy of one of your own DVDs, that would be different, but...
*shrug*
-p-
Amen
"After I watch the movies, I’ll delete the copied files; I have no interest in piracy, just time-shifting".
Thanks for the inspiration: http://macdevcenter.com/pub/wlg/8061
VIDEO_TS folder
Hey, you’re right! The command is
Open DVD Media.... —David BattinoSo clunky
For personal use I find that Handbrake offers the best ripping experience. Point it at a DVD and it will rip and compress it for you in one fell swoop.
Open source media streamers
There are several open source media streamers. A very good one is VLC, http://www.videolan.org (in your case you would be streaming from a DVD to a file in the local computer).
VIDEO_TS folder
Just point DVD player to that folder from the open folder menu item. And it will play the dvd from there.