DVD to DVD-R

[blarb]

I wanted to be able to copy DVD movies, ao I bought a Panasonic LF-D311, thinking I would be able to do this. So I get it installed, install the sad cyberlink bundled software, and find out that it does not copy DVDs. What good is a DVD burner if you can't copy DVD's? So I install another program, PrimoDVD by Veritas, and it also fails to copy a DVD (although it looks much easier to use). When I try to copy, it starts reading the DVD to the hard drive and stops with errors - every time, with different DVDs.

I am setting this up for someone who needs to have it as simple as possible, like Easy CD creator for DVDs. But there doesn;t seem to be anything out there - is there?

Also, in the process of trying to copy the DVDs, it showed that the original is over 8MB. How will this fit (if the process even got that far) on the standard 4.7GB DVD-R & DVD-RW disks that are available today?

Thanks in advance for any help - I'm getting really frustrated with this thing...

[mikerios]

check out the dvd ripping guides, specifically the dvd to dvd-r ripping guides and you'll see why you cannot copy that easy ( also check the dvd faq guide on how dvd are made structure why and why they cannot be straight 1:1 copy does not work without some bit of work. ). what you want can be done, it's just gong to take a little bit of work on your part.

[Kdiddy]

Remember the little boy who put on the towel & jumped off the roof thinking he was Superman? Everything is not as easy as it appears.

[Roberto]

I own the Pioneer DVR-A03 and it is truely a good DVD-R/R-W writer. There are not many good software out there yet that deals well with DVD burning. Seems that Nero recently added support to DVD burning. Maybe you should give it a try.

[mikerios]

Kdidy-

LOL! indeed, I love that statement, bravo...

Roberto, there is plenty of good dvd-r burning software, and quite a bit of dvd authoring programs, the trick is finding the best and easiest to use, in that reguards I say dvd authoring is still in it's infancy to some degree and I think by years end there will be updated programs ( ulead, pinnacle, sonic solutions ) that will be more user freindly, have more features and be more stable. DVD buring is not much of a problem as once you got the DVD authored in the files, then it's just a matter of burning with Nero ( my favorite ) or Prassi.

[Roberto]

Maybe you are right, it is a matter of being able to find the best ones, which I have not. Thanks for the correction.

[blarb]

Thanks for the replies, people. So would you say Prassi or Nero is the closest to being the simplest DVD-copying software?

[mikerios]

neither, as neither Prassi nor Nero will do 1:1 DVD Copies as neither decrypts the streams. You have to rip the DVD vob files first. Check the guide for the how to rip dvd to dvd-r/-rw.

[jeex]

the guy who you bought it for must be an imbicile when it comes to computers.. and if you expect to find him something as easy as easy cd creator, then you're sadly mistaken.. you may aswell box the drive back up for dumbass mcgee, take it back and get a refund.. 1:1 copying is what he wants, which is pretty much impossible (storage restrictions), but he's not gonna get that. not now atleast..

[blarb]

Thanks again for the replies, all. I am now crystal clear on the state of DVD writing - it ain't ready for the mass market. If you feel it's worth it to spend the $10(?) for the media & many hours just to copy one DVD, great. But in my humble opinion, it's not worth it - just go buy the DVD for 20 bucks and you're done. But once DVD 1:1 copying is ready, I'll be investing in the appropriate hardware.

And jeex, kick back buddy. You seem a little too emotional about all this.

Again, thankz.
-B Larb

[mikerios]

i spend 5 bucks and I love the fact that jeex gets al emotional.

[blarb]

I'm happy for you.