DVD rant

2009-06-25T13:43:52+01:00

Owing to the current parlous state of TV programming, which has this week resulted in there being absolutely damn all to watch, I have been watching DVDs on the Mac. And every time I fire one up I've been reminded why I prefer video tapes. Before the film starts I have to sit through several minutes of patronizing crap, through which I am unable to fast forward, during which some worthless cretin accuses me of being a thief. YOU WOULDN'T DO THIS, WOULD YOU? YOU WOULDN'T DO THAT, WOULD YOU? SO YOU WOULDN'T BE A VIDEO PIRATE, WOULD YOU? VIDEO PIRACY IS THEFT, SO YOU WOULDN'T DARE TO COPY THIS DISK, WOULD YOU? Well yes, I bloody well would actually, Sunshine, just to annoy the likes of you! What gives these wretched people the right to talk to me like that? I'm an English gentleman, not a Member of Parliament, HOW DARE THEY? I am certain that, somewhere in the mists of cyberspace, software exists which would enable me to instruct a DVD to do as it's told, i.e. to skip through this insulting garbage. Please help me, someone, or must I sue the Performing Rights Society for harassment (not pronounced harASSment) under the Human Rights Act?

Re: DVD rant

2009-06-26T08:59:13+01:00

Great rant, I'm sure you're feeling better now. How about putting the DVD on BEFORE you go and make your cup of tea :) Trevor

Re: DVD rant

2009-06-26T12:24:06+01:00

Thank you, Trevor. I do and I shall, although it's whisky rather than tea.

Re: DVD rant

2009-06-26T12:33:59+01:00

Get Sky + and then you can have a great inventory of stuff to watch going back to whenever. or start to explore VersionTracker

Re: DVD rant

2009-06-27T12:44:03+01:00

Alternative: Rip it to your hard drive, thus enabling you to avoid all that nonsense.

Re: DVD rant

2009-06-27T16:24:16+01:00

Well, I'm not keen on Sky programmes, so how does a chap rip it to his hard drive? Sounds a quick and simple process, but I've got a feeling it isn't!

Re: DVD rant

2009-06-27T18:33:40+01:00

Try a program called Handbrake. Also, you may need a program called VLC if the DVD you want to rip has anti piracy measures built in. Both are free, to my knowledge.

Re: DVD rant

2009-06-27T18:35:42+01:00

Try a program called Mac The Ripper it allows you to rip the main film only leaving out the adverts

Re: DVD rant

2009-06-28T12:15:38+01:00

Doug & Tony have it the nail on the head. Handbrake can make a QuickTime-compatible movie straight from the DVD, Mac The Ripper will copy the disc (or elements of it) 'as is'.

Re: DVD rant

2009-06-29T13:02:13+01:00

Thank you, Tony, Doug and Stuart, I shall try all three. I love the apparent brutality of Mac The Ripper, it kind of matches my mood. I'll try that first, and let you know!