Burning files to a DVD-R disc - how?

[dvdfever]

Not 100% sure if this is the right section of the forum to post this in, but having had no success with Nero 5.5 doing this when burning a set of files to a blank DVD (just mpg, avi, mp3 files, etc), should I create an ISO out of the files with ImgTool for example?

I also tried the file mode in DVD Decrypter but that seemed to just want VOB files only.

Can someone point me in the right direction for this please? I must be missing something really obvious

Cheers,

[ricky1756]

are you just burning the files, or are you making them dvd compliant first?

[bottle-necked]

I don't like NERO products and don't use them, but burning DVDs and CDs is the same on most any burning program.

If you have more than 1 burner in your system you will need to select the desired burner in the program. The program will usually select the first burner it comes to. This may not be your desired drive.

Most burning programs have several different types of disks it's can make. DVD, VCD, DATA, MUSIC, BACKUP, etc. You will need to select what type of 'project' you want to do. For the type of project you discribed you need to select "DATA".

It's a good idea to "Close" your disks. This is usually available in "Options" or "Settings" and usually called "Track at once - Closed".

Desired files to put on your disk can be either 'imported' from within your burning program, or 'Drag and Dropped' into the program from Windows Explorer.

Desired folder structures can be created in most any burning software, and can also be created in Windows Explorer beforehand. This is usually up to you, but not always.

Burning programs have a 'bar graph' located on the screen showing you how much free space you have left and how much space you have used so far on this disk project.

It's also a good idea to use "RW" (re-writable) disks for a 'test run', then if everything seems to test out correctly, then burn an "R" disk as a final product. The "RW" disk can be erased (in your burning program) and reused over 1000 times. The "R" disk is a 'one time only' deal. You mess it up it's trash. You mess up the RW then erase it. No Big Deal.

ISO is an Image File of a disk project. If I were going to create 100 copies of a disk I would first create a ISO file of the original, save it to my HDD, then have a burning program read that image file and burn 100 copies. When making an exact copy of a disk most burning programs will make a ISO image file of the original and save it on HDD, then burn that ISO file onto a blank disk. It's like a big ZIP file. It's a disk image file.

Good luck.

[dvdfever]

are you just burning the files, or are you making them dvd compliant first?

Just burning them. Just want to free up space on the hard drive, and when I want to play them back I'll stick the DVD in my PC.

[dvdfever]

I don't like NERO products and don't use them, but burning DVDs and CDs is the same on most any burning program.

If you have more than 1 burner in your system you will need to select the desired burner in the program. The program will usually select the first burner it comes to. This may not be your desired drive.

Most burning programs have several different types of disks it's can make. DVD, VCD, DATA, MUSIC, BACKUP, etc. You will need to select what type of 'project' you want to do. For the type of project you discribed you need to select "DATA".

It's a good idea to "Close" your disks. This is usually available in "Options" or "Settings" and usually called "Track at once - Closed".

Desired files to put on your disk can be either 'imported' from within your burning program, or 'Drag and Dropped' into the program from Windows Explorer.

Desired folder structures can be created in most any burning software, and can also be created in Windows Explorer beforehand. This is usually up to you, but not always.

Burning programs have a 'bar graph' located on the screen showing you how much free space you have left and how much space you have used so far on this disk project.

Ta for the info. Any free/shareware recommendations for non-NERO programs?

It's also a good idea to use "RW" (re-writable) disks for a 'test run', then if everything seems to test out correctly, then burn an "R" disk as a final product. The "RW" disk can be erased (in your burning program) and reused over 1000 times. The "R" disk is a 'one time only' deal. You mess it up it's trash. You mess up the RW then erase it. No Big Deal.

Good luck.

I have a DVD-R/RW drive in my PC, but just DVD-R discs. I used my Philips DVD recorder mostly for DVD recording, but then learned from someone that I can record to DVD+RW and edit to suit, then just copy to a DVD-R disc in the PC, thus freeing up the DVD+RW disc.

I don't have any DVD-RW discs though. However, with +R/RW I've found there can be incompatibilities between the two when trying to play them back on a DVD player or console.

In this case though, I just want the data backup option.

TIA,

[bottle-necked]

I use RecordNow DX . It came with my burner and is a good program.

[ricky1756]

you need to make your files dvd compliant, and then send them through a dvd author program, such as tmpgenc dvd author, and ten use nero to burn it as a dvd. just putting the files on the dvd wont work.

[dvdfever]

you need to make your files dvd compliant, and then send them through a dvd author program, such as tmpgenc dvd author, and ten use nero to burn it as a dvd. just putting the files on the dvd wont work.

Ta for the suggestions. Are there any free/shareware programs around that do the same?

TIA,

[ricky1756]

you can make the files dvd compliant with tmpgenc encoder, and author them with tmpgenc dvd author, both have a 30 day free trial

[bottle-necked]

Just burning them. Just want to free up space on the hard drive, and when I want to play them back I'll stick the DVD in my PC.

Are there any free/shareware programs around that do the same?

None free that I know of. Shareware a few. Take your pick. lol

Good luck.

[mikerios]

Nero works fine for what you intend to do, burn files to a dvd for storage. The process is exactly like doing a cd-r
except you are making and iso compilation on a dvd-r instead of a cd-r. I have made bootable DVD-Rs, and normal ISO DVD-Rs.