The problem lays with AnyDVD unable to process the VOB files. As you said, AnyDVD is a decrypter. But shouldn't it clear all the protection from the DVD? That is its job after all isn't it?

CloneDVD can accept files such as Saw 3 only because it does a clean up. CloneDVD must clean up the files because AnyDVD cannot. That is because AnyDVD does not process the VOB files on the fly - a process which would take a while to do. If AnyDVD could do this, remove all protection instead of leaving remnants of it behind, then it would be doing the decrypting part properly. Wouldn't you say so?

I would love it if Slysoft would add a proper ripping function to the program to help with the problem of not being able to process VOBs on the fly.

linx05,
I have read many of your contributions and you are a respected member of cdf. My disagreement with what you say is purely intellectual and not a personal dis. But I really do disagree with you.

No, AnyDVD tackles decryption, both CSS and Regional encryption. The protection you want "cleared" (to be specific the new protections that Shrink can't cope with) are not "encryptions". I feel these structural protections are the job of a copying (ripping) program. I know you want Shrink to work on new releases, but I don't feel it is Slysoft's job continue to keep alive the beloved (granted) but 3 years orphaned DVD-Shrink.Agreed, that is, as it should be. It IS the job of CloneDVD or the job of any coping program. Cleaning up the VOB files is a form of protection that is NOT encryption.It is not AnyDVD's function to be a copying program. Once the AnyDVD driver has removed CSS and Region restrictions it has done it's job. AnyDVD will become large and bloated and full of support problems if it is turned into a copying program.I think it was wrong of Slysoft to include that ripper feature a year ago and diverge from it primary function of being a decryptor only. It spoiled everybody into thinking that Slysoft would keep orphaned or slowly updated programs alive forever. AnyDVD also doesn't clean up the stuctural protections of new releases with older abandoned 321 Studios versions of DVD-X-Copy either. But X-Copy was not as well loved as Shrink or DVD Decrypter. So no big anger reaction. Slysoft probably thought that they would try to help the users of freeware and slow-to-be-updated programs by keeping those programs afloat via the ripper function (and increase their own SS revenues in the process) but that idea (in my opinion) doomed Slysoft to suffering much anger because it was impossible to keep up with the engineering intensive effort and licensing problems of that well intentioned tack. AnyDVD was never supposed to be a copying program. It is only a small driver.No, I don't think so. AnyDVD has done it's job by decrypting. It isn't "leaving any [decrypting] remenants behind". What you say is left behind is not the "decrypting part". That is done. Cleaning up the structural protections (purposely messed up VOBs) is a different issue to be delt with by a full featured program, not a decryption driver.In conclusion, as you know, I disagree. I know your motivation is the same as thousands of other like-thinkers ... that motivation being to keep "deep analysis" alive and available to you. Why can't some secret software-guru-hacker-dude get a hold of the Shrink code and make updates? But also consider that the need for compression is lessening with the falling cost of DL Verbatims anyway. In a year or a year and a half DVD9 to DVD5 will be a much smaller market share ... and not worth the cost of major engineering efforts.

It would be interesting if James weighed in with more that just a one-liner on this subject. I'll take my punches if I am off base in my opinions or the technical aspects of my statements. I am only a layman who wants to protect the investment I've made in my collection of easily damaged DVD originals.

I hope I have been respectful of your feelings as well as other's feelings and you see this as a debate and not a flare.

Sincerely,
Whisperer

I did mean copy protection as I pulled someone up on the definitions of encryption a little while back (I cannot find the post!). My mistake. I might make a retort later on.

Hah! ... you are still awake. Me too, but it is getting late in L.A. and I'm going to sleep. Maybe there will be some interesting posts by morning from members in the waking parts of the world. Or a SS comment.

Good night

I find the explanation somewhat troubling and contradictory. Maybe I misunderstand you at some point. If AnyDVD is supposed to be a decrypter, then what is this message:
This is clearly removing structural protections on-the-fly, correct? Or are you saying that this part should be removed from AnyDVD's functionality and put into a copying (ripping) program, like CloneDVD. If this is the case, then AnyDVD being $49 is not worth it, IMO. DVD Decrypter can do this for free just for decrypting. Requiring to buy both AnyDVD and CloneDVD just to copy a DVD successfully is clearly a marketing ploy (I'm not referring to the burning part).

Isn't dragging the DVD files from Windows Explorer, with AnyDVD running in the background, enough? This requires the files to be decrypted and structurally corrected on-the-fly, correct?

If AnyDVD is just a decrypter, then there wouldn't be this many updates, it should be CloneDVD, no?

btw, DVDShrink works only with DVD-compliant files. It is not DVDShrink's fault that these new DVDs are being "butchered." and not its job to work around these problems either.

When I first purchased AnyDVD Slysoft said it would work with all burning apps. and was not dependent on any specific burning app. to work. I guess times have changed since no ripper was needed then. I do expect all types of protection to be corrected with AnyDVD since its intended use is for backups.

There is a difference with decryption and structure navigation, where to correct the structure navigation is dependant on the ripping program and not anydvd. You are correct though it is versitile more less.

What has changed is the DVD Structure ( Authoring ) of the DVDs
- Since DVDShrink was written
Most other DVD Programs have had the privilege of being Updated

DVDShrink works great with AnyDVD
- but you must first 'process' the DVD
before compressing with DVDShrink
- to make up for DVDShrink's shortcomings

You may use CloneDVD2 - of course
or also try Ripping to HDD with AnyDVD/ VobBlanker beta7
.... DVDFab(free)Express may (?) also accomplish this

I like using VobBlanker First anyway
- as you may Blank out all the Previews and 'warnings'
- before Opening the resulting Folder into DVDShrink

All of the latest Movies have worked great with DVDShrink
- using AnyDVD/ VobBlanker ( or CloneDVD2 )
to process the Newer Movies
into DVD-compliant files that DVDShrink will accept


fwiw

Since structure navigation is used as a type of protection I expect AnyDVD to correct it. If a ripper is needed it should be included with AnyDVD and updated as needed.

I don't agree ....
Most programs were dead in the water with the 99_VTS Protection ( as in SAW III )
CloneDVD2 was about the only Back-Up program that didn't need an Update

This is the entire Purpose of these protections:
To decommission any Free - UN-updatable Programs - like DVDShrink

.... although I do agree - that it would be nice
to have the AnyDVD Ripper work as well as VobBlanker

.... VobBlanker is completely Free .... so what's the big deal ?

I couldn't agree more! and as toaddub has masterfully demonstrated, AnyDVD does attempt to deal with structural problems, as many people expect from it.

Shannon90210 mentions that vobblanker is completely free, and admittedly vobblanker or Ripit4me can deal with much of whats out there, but we run the risk of having to employ a new program for each new type of copy protection, which could get very messy. Better to have the software we've paid for deal with copy protection, as was originally asserted / believed.

AnyDVD should genuinely be able to deal with any DVD.

I do not agree. I think the protections are to stop any backup. Follow the money,the studios want money. I have CloneDVD2 but dont like it much, and I dont depend on freeware to be updated. If AnyDVD does not provide total correction of all protections and does not include a ripper it should be packaged with CloneDVD2 rather than beat around the bush.

There is no risk
VobBlanker doesn't insert a driver ... completely inert
Trust me it works ...
even better than an updated AnyDVD"Ripper" ( FixVTS ) would
... like I'm trying to explain ....
With VobBlanker
You also have the Option to 'edit' ( blank ) and Back-up only what you want

Up to you ... but you should really give it a try
VobBlanker produces DVDShrink 'compliant files'

I've lead you to the water .... the rest is up to you

p.s. I think Ripit4Me is a waste of time
- given the option of AnyDVD/ VobBlanker ( no offense - jmho )

or use CloneDVD2 > set for DL/ 100% Quality setting > Rip to HDD Folder
Use DVDShrink to Compress > Use CloneDVD2 to Write Existing Data



I have CloneDVD2 , 1Click5 , 1ClickPRO , AnyDVD ,
VobBlanker , DVDFab(free) , CloneCD , ULeadDVDMovieFactory
DVDDecypter , IMGBurn , SonicRecordNow! ... and a few others
- All Installed - All working fine ...

Its good to have your ideas shannon90210,I may try VobBlanker.

What I'd like to know is why running the FixVTS program manually on the AnyDVD output doesn't fix it. I had written a script that basically does this...rips the files with AnyDVD and then uses FixVTS.exe to fix the output and I was told it didn't work. James had attempted to interface AnyDVD with the FixVTS.exe so that you could just drop the latest FixVTS.exe in the AnyDVD directory and it would automagically work, but, his testing found that DVD Shrink was still not able to open the files correctly...the same result as my script. This doesn't make a lot of sense to me as to why they don't work together correctly. I was kind of hoping that this solution would work as it would give both Slysoft and the Shrink users an "easy way out" of this mess. But alas, that didn't pan out.

Many thanks for your reply Shannon90210, please accept my apologies, I should have been clearer, I didnt mean messy from a system point of view, I meant it from a pain-in-the-neck POV!!

I'm glad you have all those programs working well for you, but, I really dont want to spend all my time running through different programs just to try and backup my new DVD. I wouldn't like to spend any more time than absolutely necessary in starting a copy and then leaving it running while I get on with other things.

Its why I bought AnyDVD instead of trying all the freebies out there. No doubt using a number of these free widgets and fixes in conjunction with each other would do the job, but I havent the time, nor the inclination, I have a life to get on with!

Managing to copy a DVD isnt an achievement for me, I dont delight in the minutiae of copy protection nor get excited at the mention of ARCOS. In fact, I would prefer for the process to be entirely transparent with as little involvement in it from me as possible. While I dont mind being loosely acquainted with the principles of the deed, I certainly dont want to become a copy-protection guru!! (with due respect to copy protection gurus) I would just like for my copy protection removal software to do what it says on the tin. I suppose its just like I dont have a burning desire to know how they prepare Qi Gai Ji at my local Chinese restaurant, just as long as it tastes exquisite every time I try it.

The way I (and judging by the posts) many others see it, AnyDVD should get on and remove all the copy protection in the background while we're free to use a program of choice to rip the files, not be shoehorned into using CloneDVD.

Exactly.

There are already features in there that would go into this bloat category as you put it, "Jump to menu/movie", "subtitle transparency" and the "adjustment of your monitor refresh rate". What about clearing all junk left over from the copy protection? That surely can not be classed as bloat could it? I would rather a clean DVD than one which has bits and pieces of Arccos, Puppetlock etc left over in the structures.

AnyDVD + Nero's "Copy DVD" has not failed for one disc for me so far. Not one.

Not only that, the original layer position is maintained, all original dates and times are retained, the original DVD label is retained, even the short disc ID is retained. It's the closest thing to creating a 100% copy of the original.

If you can put the DVD in your computer and it plays properly on the computer with AvyDVD running, Nero's "Copy DVD" is almost a 100% guaranteed solution.

Of course it's not an option if you have a dual layer disc and are compressing it to fit onto a single layer blank. But why would you want to do that?

I hope I'm not too much off topic here. I have been using AnyDVD for a long time. It has worked and still works. Like the OP stated, time is valuable. I like for my programs to work with as little intervention from myself as possable. I got myself spoiled with DvDShrink and AnyDVD. But ,like whats been said earlier, Shrink has not been updated for yrs. And like said earlier the Movie Ind. are butchering the DVDs to interfear with our right to back-up our purchased movies. So when all this was coming to a head when SAW 3 and Open Season came out I Tried CloneDVD from Slysoft and everything worked well for me. I bought it 3 days into my trial. The copies look fine on my 52" HDTV. I do not regret buying it. I still use Shrink when I can but works well.
I just feel like over the last few months SlySoft was putting there energy into getting AnyDVD HD& Blu-Ray up and going. I hope with that done maybe they can get back to some basic compatibility issues. I know I'm not speaking for all but I for one am not jumping on that bandwagon for a time to come due to expense for one thing. So I also beleive there are a way lot more Shrink users out here that would benafit from a little compatibility engineering now. Times are changing and the way we back up our movies will have to change also. I guess we just need to learn to bend a little and maybe spend a little to keep our hobby simple. JMO

If one does not like the way AnyDVD works then they are free to use all other alternatives that they want...with whatever outdated ripper ....