burning from ISO vs burning from VIDEO_TS folder

[ibzomie]

Burning a DVD from ISO versus burning from VIDEO_TS folder: is one process better than the other?

If you can do either, are there reasons why you would want to do one instead of the other?

In my experience (admittedly limited), when I download a movie from a newsgroup and unRAR it, I usually end up with a VIDEO_TS folder. Is there any reason for making an ISO file from that folder, and then burning a DVD from that ISO, rather than burning from the VIDEO_TS folder?

What is the purpose of an ISO file?

[guns1inger]

The advantage to burning from an ISO is that you can use DVD Decrypter or Imgburn, which are time-tested and proven to be damn good burning apps. Otherwise, there is no other reason.

[unclebud]

Inside the ISO is the same VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS folder's that you burn when you burn a VIDEO_TS folder alone. There's no difference.

[fritzi93]

It's subjective, but some people find them convenient. You can keep ISOs in one place without a clutter of sub-folders. And of course for reliable burning, as mentioned. They're just disc images.