Creating video collections

[Gerard]

Aside from having movie DVD's that you can rip and turn it into digital form to watch on the go, how else do you get videos? i.e. is there a go to site where you can download the movies and store them as is to watch on the go. Recently the kids wanted to watch Polar Express but was recently taken off of the streaming services and therefore can no longer watch it. For the popular movies I'd like to build a media collection so that we can pull it up whenever we want.

 

[Rusty]

Well I think it is safe to say that other than the legal streaming services and buying the DVDs/BLs the only place left is the "underground" of Internet.

Before anyone else starts replying here let me be just crystal clear.

No URLS pointing to ANY and we mean ANY sites or redirects that might lead to illegal distribution of copyright content or files that eventually lead to the same (exp. torrents).

Anyone posting a single URL will be permanently banded with no additional explanation.

Ty!

 

[Jan Janowski]

I was going to reply in a somewhat different direction.
I do not have any issues whatsoever with the saving or distribution of videos or ISO’s of DVD’s or BR’s here, and I use Two separate NAS’s as redundant Archives for saving this material. I have no problems whatsoever because: I edited the video and I authored the material into DVD or BR final content at the direction of the owners of the video footage. Using the as-delivered NAS —The NAS’s Becomes a Final Resting Place for the finished project, in case the owner’s want another copy later on, and lose the ISO file I gave them., which has happened more frequently than I would have expected. Therefore: Redundant — Redundant (SHR) storage!

Now with that said I inform folks I do the work for that I won’t be using any copy protection in the finished project: for 2 reasons: It can occasionally react with players in an un-expected way…..
And secondly: It can be circumvented. No need to go down that rabbit hole.

 

[Gerard]

Well I think it is safe to say that other than the legal streaming services and buying the DVDs/BLs the only place left is the "underground" of Internet.

Underground is not the way I’m going here.

Is there a way to buy movies electronically and save them to a nas. Streaming services have the risk of pulling videos that you watch therefore is not the best reliable method in my opinion. Buying a dvd to then digitize it just creates extra work. Is there legitimate sites out there where you can purchase a movie in its digital form without being locked on their platform; meaning needing their app to watch it.

 

[Telos]

Buying a dvd to then digitize it just creates extra wor

True, but you have an off-NAS backup, and when the NAS goes offline, the ubiquitous DVD player is available, as is access to the supplementary features that the DVD may offer.

I know of no legitimate service that permits downloading for use in a device without DRM protection (your NAS for example). I can "download" movies from Amazon for offline viewing, but they are only playable through the Amazon app.

 

[Coop777]

The industry, as it stands today wants you to either buy the physical media, or pay for streaming services.

 

[Gerard]

I’ve started doing this with program installs. I’ve respectfully asked my clients when they’re buying a program to opt for the download. This allows me to save it into their folder along with a text doc of license key, instructions, etc. It has happened many times when a reinstall is needed the disk is lost or can’t find the license key code; downloading the iso and saving the license digitally prevents all of that. I was pondering the same workflow for movies as well, figuring once you buy it you own it and can do whatever you want with it (regarding where or how it’s saved/viewed). Streaming is good until they pull it from the library, which is what happened here. Therefore looking for the proper alternatives. It’s also nice that you can do offline viewing. I recently went on a business trip, loaded the content on the NAS, and downloaded to the phone on ds video. For the basics it worked with no issues.

 

[Coop777]

I'm sure all of the streaming services do this - as demand goes down over time for watching a movie or show, they remove it in order to add new content. IMO that is why I am a big fan of owning the media rather than renting. Unfortunately there does seem to be a trend of keeping some movies/shows as a streaming option only. Disc rental is slowly going the way of the dodo...and if you can rent a disc, it may only be available is a lower quality format.

 

[Gerard]

What are some best practice ways to take already purchased dvds that we have and digitize them to put on the nas? What software to use? Would like to retain surround audio and subtitles.

 

[Deleted member 673]

We use MakeMKV to rip DVD/BR to an .mkv file - then Handbrake to transcode into an .mp4

 

[Gerard]

We use MakeMKV to rip DVD/BR to an .mkv file - then Handbrake to transcode into an .mp4

Ok that is the setup I have as well. Which preset are you using in handbrake?

 

[Deleted member 673]

Our go-to Handbrake preset is Super HQ 1080p with minor audio-related modifications (e.g. we don't preserve subtitles or foreign language soundtracks, as a rule).

 

[Gerard]

We use MakeMKV to rip DVD/BR to an .mkv file

With regard to MakeMKV do you utilize the Backup function? Or do you open the disk and let it select specific titles, prior to moving on to HandBrake.

 

[Deleted member 673]

Good question. I have used the backup function only a few times on discs that have a very large number of titles. Picking the correct titles in MakeMKV can require a bit of experience and intuition. But it avoids ripping tracks that are not needed. I'd say this is more of a personal preference vs. based on technical merits.

 

[Telos]

you can only record what you legally subscribe to. ****** is perfectly legal in the U.S.

This is inaccurate spin. A legitimate DVR would not permit ready access to DRM free media files, as this provider does. Yea... "legal" (wink, wink...) This is a piracy tool.

 

[Deleted member 673]

Thanks for the clarification, @Telos. Thought I had it on good authority that this service is legitimate, based on conversation with an acquaintance who has a doctorate degree in library science and background in copyright law, as well as conversation with our personal attorney. But neither person is an expert in the technology. No wink, wink intended. Sorry for my misunderstanding.

 

[Gerard]

I think as mentioned the safest way to go is the physical DVD.

 

[Coop777]

so surprised this thread hasn't been locked or edited yet.....