Ripping Software To Try, Continued

Auto Gordian Knot only offers DivX and XviD output, and it only works with VOB files that are encrypted (or with other video file formats), but it's designed for beginners. It's a front end for several freeware utilities - it installs them and does all the work for you, rather than creating files that you then need to process with other tools. You can choose either the size of file or the video quality you want to end up with, set the audio encoding to AC3 or MP3, and strip out extra language soundtracks and subtitles to save space. It can even shut your PC down after the rip is finished, so you can set it up and go to bed.

Create DivX or XviD files of a fixed size or at the quality level you want with Auto Gordian Knot.

What To Avoid

If you search for DVD copying software, you'll get a lot of results for pirated software, programs that are actually spyware in disguise, software like DVD X Copy - which has been withdrawn from the market for legal reasons - and people selling freeware tools with the same guides and manuals you could download for free.

There are legitimate commercial guides from sites like Expert-Guides and real tools from sites like DUP-DVD. Titles to avoid include Easy DVDx, Copy DVDz, DVD Wizard Pro, DVD Copy Pro, Copy DVD Pro, DVD-Cutter, DVD Squeeze, DVD Copy Decrypter, DVD Echo, DVD Copy Gold, DVD Magik Pro and DVD X Copy. It's hard to keep track of what's a legitimate program and what's a similarly-named scam, but if the software promises to copy all DVDs, to fit a DVD onto a single CD or to cost far less than legitimate commercial software for working with DVDs, be wary.