2.3 worked for my with Saw3 before 6.1.1.3 was released.

DVDShrink is just as awesome a program today as it was when it was last updated. There is nothing out there that does what DVDShrink does any better than the original. And, unfortunately, Slysoft has opted to NOT include the very powerful features of DVDShrink in its products. DVDShrink's time has NOT passed, regardless of the comments from various folks in this forum (moderators or not).

A hint to those of you who occasionally run into problems when trying to use titles ripped via Anydvd in DVDShrink - just rip the title with RipIt4Me. The output of RipIt4Me seems to be fully compliant every time and DVDShrink is as happy as a clam working with the title afterwards - including "Open Season". Then you can use all those "outdated" features in DVDShrink that CloneDVD2 only dreams of offering . . . . and oh yeah - it is still the same price as in 2006 (unlike AnyDVD) . . . it is free (also unlike AnyDVD).

BTW - this is not trashing Slysoft products - they are very good and very well supported - just stop badmouthing DVDShrink whenever AnyDVD runs into a problem ripping a new Sony title loaded with junk.

Actually............ Nero Recode does, well atleast just as good.


Most aren't, but some seemingly are coming across that way. Whether they mean to or not, only they know.

AnyDVD doesn't, in actuality, have any problems with Sony titles with the junk as you say, just that it has only been working with CloneDVD or Recode, and now 1ClickDVDCopy since 1Clicks update. I and most AnyDVD users never blamed DVDShrink, in fact I hope that Slysoft is working on getting AnyDVD back to working with DVDShrink like it was up til Saw III.
But, I do understand your point that some seem to be discounting DVDShrink as being inferior, when in actuality, it is still one of the best if not the best transcoder out there, along with Recode.

I agree with you. Shrink is not outdated. I use it quite frequently. Even often prefer it to Recode which i have. Maybe just habit, but it still works great for me.

Another person claims using Anydvd ripper 6.1.1.4 (which automatically uses an older version of FixVTS) will work with Shrink 3.2 on Open Season. You can follow that discussion here (starting at post 16):
http://forum.slysoft.com/showthread.php?t=455&page=2

Yes, but its too bad that new AD doesnt work as well with shrink these days, as many folks seem to like shrink, maybe out of sentiment or familiarity. Ive read numerous posts on this very point. Maybe you could point this out to James et al over there at SS.

James is pretty aware of this, I'm sure. There's a fairly large Shrink fan base out there, I would imagine.

I think a lot of the Slysoft devs are working hard on Anyhd-dvd atm.

I myself, am a HUGE DVDShrink fan.. Granted that Recode and Shrink are pretty much the same program, Shrink wins it for me cause its 'FREE' and its SMALL and easy to use.. It doesnt load up a bunch of junk on your system and it uses less system resources than most other programs out there (when your not analysing and encoding).. It does better compression of the media as well..

I like CloneDVD also, because it has the advantage of adding just the menu and title to the backup and its also straight forward and easy to use.. For me, (Note *ME*) Shrink is just faster and burns better with Nero than with the Slysoft burning engine..

When AnyDVD lets me down, I can always count on RipIt4Me to rip the movie.. Then Shrink works its magic by compressing it..

AnyDVD let me down, sort of, by not allowing Shrink to work with Open Season and Saw 3.. RipIt4Me answered that problem and Im sure the people at Slysoft will address this in the next release, which is the big plus behind AnyDVD - updates!

Im happy the people here at CDFreaks share their experiences with other members and the program developers so that we can all continue to enjoy backing up our movies..

If by compression you mean better quality output, I suggest taking a look at
http://forum.digital-digest.com/show...75&postcount=1

Recode has a smaller default sized output, approximately the same picture quality, and was faster than Shrink--in that test. Granted, that test was old, but my findings last year were approximately the same.

Clonedvd2's transcoder is much faster than either Recode and Shrink's transcoder (not debatable), but the cost is picture quality.

Anyway, hopefully Anydvd will be updated at some point so that Slysoft customers that are also Shrink users can backup Open Season/Saw 3/Grudge 2, etc.

"Though I'm leaning towards Nero Recode 2 quality just a tad better over DVD Shrink."

The same author created both Shrink and Recode and given the fact that only the default 'Sharp' compression method was utilized I would call that test inconclusive.. You may have had the same or better/worst results if the other options were tested (Maximum Smoothness, Smoothness, Maximum Sharpness).. In either case Im not knocking Recode, its just that Shrink is a very effective program in a smaller and free package..

Thanks for pointing that review out.. Ive actually compared the movies compressed with Shrink and CloneDVD on my 65" HD set and Shrink is the clear winner of the two..

How much does Recode cost anyways?

I don't believe he created Recode; I believe he went on to help develop it.
But I could be wrong.

I would expect Shrink to take slightly longer with "max" anything. Recode makes things easier for its users by automatically setting those other Shrink options at about a 70% compression level, iirc.

Here are some more tests:

http://forum.digital-digest.com/showthread.php?t=63668

http://forum.digital-digest.com/show...419#post388419
(I'm not sure I understand comparing Shrink to encoders in this one,
but the different max settings were interesting)


In terms of picture quality, that's possible. Both programs produce very similar results, but, on average, I find Recode is faster.

I agree.

At higher compression levels, you are certainly correct. Clonedvd2 transcodes much more quickly, however.

Regardless, these comparisons rarely interest me. While everyone is busy ripping and then encoding or transcoding, etc., I'm watching my backups on Verbatim +R DL media using Anydvd with Clonecd.

Most programs use very little resources when idle, but it's when you're processing that both Shrink and Recode jumps up very high in terms of resource usage.

I'd agree with you wholeheartedly there..

Most probably got it for free by getting the OEM Nero Suite with the purchase of a new DVD-RW drive.

I should have chosen my words better.. Your right he did help develop it..

It has a low priority mode option which wont suck up all your resources while its creating a backup.. But I would think that transcoding in general is a very CPU intensive task and that the more CPU and memory resources used, the faster you will create your backup.. That should apply to any program..

I was just pointing out that its a small memory resident program which helps.. There will always be a debate over speed and quality but when you have to compress a movie to fit on 4.7GB media, the quality should be importance of the two..

Low priority mode would only differ in resource usage or speed 'if' you are 'actually' multi-tasking while encoding. Be that as it may, Shrink still spikes up to 90+% CPU usage on my PC with or without low priority checked, while Recode and 1ClickDVDCopy usually stays around 75%. I won't comment on CloneDVD because though it uses little resources, it still outputs an inferior video quality compared to the programs I've mentioned IMHO.

BTW...if quality is of the most importance, why would you have Shrink in low priority and multi-task while encoding?? Just curious....

I wouldnt.. In fact I shut down everything when I am encoding so that all my resources are dedicated at the task at hand..

Hi everyone..i have the latest AnyDVd 6.1.1.4 and the latest CloneDvd2 2.9.0.3 i have bouth tem al at the same time with clone cd..
Normaly i dont have a problem backing up movies ,i live in Europe the movies are all Pal version region 2,but now whit Open Season i could not manage to back that movie up ,tried eveything tried backing up only the movie without the menu ,tried backing up the full movie nothing worked..Seems AnyDVD 6.1.1.4 has a problem with this movie...
I could rip it up with Ripit4me and DVD Decrypter and then used DVD shrink or Clonedvd2 to burn the movie....

Seems AnyDVd is is stil having problems with several movies..

What is really sad about this movie and AnyDVD is this: I spent 2 hours trying to get AnyDvd and CloneDvd to work on this movie.
I download the FREE DvdFab Decrypter, and it rips the movie without a hitch! Used Recode and it worked as good as AnyDvd used to. So, why is AnyDVD starting to fall behind? I ended up buying this program after it was apparent to me that they were the leaders in ripping software. But with Saw III and Open Season and Slysoft's inability to work, it makes me wonder if they are too worried about getting their HD software up and going and forgetting about us.

Nope. Anydvd 6.1.2.5 and Clonedvd 2.9.0.3 handle the R1 and PAl versions of this disc perfectly fine.

Then you need to download the updates, and I suggest you read this:

http://forum.slysoft.com/showthread.php?t=885

I am running version 6.1.2.5, and latest of CloneDVD, as is some of the others on this board. Just seems that AnyDVD isn't able to copy these so-called "bad pressings" that I see people talking about.
I guess I am just getting frustrated as this is a paid for version, and the freebie stuff seems to be as good or better as of late!

I think the problem is with AnyDVD and Shrink.
I have used AnyDVD and Nero Recode to backup the main movie of OpenSeason with no problem. And my understanding is that it will work with Grudge and Saw. The new version of AnyDVD enables you to rip both these movies, and then use Shrink instead of Recode or CloneDVD to compress and write the main movie only. IMO the business is that AnyDVD and CloneDVD2 work fine, both Slysoft products, and this combination works with just copying the main movie, and also works with copying menu etc. In addition, Slysoft is also are working hard to get another piece of software (non Slysoft) to work also. So I commend them for working on this. I have read that there are other combinations that work RipIt4me with DVDShrink, and other combinations also work.

Isn't that the purpose of this forum, new challenges come out, and members figure out how to get around the problems.

Yes it would appear to me that the reason for these forums is for us to decipher the problems out. I have the latest and greatest versions of AnyDVD. I even tried the ripper on AnyDVD to no avail. Just like Saw III, it would quit at about 9 or 10%. DIdn't matter if I was running it through CloneDVD, or Recode. Both quit at that same percent. Shrink would not even open the disc!!
I then tried the Ripper on AnyDVD, and that also failed at 9-10%. So, I get to looking around on some forums and some say Rip It For Me will work. I had DvdFab on my machine so I give that a try. Disable AnyDVD and it tears right through the movie. Open Recode and shrink it and burn the whole disc, not just the movie.
I then open up CloneDVD, point it to my DVDFab folder, and that rips right through the compression and burning of the complete disc.
So it is apparent to me that AnyDVD is lacking in the newer Sony encryption. Slysoft is the leader, and apparently the folks at DVDFab figured it out, so when is AnyDVD going to?

Nope. Exclusively using Slysoft products handle them perfectly fine.
Most people have reported success, and if they did have problems exchanging for a good working disc solved the problem. The Sony stuff is of no concern--unless you're using Shrink with Anydvd, in which case you'll have to use Anydvd ripper for the main movie only.

It's possible you have another driver or something interfering in your system. It's possible you have a bad reader (or a firmware drive conflict with Anydvd), and it's possible the other software is ripping past disc defects (in which case you do not have a perfect backup).

Take care