Posted: 12/7/2004 12:47:43 PM EDT
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Just built my new desktop and it has a DVD burner. I would like to archive some of my existing original DVDs that I temd to travel with in case they get lost or damaged. Can anybody recommend a software package and where to get it. I have an NEC multilayer DVD-RW that works on both + and - formats. A friend told me X-copy was good but he didn't believe they were in business any longer. And before anybody jumps all over this thread, the fair use laws say you are legally allowed to make copies of original media you own for archival purposes. |
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Yes X-copy is/was an excellent archival program for DVD's I bought a copy before they went out of business and it was simple to use and produced good results. DVD Shrink is probably now your best bet - plus it's free, get it here: www.dvdshrink.org/what.html |
I won't jump on you. I have kids and a large DVD collection. I've had to replace too many discs because of my kids getting a hold of them.  As others have said, DVD-Shrink is your best bet. And use DVD-R media for best results. DVD+R is a misnomer, as it's not technically a DVD consortium standard. Remember the Alamo, and God Bless Texas... |
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On some DVDs you will also need either Smartripper or DVDdecryptor. check out www.videohelp.com or www.Doom9.org for all your video/DVD needs. DVDshrink works great and it compresses a full DVD to a 4.7G DVD-/+R. If you used a dual-layer DVD all you would need is Smartripper or DVDdecryptor to copy it to your harddrive and then burn it. But Dual-layer DVDs are not cost effective yet (about $10 each), you can get single layer DVD-Rs for as little as $.30 each nowadays. You usually cannot tell a difference in quality when compressing a DVD using DVDshrink unless the movie is really long and then you can split the movie and use 2 discs. |
I've heard of Nero... the others I have never heard of and what do you mean by "when used together?'
1-CLONEDVD2 IS A RIPPER...SELECT THE TRACKS YOU WANT AND MORE IMPORTANTLY LETS YOU REMOVE ALL THE EXTRAS AND CRAP PREVIEWS AND SELECT ONLY ENGLISH AUDIO.... AND THEN OUTPUTS A .ISO IMAGE FILE 2-ANYDVD ALLOWS CLONEDVD TO COPY "PROTECTED" DVDS, REMOVES THE DECRYPTION 3-NERO TO BURN THE .ISO FILE WALLA! YOU HAVE A VERY HIGH QUALITY DVD, HIGHER THAN DVD Shrink OR DVD X-COPY! AND NO NAG SCREENS LIKE DVD X-COPY USES. DONT GET CLONEDVD3, THE COMPRESSION ALGORITHYMS ARE SHITTY. |
You can use DVDXCOPY such that it does not compress it at all. Can't do better than that. |
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Hey hcheck this website out. I use these guides for all my dvd backups, and yes dvd shrink is the best, also you can download or buy a copy of Nero 6 to do the actual recording. The site explains everything for a qualtiy backup. www.dvdr-digest.com/ |
True, or you just burn them to two single layer writables for uncompressed quailty. I dont have a dual layer burner yet, which would solve that problem. assuming that standalone dvd players are compatible with the dual layer writable discs. |
Ok I was going to say I have been using + and have not had any problems. |
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I have yet to encounter a DVD that beats the following combination of software..... DVDShrink ImgTool Classsic DVD Decrypter Use the three programs in that order, and almost perfect results. You can tweak (re-author) DVD's with the shrink, cutting out all the extraneous BS that sucks up space on the disc, allowing you to make a near perfect copy...... Use shrink to "rip" the DVD onto the hard drive. ImgTool creates a VOB file (image) of the ripped file on the disc, and Decrypters burns it for you. If you install them correctly, ImgTool and DVD Decrypter will work with one another, meaning you only have to deal with two programs. |
Nice setup, if you had Nero you would not need the last two. The latest version of DVDShrink has copied every DVD I have tried. My buddy has been copying many many movies without a problem either. HiramRanger: DVD Shrink and Nero, an unbeatable comdo. You don't really need more than that. ByteTheBullet (-: |
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You need DVD Shrink and DVD Decryptor and then a package to relibably burn the resulting ISOs that shrink makes for you (I use Alchol but that choice is up to you) Unless you are happy ripping out features or compressing the hell out of an already poor format you are going to have to buy Dual Layer discs (right now this is not an option really ; disc cost is 10+ per blank) - so store em h.gif - start at a TB and plan to expand that 10 fold in less than 6 months Also keep in mind that "burnable" media isn't really up to the task of archival - I've had many MANY cdrs/dvdrs that have broken down (old cdrs lasted on average 3 years newer stuff is better but it's still a disposal media - dvdrs depends on the brand the cheapest stuff I could find broke down in about 18 months) this only matters of course if your concerned with "LONG" term storage which is mostly ignorant seeing as how Blue Ray etc will be along and we'll all have to buy Heat and Snatch yet again (I'm reminded of the line from Men in Black about buying the White album again) Of course I am a nut when it comes to stuff like this so (I also try to justify a computer budget that's close to my gun budget so YMMV) Sure my spelling is bad , I don't really care so why should you ? Barry |
Have you looked at the new seeting in DVD shrink? Added compression quaility but it takes longer. I usually start it and leave. I am actually 'archiving' right now. I am surfing on my laptop. ByteTheBullet (-: |
nope haven't been back to shrink site in months. the quality on mine is good,i guess i need to go and look. |
+1, on all acounts. |