i have just bought a pioneer 105 dvd writer with instant cd/dvd i am not sure how to go about coping a dvd i have looked at the message boards and it confuses me even more i would just like to know how to go about it what is the best software to use and dvd media to use for my drive also how long does it normally take to copy thanks
gavin_w, It takes a little more than instant CD/DVD - You have to rip the DVD first, then get it to the right size, your program won't do that - Better to start with software designed for that purpose - So,here ya go - This “Newbie Starter Recipe” is for the most part, is as a complete a package as anyone could wish It’s most outstanding plus factor, it only has 2 parts just 2. It's second great factor, the guides are picture-by-picture, step-by-step, easy-as-pie. We will start our dish with a main ingredient of DVD Shrink 3.0 Beta 5 – It's FREE, can do almost everything you could wish in as few as 3 steps - It will rip your movies (gets rid of that “pesky” copy write protection thingy ;-) in generally 2 to 3 minutes, it can be used for your smaller DVD-5’s and it also allows you to compress your larger DVD-9's to the necessary 4.36GB in order to insure a nice burn without encroaching onto the very edge of the disc. The finished product is sure to please with no significant loss of video or audio quality. “But wait there’s more –“ For those who like the backups “Their way” (a US colloquium, referring to a hamburger from Burger King) it also allows you to tailor your DVD’s however you wish. To keep in or remove audio streams menus, Director’s comments, extras and trailers all that is required is to check a box (re-author), it couldn’t be easier. PLUS it provides you with a nice neat VIDEO_TS folder for you, perfect to have Nero, CloneDVD or RecordNow Max burn for you. (Now it’s time to mix in the second and last part ;-) Nero 6.0 is excellent with a lot of extras you are sure to use in the near future or consider RecordNow Max ver.4.5 or CloneDVD both are excellent alternative burner choices. Actually, I use CloneDVD a lot; I like to watch the sheep. A complete DVDShrink program download and step-by-step guide can be downloaded from – http://www.chrismccann.co.uk/DVD_Shrink_v3_beta5.htm A 30 day, free, fully functional Nero 6 download can be had here: http://www.nero.com/us/631939541422774.php They are great programs, extremely easy to use - Give it a quick try, you'll have a perfect burn this afternoon, really – Enjoy, “P” HINT: I created a folder on my HD named "DVD Work" and before ripping my DVD’s I create another sub-folder with the name of the movie I'm backing up. (I.e. DVD Work\Starship Troopers.) When you click "Backup" in DVDShrink, a box will come up saying "Target Folder:” click "Browse" and trace your path back to "DVD Work\Starship Troopers" - when DVDShrink is finished, it will give you your VIDEO_TS folder already made for you in your DVD Work\Starship Troopers folder and you’re good to go. Now, , if you wish, you can burn it days down the road. At one point I had 23 movies sitting there, just waiting for my shipment of blank DVD media to arrive. When you wish to burn, use the "File Browser" in Nero (don’t use Wizard) to trace your path back again to DVD Work\Starship Troopers, you don’t have to try to remember where your work is or if you need to do anymore work on it, it is completely finished, ready to go – you are done and done – Again, enjoy, “P”
To put it plainly and simply: 1) DVDShrink is a great way to go. It is free, easy, and reliable. There is a simple, step-by-step guide available here (as well as a download link): http://www.chrismccann.co.uk/dvd_shrink.htm 2) Use any media that is not the 'cheapo' kind, but don't buy a whole spindle at once. Start with one or two to ensure they will work flawlessly before committing to a large quantity. Many people seem to prefer the Ritek brand. The entire process can take anywhere from 40 mins to 2 hours depending on the speed of your computer and the speed of your drive. Have fun with your new drive...
Huumm, yea, I could have said that, short, sweet and to the point but then I couldn't have had a chance to use my pre-written thing that took me forever to write for our new friends de Newbies - Besides, for a guy who types with 2 pencils for fingers, I'm really "windy" old fart - (See, there I go again when I could have said "Nice summery". Now if I can only get the date thing right and stop posting to year old threads I'll feel better - "P"
