FAQ: Copying movies for stand alone dvd player - Philosophy, hardware, insights needed…Basic information not found in more technical threads…

Everything I am asking is in relation to making dvd movies to play on a stand alone player, in my case my Toshiba SD- P2000 progressive scan portable.

I’ve searched through many forums and websites. Lots of information, but I can’t find answers to my basic questions. There does seem to be a good bit about how to make copies once you have all the software and equipment so I’m not asking much about that, (yetJ). I have been asking around and my questions seem pretty common. Unfortunately I haven’t gotten many clear or common answers.

Basically I’m asking about the general idea or philosophy, the hardware needed, the software needed, and what is available to use as ‘source material’.

This is all about high quality movies to play on a stand alone dvd player.



1. Is it worth it to get the equipment and software to copy dvds considering how much they cost to buy? I want the best picture and sound I can get. How many movies will I have to copy to make it worth getting this set up?

2. Is there a way to ‘share’ movies with others that is cheaper than buying dvds? Again, I want digital quality for the picture and audio. I have heard of Kazaa but then heard that the files can’t get onto a dvd that can played by a stand alone player. Is there a place you can go to and click on a movie title and down load a high quality version of it?

3. Burners – It sounds like the choice is between the Sony dru 500a (dw-u10a?) and the Pioneer a 03 or 04. I have also heard the Toshiba sd r5002 is good. I just want to copy dvd movies and, if possible, make dvds from downloaded files, all of which I want to play on my stand alone dvd player.

4. Will the burners also copy the dvd to my computers HD and then back onto a blank dvd or do I need to connect my dvd player to my computer? I’m guessing that the burner will do it but I haven’t heard it said for sure anywhere.

5. What is the best software for copying movies and keeping them at the same quality as the original? For short movies what I have found makes sense so what I’m asking about is the software for the longer ones. It was unclear if you could keep the original quality on the copy even if you copied it to two dvds. I read through the excellent faq from da boss but maybe I missed that part.

6. What kind of computer do I need? Is a standard PIII good enough as long as there is disk space?

7. Does anyone ‘loan’ copies of movies they made themselves? I’m guessing there must be all kinds of laws against that but considering how much of a hassle it seems to be to just make a copy of a movie I would think there would be people doing it.

8. Can original quality copies of rental dvds be made? It sounds like dvd2one will always lower the quality of picture and audio. Is that right?

9. Once I’ve set it up and done it a few times how long does it usually take to make a copy from start to finish?


The future

1. Will it get easier or harder to copy dvds?

2. Will the equipment become illegal or will it get easier and better to use?

3. Will a piece of equipment come that will just attach to my dvd player and make an exact copy of what is being played?



Legality

I know it depends on what I do with the copies I make, at least partially. Is there anything to worry about on a forum like this when asking questions about sites like Kazaa and copying movies?


THANK YOU!!

I have spent a lot of time on this, as I’m sure everyone has. I’m sure having the answers to these questions in one place will be very helpful to others as well. Your help is much appreciated.

 

ok the best dvd burner is the sony.
soft ware you need
dvddrycpter.
dvd2one
and your burning software that comes with your burner. or nero burning rom is great.
takes about 45 min a dvd this way great video and audio.
yes it is worth it .
i have a 12 year old doughter that is not allowed to touch my dvd collection. i have made a backup copy of all my dvd about 50.
you can buy a 12 pack of dvd for about 25.00 repurchasing 12 dvd @25.00 a piece thats 300.00 right there. is does not take long for it to pay for itself. just buy cd lables and you can have professional looking dvd,s.
you cannot tell the difference from the real thing with my backups. except when you ploay them i do not have all menues but who cares.
hope this helps