Newbie guide for the perfect DVD to DVD-/+ blank media

[Sabro]

Wether or not there are a billion guides out there or not, if your guide helps 1 person to understand how to make a decent backup where the other guides confuse them, then you have made a difference.

I understand both halfs of the issue here, but I do believe thats what this site is about, helping others as you once seeked help and are now offering your knowledge to help others.

Give & Take so kudos for the guide wether its one billion one or the very first.

I think sometimes we (what ever level of expirence we're at) tend to forget we were all once 'noobs' and alot of their questions indeed drive this site.

Again, kudos and just remember you contributed to helping others, thus repaying your debt to VidHelp, and wether it sux or is the greatest guide there is....AT LEAST YOU ATTEMPTED TO HELP!

Nuff Said,

Sabro

[rkr1958]

I ALWAYS do deep analysis and ALWAYS use AEC as well.

What is AEC?

[smearbrick1]

smearbrick, here's an example of what I'm talking about, Fandim did a nice comparison between the programs:

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=258338

This is the main reason for why I use Decrypter - better burns.

Am I the only one that is not paying attention to our conversation? I never said there was anything wrong with DVD Decrypter! I've said in almost all of my previous posts that I have never even used it. I was not contesting your results with DVD decrypter (although the use of CMC discs is just... well... nevermind). But thanks for pointing out the obvious advantages of DVD Decrypter. I have something that works (Nero) and that's what I'm sticking to.

Let's just rehash what was covered here:

1. I never said one was better than the other, I was merely attempting explain why you would experience problems with Nero and not DVD Decrypter.

2. I have never used DVD Decrypter, and although the scans were lovely, have no desire to change what I am currently using. It works fine.

3. In my opinion (it's mine. I'm allowed to have it) CMC media is crap. I have about 100 CMC discs from Officemax, want them?

Now... something relating to this thread topic:

If you think your guide is badass (or booku), submit it in the guide section will it will get read by people searching for GUIDES.

[mattyboy]

Lay off the guy he made a noob guide cause hes trying to help. If you dont think it helps, tell him why and how to fix it, not thats he's an idiot for trying. Jeeez.
Some members must be so bored to try and pick arguements.

[smearbrick1]

Lay off the guy he made a noob guide cause hes trying to help. If you dont think it helps, tell him why and how to fix it, not thats he's an idiot for trying. Jeeez.
Some members must be so bored to try and pick arguements.

I don't believe anyone ever bashed his guide or tried to "pick an argument". Myself, as well as other posters, just made some slight criticisms... that's it!!!! Somehow, it got twisted into some weird DVD Decrypter/Nero 6 shootout.

I'm telling the guy: SUBMIT YOUR GUIDE TO THE GUIDES SECTION!!!!

Is there any more of a positive response than that?

[lordsmurf]

I ALWAYS do deep analysis and ALWAYS use AEC as well.

What is AEC?

A "quality maintaining" feature of DVD Shrink, starting in v3.2. It takes forever (add 1+ hours to the transcode), and I'm still testing it's advantages, but using the SMOOTH filter did results in at least one nice DVD. More on this can be found in the program's readme HTML files.

[steve2713]

I ALWAYS do deep analysis and ALWAYS use AEC as well.

What is AEC?

A "quality maintaining" feature of DVD Shrink, starting in v3.2. It takes forever (add 1+ hours to the transcode), and I'm still testing it's advantages, but using the SMOOTH filter did results in at least one nice DVD. More on this can be found in the program's readme HTML files.

The time it takes depends on several things, obviously your computer speed being one of them. It also varies greatly depending on which setting you use. Sharp takes about 25-30 minutes on a typical DVD for me. Smooth takes about 50 minutes. Maximum Smooth (very rarely use) can take 1 1/2 hours or more. Maximum Sharp (never use) is very quick. In simple terms, I usually use 'sharp' at about 75% or higher, and 'smooth' from 60-75%. If by some small chance I have to get down to around 60% compression or lower, I'll use 'maximum smooth'.

They are all misleading titles, at best. 'Maximum Smooth' doesn't by default mean it's going to be any less sharp than even 'Maximum Sharpness', depending on the amount of compression and the source to begin with. The differences in the different settings is in how much they transcode the different frames of an MPG, which is made up of B, I, and P frames. For example, Maximum Sharpness doesn't little or no compression to most of the frames, but heavily compresses a fraction of the frames, that's why it's so fast. But, if you use max sharpness on a heavily compressed DVD, it'll be evident that you've only compressed certain frames, as the picture will have 'flashes' of bad macroblocking as those few frames that were transcoded will be HEAVILY compressed, and it'll show. As you go through the AEC settings, they change the amounts of compression they do on each of the different types of frames, which is why the time it takes to do each increases.

[blinky88]

I would like to thank those members who appreciate the fact that I posted the guide to help those who are not experienced users. Other more experienced members may use other variations of Shrink and Decrypter not mentioned in my notes, however, all of the people who are using those applications with the settings I have noted, are getting perfect backups (their words, not mine).

Although I use the AEC default setting of Sharp, choosing Smooth may give a better result at certain times, Steve is a very experienced Shrink \ Decrypter user, so would listen to whatever suggestion he puts forward.

As far as using Deep Analysis taking longer to make the backup, I can assure everyone reading this thread, the 'deep analysis' feature in Shrink DOES produce better backups.

Lordsmurf, the additional time when using the deep analysis option in Shrink is according to the amount of compression, the more compression the more time. Very rare to see anything like the times you have suggested. I have a P4\2.0 which is not considered fast these days, perhaps your CPU is somewhat slower than mine ?

In the words of Sabro, if my notes help one person, I would be happy but I really hope it helps more than one.

[blinky88]

I forgot to mention, over one thousand members have taken a look at this post and only 2 people have negative things to say, Lordsmurf and Smurbrick.

If what I have written is incorrect, I would have expected the 'more experienced' members of this site, would have made comment on my errors.

[rkr1958]

A "quality maintaining" feature of DVD Shrink, starting in v3.2. It takes forever (add 1+ hours to the transcode), and I'm still testing it's advantages, but using the SMOOTH filter did results in at least one nice DVD. More on this can be found in the program's readme HTML files.

I've been using DVDShrink for a while now and v3.2 since it came out. This shows you how much I keep up with new features ... I didn't know it had anything like AEC. I need to check it out. By the way, I did know about Deep Analysis and I always use regardless of the compression level (except for no compression of course). As best as I can recall, Deep Analysis takes around 20-minutes on my computer.

[blinky88]

You obviously have a faster CPU than lordsmurf and the time you mention is more in line with most DVD backups.

[loconess]

I was just thinking.
If you are NOT a newbie, don't look!!!!
Let the noobs decide, and if they got more questions, then, only then can you "experts" can post.

I am not a noobs, but I think am courteous,
so I would like to at least thank you OP for his efforts.

[blinky88]

Thank you loconess, I am rather disappointed, with all the members who have read this post haven't posted their results. I really did expect those who did gave it a trail, to post their results to confirm 'how user friendly' these applications are and also confirm to others 'whether or not' the results are as good as I have stated.

[jimmalenko]

Anyone else remember PATMANN, this guide and think "deja vue" ?

**********

OK ...... on with my critique .....

Over the last 12 months, I have received an education on backing up a DVD. I knew absolutely nothing when I started, however, members of this superb site gave me all the information I needed. Today, I thought I would share what I have learnt in very simple terms to help anyone who is in the same position I was, 12 months ago.

Dude, kudos to you. So many people learn what they need to learn then piss off, so it's good to see someone willing to give back. Let me echo the thoughts of a few others though by saying that firstly, if you can't handle criticisms or differences of opinions, then you shouldn't post. I'm not saying that anyone's overstepped the line or that you've overreacted or anything, but you open yourself up to it as soon as you post, and as long as feedback is constructive, sometimes you just gotta cop it on the chin and agree to disagree with someone, or see it from someone else's point of view. After all, opinions are like arseholes .... everyone's got one ...

… and I must say, that in my opinion, I thought the guide was a little .... lacking .... in a few areas. Having been around the traps for a while now, I've seen probably quite a few more DVDs than you have, and I can honestly say that I could name quite a few situations where this guide would get ambiguous, or you would be left with nowhere to go. I'm not pointing these out to bring you down (and neither is anyone else, mind you), I'm pointing these out so that your guide can be more robust and be even better than it already is. That's my agenda here. I don't need to hang shit on someone "less superior" for an ego boost, so don't take it that way, OK ?

If you like, I can put my money where my mouth is and itemize what I think is wrong with it, either here or by PM if you are willing to listen

[neelat]

Thanks for the guide Blinky. After being referred to it through this site, I have used it to backup a couple of DVDs so far and the results are flawless. Great guide for a Newbie like me and the best part is that the software is free!

[blinky88]

Thank you neelat, it's nice to know some-one has received a benefit to my post. I am certain all future burns will be 100% OK. No coasters, skips, pauses or any such problems, just perfect burns and a backup hard to pick from the original.

I guess, with all the views of that post others are using the guide and getting simular results, however, people tend to report bad experinces and rarely report when things go right.

I feel good knowing it did help some-one .... thanks for the report, I very much doubt you will have any future problems.