Idiot's Guide to Backing Up DVDs
 

OK, I have read through a bunch of threads about how to backup DVDs, and I am completly confused....I have DVD Copy Express Platinum on my PC, and I always get an error the first minute into the burn process.. (Some Loader error)

Maybe I am going about this wrong...Could someone please tell me how I can make backup copies of my DVDs? I have a DVD Plus burner..not sure of the specs.....

Thanks

DVD-Shrink is probably the easiest/cheapest solution. You can find it on www.doom9.org, which is a GREAT resource for DVD/Divx/etc.

Another suggestion is to use quality media (like Ritek), because some burners/players just dont play well with the cheap stuff...

i second DVD-Shrink, its easy to use and the price is right

OK, I've been reading through on how to use it, and it looks like I need to use this, along with some other programs.....(ImgTool & DVD Decrypter)
I'll try this when I get home tonight....Is this an easy process?

CloneDVD along with AnyDVD work great for me. A dummy could copy DVD's using that.

What I use is DVDdecrypter to rip the dvd, de-region it and de-crypt it. Afterwards, I use DVDshrink to compress and pull out extras (menus, subtitles, 2 channel audio,etc.), and then burn with Nero.

you shouldnt need to use Decrypter or Nero...

newer versions of DVDShrink will burn to DVD for you (using Nero's API) and should strip the region code and everything too... although, i have had a few problems getting DVDShrink to rip certain discs, at which time Decrypter comes in very handy :)

Ok, I've found the right topic at least. I'm trying to make back-up copies of my collection, but everytime I attempt to burn a DVD it tells me that they are encoded or copyrighted or something to that effect. How do I work my way around that or is it because I'm using interVideo DVD Copy Express?

DVDshrink with the re-author tool built in rocks.

I've heard that Intervideo has some copy protection built in.

I use 1ClickDVD copy. It compresses (like I assume DVDShrink does) a double-layer DVD to a single.

It requires a DVD ripper, but the 1Click site tells you where to get free ones. I use DVD for Free.

The only problem I've ever experienced is that some movies try to start a few scenes in, but if you hit the menu on the remote, and go to scene #1, everything is fine. I can't really detect a deterioration in quality, but I'm not viewing it on a huge plasma screen, either.

Anybody else?

*raises hand* Dummy here! I haven't the slightest clue on DVD backup (I'm new to DVD making), could you tell me more?

or does anyone know if there's a good "getting started" thread anywhere?

another vote for the reauthor tool of dvd shrink. cut off all those crappy menus, extras and credits.


Good links....
http://www.videohelp.com/tools?tool=155

Probably a dumb question but what's the difference between DVD+R and DVD-R ??

the burner and blank dvd must be compatible
use dvd+r's with a dvd+r writer.
that doesn't explain the difference, but that's about all you need to know.

That's the best and easiest way that I know too. The lastest version of DVD Shrink allows you to keep the main menu even if you are not copying some of the special features etc. Earlier versions didn't allow that.

If you're new to the whole DVD thing, I might suggest a couple of places to look.

http://www.mrbass.org/dvdnewbie/
http://www.mrbass.org/ <-- lots more info on the main site too