How best to automate the task of copying thousands of DVDs to HDD?
August 20, 2011 11:20 AM Subscribe
Copying thousands of cds and dvds to HDD - what is the best way to automate this tedious process as much as possible without buying expensive hardware?
I've resigned myself to the fact that I will have to play disc-jockey for many, many evenings to come.
But ideally this is what I want to happen:
-I insert the disc to be copied
-Without user input a program recognizes that a disc has been made available. (a keystroke would be acceptable here, but I strive to automate this as much as possible)
-This program creates unique directory. The name could be based on the disc's volume, disc's date-time of creation etc.
-Program now copies all cd/dvd contents to said directory (if need be in .iso format, but xcopy-like system would be best)
-Program beeps and ejects disc.
-Back to step 1.
Because of the number of discs involved, I will try to beg, steal and borrow some additional DVD-drives, in hopes of simul-copying three or four discs.
My OS for this operation would usually be Windows 7, but if need be I can change that; either by using a VM or by fully installing the necessary OS.
All cds and dvds are pure data disks, nothing needs to be 'ripped', it's mostly drawings, documents, and similar data.
The data will be copied either onto an internal SATA drive(s) or onto a NAS device.
From years and years ago, I remember using CPBackup to copy/backup data to floppy disks (mostly 3.5"). This program kept on copying as long as you kept on feeding it disks. It was awesome.
An equivalent for optical drives is essentially what I am looking for.
Creative use of software that might not have this as its main function is fine; I'm willing to purchase (within reason) software for this operation, as long as it makes my life easier.
Any ideas and suggestions are appreciated!
I've resigned myself to the fact that I will have to play disc-jockey for many, many evenings to come.
But ideally this is what I want to happen:
-I insert the disc to be copied
-Without user input a program recognizes that a disc has been made available. (a keystroke would be acceptable here, but I strive to automate this as much as possible)
-This program creates unique directory. The name could be based on the disc's volume, disc's date-time of creation etc.
-Program now copies all cd/dvd contents to said directory (if need be in .iso format, but xcopy-like system would be best)
-Program beeps and ejects disc.
-Back to step 1.
Because of the number of discs involved, I will try to beg, steal and borrow some additional DVD-drives, in hopes of simul-copying three or four discs.
My OS for this operation would usually be Windows 7, but if need be I can change that; either by using a VM or by fully installing the necessary OS.
All cds and dvds are pure data disks, nothing needs to be 'ripped', it's mostly drawings, documents, and similar data.
The data will be copied either onto an internal SATA drive(s) or onto a NAS device.
From years and years ago, I remember using CPBackup to copy/backup data to floppy disks (mostly 3.5"). This program kept on copying as long as you kept on feeding it disks. It was awesome.
An equivalent for optical drives is essentially what I am looking for.
Creative use of software that might not have this as its main function is fine; I'm willing to purchase (within reason) software for this operation, as long as it makes my life easier.
Any ideas and suggestions are appreciated!
Eck... my bad - you don't need handbrake do you? But drop folders along with an appropriate batch file would work. Dropfolders along with a few lines of command line seems to be all that you need.
posted by Poet_Lariat at 11:54 AM on August 20, 2011
posted by Poet_Lariat at 11:54 AM on August 20, 2011
Young nieces or nephews needing pocket money might be a good fit for the manual work!
posted by jannw at 2:53 AM on August 21, 2011
posted by jannw at 2:53 AM on August 21, 2011
A company named Rimage makes machines that might interest you; I've only used them to burn discs (up to 100 at a time), but they use standard disc drives so prolly could be set up to accomplish your task.
posted by at at 9:28 PM on August 21, 2011
posted by at at 9:28 PM on August 21, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
2. Use DropFolders to monitor your dvd/cd drive and automatically launch handbrake with the appropriate preset whne the DVD drive contents change.
3. Follow this recipe to make it all work
posted by Poet_Lariat at 11:51 AM on August 20, 2011 [2 favorites]