What DVD Writer???

[Smeagol]

Hi Folks
Im thinking of buying a DVD writer for my PC but I am confused by all this DVD-,DVD+ DVD rw, dual, etc any one got one, or understands what all this is about, I would appreciate any info. I basicly want to copy some DVD's.

Cheers MY Preciousss!!!

[Dr Stevil]

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatal...RW_Drives.html

most drives are 8 in 1 combos so don't worry about the terminology. However... AFAIK it's not yet possible to copy DVD to DVD in the same way as you easily can with CD to CD, or DVD to CD, unless anyone knows different?

[Tim Ingmire]

I bought one with an LG drive that writes all formats. Its excellent. I bought it with a case so I use it as an external drive with USB2 or Firewire connects. Probably not as fast as installing it as an internal drive but as I'm running off laptops, this is by far the better solution for me.

[hanmer]

I too have the LG DVD re-writer which can write to all DVD and CD formats, its reliable. In four months of use it has yet to churn out one duff DVD or CD.
I use mine mainly to copy DVD movies from original DVD's that I lend off my mates.

Once I learnt how to do it DVD copying is pretty sraight forward. One thing you have to remember is that original DVD's from shops are normally dual layered so they can contain twice as much data on the one side of the disc. Blank DVD's that you buy are genrally single sided single layered and can hold less data than the dual layered discs. Still the blank DVD's can hold 4.7Gb (I use DVD+R/W and R) on which I can store a whole movie that I have copied from an original DVD but compressed.

To compress a typical DVD movie with all the special features which may be around 8Gb in size down to 4.7Gb or less u can use the following software:
(In order...)
DVD Decrypter to rip the DVD
DVD Shrink to compress it to 4.7Gb
Deamon Tools to mount the DVD ready for burning
and then I use DVD Decrypter again but this time to burn the disc.

All of these are free and are in full working order, I downloaded them all from:
www.doom9.net the site also contains the guides to walk you through the step by step copying process.

Just to finish when compressing the DVD movie down to fit on a disc even at 50% compression I connot see any noticable loss in quality or sound!!
Second stand alone DVD players may not be compatable with all the DVD formats. My 6 year old Pioneers accepts DVD+ so thats what I use. If you are just going to be using your PC then you can use any of the formats you want.

DVD- has the widest compatability at presant with stand alone DVD players, DVD+ is gaining popularity (I use it ) and the other format DVD RAM is not compatable I believe with standalone DVD players so that one is mainly for use with PC's.

Most blank DVD's that people use are the single sided single layered type, you can get dual layered double sided discs which can store up to 17.1Gb but there expensive and not worth it especially just for movies.

Apologies if this was more in depth than you wanted, get me started on computers and you'll never shut me up.

Bri

[The Bouncer]

dont forget copying dvd's is illeagal
....the only reason u cant copy dvd fils atm is because they are in excess of 4.7gb in size
There are a few ways to copy them tho

PM me if you want a list of instructions on how to

[The Bouncer]

Btw my previous post doesn't mean i copy films

It just means i know how to

Just to clear that up in case trading standards etc are watching the board