I've been using DVDXcopy Xpress for about 18 months now to back up my DVDs. But the software is having trouble writing some recently released DVDs. It reads the DVD fine but always encounters an 'error writing disk' everytime I try to burn a new one. I burned an older DVD to see if it was just the software and it burned the old one without any errors.
So I guess my question is: are the new DVDs coming out coded with some new sort of encryption my software can't break? Or is my software just messed up? 321Studios no longer exists so there is no tech support available for me.
Do I need to purchase new software or can I download some for free? If so then what software do I need to buy or where can I download it from?
Newer dvd releases have encryption that can no longer be broken by dvdxcopy. If you have more questions regarding dvdxcopy express post them here http://dvdxcopy.afterdawn.com/. There is a free program called dvdfab decrypter which is here http://www.dvdidle.com/free.htm which can handle some of the newer movies. Also there is anydvd and clonedvd which both have a 21-day trial period http://www.afterdawn.com/news/archive/7410.cfm. Using that link if you wish to buy just use the promotion code afterdawn when purchasing to receive a discount. Much cheaper than dvdxcopy products, updates as newer protection is found and free lifetime updates for anydvd/ 1 year for clonedvd.
Arccoss is the new copyright protection that is causing a lot of problems. Besides being difficult to bypass the protection, it also makes the recording software see the files as being non-compliant. So a lot of software besides XCopy has been having problems with some of the new releases. I use AnyDVD + DVD Decrypter to rip DVD files to the HD. From there I can open them in my backup software or process them for compliance with FixVTS when that is needed. DVD Decrypter and FixVTS are both freeware and AnyDVD is the best utility of it's type. With those, you can still use your XCopy or any other app you want.
Have you used the ripper that is now included in AnyDVD, it works on the same principle as FixVTS and fixes the problem as the file is being ripped. I have used it a couple of times and works very well.
I thought the XCopy software was no longer updated?
Regardless, you can use the aforementioned programs to help. Better yet, there are still free programs out there that are better than the XCopy series (I used to use 'em).
Latest AnyDVD to rip > VOBB to blank the unwanted on a DVD > Shrink to compress > ImgBurn to burn = Never starting a thread asking how to backup a movie
Arniebear,
That ripper now included with the AnyDVD isn't along the lines of FixVTS, it incorporates FixVTS into it's operation. Instead of just processing the files in place, the AnyDVD ripper does the FixVTS processing while ripping to the HDD. I ran into one instance where that ripper didn't do as well as processing an already ripped file. Not sure what happened, it just didn't turn out compliant. And maybe the later versions have improved the AnyDVD ripper, I'm not sure. I'm more comfortable and sure (emphasis on sure) with the AnyDVD + DVD Decrypter and then using FixVTS as necessary.
So far only the newer Arccoss is causing the compliance problems and there aren't that many DVDs released with it. With the info window in AnyDVD one can see if the Arccoss is in use. A quick compliance test is the quick analysis in DVD Shrink or Recode (Shrink being free). With that body of info, I'll just stick to doing things the way I have in the past. Besides, DVD Decrypter has more bells and whisltles besides being a ripper. I'm open for new toys and when I find a ripper, including the AnyDVD one, that meets my fussy demands, I'll be willing to change.
Mr_Pink
321 was forced into bankruptcy and the XCopy moved on to DVDXCopy-International. It's been developed and now there is a DVDneXtCopy. It appears to be a decent app, but watch the prices. ;)
As for those free programs, they work. I prefer the add-ons with the retail and donor ware available. I still use some of the freeware. None of the transcoders I've seen compare to a true encoder setup like RB/CCE. An AnyDVD + DVD Decrypter rip works great for that as well. The output can be burned with freeware such as DVD Decrypter or ImgBurn. As for XCopy quality, there's still a lot of people using it. My major complaint has always been the cost. But then, some of the other retail apps are pretty pricey as well.
DVD Decrypter, DVDFab Decrypter, DVD Shrink, FixVTS, VobBlanker, ImgBurn, and PgcEdit are some of the better freeware apps that a person should have and know how to use. I don't use DVD Decrypter for bypassing copyright protection, and I don't use DVD Shrink for transcoding anymore, but as utilities, they still have a useful purpose and they're still on my system and in use. Shrink can compete with XCopy, but I don't think it will beat it. Plus the XCopy Platinum had some handy utilities as well. I still use the DVDXRescue on rare occasions.
