Recode takes a really long time to do its thing. I have Advanced Analysis and Slow Encoding checked. Is that all necessary?
some additional info...MOST of the time I'm just ripping the main movie and sound so video quality remains at 100% (no compression needed?). I also have DVD43 running for copy protection
Advanced Analysis will make two passes to get the correct compression, slow encoding will work better for higher compressed movies it will give you better quality. You do not need it if your compression level is 85% to 100%.
so if I'm not compressing AT ALL i dont need either of those options because they will have NO effect on the quality of my movies?
If there is no compression you do not really need them, however they do still help. The two passes helps meet the target size better and slow transcoding, because Nero transcodes, always give the best quality. If you use a program like DVD Rebuilder along with an encoding program like CCE you would be able to do even more passes that ensure the best results. But for no compression you are getting a quality backup.