how do I import dvd to my itunes
How do I import a DVD to my itunes account
If talking about copying a commercial DVD, since such is illegal in the US, such cannot be discussed here.
17 replies
For unencrypted DVDs, try Handbrake.
You need to find a way first to convert the format to MP4. Check also if it's copy righted. 
Handbrake is it! http://sourceforge.net/projects/handbrake/files/
Coverts to mp4, burns-in subtitles if required.
Talking about unorotected media (no drm or copy protection), why does itunes provide a way to import tracks from audio cd but no way to import videos from dvds?
Concerning drm, how is it that commercial audio cds can be acquired while commercial dvds are not?
Isnt it a violation of license of use in both cases?
Atlas_3.0 wrote:
Talking about unorotected media (no drm or copy protection), why does itunes provide a way to import tracks from audio cd but no way to import videos from dvds?
Concerning drm, how is it that commercial audio cds can be acquired while commercial dvds are not?
iTunes does not provide a way to import DVDs because it would not be legal for them to do so (in the U.S. and many other countries). Commercial DVDs are encrypted and breaking that encryption is illegal in the U.S. CDs are not encrypted.
As far as I have understood it is the violation of the terms of use that is illegal.
The copy protection is only a technicality to make a hard life to pirates.
In this sense, if the terms of use prohibit it, copying an unprotected audio CD is not more legal than copying an encrypted DVD.
If the above is true, I cannot understand why iTunes provides the ability to import audio from unprotected CDs, and NOT the ability to import video from unprotected DVDs / BlueRays.
As far as I have understood it is the violation of the terms of use that is illegal.
The copy protection is only a technicality to make a hard life to pirates.
In this sense, if the terms of use prohibit it, copying an unprotected audio CD is not more legal than copying an encrypted DVD.
Incorrect. In the US and a number of other countries, it is illegal to break the copy protection, something that would be necessary to convert a commercial DVD or Blu-Ray to any other format such as for iTunes. This has nothing to do with terms of use or any other licensing; it's actually codified as a criminal violation in the country's laws.
Atlas_3.0 wrote:
If the above is true, I cannot understand why iTunes provides the ability to import audio from unprotected CDs, and NOT the ability to import video from unprotected DVDs / BlueRays.
Only Apple could tell you. My guess is that it's because they think that the number of people importing from unprotected DVDs is too low for them to consider the engineering effort worthwhile, but that's just my guess.
Regards.
varjak paw wrote:
Incorrect. In the US and a number of other countries, it is illegal to break the copy protection, something that would be necessary to convert a commercial DVD or Blu-Ray to any other format such as for iTunes. This has nothing to do with terms of use or any other licensing; it's actually codified as a criminal violation in the country's laws.
I understand breaking the copy protection can be illegal by itself in some countries.
But I want to stress that in addition there is the illicit due to terms of use violation.
I mean, if I commit a crime only when I break a copy protection, I could legally setup an unprotected-audio-CD-clones selling shop.
I am going to use a Mac, iTunes to rip the CD tracks and burn them back on blank CDs.
Then sell them, at half the price of the masters.
All legal? I think I'll be in jail (or at least on trial 😉) by next morning.
Isn't it like that?
Regards
I cannot understand why iTunes provides the ability to import audio from unprotected CDs
You might not want to do that.
I have no idea what point you are trying to make.
The point is that when the question "why doesnt iTunes allow import of dvd/bluray media" is answered "because it' illegal", I find it superficial and - in the end - not true.
If that was the source of Apple's concerns, iTunes would not allow audio cd ripping as well, because it is illegal, even if the CDs are unprotected and legally owned, as I was trying to assess earlier and Ziatron confirmed with his link.
Since Apple shows no fear in letting users rip audio with iTunes, why not video? I mean, you've already one smoking gun in your hand, what would change with two?
I just want to understand if there is a deeper, stronger reason than "it's illegal", just for curiosity.
By now, that answer continues to seem suoerficial to me... I find more realistic your guess about low number of intersted people.
Bye
Atlas_3.0 wrote:
The point is that when the question "why doesnt iTunes allow import of dvd/bluray media" is answered "because it' illegal", I find it superficial and - in the end - not true.
If that was the source of Apple's concerns, iTunes would not allow audio cd ripping as well, because it is illegal, even if the CDs are unprotected and legally owned, as I was trying to assess earlier and Ziatron confirmed with his link.
No, copying audio CDs that you own for your personal use is NOT illegal (in the U.S.). Selling those copies is. Copying copy protected CDs (there aren't many but they have existed) would be just as illegal as copying an encrypted DVD and iTunes can't do that, either.
It is neither superficial nor untrue.
In the US it is specifically ILLEGAL to use software to break the encryption on an DVD or BluRay. If Apple were to build the capability into iTunes to break this encryption they would be guilty of a violation. Additionally, even copying non-encrypted DVDs is much more complex and time consuming than a CD and has already been clearly stated is not something the majority of users are going to do.
You do have the right in the DMCA to make a copy of a CD so long as it is not encrypted for your personal use. You are breaking the law if you rip this CD and then make multiple copies and give them away or sell them. Their is no code in iTunes that will allow you to break any encrytion on a music CD (very few CDs were ever released that used encryption but if you get one you will not be able to rip it in iTunes).
There is no smoking gun in your hand anymore than Windows Media is a smoking gun (and it also will not rip a DVD or BluRay).
why doesnt iTunes allow import of dvd/bluray media" is answered "because it' illegal", I find it superficial and - in the end - not true.
You may consider it superficial if you wish, but it is absolutely true for copy-protected material, as was said several times in this thread including the original response from March of last year when this thread was created.
If that was the source of Apple's concerns, iTunes would not allow audio cd ripping as well, because it is illegal, even if the CDs are unprotected and legally owned, as I was trying to assess earlier and Ziatron confirmed with his link.
Importing of noncopyprotected disks is perfectly legal in most countries, and in particular in the US where Apple's forums are based.
There is nothing more than can or should be said on the subject. This is veering away from a technical response and into discussion of policies, which is not allowed in these forums (nor is discussions about DVD ripping, by the way), so we should let this drop at this point.
Regards.
how do I import dvd to my itunes