Using the RipStation

The RipStation allows you to automate the transfer of content off of large batches of optical media. When a collection contains large amounts of CDs and/or DVDs, using the RipStation may be more efficient than individually transferring content from discs using the removable media workstation. Consult with the Archivist for Digital Curation when processing collections with large amounts of optical media (i.e. CDs and DVDs).

The RipStation requires the use of different software based on the content stored on the optical discs. For data CDs and DVDs, the DataGrabber program is used. For audio-formatted discs, the RipStation program is used. For video-formatted discs, the MediaGrabber program is used. See the following workflow for further instruction.

Preliminaries

• 1. These instructions assume that all AutoPlay defaults are set to “Take no action” and that the following programs are installed:

  2. FFmpeg: http://ffmpeg.org/

     1. HanddBrake CLI: https://handbrake.fr/

     2. VLC Media Player: https://www.videolan.org/index.html

  3. A metadata spreadsheet must be created before a project can begin. Discuss with the Lead Archivist for Digital Initiatives.

  4. Apply a barcode to each disc's case and write the last four digits on the plastic core of the disc in permanent marker. 

• 1. In order to use the RipStation, you must attempt to divide optical disks into three categories:

     1. Data CDs and DVDs (data discs may include audio and/or video content but will not be formatted for these specific content types, i.e. including menus or track lists)

     2. Audio-formatted CDs

     3. Video-formatted DVDs

  2. Update the UserData.txt file located in the directory of the program you will use for transfer. This will allow the program to generate filenames using the barcode.

• • 1. Navigate to the appropriate UserData.txt file.

       1. For video-formatted DVDs: C:\Program Files\MF Digital\Ripstation MediaGrabber

       2. For audio-formatted CDs: C:\Program Files\MF Digital\Ripstation 

       3. For data CDs and DVDs: C:\Program Files\MF Digital\Ripstation DataGrabber

    2. Scan the barcode (and remove the resultant carriage return). Press “Tab”.

    3. Enter the sequential number (e.g., 1, 2 ,3, etc). Press “Enter ⏎” so that there is one disc entry per row. 

Working with Data CDs and DVDs

• 1. If needed, the factory instructions for DataGrabber are located at: C:\Users\eckardm\Desktop\RipStation\Data CDs and DVDs\Ripstation DataGrabber User Manual.pdf

  2. Open DataGrabber, from the Desktop, double-click to open the RipStation folder, the Data CDs and DVDs subfolder and finally the DataGrabber shortcut.

• 1. Click the “Preferences” icon. 

     1. Under the “Rejects” tab

        1. Set reject disks to 2.5 minutes

        2. Copy file creation and modification timestamps

        3. Rip sequentially

• • 1. Under the “Reports” tab 

       1. Ensure that full batch log are logged to file.

• 1. On the right side of the window, select the loader type:

     1. MFD

     2. Advanced

  2. Select an output format:

• • 1. Files

• 3. Enter disc count:

• • 1. The total number of discs can be found in the UserData.txt file you created.

• 4. Choose root path and name format (using the appropriate accession ID):

• • 1. D:\Collections Processing\[AccessionID]\

    2. %0\

• 1. Click the “Start” icon.

  2. Once the RipStation finishes, you should have a directory for each barcode with the files from the disc inside.

Working with Audio-formatted CDs

• 1. If needed, the factory instructions for RipStation are located at: C:\Users\eckardm\Desktop\RipStation\Audio CDs\Ripstation V4.4.15.0 User Manual.pdf

  2. Open RipStation. From the Desktop, double-click to open the RipStation folder, the Audio CDs subfolder and finally the RipStation shortcut.

• 1. Click the “Preferences” icon.

     1. Under the “Logging” tab:

        1. Log batch summary

• • 1. Click “Start Batch.”

    2. Once the RipStation finishes, you should have a directory for each barcode with a disk image and an MP4 inside.

Working with DVDs

• 1. If needed, the factory instructions for MediaGrabber are located at: C:\Users\eckardm\Desktop\RipStation\DVDs\Ripstation MediaGrabber User Manual.pdf

  2. Open MediaGrabber. From the Desktop, double-click to open the RipStation folder, the DVDs subfolder and finally the MediaGrabber shortcut.

• 1. Click the “Preferences” icon. 

     1. Under the “Rejects” tab:

        1. Ensure that discs that are not recognized within 2.5 minutes are rejected

        2. File creation and modification timestamps are copied

        3. Discs are ripped sequentially

• 1. Select the loader type on the right-hand side of the window:

     1. MFD

     2. Advanced

  2. Select an output format:

• • 1. ISO/MDF Image

• 3. Enter disc count:

• • 1. Can be found in the UserData.txt file you created

• 4. Choose root path and name format (using the appropriate accession ID):

• • 1. D:\Collections Processing\[AccessionID]\ 

    2. %0\%0

• 1. Click the “Start” icon.

  2. Once the RipStation finishes, you should have a directory for each barcode with a disk image and an MP4 inside.

Finishing Up

• 1. Remove the discs from the spindle.

  2. Place them back in their cases. They should be in the correct order, so that the disc on the top corresponds to the case or envelope on the top. 

  3. Confirm that a folder exists for each disc. If any discs failed, see troubleshooting below.

  4. Scan transferred content for viruses. 

     1. Right click on the [Accession ID] folder and select “Scan with System Center Endpoint Protection.” 

  5. Additional post-processing work will be required before content is transferred to Archivematica's Backlog, for example, creating access copies. Consult with the Archivist for Digital Curation for further instruction.

1. Transfer to Archivematica’s Backlog.

Troubleshooting

• 1. Often, you will end up with some discs that failed to transfer. They will be placed in the error pile.

  2. In this case, open the log file located at D:\Collections Processing\[AccessionID]\Log.txt (or, for audio-formatted CDs, D:\Collections Processing\[AccessionID]\[AccessionID]\Log.txt). 

     1. To identify discs that did not rip, look for lines that begin with “Failed to rip disc [Barcode]\.” 

     2. The log will occasionally include other helpful information about why a disc failed to rip.

  3. Remove the discs from the error pile spindle and set aside. Indicate in the metadata spreadsheet, which discs failed to rip on the RipStation.

  4. Attempt to transfer these one-by-one using the standard Transfer Procedures.

1. If transfer is still unsuccessful on the RMW, indicate in the metadata spreadsheet, which discs failed to rip on the RMW. Then, delete the corresponding barcode folder and its content from the transfer folder.

2. check with the associated field or processing archivist about separating.