Online Computer Dictionary
Queried for: rip
Definition:
(From "rip off" - to steal) To copy
audio or video, typically from a compact disc or DVD, to a
file on a computer hard disk. A dedicated program to do
this is called a "ripper" though it is often a function of
player software.
Ripping usually includes converting the data to a format that
is more suitable for computer playback, e.g. MP3 digital
audio or DivX video. The process is entirely digital so it
is possible to make a perfect copy of the data. However the
resulting files are large (a few megabytes for an audio
track, a few gigabytes for a film) so the conversion often
includes compression to reduce the file size at the cost of
some loss of quality.
While it may be legal to do this for personal use,
distributing a ripped copyright work to others could result in
prosecution.
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