@abacab234 you will not be able to burn dual layer discs using shrink and imagburn at this stage as it will not insert a working layerbreak however Imagburn V2 is to be released in the next few days which will overcome this problem . as for using dvd decryptor it can be used in conjuction with ripit4me and decrypt any sony accross
movie

DVD Decrypter is alive and well. It's all over the net. RipIt4Me can handle anything. To create a good ISO file with the proper lb, nothing beats PgcEdit. Then burning with ImgBurn will produce a great backup.

Unless you know something we all don't, DVD Decrypter was acquired by the evil Macrovision, and last development version was 3.5.4.0 (approx 10/05 as Maineman correctly indicated).....However is still useful with other decryption tools, some (like you mentioned), and others, like anydvd. It's actual core decryption capability though is outdated.

@Dialysis1,

Hello...

I never suggested dvdd was dead or not useful...It is, in point of fact, a very efficient and versatile app. It is however, DEAD, as far as support...as in no longer developed as I indicated in my previous post; which btw, you would have known had you read it a little more carefully.

Here's a thread on cdf more than a year old with 298 posts entitled, "DVD Decrypter is dead!! " .

Here also, is an open letter (dated June 6, 2005) by LIGHTNING UK (Author of the once "Ultimate DVD Ripper", DVD Decrypter) and developer of Img!!!

"Hello world,

I've got some good news and some bad news. Let's start with the good.... (tumble weed passes by)Ok, and now onto the bad: DVD Decrypter 3.5.4.0 is the last version you'll ever see.We hoped this day would never come, but it has, and I can promise you, nobody is more gutted about it than I am.

What started as a bit of fun, putting a GUI around some existing code, turned into something that I can only describe as "part of me" – yes, I know that's sad ;-) As I've recently been made aware (by a letter, hand delivered to my door, last Tuesday), due to some law that was changed back in October 2003, circumventing copy protection isn't allowed.

Ok so it has taken a while (almost 2 years), but eventually "a certain company" has decided they don't like what I'm doing (circumventing their protection) and have come at me like a pack of wolves. I've no choice but to cease everything to do with DVD Decrypter. I realise this is going to be one of those "that sucks - fight them!" kinda things, but at the end of the day, it's my life and I'm not about to throw it all away (before it has even really started) attempting to fight a battle I can't possibly win.

If 321 Studios can't do it with millions, what chance do I have with £50?! As I'm sure most of you have already noticed, the site has been down for a few days. That surprised me as much as the next person (slight breakdown in communication), or I would have issued this statement on it directly.

So anyway, from this point forward, I'm no longer permitted to provide any sort of assistance with anything that helps people infringe the rights of "a certain company". That means, no more emails, no more forum posts, no PMs, no nothing! END OF STORY. The domain name will be transferred over to the company by the end of the week (9th June, according to the undertakings I have to sign) so don't email it thinking "Oh, I'll just ask LIGHTNING UK! for support on this". You'll not be getting the intended recipient and could be landing yourself in sh1t!

With 3.5.4.0 being the last version, it makes sense for everyone to disable the "check for new versions" feature, as obviously there won't be any. Of course what I really mean is that you should all stop using the program out of respect for the company's rights.

Anyone hosting DVD Decrypter is advised to cease doing so immediately. I've the feeling they won't stop with just me. I'm having to contact anyone I know of that is (at the very least, the "mirror" sites), and tell them to stop. Copies of those emails must also be sent to the solicitors so they can check I'm doing everything I'm supposed to. If I don't, I die.

It is of course down to the owners of those sites to react how they want to. It's not my job to force you to do anything you don't want to, I'm just giving you some friendly advice. Maybe it's just me, but I see this as a bit of an "end of an era". I realise there are other tools, but there's no telling how much longer they'll last, and not only that, mine was the oldest! I've met loads of great people over the years and I want to take this opportunity to wish them every success for the future - yes DDBT peeps, that includes you lot! I hope you've all enjoyed my contribution to the DVD scene and maybe I'll see ya around sometime.

LIGHTNING UK!
(Author of the once "Ultimate DVD Ripper", DVD Decrypter)"

So do you think there is something better?

When I mentioned VSO and MCDB I was referring to Gold. Also several programs use VSO, but not sure about ImgBurn. Basically SAO (sector at once) and DOA (disk at once) are same when burning ISO and folders. The following link is a good tutorial for Gold:

http://www.dvdidle.com/dvd-fab-tutorial.htm

Backing up DVDs requires keeping up to date on your software because new protection changes so software authors have to add updates regularly sometimes several in a week. Tom was right that DVD Decrypter is not updated, but will work in combination with other programs. Also in the letter from Luke UK there was mention of other people being shutdown. A few months ago After Dawn under pressure took DVD Decrypter and some other programs off their download page. Fengtao is in China so the movie companies have no control over him.

Mack

@abacab234
Sorry to be OT (off topic), earlier, back to your thread...

SAO (Session-At-Once):
"A 'Session-at-Once' recording almost corresponds to a 'Disc-at-Once recording', i.e. all data (”Leadin”, data area and 'Leadout' are written in one go."

DAO (Disk At Once):
"A recording method in which the disc is written all at once without interruption. The drawback is that the disc can be written only once and no further updates are allowed."

The difference, as I understand it, is that in SAO the disc is not closed, but is closed on DAO. I don't see where this matters since the burn app will finalize the dvd.
Anyway, DAO is the default and the best choice with Img.

Packet writing is a method of writing data on a discin small increments or packets. Generally, packet writing apps are to be avoided as they are more likely to create problems. Most notable among these is InCD. Having said this, I've burned with fab in packet writing many times...it never screwed up. Still, I would choose SAO when using fab.

The MCDB engine has been outdated and not supported by fab for about 2 years. It still seems to work...I'm not sure why...stick with VSO (default burn engine) or nero...either can be chosen within fab.

Img is it's own unique burn engine. It was developed by LIGHTNING UK!...same developer as dvdd.

Here are guides for Img and dvdd...both by Cynthia ("cynthia old" here on cdf). These guides are nothing short of outstanding...

dvdd:
http://forum.digital-digest.com/showthread.php?t=51575

Img:
http://forum.digital-digest.com/showthread.php?t=55424

I know you're just getting started with DL burning and I don't want to complicate things for you but,

With Gold, "DVD Image" creates an ISO image that you can burn later, say, for eg., with Img...see image below. So, no tinkering or conversion is needed. You can also burn with VSO within the app in the default file mode. The bkup is flawless except for the LB. As I said before, usually the LB is just a little blip..sometimes more, but is very player dependent.

Express will not rip to ISO, but to file mode. This is easily converted with an app like Folder2Iso_v1.3.exe.

There are lots of other ways to do DLs. For complete disc bkups, dvdd and Img combo are outstanding, but Fengtao is coming out with an all new spiffy version 3.*** soon...with a current and supported decrypter!

Sorry Mack, here I am typing when you're already posting...geting old really sucks, huh?...

I, and others I believe, figure you need a "toolbox" of some freeware (like DVD Decrypter, Imgburn and others), and some commercial stuff (like anydvd, Fab, ect). The combo of these seem to work well, and at times appears required to back up certain discs, especially to keep flexibility in method chosen to backup.

I recommend that when down loading any of the free programs be sure to scan for malware. I have downloaded from sites where I never dreamed would have infected files. That out of the way don't forget to donate a few bucks to the author.

Mack

Wow this is turning out to be a long but informative thread...all this info is great for me and I am sure for others, who happen to find the subject line interesting. I was experimenting last night and used the free version of DVD Fab to create files on the HD..then used DVD Shrink to convert the files to an ISO image, then burned the img file using ImgBurn to my "crappy" disks that I have on hand The first disk crapped out on me after the Benq switched layers but the next disk I tried made it out of the burn successfully. I tried playing it on a couple diff DVD player at my home and the title menu was jerky and had video artifacts but the menu worked and so did the submenus so this was a first for me on a DL disk so I guess, MACK, ISO is the way to go for me at this time and I will experiment with other methods and software when my "good verbs" arrive. Again thanks to MaineMan and BigMacNC for their help and suggestions along with everyone else who had some input into this thread. Now I only hope I haven't been logged off after all this typing.

Guess not LOL

A big ditto on that one Larry...

Tom

@abacab234
I hope you post your results with your new Verbatims....I too have been having the exact same problems, and have been using the same Memorex coded Ritek001.
A big thanks for starting this thread because I've learned quite abit from reading thru it.

@puterman03 the meathod abacad234 is trying to use will always result as a failure
you cannot use shrink with imgburn to create a dual layer disc as shrink will remove the existing layerbreak and imgburn cannot insert a layerbreak into an iso file. burning iso files is restrictive as the image must contain all the info or it will result in a failure ,if you must use shrink better to burn in file mode with good burning software
such as discjuggler vso copy2dvd or sonic recordnow max6 or higher

Nice pick up Ray...I didn't notice in his last post that abacab234 was attempting to crank it through shrink...you're exactly right, the LB will not be preserved/created. Fab will work just fine as I described...no need for shrink, number of options...fab ISO > Img; fab express convert to ISO, then with Img; dvdd with Img; but with this option still may need current decrypter, depending on the flick.

I understand the problem using shrink, but the last time I tried...I used DVD Decrypter in iso mode and then tried to burn with DVDD, IMG, and even Nero. Still get bad discs. Either the menus jump and freeze, wrong titles play and my Pioneer stand alone player says its not a DVD. In case you ask...I did make sure the booktype was set ok. Thats why I'm real curious to know if using Verbatim DL gives better results for abacab234

@puterman03 unfortunatly when you rip a disc in iso mode with dvddecryptor you do not remove all protection off the disc such as for eg unreferenced data which can give you the effects you are describing menu probs my advice try fab or if yoy wish to use dvddecryptor use ripit4me and rip in file mode and then burn

Can I use the free version (DSVDFab Decrypter) which rips in file mode only, and then burn? Or do I lose the layer break that way?

yes you lose the layerbreak but I would not use nero to burn read my earlier posts

Still waiting on the "verbs"...Should be here by Friday I hope..meanwhile I am soaking up all this great info...thanks Ray, Maine and puterman.

I am thinking about playing with Ripit4Me when they come.

I'm so sorry, but I got impatient with DVDFab not handling Dual Layer DVD's, I don't mean to complain but I have been hearing soon as possible, and pretty soon, DVDFab is gonna be fixed with this Dual Layer Issue and the VSO Software and all that stuff, and it's been like 6 or 7 months since I heard this and still nothing, so I am sorry, I just moved on to PGCEdit to do the thing now

and how do you know ImgBurn V.2 is gonna be released in the next few days rayw?

Visit ImgBurn webite and you will see .

Which Topic, I went and didn't see anything new