Software (cheap or free) to recover DVD-R video? Rip DVDs?

I have some fire-damaged DVD-R discs, which were created as playable DVDs. Some of the discs seem OK except for some spots or areas of damage. The most important thing is to read whatever data is readable off the discs, with the intention of rebuilding them into a useful video file, later. Essentially, the intent is to copy whatever is left of the files, instead of aborting the copy when it fails to read portions.

What is the best free (or cheap) software to accomplish this?

Ripping such DVDs, even if not damaged, into video files, would also be useful, if the software can do that, too.

Eventually I'd be curious if there's such a thing as a drive which can read the readable portions of warped discs, which, of course, would not fit in ordinary drives. Of course, this is a tertiary concern, and I doubt it would be available at a reasonable price point. So this, I'm just wondering about. The software to recover the intact disc data is more imminent, and important.

 

Have you tried the Built in Troubleshooter > Other Trouble shooters Video Playback.
I have no idea what Windows Version you are using but this is in W10/11.

 

The built-in-troubleshooter can copy video DVDs to video files on the hard drive? And continue to copy files despite read errors?

In this case, the DVD drive I have is on a legacy Win7 machine, but I might get a portable DVD reader for my Win11 laptop. If i do, I want something fairly good at reading troublesome DVDs, so I haven't decided on one yet.

I know I've had ripping software in the past, but it's been years.

 

Yes, of course I've googled. Problem is one of "result overload." Many many answers, possible programs, etc. Which is why I wanted to try to get some suggestions from those who have used the software, not just trying to sell their specific program. Also malware and strange "features" are something to avoid, if, by asking a simple question here, I could.

I'm aware that damaged discs may not be able to be read. I'm just looking, at this point, to read whatever I can, and, perhaps in doing so, determine which discs have video I can't otherwise recover elsewhere. I was dubbing VHS to DVD when there was a fire which damaged both (unfortunately stored in the same location)