Backing up 24 (TV series) using DVDSHRINK help needed

[busipaln]

Hi all, Ive been using the search engine and found some useful info on what software to use to back up episode discs. I have decided to go with DVD shrink. As each DVD i want to back up has 4 episodes, each at 1.8gb, i dont htink it will be such a good idea to compress.

I would be greatful if somone could give me the steps so i can split each dvd into 2 dvd-rs, however keeping the menus on both dvds. from those experienced users, what do u think the quality will be like if i compressed the whole dvd onto 1 dvd-r.

I have read somwhere you have to compress so 2 episodes to stills??? not sure how to do this and why?

[Faustus]

Read the last part of the guide linked at the end of my post. Should explain not only how to do it, but also how to disable the buttons that launch the episodes that are compressed to still frames. But disabling the buttons requires the registration of a cheap but sweet program to do so.

Also the new Nero Recode that comes with Nero 6 Ultra (the web edition of it anyway) can out right remove the episodes and replace them with a still fram e saying that the video was removed. I haven't used it yet thought so I don't know how, I just know it can do it.

[poopyhead]

As each DVD i want to back up has 4 episodes, each at 1.8gb, i dont htink it will be such a good idea to compress.

only way to find out is try.... i've compressed many full DVD9 DVDs at lvl10 (50% compression), and the movies still look great on my 32"

I would be greatful if somone could give me the steps so i can split each dvd into 2 dvd-rs, however keeping the menus on both dvds.

not sure if you can keep the menus on both.... but only 2 proggies i know of that can split to 2 DVD-Rs.... DVDXCOPY ($99) and DVDFAB (SHAREWARE w/ "nag" screens, discontinued support, may become PAYWARE soon)

from those experienced users, what do u think the quality will be like if i compressed the whole dvd onto 1 dvd-r.

see above...it really depends on the type of movie and how much bitrate the original DVD was encoded at....if the DVD's bitrate is high, then you're starting with a lot of bitrate...so after you compress it, there will still be alot of bitrate left...

I have read somwhere you have to compress so 2 episodes to stills??? not sure how to do this and why?

if you don't wanna use those 2 proggies i mentioned above (DVDXCOPY, DVDFAB) to split onto 2 DVD-Rs....what you can do is use a simple transcoder...and if there are 4 eps/DVD, then compress 2 of them as still images (i believe ~80% compression....basically not watchable)....this will free up a lot of space for the other 2 eps on the DVD that you should compress as little as possible. then, on another DVD-R, you do the reverse and compress the other 2 eps to still images....

however, this still isn't very efficient because those still images (unwatchable) of the 2 eps still take up some DVD disc space...so, the most efficient would be to use DVDXCOPY or DVDFAB to actually split.

[busipaln]

Flaystatus, thanks for the links, thats exactley what i was looking for, it all makes sense, it just that i havent played with editing the menus before, so i hope thats gonna work.

Thanks for that, I will try this weekend.

[busipaln]

Thanks Flaystus, i tried your method step by step and it works a Treat.

[mrbass]

I did 24 season 1 disc 1 with level 9 for each of the four episodes with dvdshrink 2.3. Looks fine for me ...usually though I never go over level 6.