N00bie questions

[Yukk]

Hey i have a couple of questions, my knowledge is very limited when it comes to DVD burners.
How do they exactly work, can you actually go to the store buy a DVD and then burn another copy just like the original one? Also what is the best DVD writer in your opinion thats avaliable, oh and how long does it take to burn a dvd with current dvd writers since they are not nearly as fast and CD writers.
Thank you, and if i asked any of the wrong questions, im sorry.

[Yukk]

Also how difficult is it to burn, you have to first insert a dvd in dvd rw and then rip it to your hard drive right? After that you burn it on a DVDR disc?
What kind of computer do you have to have for that?
I have P4 1.4ghz 512rd ram and GF 4 ti 4600, if that enough or CPU is too slow?

I read about HP DVD200i burner, does anybody have it, did you have any problems with it? How fast does it take to burn a DVD on this burner.
Thanks again.

I tried reading n00bie guides but i don't understand a lot of terms that being used.

[BarryHL]

Ok I will try and explain a few things

can you actually go to the store buy a DVD and then burn another copy just like the original one?

DVDs come in single layer (DVD-5 about 4.7GB) and dual layer (DVD-9 about 7.95GB), All current dvd writers can only write single layer so if the DVD-Video that you buy is single layer you can just rip it to your hard disk and then copy it to DVD but if it's dual layer you will have to rip it to your hard disk and then either, strip some stuff out of it like extra audio track OR Re-Encode it in a lower bitrate.

what is the best DVD writer in your opinion thats avaliable

DVDs come in two main standards DVD-R(W) and DVD+R(W), we're not here to discuss what's the best and nobody knows who will eventually become triumphant so it's better to choose a writer that can do -R and +R. My recommendation is the Sony DRU-500a it's a 4x DVD-+R writer and a 2x Re-Writer.

how long does it take to burn a dvd with current dvd writers

To burn a full DVD it takes about:
60min at 1x
30min at 2x
15min at 4x

And yeah your computer is fine for burning DVDs but I suggest you get a seperate DVD reader as these are faster at ripping.

Hope some of this helps

[Yukk]

Thanks a lot for typing all that and taking time to explain, ill look into that sony burner, also is there any way to find out is a DVD movie comes on dual layer or single layer, do most movies on dual or single layers?
Thanks again.

[Tbear]

Most of the last year or so are dual layer. It will say on the back of the dvd case if it is a dual layer DVD.