Why 'back up' DVD to avi?

[vioxx]

Hi,

This day we can copy a DVD just under 60 min easily.

What is the reason to take up to 10 hrs to convert a DVD into avi?

[Firk99]

Not everybody has a dvd-writer yet ! I admit since I have a dvd-writer I hardly convert to divx (one exception : playback on a pda).

[housepig]

hmmm. I'm flying to China, so I want something to watch for the 15 hours I'm going to be on the plane.

I have an old laptop with no dvd drive and limited harddrive space.

I convert the movies to avi, I can store 6 movies in the space of 1 single-layer dvd on the hard drive.

there's one reason... out of many...

[Suntan]

Well, first the time estimates you use are somewhat incorrect. It doesn't take more than 6 hours to encode a movie (with Xvid) for a Desktop copy as well as a copy for my IPAQ. But really, total setup time about 10 minutes for both encodes then I go to bed and the computer shutsdown when it is done.

As for why, simplicity is the answer. All my wife has to do is remember one button to push on the remote and a few seconds later the list of available movies is right there on the TV screen for her to select from. As opposed to having to deal with DVDs and the DVD player (which for some reason she still can't figure out). Also, when little kids are around, they don't even know that there is any equipment other than the TV, let alone able to throw DVDs around.

I admit that the setup I have is more complex than some people would take the time to build, but as a hobby it is time well spent.

Lastly, its cheaper. A $100 HD is the only extra expense and I have enough space to last me at least until HD material comes out.

-Suntan

[Cobra]

What is the reason to take up to 10 hrs to convert a DVD into avi?

I do it because I can fit four films onto a DVD at a very high quality. I take pride in compressing a film right down and still maintaining great quality. It saves me money on DVD media too.

I do it because I can.

Cobra

[teegee420]

I do it because I can.

That reminds me of the old story where a man was asked why he chose to climb Mt. Everest. He replied with "because it was there".

[vioxx]

Thanks all!

I do it just for fun

[Cobra]

That's the spirit!

Cobra