New to VCDHelp Forums and do I ever need help!!!!

[Frigaud]

I'm considering purchasing a Pioneer DVD Burner model DVR-AO3, along with a bunch of Pioneer 4.7 Gb blank DVD's to backup my library of DVD movies. I've also downloaded DECSS for windows to decrypt the original DVD's but have a few questions. Is this Pioneer Burner a good unit, or is there another more highly recommended one on the market? Does anybody around this forum sell these burners? If so, please contact me. Also, I realize that the DECSS utility decrypts the original movie, but what next? Is it a simple matter of copying the files from your hard drive to the Burner? Is there highly recommended software available to facilitate the process? Do I even need this software after I've run the original DVD through DECSS, and it's just a matter of using the bundled copy software that comes with the burner? I've seen the DVD software on the FAQ page of this site, but is the software capable of decrypting or do you use it after using DECSS? These may sound like stupid questions, but I'm a quick learner. Please let me know...Thanks

[Baldrick]

Use smartripper or dvd decryptor for ripping dvds and then you can basicly just burn the video on a dvd-r BUT this only applies for single layers dvds(4.7GB)...Most DVDs are today dual layers dvds(9.4 GB) and then will the dvd to dvd ripping process be much more complicated.

[Frigaud]

Thanks Baldrick. Are you saying then that Smartripper or DVD decryptor does the same as DECSS? You say then that all I need to do is burn the video to the 4.7 Gb DVD-R. What about the audio? Ultimately I'd like to maintian the exact integrity of both audio quality (5.1) and video resolution when burning DVD-R's. as close to the original as possible Would it be wise then to buy dual layered 9.4GB DVD-R's and is there a burner that will support the dual layered DVD-R's? Also, once I decrypt the master DVD, what is recommended as a good all round software package for burning the DVD? Or do I just use the copy software that possibly comes bundled with the burner? I see in the FAQ section that there are two software utilities for burning DVD's. Are those the ones to use for copying and burning?i really don't want to start downloading or buying all kinds of software to then find out that it is the wrong software to begin with.