File Details |
|
| File Size | 4.5 MB |
|---|---|
| License | Freeware |
| Operating System | Windows XP |
| Date Added | December 6, 2005 |
| Total Downloads | 341,485 |
| Publisher | ratDVD |
| Homepage | ratDVD |
Publisher's Description
ratDVD takes a full featured DVD movie and puts it into a highly compressed .ratDVD container format file of about 1.x GB in size - while preserving all the features of the original DVD such as: Full anamorphic picture, seamless branching, multiple video angles, multiple audio channels, subpictures, etc.; Keep movie versions (Directors Cut, Theatrical version, etc.), Alternate story endings, making of, video commentary , cut scenes, etc.; Keep complete menus, navigation and features; Reliable high quality, valid check-summed container.
You can also convert a .ratDVD file back to DVD format, burn it to a DVDR and watch the movie using a regular DVD player. It does not support copy protected media directly but it allows to use decrypted content (e.g. from DVD Decrypter, AnyDVD, etc.).
You can directly play back the .ratDVD file - with all the options the original DVD movie would give you. Just by double clicking without the hassle of having to handle different files or the need to use special programs.
Latest Reviews
dellvostro1400 reviewed v0.78.1444 on Oct 3, 2009
gracias gracias gracias
Overdive2385 reviewed v0.78.1444 on Feb 3, 2009
Ok, a lot of you seem to misunderstand the purpose of this program. It is a "Wrapper" with the ability to take an entire 9gig dvd and compress it down to a mere fraction of it's size WITHOUT any loss in quality. This program does this very well. If you merely want to shrink the video for putting video on cd or whatever then yes, please use divx. if you are looking to preserve an entire dvd without audio/video quality loss then I dare you to try to do that with divx and get the same quality for the size. The only reason you can play ratdvd on computer is because the dvd is unwrapped(decompressed) temporarily. Oh, and by the way. not only does it make a neat and tidy archiving utility, it makes entire dvd's ultra portable so that you can fit 3-4 dvd's in their entirety on a 4gig usb jump drive. I dare you to try that with Divx. I am by no means bashing Divx as it has it's uses, but comparing this program to Divx is comparing apples and oranges. This program does what it is supposed to do and does it well.
dudeman456 reviewed v0.78.1444 on Jun 10, 2006
Re:wingo's comment
You mean like Divx 6, that in one file you can have menus, and a movie, just like a dvd. It more supported than ratdvd as well.
KAK reviewed v0.78.1444 on Jun 6, 2006
Good idea!
Good compression size of container file!
PLZ optimize the unpacking routine!
BEST REGARDS : KAK
wingo reviewed v0.78.1444 on Dec 7, 2005
re: jose comment.
it doesn't matter if any other compression is better than ratDVD if they aren't portable 1 file. this is the simple reason they do this program, it IS NOT intended for jose who only wants the movie.
i still find this usefull for some projects.
i'm surprised that noone just steal the ratDVD idea 1 file (divx-xvid/whatever) with extras and everything.
Jose reviewed v0.77.1509 on Nov 27, 2005
Don't waste your time. As an earlier user mentions you get better results in a tighter package with xvid codecs. You may not get the dvd extras but then again it's the movie you want anyway.
4 hours to down sample is a pain for the end result.
Right no in ISO mode I can burn about 6, or 7 high quality xvid full movies, almost indistinguishable from dvd quality when done right,on a dvd-r,and playback with a Divx capable dvd player.
Much more usable for what most people want to do. If you really need the extras ratdvd will do, but only just considering what you're giving up.
When dvd players start supporting this format, which may be why they chose the proprietary route to begin with, AND the quality of the video matches or excedes that of a quality Divx encode, I'll give it a thumbs up.
kevinsanz reviewed v0.77.1509 on Nov 6, 2005
this is great someone should make a forum with links to their ratdvd's or we could make a group on grouper. 5+++ but the encondeing take 4-6 hours
yokozuna reviewed v0.77.1509 on Oct 19, 2005
As I already wrote - the idea is great, but the execution of the idea is so-so. Something is wrong if the encoding lasts almost 4 hours (Athlon 4200, 2 gigs RAM, Win XP SP2) and the playback is choppy sometimes. By contrast, even high resolution x264 files are played back flawlessly. I cannot understand why ratDVD uses proprietary codecs, if x264 (or XviD) and Ogg Vorbis could be used instead, with much better results.
picketf reviewed v0.77.1506 on Oct 13, 2005
Converted one DVD to ratDVD flawless. Attempted to convert it back and at the end (after 4 hours conversion) it gives me a error message "catastrophic error" and exits. That pretty much sums it up.
GRiT2005 reviewed v0.77.1506 on Oct 1, 2005
Movie Title Converted: The Pacifier (Movie Only).
The Movie Source: DVD (Original).
Original Size: 4.35GB.
Compressed Size: 834MB.
Extracted Size: 3.14GB.
Visual Quality Prior to Conversion: 10 out of 10.
Visual Quality After Conversion: 7 out of 10.
Visual Quality After Extraction: 7 out of 10.
Sound Quality Consistent: 10 out of 10.
Process Used:
Nero Recode was used to Transcode the main title to the target size for a DVD at 4.35GB. RatDVD was then used to convert the film to its own compressed format, the only option selected that differed from the default, was that “Constant Average Bit Rate” was selected instead of “Constant Quality”. I did this as I figured that the playback in its compressed state would be smoother.
Conclusion:
Notes some video quality is lost in the conversion process to the RatDVD container file format, and is not regained when extracting the Movie back to its original format. There is some colour flickering, where light shifts in a scene, and an overall loss of definition where the camera is not focused, i.e. the foreground maintains better definition then the background. Also on converting the Rat container file back to MPEG 2, the movie ends up smaller in size then it was originally.
Better results than I achieved may be possible if the movie was taken directly from the source instead of Recode being used first, and if Constant Quality was selected instead of Constant Average Bit Rate.
Pros:
1. It is space saving allowing you to keep many films on your hard drive.
2. You can compress this still further with a compression utility like WinRar, and it will still extract and playback (not verified all the way through just limited playback and an MD5 checksum performed before and after).
3. For transferring files over the Net a program like WinRar, can break the file up into many pieces and password protect them easily (compression here takes about 40 minutes).
4. You can still watch your movies in there compressed state.
5. You can add all the details about the film you like, with clear sections for entering the text, and you can add a jpeg of your choosing, that will displayed within Windows showing you clearly what film it is at a glance. Also you can connect to the Internet to download profiles created by other people, and in nearly every case you can get all of the film statistics, and the films cover as a jpeg added to your file in seconds.
6. A utility called Rat attack has been unofficially released that provides you with three extra tools, Rat Check, Rat Batch, and Rat CSS. Rat Check allows you to test your RatDVD files to make sure they are intact, Rat Batch allows you to select multiple films from a Hard Drive and convert all of them with RatDVD to a specified location, and Rat CSS allows you to take movies straight from CSS encrypted DVD discs.
Cons:
1. It is a very time consuming process converting to and from RatDVD container files, about 4 hours each way, or twice as long as it would take to watch the movie.
2. There is a loss in picture quality (although the movie is still watch able).
3. Earlier versions of RatDVD did not convert movies as well as the more recent releases, bugs included choppy or unreliable playback when the movie was in RatDVD container format.
4. Current bugs can include loosing a few frames of the start of a movie when played back in container format, and having to give the progress bar in Windows Media Player a nudge forward to get the movie to start.
5. In container format there are chapters but Windows Media Player can’t use them, and also you can’t skip forward or backward in a movie, although you can do all of this, if you play it back in RatDVD and just full screen it.
6. Lastly RatDVD does not notify you accurately as to whether your movie has been corrupted during the conversion process, only telling you that its task has been completed successfully regardless, unless the program crashes.
dellvostro1400 reviewed v0.78.1444 on Oct 3, 2009
gracias gracias gracias
Overdive2385 reviewed v0.78.1444 on Feb 3, 2009
Ok, a lot of you seem to misunderstand the purpose of this program. It is a "Wrapper" with the ability to take an entire 9gig dvd and compress it down to a mere fraction of it's size WITHOUT any loss in quality. This program does this very well. If you merely want to shrink the video for putting video on cd or whatever then yes, please use divx. if you are looking to preserve an entire dvd without audio/video quality loss then I dare you to try to do that with divx and get the same quality for the size. The only reason you can play ratdvd on computer is because the dvd is unwrapped(decompressed) temporarily. Oh, and by the way. not only does it make a neat and tidy archiving utility, it makes entire dvd's ultra portable so that you can fit 3-4 dvd's in their entirety on a 4gig usb jump drive. I dare you to try that with Divx. I am by no means bashing Divx as it has it's uses, but comparing this program to Divx is comparing apples and oranges. This program does what it is supposed to do and does it well.
dudeman456 reviewed v0.78.1444 on Jun 10, 2006
Re:wingo's comment
You mean like Divx 6, that in one file you can have menus, and a movie, just like a dvd. It more supported than ratdvd as well.
KAK reviewed v0.78.1444 on Jun 6, 2006
Good idea!
Good compression size of container file!
PLZ optimize the unpacking routine!
BEST REGARDS : KAK
wingo reviewed v0.78.1444 on Dec 7, 2005
re: jose comment.
it doesn't matter if any other compression is better than ratDVD if they aren't portable 1 file. this is the simple reason they do this program, it IS NOT intended for jose who only wants the movie.
i still find this usefull for some projects.
i'm surprised that noone just steal the ratDVD idea 1 file (divx-xvid/whatever) with extras and everything.
Jose reviewed v0.77.1509 on Nov 27, 2005
Don't waste your time. As an earlier user mentions you get better results in a tighter package with xvid codecs. You may not get the dvd extras but then again it's the movie you want anyway.
4 hours to down sample is a pain for the end result.
Right no in ISO mode I can burn about 6, or 7 high quality xvid full movies, almost indistinguishable from dvd quality when done right,on a dvd-r,and playback with a Divx capable dvd player.
Much more usable for what most people want to do. If you really need the extras ratdvd will do, but only just considering what you're giving up.
When dvd players start supporting this format, which may be why they chose the proprietary route to begin with, AND the quality of the video matches or excedes that of a quality Divx encode, I'll give it a thumbs up.
kevinsanz reviewed v0.77.1509 on Nov 6, 2005
this is great someone should make a forum with links to their ratdvd's or we could make a group on grouper. 5+++ but the encondeing take 4-6 hours
yokozuna reviewed v0.77.1509 on Oct 19, 2005
As I already wrote - the idea is great, but the execution of the idea is so-so. Something is wrong if the encoding lasts almost 4 hours (Athlon 4200, 2 gigs RAM, Win XP SP2) and the playback is choppy sometimes. By contrast, even high resolution x264 files are played back flawlessly. I cannot understand why ratDVD uses proprietary codecs, if x264 (or XviD) and Ogg Vorbis could be used instead, with much better results.
picketf reviewed v0.77.1506 on Oct 13, 2005
Converted one DVD to ratDVD flawless. Attempted to convert it back and at the end (after 4 hours conversion) it gives me a error message "catastrophic error" and exits. That pretty much sums it up.
GRiT2005 reviewed v0.77.1506 on Oct 1, 2005
Movie Title Converted: The Pacifier (Movie Only).
The Movie Source: DVD (Original).
Original Size: 4.35GB.
Compressed Size: 834MB.
Extracted Size: 3.14GB.
Visual Quality Prior to Conversion: 10 out of 10.
Visual Quality After Conversion: 7 out of 10.
Visual Quality After Extraction: 7 out of 10.
Sound Quality Consistent: 10 out of 10.
Process Used:
Nero Recode was used to Transcode the main title to the target size for a DVD at 4.35GB. RatDVD was then used to convert the film to its own compressed format, the only option selected that differed from the default, was that “Constant Average Bit Rate” was selected instead of “Constant Quality”. I did this as I figured that the playback in its compressed state would be smoother.
Conclusion:
Notes some video quality is lost in the conversion process to the RatDVD container file format, and is not regained when extracting the Movie back to its original format. There is some colour flickering, where light shifts in a scene, and an overall loss of definition where the camera is not focused, i.e. the foreground maintains better definition then the background. Also on converting the Rat container file back to MPEG 2, the movie ends up smaller in size then it was originally.
Better results than I achieved may be possible if the movie was taken directly from the source instead of Recode being used first, and if Constant Quality was selected instead of Constant Average Bit Rate.
Pros:
1. It is space saving allowing you to keep many films on your hard drive.
2. You can compress this still further with a compression utility like WinRar, and it will still extract and playback (not verified all the way through just limited playback and an MD5 checksum performed before and after).
3. For transferring files over the Net a program like WinRar, can break the file up into many pieces and password protect them easily (compression here takes about 40 minutes).
4. You can still watch your movies in there compressed state.
5. You can add all the details about the film you like, with clear sections for entering the text, and you can add a jpeg of your choosing, that will displayed within Windows showing you clearly what film it is at a glance. Also you can connect to the Internet to download profiles created by other people, and in nearly every case you can get all of the film statistics, and the films cover as a jpeg added to your file in seconds.
6. A utility called Rat attack has been unofficially released that provides you with three extra tools, Rat Check, Rat Batch, and Rat CSS. Rat Check allows you to test your RatDVD files to make sure they are intact, Rat Batch allows you to select multiple films from a Hard Drive and convert all of them with RatDVD to a specified location, and Rat CSS allows you to take movies straight from CSS encrypted DVD discs.
Cons:
1. It is a very time consuming process converting to and from RatDVD container files, about 4 hours each way, or twice as long as it would take to watch the movie.
2. There is a loss in picture quality (although the movie is still watch able).
3. Earlier versions of RatDVD did not convert movies as well as the more recent releases, bugs included choppy or unreliable playback when the movie was in RatDVD container format.
4. Current bugs can include loosing a few frames of the start of a movie when played back in container format, and having to give the progress bar in Windows Media Player a nudge forward to get the movie to start.
5. In container format there are chapters but Windows Media Player can’t use them, and also you can’t skip forward or backward in a movie, although you can do all of this, if you play it back in RatDVD and just full screen it.
6. Lastly RatDVD does not notify you accurately as to whether your movie has been corrupted during the conversion process, only telling you that its task has been completed successfully regardless, unless the program crashes.
Moofman reviewed v0.77.1506 on Sep 27, 2005
It's just continually getting better and better. With the lastest advances allowing you to save profiles so you dont have to bother with all those settings every time it's great.
wingo reviewed v0.77.1506 on Sep 27, 2005
much people here rate it low and compare it to totaly different programs.
the aim of ratDVD is to have E V E R Y T H I N G, dvd & extras in one compressed file for easy access.
to do this you need abit of power, if you don't have the time to fully use the product don't comment here.
the one who suggested to make it twice as fast in the comments here is not a talented peep!
lostincyberworld2k7 reviewed v0.77.1506 on Sep 27, 2005
This is one of the best compression software that I own and everone else that says it takes a while to compress the DVD then u ain't doing it right. I can do a full 8gb DVD in a matter of 2 hours and it get it to the size of 2.2gb... I have no problems with it... 5 stars w0o+... Instead of Linux version (which everone is asking for) we need a x64 bit edition for people who have power to do stuff with!
kebabi reviewed v0.77.1506 on Sep 27, 2005
Good idea, no major bugs, nice GUI.
But it's just damn slow, make it 2 times faster, and you may get 4 stars.
Also a Linux version woulb be nice.
Nessmaster reviewed v0.76.1408 on Sep 15, 2005
I was a bit frustarted at the time it takes to make the conversion, but yes indeed I did get a 4gb DVD down to a 1.4gb dvdRat file with almost the same quality after a long times wait. But best if you leave it on over night. As for the Linux, I think it is a must to have a Linux version as many people are now switching to, or dual boot, linux because of user friendly GUIs (Gnome/KDE kill explorer) and more and more help from forums around.
In all great program, some work on the load times though.
dademurphy reviewed v0.76.1408 on Sep 13, 2005
Well, I started decompressing the ratDVD file so I could check it out and burn it.
3 hours later and it is at a whole 40 percent done.
This is garbage! I could have downloaded an illegal copy of the damn film by now!
Who wants to wait 4 or more hours for an image to decompress?
TRASH! GARBAGE! USELESS!
DVDshrink is the only way to go. ratDVD is a waste of code and anyone involved in this program should be shot! You suck!
Blackhole8746 reviewed v0.76.1408 on Sep 7, 2005
Good job... And no need for Linux since Windows is the primary OS
thehunger reviewed v0.75.1333 on Aug 26, 2005
Make a Linux version already!
LRN reviewed v0.75.1331 on Aug 23, 2005
Idea is good. Compression is bad.
Is there way to mix DVD to one ratDVD file without any loose of qualiy (yes, i can just back DVD into archive, but i can't play that archive on the fly!). If feature like this exists - then ratDVD deserves to live.
Moofman reviewed v0.7.1239 on Aug 7, 2005
I love the fact that you can keep all the features in one file. I came across it at http://ratdvd.ca and was amazed by the number of players that already support it. Downside is, it's a bit slow. All you have to do it let it run overnight and you are set.
SatanikaJones reviewed v0.7.1239 on Jul 12, 2005
well-i downloaded this-dont know why cuz i dont really need it but anyway-it is kinda cool, i didnt seem to notice a difference playing a ratdvd in mediaplayer 10 but there was alot of stuttering in its native player. online all the files seem to be about a gig or gig and a quarter. not bad seeing a divx is 650 to900 megs. alot of european users. did try to do a ratdvd to dvd and after 3 and a half hours the movie was only at 50 percent done.....OUCH! that sucks ass.-{movie was constantine at 1.25 gig on a 2.6 gighert P4)-still it is kind kool. keep it up or buy a dvd burner like i did!
wingo reviewed v0.7.1239 on Jul 11, 2005
Re: dokav comment.
i'm not sure if he was drunk while testing this software. the main goal for this software is to get a complete dvd down to 1 file on pc including extras, all subs etc.
anyone with a proper mind would know that if you encode something you're going to get less details no matter what. its the same with mp3 they're not as good as actual cds but they do fit nice on a portable player don't they?
this program is gonna rock if they advance. :)
photonboy reviewed v0.6.1122 on Jun 25, 2005
If you have a choice between keeping everything or keeping quality then keep quality.
Either burn to a DVD or just keep a high-quality xvid/divx of the movie only.
Why compromise and spend all the time compressing etc just to have a degraded picture?
wingo reviewed v0.6.1122 on Jun 25, 2005
this is an awesome idea. now i can keep most of my favorites on my hd instead of having them in the dvd-cases.
you have to consider the early stage of this program. it hasn't reached v1.0 be patient. if it doesn't suit your needs get another one.
this is however a program that i'd like to get better and better. 1 file - 1 movie with all the extras. yummy!
SiTWulf reviewed v0.6.1122 on Jun 24, 2005
For me the idea is GREAT!!! i only have a problem with the compresion time, but not problem ;)
Now i have a few ratDVDs for fun!!! ;)
Thanks for THIS!
MeanE reviewed v0.6.1122 on Jun 24, 2005
Ditto
The idea is great, the quality of the codec not so much. As some other person mentioned I wish the author would support other codecs such as xvid.
yokozuna reviewed v0.6.1122 on Jun 24, 2005
Namero, you said what I wanted to say :-). The idea is perfect, the performance is not. I wonder why the authors of ratDVD do not want to use the combination of XviD and Ogg Vorbis and close it in a container. I bet the results would be much better.
Namero reviewed v0.6.1122 on Jun 24, 2005
nice idear but quality still isnt good.
a VCD with menu ... waiting for Matroska with menu support !
anomoly reviewed v0.6.1119 on Jun 22, 2005
Why would I compress 4+gb to 1+gb, losing quality just so I can say I still have a menu & subs. When hd's become smaller & much faster that will be an improvement. Until then this is just cutting corners to save time & space. Problem is quality is cut too so this is a rediculous ap. Video files cannot truly be changed & still retain original quality (there's no point in watching small screens-for a good movie a 30'' or better is best). Do yourself a favor & just buy more discs & get better hd's. 2 because it sounds good
Julesword reviewed v0.6.1119 on Jun 21, 2005
The video quality is horrible, but the idea is great. Make the files twice as big please if that's what it takes to make decent quality. I just hope this format doesn't catch on until it is ready for prime time.
ArabianNight reviewed v0.6.1119 on Jun 21, 2005
I love the idea. Quality is not the best. Lol y would i update for "License package update"?
herra reviewed v0.6.1119 on Jun 21, 2005
I disagree with one reviwer about only using on one PC.
I downloaded a ratDVD file from usenet. Played perfectly in WMP.
Then I unRATed it to a 4.5 Gig DVD-R and it played perfectly on my Laptop, my DVD/DivX player and my Stand-alone DVD player.
No problems!
The dog's bollocks!!!
dalmiroy2k reviewed v0.6.1119 on Jun 21, 2005
Works great and it's a nice idea for people who watch and share movies in their pcs.
DWolf reviewed v0.6.1117 on Jun 19, 2005
Nice Idea, but with 2 computers testing the program, I try Ripping different DVD's and in both freeze the program, I use other programs and they work ok, but I am amazed with the Idea, lets see further releases
GrumpyOldFart reviewed v0.6.1117 on Jun 14, 2005
Even the newest version does not correctly convert to DVD format. I have found that if the movie is orginally done with ratdvd and then converted on the computer it was done on it works but not on any other computer. Its almost like it has some sort of copy protection that only allows it to work on one computer. Great idea if they can get the bugs out.
mutara reviewed v0.6.1117 on Jun 14, 2005
Video quality is nothing to write home about. Encoding times are abysmal and decoding is choppy even on a 2.4GHz P4.
The only thing that saves it from the lowest rating is the originality of the idea.
DiGiTaLFX reviewed v0.6.1117 on Jun 13, 2005
Whilst I'm impressed with the container, the codec wasn't of the best quality. Its defaintly a good idea tho.
dodacough reviewed v0.5.1017 on Jun 9, 2005
awesome idea, and i hope it catches on. however, i converted a dvd to a ratdvd file, and the audio and video quality was choppy. this could be, because i left the quality chooser at it's default position (in the middle). next time, i'll try the highest quality setting , but regardless ... i understand that this thing is in its infancy, and i really hope it catches on, because a small file, with full dvd features is a great idea.
capnqwest reviewed v0.5.1017 on Jun 6, 2005
This is something I've been looking for and I hope the format catches on. I travel a lot and it's nice to be able to not carry 20 DVDs for movies I want to watch on the plane. 5/5!
kanenas reviewed v0.5.1017 on Jun 5, 2005
seems very promising I'll keep an eye on it
Tokar reviewed v0.5.1017 on Jun 5, 2005
still requires DVD Decrypter for those...DVD's from the rental store...*wink* *wink*...a good thing I think. I like DVD Decrypter.
Yeah a lot of new posts on Usenet in ratDVD...looks like the future is here.
Dolfhin reviewed v0.5.1017 on Jun 5, 2005
Amazing quality, works really good and you don't have to delete anything.
The advantages of Divx/Xivd (small file size, good size/quality ratio) and DVD (extras, multiply soundtracks/subtitles, 5.1) combined.
IMHO this is the future for file sharing, copy's are already appearing on Usenet.
donpacman reviewed v0.5.1017 on Jun 5, 2005
WOW...The video quality is great!
A better name than "ratDVD" could have been found though.