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The Cheapskate
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April 17, 2008 6:14 AM PDT

Rip DVDs to your PC, iPod, Zune and more with free Aplus DVD Ripper (today only)

by Rick Broida
(Credit: Rick Broida)

Remember Giveaway of the Day, the site that offers one commercial software program free of charge every day? They've got a gem today: Aplus DVD Ripper (Windows), which lets you back up your movies to your PC and/or convert them for viewing on your iPod, Zune, cell phone, or other portable device. It normally sells for $39.99.

Remember, there's a catch: You have only until midnight tonight (ET) to download and install the program. After that, it's gone (though GotD does occasionally repeat its giveaways). But that's the one and only catch, so if you have even the slightest interest in archiving or converting the DVDs you own, grab this program before the day is out.

I'm in the process of copying The Iron Giant (an under-appreciated classic) to my iPod Touch; so far the program is working like a champ. It's a snap to use and offers plenty of control over video and audio settings. And, hey, if it doesn't work out, so what? Didn't cost me a cent.

Rick Broida, a technology writer for nearly 20 years, is the author of more than a dozen books. In addition to writing CNET's The Cheapskate blog, he oversees BNET's Business Hacks. Rick is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CBS Interactive. Disclosure. Deals found on The Cheapskate are subject to availability, expiration, and other terms determined by sellers. Follow Rick on Twitter at cheapskateblog.
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by dpotter April 17, 2008 7:11 AM PDT
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by Offdahiizzy April 17, 2008 8:12 AM PDT
Does it allow you to trully rip your own bought Copyrighted-protected DVD's?
Reply to this comment
by rickbroida April 17, 2008 8:31 AM PDT
It does!
by Offdahiizzy April 17, 2008 9:25 AM PDT
Nice!!!
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by skimike4 April 17, 2008 11:11 AM PDT
Handbrake for the mac does this for free all day everyday, and it does it soooo well.
Reply to this comment
by rickbroida April 17, 2008 11:52 AM PDT
You're right, which is why I mentioned it a couple months ago: http://www.cnet.com/8301-13845_1-9871094-58.html
However, I think this product is easier to use, and you get the benefit of feeling like you're get a $40 program for free (which you are).
by tarrantm April 18, 2008 5:54 AM PDT
Handbrake never did DVD decryption, so does this mean this program doesn't do it either? So it's just a VOD to x format transcoder?
by rickbroida April 18, 2008 6:08 AM PDT
Good point: Handbrake requires a decrypter like DVD43. This program does it all. Unfortunately, you're a few hours too late--the offer is over!
by skimike4 April 19, 2008 7:22 PM PDT
My bad, Rick. I forgot you were the one who gave me the awesome tip to download Handbrake.
by JCSandvik April 20, 2008 5:55 PM PDT
I was excited for this product, but I have tried 3 times (Batman Begins, and 2 Simpson's episodes) and it has never worked. It gets through about half then stops. Anyone else?
Reply to this comment
by Reno_Renegade June 13, 2008 7:50 AM PDT
????????
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by gycafesor October 23, 2008 8:28 PM PDT
can it use on vista 32?
like the dvd software month ago: http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/daniusoft-digital-media-converter/
Reply to this comment
by Maris.Juan December 5, 2008 2:18 AM PST
To convert DVD to other files that can be used in various of portable players, I prefer to use Nidesoft DVD Ripper. This is an excellent software with powerful functions.It can rip DVD files to almost all popular video and audio formats such as WMV,MP4, 3GP, AVI, MP3, FLV, etc. in high quality at fast speed. During the conversion, you can edit your video with the crop, trim and effect functions to make your perfect videos. You can also customize your video by your willing. Download it by the link and have a wonderful experience right now:
<a href="http://www.nidesoft.com/downloads/dvd-ripper.exe," >http://www.nidesoft.com/downloads/dvd-ripper.exe,</a>
you can also get more information about it here:
<a href="http://www.nidesoft.com/dvd-ripper.html," >http://www.nidesoft.com/dvd-ripper.html,</a>
<a href="http://www.nidesoft.com/image/screen/dvd-ripper-screen-large.jpg," >http://www.nidesoft.com/image/screen/dvd-ripper-screen-large.jpg,</a>
Reply to this comment
by yashovarman January 8, 2009 6:45 PM PST
I use Aiseesoft DVD Ripper for my iPod which worked grate for me, official site http://www.aiseesoft.com
Reply to this comment
by richie1996 March 19, 2009 9:34 PM PDT
hello, this is great
Reply to this comment
by coconunu July 27, 2009 9:04 AM PDT
Aimersoft DVD Ripper is the most powerful one that I have used before. It has great power to rip DVD to video of all formats. You can free download here:
http://freedvdripper.org/dvdvideoconverter/dvd-ripper-aimersoft.html
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About The Cheapskate

The best things in tech are cheap. "The Cheapskate" scours the Web for great deals on PCs, phones, gadgets, and all the other tech stuff that makes life worth living. Send your own cheapskate tips to thecheapskate@gmail.com. Rick is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CNET. Disclosure. Deals found on The Cheapskate are subject to availability, expiration, and other terms determined by sellers.

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