Is a Burner really needed?

Hi,

After talking to a friend I decided I pick up a DVD burner for Christmas. Now after looking around the net, some people are claiming to be able to burn DVDs with only CD Rom drive and DVD reader drive without the need of a burner. I am wanting to back up my DVD collection, and possibly my PS2/Xbox CD's. I am new to DVD copying, and haven't even done my first movie yet. But was wondering if these programs really work, or if Im better off with a real burner.

Thanks,

BB

 

They are talking about making video-cds, which are noware near the quality of dvds, and it usally takes multiple CDs to do it that way as well

 

Ok cool, thats good to know. As I said before, Im new to this. Instead of making a new post, got some Newb questions. I am trying to copy normal DVD movies. They are to big to be copied on my normal disk. They also have, I think its called CCS? that will not allow them to be copied by the program that came with my burner. If someone could lead me in a good direction to a good compressor, and one that will get past the block on movies. I looked threw Download.com, google, and this site. Ive downloaded two programs, one was CloneDVD from download, and that didn't work, and DVDShrink from this site which I havent had time to try yet. Are there other programs anyone would recommend for this? Also, the + and - disks will all recorded a movie right? Just some wont play on certain DVD players?

I'll probably just end up calling tech support instead of trying for weeks like I did with my router ~

Thanks,

BB

 

Hi Randomneb,
DVD Shrink is one part of a two part process. DVD Shrink will remove the CSS protection and allow you to compress the movie to fit on your blank media. Most movies are far too large to fit on a blank DVD. Shrink will put the files in a folder on your hard drive. A burning program such as Nero then burns those files to a blank disc. If you have a -R burner then you can only burn -R blank DVDs, Same for a +R burner. Many burners are dual format, I would get one of those. I record movies using both formats, either play in my cheap DVD player although my PS2 prefers -R.
Clone DVD is a one step DVD tool, it will compress and burn your movie.
CloneDVD didn't work because it cannot decrypt. AnyDVD is the companion program that will do the needed decryption and let CloneDVD work.
I wouldn't call tech support yet, You can get a lot of help right here.
I would recommend the demoversion of Nero 6: http://www.nero.com/us/neroue-prog.php
Take a look at the guides here:
http://dvdshrink.info/guides.php
Frank

 

Hi Randomneb,
While you are here take a look at some of the other threads and see what others are using.
Frank_X_X_X_X_X_[small]motorcycle racer
computer newbie
Sony VAIO
Suzuki GSXR1000[/small]

 

Im so excited, its acually working. Watching the first half of Pirated of the Caribbean as we speak on my first burned DVD

 

That is great, congratulations!!
Can you tell us what lead to your success?

 

Well, I used that CloneDVD, and instead of compressing it, it split it into 2 disk. So I got the first half. Going to try compressing it all onto one tonight, and I'll probably be back asking questions

 

Hiya all,

I agree with herbsman on TWO of his choices:

DVDDecrypter
DVD2One

but I also use IFOEdit (get rid of lots of crap etc using that), and SmartRipper for some awkward rips.

Me HATES NERO for DVD (sorry herbsman), great for everything BUT DVD; I use Prassi PrimoDVD.

Just my preferences: Your Mileage May Vary(tm).

Have Fun...

 

Ok,

I tried using Shrink today. It compressed it, and it said I could not back it up because it was not decrypted. I am assuming you need to back it up in order to burn it on a program such as Nero. How will I be able to decrypt it on Shrink, or do I need to?

Thanks,
BB

 

Ok,

Got the movie on my hard drive now. I tried going to Nero, and clicking on "Disc Image or Saved Project", and when I go to my movie folder, it has lots of items. Which one do I need to burn the video? Most of them say invalid.

Thanks,
BB

 

I am running 6 but I cant seem to find the "new" you are talking about. And every time I click on something it seems to minimize itself. I am on the screen where it has CD and DVD at the top right, and 5 icons under that - Favorites, Data, Audio, Copy and Backup, Extras. Is that where I should be?

Thanks herb and frank, been very helpful,
BB

 

The screen you're on is the Nero Wizard start screen. I'd suggest going straight to the left and selecting the Nero Burning ROM program.

Then once it opens the program it should start a new session. Make sure "DVD" (not "CD") is selected at the top-left of the window.

Check all the tabs to verify your settings, and click NEW.

Now, find your DVD files on your hard drive, select ALL, and copy all of them to the VIDEO_TS folder. (Just ignore the AUDIO_TS folder). Now, you should be ready to burn.

 

Hey, I forgot something.

After you select "DVD", under that you can select Data DVD, Mixed mode, etc. Select DVD Video (or DVD movie or whatever they list it as.)

Good luck

 

RANDOMNEB : "Im so excited, its acually working. Watching the first half of Pirated of the Caribbean as we speak on my first burned DVD "

...pirated of the caribbean...

Aint dat sum kinda freudian slip; or isa it just eko-numical use of da lingo?

Ol Hectar

 

I meant Pirates of the Caribean, (s and d close to each other). If thats what your asking, kinda hard to understand. And once my brother gets off my computer I look forward to trying what you said Squidge.