To backup DVDs I have been using DVDFab to VOBblanker to Shrink and output as an ISO file. Which I then burn the image to disk with Nero. For me image files just seemed to be easier to manage .. got used to doing it that way with Shrink .. a couple of easy clicks and your burning. Having seen that Nero’s Recode is being used as well as Shrink to do the encoding I thought I would try it. I have Nero 6.6.0.18 and Recode 2.2.6.17. Using the same files I started with in Shrink, I ran them through Recode with the output as “Image Recorder”. Everything seems to encode OK … except the burned copy of The Cave only played the main movie, The Fog would not play at all and a 3rd movie would start to play and then go to stop. The results are the same for the software player as the standalone player. The copies made with Shrink using the ISO file method played perfect. I have isolated the problem to Recode’s image files by extracting the files from both Shrink and Recode image files, by using WinRAR, and then playing them. The movie files from the Shrink images play fine. The files from the Recode images do not. The Recode files have the same bad results as the disks burned from them. So it is not in the files I started with or in the burning of the disks. I tested Recode by making ISO(NRG)files with and without advanced analysis on and with the disk target size set to DVD 5 and custom (4400) with no difference in the results. The only difference I have noticed is that Alkohol and others have Recode output the files to the “Hard Drive” instead to “Image Recorder”. I tried the hard drive output method and it worked fine. Recode is definitely quicker. Here are the questions … finally … sorry for the long post: Is there a problem with using the Recode’s output option “Image Recorder” for any or all movie backups? Or am I just missing a setting somewhere?
@dewey650 I can't really give you a good answer in query to Nero Recode's Image Recorder simply because I've never used it before. I've always transcoded and preferred all of my VIDEO_TS files (dvd projects) into my Hard Disk aka Hard Drive and burned it with either Nero Burning Rom or Nero Express afterward. I don't mess around with ISO too much, unless it's a PS2 game's ISO, then I'll rip via DVD Decrypter and rebuild the ISO and burn it back with DVD Decrypter again. Otherwise, I prefer VIDEO_TS file better because DVDFAB Decrypter, VobBlanker, PgcEdit, PSL2 plugin + FixVTS all handles VIDEO_TS file(s) easily. To be honest, I primarily used Nero Burning Rom to burn all of my dvd projects, even ISO too. Yes, both Nero Burning Rom and Nero Express can burn ISO Image as flawless as DVD Decrypter. Why? I'll give you 1 good reason. It is because Nero Burning Rom or Nero Express will "automatically" set/change the "book type" or "bitsetting" to DVD-ROM whenever I used any DVD+R, DVD+RW and DVD+R DL media. Whereas, for DVD Decrypter, I have to manually go to "Tools, Drive and Change Book Type" via DVD Decrypter and change it every time in prior to the actual burning process. Therefore, I get tired of always have to go through that process and set the book type manually. As for Nero, it "automatically" set the book type into DVD-ROM and you only have to set to "automatic" via its book type settings once. In the end, we're all entitled to our own judgment and preferences, so the choice is yours.
@ alkohol Thanks for the reply. In my newbie opinion the image file problem is in Recode. I have compared file sizes finding these differences. Shrink VTS_01_0.IFO 18KB VTS_01_0.BUP 18KB Recode VTS_01_0.IFO 26KB VTS_01_0.BUP 26KB That’s about as far as my knowledge will take me. All I know is one works and the other doesn’t. Indicating to me that Recode has changed the file during the imaging process. Because the files created using the Hard Disk method in Recode and Shrink are the same and work. I had found another thread where someone has mentioned having a bad burn from an image file. Except during the course of figuring out were the problem was they have been brought over to the Hard Disk method through forum help and tutorials .. solving their problem. I suspect that is why it is not a common problem, a little used option in Recode, and a lot are still using Shrink as I had. I’m convinced, as you pointed out, that the ease of which you can use other programs, or check if the files work before burning, out way the simplicity of the image file. I am still curious about the image file thing. Worried about it working? No. Just another puzzle to figure out. Thanks again alkohol for your thoughts ... and especially the tutorials ... good job and much appreciated.
