What DVD hardware, software should i get?

[bob large]

This is my first post so please be gentle.

I don't have a DVD player or DVD burner yet; I've been searching the net, reading and have figured out most of the DVD stuff.
I know about all the ripping software, compression, burning to CD-R and the like.
I want (like many) to be able to record (new) DVD's to DVD-r or DVD+r.
I want to burn DVD's at the same quality as the original and keep most of the original "extra" files, even if I have to put the movie on 2 DVD-R's.
I also want to be able to play the burnt DVD's on "any" DVD player.
I haven't bought a DVD, burner, or software yet because I want too gets the RIGHT equipment, for my use the FIRST TIME.

So finally to my questions, WHAT DO I NEED? What player should I get, one that plays DVD-R, or DVD+R?
What kind of burner for my computer should I get?
What software rips and burns without sacrificing quality or loosing "extra" files?

I know most of these questions have already been answered on this forum, and others, but please help, I have so much confusing info I don't know what to do with it!

[bartman]

The only way you can get a burnt DVD to work in "any" player and that is to get one of the DVD-R Authoring drives. DVD-R General and DVD+R each work in around 70 - 80% of players currently out there but you "should" have more success with most players made in the last couple of years. Interestingly enough, the cheaper players tend to be more compatable with different formats that the more expensive ones but this is probably due to the fact that a lot of the cheap ones are made from standard components (i.e. PC DVD-ROM drive, cheap power supply and mass produced ESS decoder board).

To split to 2 DVD-R's use ifoedit...in the tools section on this site. There are some excelent tutorials on how to use it here and on doom9.org. Smartripper will let you backup an entire DVD (basically copies all the files to your hard disk). Both of these are free...

As for burners, the Pioneer A04 is the king for DVD-R/RW. The Ricoh MP152a is good for DVD+R/RW ( check out http://www.pcx.com.au/asp/VCD_DIY_MP5125a.asp ). One thing I've noticed though, DVD-R seems to be almost selling itself whereas backers of DVD+R do everything to try and convince you that what they do is better, however they do this by telling you how crap (in their minds) DVD-R is. Personally I chose DVD-R because it has the backing of the DVD Forum...DVD+R is a "rogue system"

[bob large]

Thanks for the great info! It's just what I was looking for.

Another question, I downloaded smartripper but it seems to be in German. I know a little but not nearly enough to understand the loading procedure.

Is there an English version?
I've seen info articles on this site that talk about the smartripper and there in English so what's up?

[bartman]

http://www.doom9.org/Soft21/Rippers/SR241.rar

you will need winrar to extract it.

[bartman]

Sorry...that link won't work ....go to www.doom9.org and click on the download link....it is in there...