You pretty much just install it and forget about it. It resides in memory and unprotects commercial DVDs on the fly. So, when AnyDVD is running and you insert a DVD movie, it appears to the system to be unencrypted. Then, you can use the video application of your choice to copy the DVD contents into a more suitable format. Incidentally, AnyDVD is also good for other uses: It removes a DVD's region information, letting you play international DVDs, and it prevents DVDs with horrible PC-based software (such as PC-Friendly) from automatically starting on insert.
When it's running you'll see a little red fox in the lower right of the task bar, insert a DVD, the fox will turn pail/ligt red then dark red, at this piont you can begin the backup process using either clonedvd2, DVD Shrink or DVD Decrypter. Don't worry about updating it, it will check for updates on it's own by default, as long as you have a product key (that you purchased) it's yours to keep.
Thanks, I just ran across my first problem ever. Thought I'd give AnyDVD a chance, since the movie I was backing up happened to be an old movie, but it is on a new DVD from a Superstore. Shrink and Decrypter are still hanging tough however.
Depends on the ver. of Xcopy. Some versions will work fine with AnyDVD running behind and sometimes it won't. I have used AnyDVD running behind Xcopy Platinum and the old 321 and the program has worked fine and the movies have ripped. I used Xcopy Platinum with AnyDVD and did Fun with Dick and Jane and had no problem. Try the trial for 21 days with your Xcopy and see how it goes.
