Hi, I'm a bit new to copying or backing up DVD. Basically I need some advice and recommendations on the amount of compression one should not exceed to get good results when copying an original DVD to a DVD5. And also which software are you guys using to get good results. I currently use 1Click DVD Copy Pro & DVD Cloner III to make backups of movies but I have found that above 25% compression the results are not so good (a lot of freezing, pixelation). I burn to DVD-R disc. Results are excellent when compression required is little or no compression at all is required. Burning to Dual Layer Media is Excellent! But what can I do to burn good copies of original DVD9 movies to a normal DVD-R (DVD5)?
Making sure your using high quality DVD media (Media that are compatible)should be the most important step when backing up media. Pixelation can be caused by to much compression but it also can be caused by low quality media. Which in most cases it is due to the type of media your using. Find what the Manufactures ID# of the media is and look at the below guide to see what class media it falls into. If it is Class 2 or lower then you should change your media to a first class media. Verbatim and Taiyo Yuden are the most 2 popular media to use for DVD backup. Below are 3 different ways to find the Manufactures ID# of the media. Using Nero Info Tool : START/ALL PROGRAMS/NERO/TOOLS/INFOTOOL IMGBurn: DVD Decrypter: Here is the Guide that list the different Manufacture codes and Classes of media... http://www.digitalfaq.com/media/dvdmedia.htm Per your question on the best program to use. You will not get an agreed apon answer on that. Everyone has their favorites. But if it is quality that you want I would suggest to try and use DVD-RB and an encoder like CEE or 1 of the free encoders that comes with DVD-RB. This method takes longer then a transcoding program (!Click/DVD Cloner/Recode2/CloneDVD2) would but the outcome is well worth the extra time. Below are a few guides on how to use and setup DVD-RB and an encoder... This guide is for the free version of DVD-RB and using a free encoder that comes with it... http://forum.digital-digest.com/showthread.php?t=55302 This guide is how to set up and use DVD-RB Pro and CCE SP which you have to pay for... http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/420923#2550487
Thanks for your tips. The media I'm using, although it's an unknown brand, is made by Mitsubishi Chemical Corp. I think there among the best right? The results are great with low to no compression at all, so based on those facts I honestly don't belive it's the media. I asked about the software because I see a lot about DVD Shrink and Clone DVD in the forums. Based on your experience, just how much compression is too much?
Did you find out what the Manufactures ID# is of the media and see what class it is in. As to the compression. With transcoder programs I wouldn't go under 80% to 70% quality. 70% is cutting it close that is 30% compression. I do not think you will get much quality difference between using 1Click or DVD Cloner III and switching to another transcoder program like DVD Shrink or Clone DVD. That is why I said if you are unhappy with the results you are getting right now try DVD-RB and an encoder. It is well worth the time if quality is what is most important. If you have to compress anything under 80% I would recommend you try using DVD-RB and an encoder.
I did check the media ID with DVD Identifier and compared to a list of manufactures on a media guide where it's rank as 1st class media along with Verbatim, Taiyo Yuden, Sony, TDK, and Hitachi Maxell. Thanks for the tip on compression, for I surely was going way over board, as I was trying to copy a disc that required 44% compression. Do yo think the DVD-Rebuilder / Cinema Craft Encoder combo would make a difference in this case? I hope I'm not much of a bother, but I just started DVD archiving recently.
You defiantly would see a better result using DVD-RB with CCE or even any of the free encoders that comes with DVD-RB bundled free program. Just click on 1 of the links above and check it out. You have nothing to lose using the free version of DVD-RB.
