DVD burning - good quality and is getting 5.1 possible?

[87path]

I am considering abandoning VCD burning and buying a dvd burner. Before doing this, I wanted to ask three things that would help my decision. First, is the quality of a dvd copy of a dvd movie as good as the original? Second, can the dolby digital 5.1 soundtrack be copied as well, or are you stuck with two channel? And third, is the dvd copying process easier and less time consuming than burning VCDs?

I can live without all the menu and extra stuff from the original dvd, but quality and dolby 5.1 is a must!

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[dun4cheap]

Yes and Yes. I bought the Sony DRU500a recently and this is what I have found. I can rip a full movie in 10-15minutes. Then in about 4 minutes can recreate the IFO files with IFOEDIT95 and finally burn it back to DVD-r or DVD+R in about 20 minutes. No encoding at all. I prefer ripping the 5.1 or 6.1 and the english subtitles. I have only found 2.4 speed DVD+R disks so far so I have not burned anything faster. All in All in about 45 minutes I have the same quality movie on a DVD-R or DVD+R. Keep in mind I have not messed to much with copying all the fancy extras and re-encoding them to all fit on a DVD-5 disc but the tools are definately maturing and it will get easier and easier.

[hothandiman]

Hi! Three tools: Smart Ripper, Ifoedit, and Nero (or other sutable burning software). The backups of your original media are identical. As you may know, there are many good tutorials and links on this site. With ifoedit, you can split the audio streams you want (i always keep the AC 5.1). DVD burning, usually, is MUCH faster. Get the DVD burner, you will never be sorry! Check out prices on the web or try CC or BB. If you just want the movie, the tools above work great. If you want true DVD authoring tools, that is another story.

[Wetmonkey]

for prices check out www.pricewatch.com

[87path]

Thanks for all the replies. Looks like I'm in business!