Decryption of DVDs is not always about copying them. Sometimes you need to decrypt a DVD to extract a certain audiotrack, subtitle or enable you to add some of your own and then re-burn it. The problem is that DVD encryption techniques are becoming increasingly sophisticated. In the fight against piracy, production companies are having to stay one step ahead of those that want to decrypt DVDs and then copy them for their own commercial gain. If you are having problem decrypting one of your favourite DVDs, one of these should eventually work:

• DVD Decrypter - The most powerful solution out there - decrypts just about anything

• AnyDVD HD - Another powerful decrypter that also removes region codes from DVDs

• DVDFab HD Decrypter - Ultra lightweight decrypter and simple conversion process

• RipIt4Me - Claims to be able to decrypt all those DVDs that DVD Decrypter can't

• Easydivx - Designed specifically for those that want to decrypt and then backup in DivX

Ripping DVDs can be a tricky process, but playing the rip can be even trickier. In a nice tip we found on Hackzine, Chris Anderson explains how you can watch your ripped DVDs on VLC player. This tip works both for an.ISO disk image and a full DVD and will allow you to keep all features, menus and extra options from the ripped DVD. Previously we also mentioned two good applications to rip your DVDs, SmartRipper and AnyDVD HD Beta. The first one has the advantage of offering lots of advanced options like three copy modes and shows technical data and statistics about your rips. AnyDVD HD Beta is also worth a try if you want to remove copy protection and regional codes from HD-DVDs and AACS. Just remember though, that you're only ripping your DVDs for backup purposes.

Slysoft recently released a Beta (version 6.1.2.0) of its AnyDVD application, which will remove copy protection and regional codes (what they call "on the fly remastering") for HD-DVD and AACS. In our full review of Anydvd we already touted its discretion and simplicity, and enjoyed how you can "watch the DVD at the same time" as it is being ripped by the program. No doubt this Beta will attract the interest of avid DVD users, however they'll have to make sure they're machines are up to the task. On the Slysoft forum there's a thread on what hardware is recommended to play back your ripped HD DVDs.

Even though the announcement was widely relayed over the Internet it hasn't spawned much controversy. Toshiba has kept quiet over the release of the AnyDVD Beta, which will rip its very own HD DVDs. It is widely expected that once AnyDVD comes out of Beta it will also be able to rip Blu Ray DVDs too. We'll see then if the news sparks more controversy in the DVD world.