Here is a guide on how to digitally backup your dvds to help preserve your investment. Click on the following links below to get detailed instructions on the various steps

Step 1: Install DVD decryption Software -

Alright, so the first thing you need to do to backup your dvds is to install a dvd decryption software. The current software I use now is AnyDVD from slysoft. It costs quite a bit much from when I purchased my lifetime key, but is a great piece of software none the less. If you want a free DVD Decrypter use this. If you use DVD Decrypter instead of AnyDVD it is free, but it takes just one more step if you want to backup your DVDs to another DVD. This will be explained in a later step. Oh and by the way you can test drive AnyDVD for 21 days to see if you like it or not. Just follow the standard install options and you should be good to go. Thats a wrap for step 1

Step 2: Install DVD Shrink and DVD Decrypter -

Ok, so now what we need to do to backup your dvds is to install some software that will turn your dvd into an .ISO image.

Install DVD Shrink (optional): Install DVD Shrink if you want to save disk space and avoid burning your backup dvds to dual layered disks. The downfall to using this product is that it does compress the file and some of the quality is suposedly lost, but in reality I cannot tell the difference. Click here for the download link. Once you install it you will need to make some configuration changes. Doom9 has a great guide to set it up. The first time and every time I install the program I refer to it. Here is the link if you are interested in that. Once you are at the site click on the "configure the preferences" link for first time configuration.

Install DVD Decrypter: You will need to install DVD Decrypter for one of the two reasons: 1) You will need it if you do not want to pay for AnyDVD or 2) you will need burning software to copy the .ISO image to dvd. Click here to download DVD Decrypter for free

Step 3: Create .Iso Image -

DVD Decrypter: Insert your DVD into your computer. Launch DVD Decrypter. Click on Mode -> ISO -> Read. Click on the file folder icon to change the destination of where you want the ISO image to go. Click on the green arrow and let the program do the work.

DVD Shrink: If you decide to use DVD Shrink to help save you space and money on dvds here is what you will need to do. Launch DVD Shrink. Click on open dvd. Select your movie and click ok. You will see a video preview of your movie in fast forward as it is gathering the information. Once the movie is loaded you will have options to change the compression of the video on the right hand side. I always click on all of the folders, except the main movie folder, and change to compression ratio. I do this by clicking the folder and then click on the "Automatic" tab and then set that to "Custom Ratio". Once under Custom Ratio slide the bar as far left as it will let you go. By doing this you decrease the amount of information that needs to be compressed and will provide better playback. After you are done with that click on "Backup!". From here you will need to change the "Select Backup Target:" settings from "Hard Disk Folder" to "ISO Image File" make sure your destination is the one you want and click ok. Refer to step 4 if you do not want to pay for AnyDVD and still want to take advantage of DVD Shrink's compression capabilities.

Step 4 (optional): Install Daemon Tools (Virtural Drive Emulator) -

Install Daemon Tools: Click here to go to their website to download the program for free. Be sure to go down to the bottom of the page to download Daemon Tools Lite. Once you have the program installed it will show up on your desktop and as a lightning bolt in your task manager. From here you can right click on it and then it wil give you some options. Look for a drive letter and roll over it and then it should give you an option to mount your image. Once the image is mounted you can watch the dvd on your pc, or you can open the "dvd" up in DVD Shrink and compress the image from there, as described in step 3. If you use DVD Decrypter to decrypt the dvd and then choose to shrink it using DVD Shrink be sure to delete your original .ISO image, that DVD Decrypter made, after you are done shrinking it to reduce the size the dvds take up on your hard drive.

Step 5 (optional): Burn Backup Copy -

DVD Decrypter: Launch DVD Decrypter. Select Mode -> ISO -> Write. Select your image that you want to burn. Insert blank dvd. Hit the green arrow and let burn. Usually takes about 20-40min per dvd depending upon your dvd write speed.

Step 6 (optional): Stream Your Movies From Your Computer To Your TV -.

Daemon Tools: As described in step 4 you can mount an image via Daemon Tools right from your hard drive to watch a dvd right from your computer with no disk. This is a great tool to use if you are traveling and do not want to lug all of your dvds around.

Summary -

Thanks for looking at my guide and I hope it helps in preserving your digital media. Please leave questions or comments.  All logos, trademaks, etc are property of their respective owners and they do not endorse this site in any way shape or form.