Can anyone recommend a program that rips a DVD to an AVI? (I actually just need a section of the DVD, about 20 seconds)

Concerning the copyright issues, I would be using the footage for a promotional DVD, not for sale.

Thanks.

p.s. I am about to film my freaking TV with the camera. LOL

OK, I put the DVD in the DVD rom of the computer, opened Vegas / file / open / then explore the DVD drive / click VIDEO_TS / change the Files of type pull down to "All Files" / choose an .IFO file.

Downside, there is no audio when doing it this way, but for my project I didn't need the audio.

I'd probably convert it to a minimally compressed .avi like DV. Definately not a highly compressed format like mpeg2 or 4.

Maybe, depending on the actual DVD, but if it is copy protected it'll likely have macrovision that should stop copying through analogue means as well. In reality this probably won't give any problems, not to mention that a DVD with copy protection shouldn't be being copied anyway.

I used a program in the past called DVDx (IIRC) - not sure if it is still around, you probably need to do a websearch.

I'll leave others to debate the ethics...

Good to hear you found a solution! I doubt Vegas would open copy protected files anyway.

Cheers,
Kyle

Oliver, the ability to read AC3 audio from a DVD was added in Vegas 6.0c. With Vegas 5.0 you'll need some other method.

OK . . .

#1 - I was referring to the Analogue signal coming from an Analogue device. Reading in my XM2 manual it refers to the Copy Protect signal from an analogue signal which will inhibit "copying". As to me knowing something "we dont", I have NO idea what you mean?

#2 - Also, and with reference to my XM2 Manual, it suggests not to leave a cassette IN the camera.

I'm real glad you have a solution.

Though it probably doesn't matter for this thread - commercial DVD's generally have a macrovision flag set which triggers analogue copy protection on the output. You should get playback fine but if you record the signal (VCR, DVD recorder, DV deck) you should still get a picture but it will be unstable.
Some DVD players are sold now with macrovision disabled, there are also video 'enhancers' - inline hardware to filter out macrovision from the video signal. The legality of the use of these may vary...

Cheers,
Kyle

Thanks to everyone that posted, you all gave me good ideas that ultimately helped me figure out a solution that worked for my project.