Simple DVD to iPod on a PC, finally

[mcb_homis]

After much frustration looking for a simple way to rip a DVDs down to my iPods to watch on business trips and such I found a solution. PQDVD.com It was affordable ($35) and very clean. Most important they wrote their shareware version in a logical way. The shareware version was fully functional with the only limitation being the length of the

Comments

[steamingturd]

You can rip and transcode from DVD using VLC, if you're willing to figure out how to use it. Useful if you don't feel like paying someone $35 for software that's technically illegal.

[mcb_homis]

Hmmm... That was sort of my point. I didn't have to figure anything out. It simply worked. Pop the DVD in set a few simple setting and zap movie on iPod.

How is the software technically illegal. Isn't ripping a movie from a DVD I legally purchased to my iPod the same as ripping a CD of music I legally purchased to my iPod?

[steamingturd]

The DMCA outlaws technology that circumvents "protection measures" such as the encryption on most movie DVDs. Since PQ DVD (and VLC, for that matter) circumvent the encryption on the DVD, allowing you to access the file in a format that you can put on your iPod, it is technically illegal in the US.

Of course, you should be able to get the stuff you buy on DVD on to your Video iPod (or onto your computer, or onto a videotape, or what have you), as long as you don't go and violate the copyright by selling it or distributing it over the Intarweb. The DMCA gives the movie industry the ability to circumvent your fair use rights by applying encryption to the DVD.

Now you see why DRM is my pet political issue, huh?

[mcb_homis]

What a dumb law!