DVD conversion help??

H

hollowdweller

Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
13,182
Hey Y'all?

I have a DVD I'd like to send around as a passaround, but it is from another country and will not play on some DVD players. Does anyone have the ability to convert it to play on most US DVD players so I can pass it around??:thumbup:
 
That sounds like a massive issue of copyright. Generally, the region protection code is enabled to prevent doing what you're proposing. Not always, but unless this is something you personally made at home with your own footage, I'd advise against it.
 
Watchful said:
That sounds like a massive issue of copyright. Generally, the region protection code is enabled to prevent doing what you're proposing. Not always, but unless this is something you personally made at home with your own footage, I'd advise against it.
Click to expand...

Hmmm.:confused:
 
There is a big fight in federal court right now about this issue. Google DeCSS (where CSS = Content Scrambling System) if you want to learn more about it. Once your are more aware of the issues, then you can more safely proceed, which is urban-survival related in a sense, I suppose.
 
Watchful said:
That sounds like a massive issue of copyright.
Click to expand...

I don't think what HD is proposing is copyright infringement. If I ordered a DVD and found that it was in PAL format and wouldn't play on my DVD player and decided to convert it to NTSC - then I don't believe that's copyright infringement.

If I then decided to send it to someone else then that still isn't copyright infringement. It's simply giving or letting someone borrow the DVD that is now in NTSC format.

HD isn't proposing making multiple DVD copies and sending them to people - which would be copyright infringement.

maybe i'm wrong about this - but that's the way it looks to me...
 
Oh, I getcha.... I HD purchased the copy, he purchased the license, too, so he can convert it. As I understand it, if you can't view it in its original format, there's a possibility that he can convert it without issue.

The PAL vs NTSC argument is a good one. I thought HD wanted to take a region x DVD and make copies for region 1 and distribute.

I misunderstood.

Nevah mind.
 
Watchful said:
Oh, I getcha.... I HD purchased the copy, he purchased the license, too, so he can convert it. As I understand it, if you can't view it in its original format, there's a possibility that he can convert it without issue.

The PAL vs NTSC argument is a good one. I thought HD wanted to take a region x DVD and make copies for region 1 and distribute.

I misunderstood.

Nevah mind.
Click to expand...

No I bought it and want to convert it so we can do a passaround.
 
i believe inregards to the issue of legality is that you will need to send the PAL copy as well as the NTSC copy that you converted in the mail together. if you were to send just the ntsc copy then i believe it violates copy right infringement.

what you require is a pal to ntsc converter. usually software based you can pretty much download them most places online, although it may require you to purchase the software.

the way i would do it is to rip the dvd file into avi format onto my computer and then re-burn it into ntsc format on a blank dvd disc. there is a buncha software online that can do this for you, although at a price.

on a side note i think that a dvd pass around is an absolutely awesome idea.

JC
 
jca21 said:
what you require is a pal to ntsc converter.
Click to expand...
No, I don't think that's the issue. The DVD player output is either NTSC, PAL, or SECAM. That's the video output signal.

The DVD itself outputs according to international standard codecs.

The problem is that manufacturers can, when burning the DVD, specify a "region" that limits where in the world it can be played. For example, DVD players sold in the US play either "no regions" or "region 1."

The idea is that counterfeiters, if they take the DVD to China, for example, the DVD will no longer play. It's a different region...

DVDs made at home can be made to save in a specific region, too, but most home software is defaulted to burn DVDs with "no region," so that they can be played anywhere.

Sounds like HD's is region encoded. His home PC *might* be able to play it, but his home DVD player attached to his TV will not.
 
hollowdweller said:
This may be beyond my capabilities:D
Click to expand...
HD,

The solution may be the same, either way: call any local video production place (you know, the guys who transfer 8mm film or your old VHS tapes to DVD) and see if they can do it.

They have the equipment... the question is whether or not they will, based on whatever the copyright restrictions are and how they interpret them.
 
If you are able to play it on your computer its probably a question of dvd + or dvd - issues on the player. Most new players can play both formats. If you are having trouble copying said dvd try dvd xcopy a program you can download from the net to rip the dvd. If that still doesn't work you can upload dvd to youtube in 10 minute segment or 20 minute segment.
 
In a galaxy far far away there was a planet called dvd decrypter, and a death star called DVD Shrink that could transmogrify a dvd satellite from one space REGION to a free space REGION that would be visible from any system.
 
lol dvd shrink is great but isnt it illegal to download that in the states?
 
a lot of dvd players, even the $40 models (most philips), will play any region... so HD should send it to ME and i can watch it at least ;)

Bladite
 
My reliable sources say try Dvd shrink and if that fails Dvd decrypter.
Dvd shrink should work and will work/sync automatically with Nero.

And of course there are probably many other programs that work as well.

Actually Super should work as well , if you have the ram to run it.
Like shrink and decrypter Super is free
http://www.erightsoft.net/SUPER.html

I'm in Canada, we are allowed to backup our property here.
 
Last edited:
Easy solution:
Download VLC Media player http://www.videolan.org/vlc/
and run the DVD on your computer.
VLC does not care about regions.
You do not convert the region coding on the DVD, but the program doesnt read it, therefore it works.

I have heard that people have read about that program being great if you happen to download things from torrent sites. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top