Question: Software for ripping DVDs

[#1]

I know nothing about DVDs (I don't even own a VHS recorder or player)
But I have been given two DVDs of an art performance which I ned to copy and burn to backup DVDs
I'm after free software to do a simple DVD ripping operation (if there is such a thing)
Can I use e.g. NTI (as supplied with my lappy) to grab an ISO and then use something like ImgBurn ?
Or is it all a bit more complicated than that?
WMP9 refuses to play them but VLC plays them fine, by the way
any suggestions or advice gratefully received
paul

[#2]

If there is no copy protection you can use copy disc with your NTI software.
If there is copy protection you'll need DVD decrypter, which can be googled

[#3]

This all depends whats on the dvd if its a 4 gig dvd then it can be copied without to much trouble. But if its a full DVD ie it has 8 gig then you cant copy it in the normal way (unless you have a 8 gig burner). You have to reduce the size of the disk by compressing it for this you can download FREE DVD Shrink
fromhttp://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_software/dvd_rippers/dvd_shrink.cfm
This will reduce the 4 gig down to 4 gig to fit on a dvd you may have to delete some of the things on the disk as often they have more than one language so yuo can remove none English languages

[#4]

There is endless amounts of linux DVD stuff.
For Ubuntu I would recommend k3b for all types of burning - although there's plent of other stuff.
For copying DVD's see dvdshrink.
I don't what puppy can do with Debian-like packages.
I use DeVeDe quite a lot for burning copies of BBC iPlayer downloads to CD's so that I can watch them (in an inferior way) on TV, via my DVD player.

[#5]

I use XP and Puppy(& other Linuxes) about 70/30 so that's all helpful.
There's no copy protection as it is all non-commercial.
They appear to be 4GB and NTI (copy to disc image option) produces 2x2GB + 1x400K .ncd (their proprietary format) files.
When I've bought some blank DVDs I'll let you know how it's gone.
Paul
[thinks: how did i get to be so old and not know about dvds?]

[#6]

It's more expensive - but buy DVD R/W so you can redo any mistakes.

[#7]

If these are recordings you wish to keep for sometime, avoid -RW or +RW discs, they are designed to be able to be wiped. Stick with goog quality -R discs and archiving should not be a problem. Also keep the discs in good cases that seal shut and keep out the light, then keep them in a cupboard too when they are not in use ... light is the enemy here.
SW.