why can't I make a digital recording of a DVD?

Hudsonhawk, you were right- I had it set to dolby digital and when changed it to PCM, was able to make the digital recording. Awesome! Thanks for the tip.

Ok, new problem. I got the DVD's that were recorded in dolby digital 5.1 to record to CD by changing the player setting to PCM. I've got a few concert DVD's that were recorded in PCM, not dolby digital, and now they won't record. Any ideas? thanks!

Tvad,

I understand how you feel. This is largely the position of the execs at Sony and other major labels.

However, as a user, I am frustrated that I bought and own half of Disney's entire collection in VHS, some in PAL and some in NTSC and that I needed to invest in special costly video players and TV's to be able play them all back on one system and that by the time our second child was old enough to enjoy them I was forced to buy them again on DVD (because the videos have decayed and over half of them won't play anymore)

Did I do anything illegal - no. I just happened to live in two different countries when these videos were legally purchased and had children spaced far enough apart that the videos did not last.

Do I think it is fair that I am now buying DVD's of material I already own at full price - not really. I respect that all these obstacles to consumers are all legal...however, am I a satisfied customer - no, not really.

And if I want to cut a few tracks from original CD's I own for use in the car then I don't feel dishonest in doing so. I think the industry ought to feel ashamed of all the roadblocks they create for their customers.