Windows (TM) backup apps source code?

[six6]

I was wondering, there is a large number of "free" dvd backup programs for that other OS, yet almost none distribute source code (Of course, they are under no obligation to). Does anyone know reason for this though?

Does anyone have experience writing DVD backup software for windows and have some good insights on this? Some reasons I can guess the software is "free" but the source isn't:


Anonymitiy for the developer
Want to keep their specific techniques secret for fear of... code theft, forking, ???
Open sourcing doesn't cross their minds


To the point...
It'd be nice to have a compressed domain transcoding tool for linux, but it's tough without some sources. Every once in awhile something pops up about an open source project like a compressed domain transcoding tool. Here (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?&threadid=44321) is an old thread @ doom9; I'm sure there's more but I stumbled across that a minute ago and haven't looked into it further.

[KpeX]

You might be interested in the source code of StreamDVD (http://www.badabum.de/streamdvd.html), a main movie-only compressed domain transcoder.

As far as why windows DVD software is non-OSS, I think it depends on the author, they usually have their own reasons. I suspect dvdshrink is closed-source due to its similarity (and use?) in Nero Recode. Most of Nic's software is open-source, which could probably be pretty helpful (Rejig, QuEnc, etc.). Also I think sometimes authors worry that their software will be ripped off in payware, as has happened in a few cases.