I have backed up my movies for a while now, mainly due to having 7 and 10 year old boys. I have been using DVD Shrink and Nero together and it works pretty decent. The problem is the occasional mess up when too much compression is needed to back up. I am curious if there are many people out here that are using a dual layer burner and how well they are working. Are you able to back up your movies with the software that is included with the drive? Anyone else use DVD Shrink? And have went to a dual layer burner? I am curious if it is worthwhile to get a dual layer burner yet. Thanks for any inputs. Mike
Well, I've not used DVD Shrink, nor do I have a DVD writer. I have "backed up" a few DVDs, though. I've done the DivX compression, which can be an involved process, but ultimately puts a movie on a CD. The quality isn't as good as a DVD, but can be close at times. You'll have to watch it on a PC, but some DVD players are supporting DivX. You can also convert to a Vidio CD (VCD) that will play on a DVD player, though will take 2 CDs and be a little better than VHS quality. I have a friend who used a regular single-layer DVD burner to copy a DVD. No compression or anything. It was a while ago, so I forget what we used. It was either Nero, HP (came with the burner), or K3B (linux software). However, the DVD copied without problem, and was as playable as the store-bought movie was.
If you're going to get a dual-layer burner, make SURE it does BOTH +r and -r at 16x write speed.....alot dont. I just got one but haven't bought dual layer discs yet. I bought a USB external - it was only about $20 more than one that goes inside the tower but this way you can use it on whatever computer you want. Dual layer disc's are still kind of pricey so for now, its more of a convenience (1 vs 2 discs) but Im sure prices will drop once its mainstream.
You guys are SO far over my head, it isn't funny! I have been thinking about a DVD burner but was looking to buy a stand alone unit because my PC isn't up to any mods due to the fact it is older than dirt! Is there a good or bad reason to just buy one I can plug into my TV-VCR?? I'm mainly looking to copy home movies onto DVD but I guess I couldn't copy any DVDs with this? I'm not looking to steal this thread but I need clued in!! Ken
Stand alone is the easiest way....i just transfered 500+ hours of Grateful Dead on VHS to DVD-R. I have a Panasonic DMR-E50....only problem is it tranfers at play speed(2 hour tape takes 2 hours to copy) but it does a great job. I just bought a Compaq computer with a Dual-layer DVD+R burner drive and i am taking it in today because it will not read burnable discs :rant: Peace WildBill
You should try dvd95copy. its the best all in one compression to shrink a dvd9 to a dvd5 and keep the extras. I never used nero to burn a dvd it never worked for me. I make the folders into an image file then I burn that with dvddecrypter. You can hook up your pc to the vhs/tv. It is cheaper than buying a dvd burner, I have one of those also its called a tv in card/out card. Its cool sometimes, when I play a game I can watch tv shows while playing a game.
DVDShrink + Nero is the way to go. Dual layer is so expensive right now, as someone mentioned. The blanks are outrageous and really aren't worth it right now,if you wanted to buy a burner now the prices are really low but they'd be lower later on when the blanks are lower cost too. You could try finding a copy of DVDXCopy, I know this board isn't into pirating and stuff but it's no longer available due to lawsuits and would back up your dvd's faster than using DVDShrink + Nero (it's all built into one program) and it lets you strip out any extra information like subtitles, extras, etc and leaves you with just the movie which gives you more space for the actual movie. In most cases you can fit the dvd in the 4.2 gigabytes pretty well and not have any bad quality problems when you take the extras out. Give it a try. If you absolutely need a copy of DVDXCopy, shoot me an PM and i'll see what I can do. Again, you won't find it in stores anymore unfortunately. This is what the MPAA is doing, removing your fair use rights.
Marco said; Can you hook up a VCR to a computer to burn DVDs? You will need a video capture card and software. I have been burning quite a few of the kids VHS tapes to DVD lately. I bought the Pinnacle software that came with a capture card, right now I think you can get that package for $49 after rebate. The software is nice but it does have its problems. That card also has a firewire connection that I use to transfer miniDV video from my camcorder to burn to DVD. :beer
Very cool Mike - thanks! PS - I finally updated the window sticker link on the website - Merry Christmas :beer
Some good stuff here! It is such a catch up game with this technology! Sounds like doing it on the PC would be good but then I would need a new PC to di it. Hey, that may be a good reason to get a new PC? But then I'd have to learn how to actually USE all that new stuff and my VCR blinks 12:00 now so I don't think that's gonna happen! I take it with a stand alone unit you can't back up anything that you bought because of the copyright protection but you can wuth a PC DVD burner? Like I said, the main reason I would want it would be for home VHS to DVD but I do have two kids and they have a few non playing DVDs already..........but they don't know how they got all scratched up like that??? Me and technology!!!! I have all of the best from yesterday and you can't even use it today! Ken
I've used DVDshrink & Nero on a friends puter. Copied well, and at 8x wasn't too long to wait. Just had to warranty some speakers from Circuit City so I'm using the store credit to get a burner of my own. Not going dual layer, for reasons mentioned above. The movies I burned play just fine... but for some reason, one wouldn't copy (but it wouldn't even try to copy that movie). I like DVDshrink, because you can choose not to copy all the language support & stuff.
Jeff, I would advise you to get the dual layer, but do as suggested and get one that is 16X and does both -R and +R medias. The reason I say this is due to your ability to expand. If you are stuck at buying at Circuit City, they have a HP model (made by Lite-On, I believe) for $79 after 2 rebates totalling $50. If you can afford to go elsewhere there are a few more better buys out there. As a matter of fact, I will give everyone here an awesome website to check saleprices for any state you are looking at. http://www.salescircular.com/ This place is great, and has each department divided to check for exactly what you are looking for with the best price on top. You will see that there are a couple better buys out there than Circuit City, that is why I mention it. I am curious still to hear how a dual layer burn process works. Anyone perform it yet? I was looking into the media and it is stupid priced for this time, but it will come down. And a place that I was looking to buy media from said that some single layer burners can be turned into a dual layer, to check the manufacturers website. But mine is a 4X, so I am looking to possibly upgrade anyhow. Mike
I have an NEC 2500A... it can be hacked (firmware) to do dual layer, the NEC 2500B is the dual layer one... you can get the 3500A for $64 at newegg. It's oem so it doesn't come with anything BUT the burner, no cables, no nothing just the drive itself. If you're like me you have everything already anyhow so it's just cheaper to go that route. I can vouch for the NEC 2500A being a great single layer burner though, not a single coaster yet. I refuse to try a dual layer disc due to the price.. so that'll wait.
As mentioned above Go to EBAY and look up DVD Xcopy. You want either the gold or platinum edititon. You should be able to pick up a copy there for around $50 I think. Got my copy that way last year and it works great. Pop a blank single layer DVD in the burner and the movie in the other DVD player and about 15 minutes later its all done. good luck
