(Migrated from my archived archives)
I use Linux. The Linux software ecosystem has reached a maturity level where copying DVDs is actually easy. This was not always the case!
Tools you need:
- A good Linux OS. I recommend Ubuntu’s latest, 9.10.
- Handbrake. There are other similar tools but Handbrake is by far the superior choice. I’ve tried “KungFu DVD Ripper”, “DVD::Rip”, and “AcidRip” and while those all work, they are confusing and hard to configure. Finally, Handbrake worked on some hard-to-rip DVD’s that the others would not.
- Devede DVD creator. It is missing some “eye candy” features that you might find in a product from, say, Apple. But Devede is incredibly easy to use, and is very full featured, letting you optionally configure the menu layout, DVD bitrates and anything else related to pressing the DVD short of burning it.
- A way to burn the final .ISO DVD image. Ubuntu comes with that already there in the form of the Brassero CD/DVD burner tool, but we won’t use that directly.
Step by step details, when I get a chance