| How to backup your DVDs (in dvd, xvid, mpeg-4, x264 formats) using k9copy |
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| Written by axel | |||||||||||||
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In this guide I will describe you how to backup your DVDs under Linux. I will use k9copy, which is an open source program. k9copy supports Video compression for fit onto a 4.7GB single layer DVD (just like dvdschrink does), xvid, x264 and mpeg-4 compression as well as it has options for selecting the menus, audio and subtitles you like. Let's move on to the installation and use part. You can download k9copy from here . For Fedora users: You must have the livna repository enabled. If you don't take a look here on how to do it. Next type: $ sudo yum install k9copy Now you can launch k9copy from Multimedia > k9copy - Video DVD Backup if you are using KDE or Applications > Sound & Video > k9copy if you are using Gnome. This screen will appear. 
Here you can see the input device (your dvd-rom) and the ouput device. You can select between ISO image and your dvd-rom in case you want to burn the shrinked dvd immediately. At the top buttons panel you can see the MPG4 and DVD buttons. Now insert the dvd you want to copy. 
At the left of the window you see the dvd structure in tree mode. You can select the entire movie or just the titlesets you want to backup. You can also select the subtitles and audio you'd like to include in the final video. But first let's take a look at the program settings. Go to Settings -> Configure k9copy. SettingsDVD
Output directory: This is the temporary directory where all files will be kept. Be sure that it has many GBs free always depending on the length of the movie you wan to copy. DVD size: The size of the dvd you want to copy the movie to. The default value is ok if you want to use single layer dvds. Burn with k3b: By default k9copy uses its own burning method. However you can use k3b if you prefer it. Auto burn: If you enable auto burn the dvd burning will start without a notification. Quick scan: If this option is enabled k9copy will not analyze the dvd title to estimate the sizes of each stream. The dvd analyze can take a long time if dvd contains many features so you can leave this enabled. Use dvdauthor for copy without menus: dvdauthor is an external program that allows the menu creation. Leave it enabled. MPEG-4 Encoding
Video codec: All the supported codecs are listed here. Default codecs are xvid and lavc MPEG-4 but you can add other codecs that are supported by MEncoder such as x264. You can also select the number of passes. 2 passes gives you better result but it takes longer to complete. File size: Here you can choose the size of the video files that will be created. The default value is 700MB which is the size of a single cd. If the movie is very long you can choose to split it in 2 files. This way the compression won't be as noticeable as if you use only 1 cd. But you choose. Generally 1x700MB is ok. Width: You can resize the movie if you want. 640 is ok. Leave keep aspect ratio enabled. Audio bitrate: You can also adjust the audio bitrate to suit your needs. MEncoder
Here you can add your own settings if you are familiar with mencoder. Preview
In this window you can choose between the default player for the preview of the movie and mplayer in case you have it installed. DVD CopyFirst select the titles you want to back or just select the whole movie from the left window.
At the right you see three tabs. The first one is "DVD playbak options". This tab is usefull only if you want to copy the movie to a new single layer dvd. If you just want to rip it in xvid don't change anything here. In this tab you can select "Keep original menus" or disable it and just select whatever part you want from the movie. When a title is selected from the left window it is listed here. You can rearrange the order of the titles and also you can select the preferable audio and subtitles you want to include in the new dvd. When you are finished with the options select from the output directory either "ISO Image" if you want to save an iso image of the dvd in your hard disk or your DVD-rom device in case you want to burn immediatelly the new dvd. Next click the DVD button. If have chosen "ISO Image" you will be prompted to select a folder to save the iso whereas if you have chosen the dvd rom the back up progress will start. 
DVD ripNow let's say that you want to rip the movie in xvid, mpeg4 etc. Make the settings you like as mention above in the settings section. Then select the movie parts you want to rip from the left window. Select also the subtitles and audio stream you want to include in your movie.
When you are ready press the MPG4 button and select a place for the video file to be saved. Click Ok and the transcoding will start. 
In a while you will have your xvid ready. Have fun! Did you enjoy this article? Please share it!
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Hits: 15011 Comments (3)
beerorkid
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Thanks for the guide. I had installed k9copy a long time ago but had not messed with it. I used XP in a VM to make my backups. Saw your guide on an upcoming digg and tried it out. The first try freaked me out. It took about 15 minutes when I was used to a 3 hour process. I still have a couple issues, but am sold. Thanks |
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andre
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is this also available in Windows version? like 32bit or for Xp or Vista? tellme, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Thanxx |
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axel
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No, this is Linux software only. For Windows you can try DVDFab How to copy, split or customize a DVD-9 using DVDFab or RipIt4Me How to copy a DVD-9 using Ripit4Me and DVD Shrink 3.2 |
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