dvd shrink

Features

DVD Shrink is a powerful, easy-to-use DVD transcoder. The interface allows the user to choose specifically which DVD elements (video titles, audio tracks, menus, and subtitles) to retain on the "shrunken" DVD. The program features a decryption algorithm and a VBR encoder, and the user is also able to choose how the compression is to be distributed across the movie. DVD Shrink will automatically recompress the video to as little as 39% of its original size, depending on the aspect ratio of the original DVD (with a corresponding loss in quality) to allow it to fit on a standard DVD±R(W), a Dual-Layer DVD+R, or any user-defined custom size. When the time-consuming "Deep Analysis" and "Adaptive Error Compensation" options are selected, the resulting DVD is often indistinguishable from the original [1] [2].

In addition to re-authoring DVDs to fit a specific media format, DVD Shrink also allows the user to make an identical backup copy without changes. In either mode, the program has options to facilitate the stripping of CSS copy protection, restrictions on user actions during certain portions of the disc (such as prohibiting skipping over previews or "FBI Warnings", and also allows the copy to be created for any region code (or as region-free).

Once the DVD has been downsized, the resulting output is an ISO file or a dvd VIDEO_TS folder. It should be noted that the program cannot burn these images itself, as it does not contain a built in burning engine. It can however pass the burning job to either DVD Decrypter, ImgBurn (both freeware), Nero, or Vso Copy To DVD, as long as these programs are installed. This process appears transparent to the end user. Alternatively, the resulting ISO file may be burned with any software capable of writing ISO files.

In the vast majority of cases the loss of image quality caused by the downsizing is not serious, and in fact with the average-sized TV screen most people have a hard time telling the original from the copy. While it is possible to minimize the amount of compression necessary by deleting some of the "extras" provided on most DVDs, many people prefer to leave the contents "as is" since there is a risk of fouling up the on-screen menu operation if some of the files are missing.

Copy protection algorithms, such as Sony's ArcCos, which have bad CRCs in unused sectors, require a dedicated ripping tool. The freeware DVDFab Decrypter [3] does a very good job at this.

DVD Shrink is supposed to be used to backup DVDs a person already owns, but is frequently used for copying rented DVDs (via online DVD rental firms such as NetFlix and Blockbuster). It has less controversial uses too. In particular, the 8 cm discs produced by the new Sony DVD Handycams are not fully compatible with all computers and DVD players; "ripping" them with DVD Shrink (or a similar program) and re-recording them to standard-sized DVDs is a quick but very effective solution to this problem. It also allows the recorded footage to be used with drives that do not support 8 cm discs, such as slot-loading drives (often used in Apple Macintosh computers).

Ultimately, as dual-layer DVD-R DL & DVD+R DL media become more affordable, transcoding tools such as DVD Shrink could become obsolete.

Current version

The author of DVD Shrink, who goes by the name "dvdshrink", announced that he will no longer continue further development of DVD Shrink. As of now version 3.2.0.15 released on July 25, 2004 is the latest, with any further releases targeting bug fixes.

Legal status

On August 17, 2005, the official DVD Shrink website was updated to say that the site "is no more!", prompting many sites to mirror the latest DVD Shrink version and offer it for download. This was a result of DVD Shrink's web host receiving a DMCA takedown notice complaining about the direct links pointing to the download of the DVD Shrink program. In this case, the links themselves were in violation of the DMCA ^{citation needed]} even though the program was no longer being served by DVD Shrink's web host. After removing the "offending" links, the web site was restored, and a Google search box was put in place of the download link.

External links

• DVD Shrink official homepage
• DVD Shrink official forum (formerly moderated by author "dvdshrink")
• DVD Shrink Downloads @ Digital Digest - first website to host DVD Shrink downloads, with guides (linked by DVD Shrink's help file)
• DVD Shrink guides
• Download DVD Shrink (Mirrors: [4], [5], [6])
• DVD Shrink review at DVDSoftwareGuide.com
• K9Copy, qVamps and XDVDShrink — replacements for DVD Shrink for Linux
• Ubuntu Linux DVD Shrink, DVD Decrypter Guide - Running DVD Shrink on Linux using Wine.
• Doom9 — How-to Guides for many video-editing applications .
• Technical explanation of Shrink's VBR Transcoding and AEC algorithms
• ShrinkTo5
• Using Dvd Shrink + NERO
• Guía de uso de DVD Shrink (Castellano)