DVD backup question

[Liquid_N2]

Ok, i have just purchased a Pioneer DVD RW, all installed and working lovely.

I wanted to test it so i tried putting a dvd i had in and back it up using DVD X Copy trial i downloaded.


Appart from the fact that is was 2am (waiting for the raffel :)) i didnt look at the ins and outs of it and just put the disk in and copied it. The film i backed up was lord of the rings which again me being half asleep didnt occur to me that the film is over 3hrs long and the most you can store on a dvd is 130mins.

But the problem i had other then the fact that it missed half the film, was that it removed the menu from the disk. It put a statement on the begining stating this is a backup and then went straight into the film.

Does anyone know of a better piece of software to use for backing up my films or whether its just because its the DVD X Copy express version which doesnt allow the menu to copy.

Thanks.

[pik4chu]

the trial doesnt copy menus, its the express version.
you missed half the video because most movies are on DD discs (double density) as in, 9.3 gigs or whatever rather than 4.7gigs, so most (even with DVD X) will use two DVD(+/-)R's, the DVD X copy Gold edition, allows you to copy everything, special features, menus and all. however that "this is a backup, blah blah" will always be there. one of those legal things probably and there is no legit way to remove that. so... welcome to the "not-so-wonderful-world" of dvd copying..lol :)

[ajrettke]

pik4chu, DVD xcopy express rips down double density disc (9.4gb)into 1 disc (4.7). I'm not sure how exactly it does it, there's no way it recompresses it either because in 10 minutes it will strip the movie from a disc! It would take the top of the line setup an hour to recompress a 9gb file

DVD X copy Xpress is IMO the greatest software out there. I don't want the extras on my backups, if I really wanna see em i'll use the original. Get DVD X copy (non express) and you can split a double sided DVD into 2 discs, you'll get the menus and extras, but you'll have to switch discs in the middle of the movie, which I don't like.

head on over to www.dvdrhelp.com
The people over there are awesome, great help, guides and anything else.

[pik4chu]

Originally posted by ajrettke
pik4chu, DVD xcopy express rips down double density disc (9.4gb)into 1 disc (4.7). I'm not sure how exactly it does it, there's no way it recompresses it either because in 10 minutes it will strip the movie from a disc! It would take the top of the line setup an hour to recompress a 9gb file

DVD X copy Xpress is IMO the greatest software out there. I don't want the extras on my backups, if I really wanna see em i'll use the original. Get DVD X copy (non express) and you can split a double sided DVD into 2 discs, you'll get the menus and extras, but you'll have to switch discs in the middle of the movie, which I don't like.

head on over to www.dvdrhelp.com
The people over there are awesome, great help, guides and anything else.

let me clarify, I was explaining why he was missing half the movie... not how dvdX copy worked ;) and I also dislike changing discs in the middle. but with VCD's its much worse.. sometimes 3 or more discs, and no menus.

but the gold edition of DVD x claims to copy menus and other stuff. so if you want them you'll hjave to shell out 99 USD or whatever for it and not use the trial ;)

so I dislike DVD X and I have my own method for that.

[Vengance_01]

Download this free program dvd shrink, this what I use. It allows you to rip anything out,(un-used 2ch sounds, lang, DTSvsDD Suround sound) You can compress previews as still pictures, compression is main tool for this. When I back mine up, I have HT 5.1 so 2ch goes, all previews are still compressed, menus, extras are all compressed to its highest, and sometimes i have to rip out extras(Space) and this leave maain movie at a very small compression, and it is idectical to the dvd in quailty. Plus these are like real dvds and thus my PS2 reads perfectly:D

[pik4chu]

hmm downloaded that few days ago, havent tried it yet though.... looking for a different type of solution for me...

[okayfine]

i thought the program compressed it if the movie was too long to fit in 1 disc.

[pik4chu]

no, it just supports burning a single movie to two discs and maintaining the chapter and menu structures of the DVD..

[Liquid_N2]

Ok guys, thanks for your suggestions.

I have been trying numerous things, then i discovered this guide http://www.monroeworld.com/dvd/backup_ic.htm

I have followed through its entirity and it works lovely, its a bit of mucking about, but all the software is either freeware or shareware.

You do need to have a lot of spare hard drive space, i would say about 15gb to rip, compress and recreate the film.

Thanks again.

[pik4chu]

well of course you wouldnt need more than 15gigs.. DVDs are only 9.2 or whatever ;)