Need Serious Help Please

[NFL]

this is my first time even attempting any converting, etc. I have read about several programs for several hours now. My questions are probably pretty ignorant, but hopefully an expert will give me some much needed help. My questions are endless, but I will try to ask the ones that seem as though they will really help get me jump started. 1) If I use a particular software to convert/author a dvd I own, i.e "Blade" to make another copy, is the method of ripping DVD to DVD-R the best? From what I seem to be understanding is that a DVD can be copied onto a CD-R for certain DVD players, however, it will probably take 2 cdr's and it seems as though the quality will suffer. The whole purpose for "me" would be to emulate the quality as best as possible, thus, getting started using the best software/method to best duplicate the original DVD. So the question would be which method would be best in doing this?

2) If the answer to question 1 is DVD-R ripping, would I be able to play the finished rip in a standard, home DVD player? Or would I need a DVD player that plays DVD-R's? I am under the impression that any movie you rent or buy is in DVD-R format as it is, so I would think if that is the case, I shouldn't have a problem. But that is why I am asking. Any response?

3) From what I have read, I am aware that there are two main types of standart dvd formats. DVD-5, and DVD-9. DVD-9 being more common and almost 10 gigs in size. I have read that is also called DUAL-LAYERED, and is it possible to purchase a DUAL-LAYERED DVD and burn the DVD as is, after decoding the encryption, etc?? If not, I guess one of the methods I read about compressing the DVD-9 would have to do. But it would seem as though you would lose quality in compressing the file, is that the case?

4) Once I have converted the DVD successfully, (what great pride and excitement I would feel if I could accomplish that) lol.. : } , but once I did that, would I be able to play it continously in a regular, home dvd player. I mean, once I put that ripped DVD in a regular DVD player, (if the answer to question 2 is yes), would It play normally, just as a rented/purchased dvd? I know I can alter the menu's and take out extra's, etc, to reduce size, but suppose I leave everything as is, could/would the DVD play continously as if it were not even ripped?

5) And last but not least, if the method of ripping from DVD to DVD-R is the best quality method, is it possible at all to burn a DVD-R with a regular "CD-RW" burner. I know it would seem obvious that I would need a DVD burner, but is there some type of software, etc, that would allow my regular CD burner to do the task? Just asking and hoping I guess.

I apologize to whoever is upset/disgruntled with my long post. I am just a little confused with everything I have read and I am really determined to at least attempt this ripping. Thanks in advance for any replies, and any responses whatsoever will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[tonyp12]

I complain when some people put the question in 5 words.

But this is WAY TO MUCH text for a question.


First:
You can not burn a DVD-R with a CDRW drive
Why would they make $300 DVD-burners is you could use a $40 drive?

If you want to rip a dvd.

Best quility would be if the movie part will fit on DVDR (e.g DVD-5)
without any re-encoding.

DVD to SVCD using 2-3 cdr discs would be next.

DVD to VCD using 1-2 cdrs disc would be the least nice one to look at.

[gll99]

Why not start by filling in your profile so everyone knows what equipment you have. Then it's more a question of what you want to accomplish.

If you have a DVD writer, you may want to immediately backup your DVD main movie files to DVD.

If you plan to get one soon it may affect the answers provided to you. Some users want to burn to cd now but have the option to burn to DVD at some point in the future so want to maintain compatibility to minimize future conversion.

Others just want good vcd or svcd now and don't care about converting to DVD in the future.

Which catagory do you fit in or do you belong to one I have not listed.

That might be a good starting point.

[NFL]

thank your both for the replies. I guess I will have to try to find a dvd-r/rw burner. Figured I would need it, but with all of the cracks for programs, wasn't sure if there was one to make a cd burner act as a dvd burner. I guess the laser is different on both as well. Anyway, I now have my computer info listed. Is there anythying with my current computer hardware, that would affect the process of converting?

One question that wasn't answered is whether or not a home dvd player would read the dvd I burned just as if it were a regular dvd? If I go through this, I would like it to "auto-run/read/" as it normally would, or this entire process to "me" would be for not. Thanks again in advance for your time/response

[offline]

..

[EnemyWithin]

DVD-R's will play just like the original DVD as long as your stand-alone DVD player can read the media ok AND the original DVD is under 4.3GB. If it's over 4.3GB, then you will either need to a). strip out all the extras to make it fit, b). transcode it at a lower bitrate to make it fit, or c). split it to 2 DVD-R's. Also, you will probably need to test a couple of different brands of cheap DVD-R media before you find one that you like.

Your hardware is fine, but be aware that DVD copying needs a large amount of disk space during the process. I use a separate 80GB drive just for copying. You don't necessarily need all that space, but it does make things a little easier...especially if you want to work on multiple DVD's at the same time. I figure you will need an average of 10GB of work space per DVD (at least with the process that I use).

[NFL]

enemywithin, I appreciate your very informative response. I hadn't read anything Anywhere that stated it would run normally. From what I've read about my Sony standalone DVD player, some DVD-R's work and some don't. It is a very tough decision as to whether I will start this ripping process for DVD-R's or CD-R's, because I believe my standalone DVD player can read VCD's. At least it says it can in the manual. If I go the DVD route, I will need to purchase a DVD player that reads DVD-R's and I would also need a DVD-R/RW burner. Probably gonna be expensive. If I go the VCD route, I will just need to buy a DVD Rom which I can probably get for $45 from a place near by. If the quality of the DVD-R is much better then VCD, then I guess that is the way I should go, because i'd probably be defeating my purpose of going the VCD route when i'd be getting VHS quality on a VCD. Do you have any recomendations on the two? One last thing I am curious to as whether or not a DUAL LAYERED DVD can be purchased and copied. Most DVD's apparently are DUAL-LAYERED, i'm not sure if that means the disk has a special layer, or that it was burnt in such a way that two layers are made in a special way. I just read a post by another poster on this forum who made it a point to say they have single layered DVD-R's. I don't know why they would say that unless dual-layered disks can be obtained, or they are a newbie, like myself..lol...probably the latter. Please let me know if you get a chance. Thanks again

[snowmoon]

Dual-layered cannot be "burnt" or created with a DVD-R. The only way ( that I'm aware of ) is to manufacure them in quantity with a special press.

You can copy Dual layered disks in a number of diffrent ways with the guides either here or on sites like doom9.

Cheers,

[EnemyWithin]

The max size that you can fit on a DVD-R (or DVD+R) is 4.3GB. You cannot burn dual-layer disks, they have to be manufactured (like snowmoon said). If you are trying to copy a dual-layer DVD9 then you will need to:

a). strip out all the extras to make it fit, b). transcode it at a lower bitrate to make it fit, or c). split it to 2 DVD-R's

DVD-R's will give MUCH better quality than VCD. DVD-R quality will be an exact copy of the original (if no transcoding is required), or a near exact copy if you have to resize it. Generally speaking, the average person probably won't be able to tell the difference between the copy and the original. VCD quality is probably comparible to VHS (like you mentioned). If you can afford it, go with DVD-R's.

Either route will take a bit of work on your end to learn the procedure. So be prepared to read a lot, get a little frustrated, and waste a lot of time. Just make sure to SEARCH for answers before asking questions. 95% of the basic questions have already been asked and answered on this forum.

[NFL]

thanks once again enemy and snowmoon. I now understand. I guess I will go the route you suggested, because if i'm gonna get into this, I mine as well do it the right way. (DVD to DVD-R) It does seem expensive for a DVD burner, but being that I don't even have a DVD-ROM and would need to purchase one, I guess I mine as well go with the least expensive DVD burner I can find as long as I get enough info on it to make sure it's not garbage. I appreciate the info on dual-layered disks. I am sure I am going to have alot of frustration, but I will have to take that in order to accomplish the task of ripping. I will definitely check the newbie section of the forum for any questions I may have prior to asking anything. I just know I've read countless hours worth already, and it is starting to come together. I didn't see anything on how or what methods are used in making dual-layered disks, or if they could be completely emulated, so I am glad you have cleared that aspect up. Thanks again for all of your help, and within the next few days, hopefully I'll find an affordable DVD-burner.