Newbie needs help on 1st attempt to make a DVD backup

[BlackAdder2TheRescue]

Hello guys I would appreciate it a lot if you could help me out here a bit.
I just recently bought a DVD R LG Super Multi DVD Drive GSA-4160B and this is my first try ever on making a DVD backup for my favourite DVD movies. My husband gave me for my name day City Of Angels in DVD which is my fav movie. But after playing it too many times the DVD is getting a bit wonky while playing. Therefore I am desperate to make a DVD backup with just the main movie and subtitles and no extras or anything else.
I have never done this before so please hang in there with me if I may sound a bit...stupid with my questions:P
I have read in the guides and how-to's how to backup a DVD using DVD Decrypter and DVDShrink. I already have in my PC the latest version of Nero which I know by the LG's manual that I can use to backup my DVD. Now I don't know if the DVD movie itself has any kind of protection. With which program should I backup my fav DVD? Should I use the DVDDecrypter and Shrink? Or go only with Nero?
Thanks in advance for any answer guys

[bugster]

Use DVDDecrypter and DVDshrink, or even just DVDshrink on its own.

[BlackAdder2TheRescue]

So no Nero then? Does that mean that if I use Nero the backup will fail?

[bugster]

You can use Nero if you wish, I just give my reccomendations. DVDshrink can burn too, but it uses Nero's burning engine I believe (Nero must be installed obviously).

I never said using Nero would cause the backup to fail, but I don't think it handles CSS encrypted disks, which most are.

[macleod]

"AN" issue with just using Nero (buring ROM)to copy and burn is that the dvd by be a dual layer (dont know if the burner you are using a dual layer or not, but anyway....) and you are wanting to take out parts (make it movie only) so it isnt (probably) a 1:1 copy.

You can certainly use nero's burning rom to burn the dvd. I, personally have mixed success (meaning I have had bad burns), while dvddecrypter's burning feature has "always" worked for me.

If you just want to do this, one of the easist applications to use to accomplish what you want to do is the dvdshrink dvddrypter method:

Put the dvd into your computers dvd rom (or burner, whichever) and let dvdshrink analyze it. After it is done analyzing, click the reauther button.

Then drag the main movie from the right pane over to the left. Hopefully the green bar hasnt extended all the way to the right (and hopefully, it doesnt show any red).

After you have done that, I would recommend going to the preferences tab and changing the 4.7 to custom and then typing in 4200. The size of the dvd is 4.7 (actually it's 4.3, but we wont talk about that whole thing now). What the 4.7 does is burn to the very edge, depending on the media, you "could" get skipping at the end of the dvd. 4200 has worked for me (and a lot movies don't fill up the entire dvd anyway).

After you have saved those changes. click the tab to look at what is on the actually reauthored DVD (I cant remember the specific name of it) and remove all of the sound tracks and subtitles that you dont want. As an added measure I click the <- -> symbol on the left pane, which gives you a video window. Here you can move the slider to start and end the movie whereever you want to (I dont care about credits and some of the intro stuff on mine).

Check the green bar and the percentage. If it is less than 100% click the backup button and then OK and it will back up the video. when you click the back up button a new window appears, go to the burn tab and change it to burn ISO dvddecrypter (download and install dvddecrypter from www.dvddecrypter.org if you havent already) and then click go.

In the event the % was less than 100% when you got ready to click back up, after you click the backup button click on one of the tabs that talks about deep analysis. If you want the "best" shrink has to offer, click on the deep analysis tab and the other tab that talks about quality. This will get the best results. Personally, unless the compression is greater (or less depending on if you are 1/2 cup full 1/2 cup empter person) 85% to 90%, I dont do a deep analysis or the ACE option. But, its up to you......

Good luck.

As a final, if you are burning at the top speed of your burner and are having bad burns (run the finished DVDR through kprobe or other analyzer), I would recommend slowing the burner down to 1 or 2 speed. Also, (and hopefully final), I would rip and burn to a dedicated hard drive (ie. not your "C" drive or one that has your operating system - windows X-) on it.

[BlackAdder2TheRescue]

Guys I used DVDDecrypter and DVDShrink and they worked like magic. I did everything correct and put the write speed at a low 2x so as not to burn the DVD R. (The LG DVD writer I have is a dual layer one)
The result is a lovely City of Angels DVD backup with Greek subtitles and clear image on my TV.
Thanks for all your help Much appreciated