DVD to FCP

I'm trying to bring footage from a DVD into FCP. It doesn't seem to be that straightforward. One option I've found online is called "mac the ripper." Have any of you used this freeware? Do you recommend it, or is there a better option?

MPEG Stream Clip [www.squared5.com]



For instant answers to more than one hundred common FCP questions, check out the LAFCPUG FAQ Wiki here : [www.lafcpug.org]

What DVD is it? If it's a commercially produced DVD, like a studio-released feature film, I'm afraid we can't help you, as that would be copyright violation.


www.derekmok.com

MPEG Streamclip won't "rip" commercial copy-protected DVDs

...and as Derek said - if you rip a commercial DVD you risk violating copyright and could get in trouble.



For instant answers to more than one hundred common FCP questions, check out the LAFCPUG FAQ Wiki here : [www.lafcpug.org]

Whenever I get b-roll on a DVD, I play the DVD from a set-top DVD player/recorder, through my miniDV deck, and firewire into FCP.

No, it's not a commercial DVD, but one that my friend burned and wants edited. It is entirely content which he produced.

Thanks for that link, Ben King. I'll try that.

MPEG Streamclip will do the job. But if your friend produced the piece, why doesn't he provide you with a better master? An extract from a video DVD would be very compromised in terms of quality.


www.derekmok.com

This is from the FAQ : [www.lafcpug.org]

Well, my friend says he shot it on a 10 yr old camera, not a digital camera. He burned that to a DVD player, and that disk plays on my mac, but when I transfer it to MPEG Streamclip, I get no audio, no video, just a 13 minute timeline. So, what are our options?

Quote
derekmok
What DVD is it? If it's a commercially produced DVD, like a studio-released feature film, I'm afraid we can't help you, as that would be copyright violation.

That statement isn't entirely correct.

In the second half of 2010 (not sure exactly when), the U.S. Copyright Office granted documentary filmmakers an exemption to the DMCA, allowing filmmakers to "rip" exerpts of material for legitimate fair use purposes.

I first heard/read about this in the Fall 2010 issue of documentary in the introductory comments of the president of the IDA, Eddie Schmidt (page 2).

But, yes, in general you don't want to violate someone's copyright, and vice-versa...



-Dave