new to dvd burning....

[|Supreme|]

i just bought a hp dvd writer...(its external)..going to install it tomorrow..but I have 2 questions 1. whats the easiest way to backup dvd's?...i was checking out some of the guides here...one said to use dvd decrypter..and then ifoedit...and then burn with nero or ulead..(which is better?)....now i see theres something new called dvdtodvdr...dont have the money for a prog like that...but are there any similiar progs like that.... 2. if you have old svcd or mpegs...is it easy to burn them...i heard somewhere you had to convert vcd and svcd's to dvd format..what is that?

[musher70]

yeah, dvd2dvdr is free go here...
http://www.dvd2dvdr.com/part_i_spruce.htm

[|Supreme|]

whats better smart ripper..or dvd decrypter....and two things 1. is it possible to put the special features and other things..so its just like the original dvd AND 2. i joined 2 svcd files...using tmpgenc...and the first half..is inaudible...cant hear anything..but the 2nd half..whats up with that?

[|Supreme|]

so any thoughts about joining the svcd....i got no sound for the first file..(first half)..and sound for the second half..using tmpenc..