[How To] Burn a PS2 Game (From Torrent) To DVD Using DVD Decrypter

Foreword:  As you go through this tutorial, some people may question whether or not this is legal to do, which is make backups of your PS2 games.  Well, here is the short story of it all.  If you own a store bought game, you can make a backup copy of it.  The DMCA may say otherwise, but it all boils down to fair right usage.  If you make a copy of that retail game and sell the copy, then that is piracy and illegal.

If you download a PS2 game in which you do not own a retail version, then that is piracy again. Follow the law.  Play by the rules.  Play with a conscience mind.  The Underground Staff does not support piracy, and neither should you.  Thank you.  ~ Versatile

Revisions:

6-27-09:  Another classic tutorial re-written to new standards.

1-03-09: Deleted the video since it needs to be re-done. Minor changes. For some reason, there were NERO references.

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Introduction

Did you know you can make backups of your PS2 games (for legal purposes of course) to preserve your original game?  Well, yes you can.  What do you do if your favorite game has gotten scratched up over the years?  Do you want to go out and buy another copy of it?  Oh wait, Gamestop doesn’t have that game anymore?  What are you going to do?

Have you considered Torrents?

Wait, what are torrents?  In short, it is a small table of contents file called a “torrent” and you use it with a “torrent client” program.  From here, it will download the required files from other people online who are sharing the file for the online community.

Unfortunately, this article is not meant to be about torrents but rather show the user how to take a PS2 game that they got from a torrent, extract it from the Winrar files, and burn the ISO file using DVD Decrypter.

If you are unfamiliar with torrents, please read our excellent guides below first and then come back here:

[How To] Use Bittorrent – Utorrent

Guide for Better and Safer Torrenting

Assumptions (makes it easier for the rest of the tutorial)

1) You have some kind of RAR file extractor.  Examples include Winrar (shareware), and 7-zip (freeware)

2) You have Winrar or equivalent program configured properly.  More specifically, the program does not see your ISO file as an extractable file.

For a guide on Winrar and not making this mistake, see the guide below:

[How To] Make WinRAR Not Recognize ISO Files

3)  Your PS2 is modded via swap magic, modchip, or perhaps an exploited memory card.  To learn more about PS2 modding, see the guide below:

[Novice Guide] How to Get Started with PS2 and Backups

4) You have a DVD burner, and a spindle of blank DVD-Rs or DVD+Rs.

5) You have read this guide on DVD class media.  This is very important for a successful and readable disc for the PS2.

[How To] Determine DVD Class Media

6) You have DVD decrypter.  Get it from here.

7)  You have a passion to learn.  You know how to use the computer, and you have DVD Decrypter installed.  You may not be tech savvy, but you are willing to try out new things.  If you are stuck, please leave a comment!

Tutorial Starts Here

Step 1. Go to your favorite torrent site, and using your torrent program (I use utorrent) download a PS2 game. If you reside in the United States, make sure you download the NTSC version. If you get a PAL game, it will not work on your TV because it will flicker due to the refresh rate of the TV. NTSC games have 60 Hz refresh rate, but PAL games have 50 Hz refresh rate.

Step 2. Most often than not, the PS2 game you download will comprise of multiple RAR files. Select the first RAR file, right click and extract it.

Step 3. Once your game is extracted, you should have an .ISO file. Now open up your dvd decrypter program. Go to Mode > Iso > Write. Insert a blank DVD+R or DVD-R. It is recommended that DVD-R is used because of better compatibility with PS2 laser, but I have DVD+R work fine so it shouldn’t be an issue.

Step 4. Your screen should look like the one below now. Make sure to set the write speed to half the max rated speed of your blank DVD-r or DVD+r. For instance, if your DVD disc max write speed is 16X, put your burner speed setting at 8X.

Step 5. Now the game should be burning to the DVD.

Step 6. After a few minutes (depending on the speed of your DVD burner), DVD Decrypter is complete! Now use your favorite PS2 modchip device and it will work on your PS2.

If the game does not work, then there are two things that need to be done.

1) Use a different disc. Maxell DVDs are notorious for not being great DVDs. The PS2 laser is very picky as to what it can and cannot read. Many people suggest in getting Tao Yuden DVD’s but those are sometimes pricey. You can get by with better brands like Verbatim, Sony, and TDK to name a few.

2) Make sure the game is burnt correctly.

Video Tutorial

(to be added per 2010 standards)

I hope this helps. If questions, please leave comments! Enjoy!