What hardware is the most recommended for copying DVD movies to play on my home theater system? I have read a bunch of threads and a lot of them have problems because their hardware is lacking in one way or another. What I need to do is find out which burner is needed, and basically, what kind of hardware config will do the job. I am ready to buy the hardware but can't make the mistake of buying the wrong thing. What I need to do is this: Copy DVD movies and play them on my home player, a Pioneer DV-C302D. Being a newbe in a class of newbes, you can't assume I know anything! Thank you in advance...
Soja, OK, can I assume you own a PC ? Let's assume not. So, PC minimum, and I'm talking "very general" here. Intel P3 600 Mhz / Athlon 1GHz (they are cheaper) 256 Mghz RAM 80GB Hard Drive Windows 2000 / XP You said :- Copy DVD movies and play them on my home player. From this I am assuming you mean "Movie Only" i.e. No extras, because if you mean extras, as a "newbie" you'll end up wasting your time (and maybe mine). One last piece of hardware, DVD burner. I use a Pioneer A104, but their A05 is supposed to be quite good, as is the Sony DRU500A. One last point, how old is your Pioneer DV-C302D ? It's a model I have not heard of. Does it play DVD-R/+R discs ? Check this out, otherwise you can have the best PC system in the world, and your settop won't play a thing. HomerJ
I am using a Pioneer 105 and it works just fine, when you get the right media for it (don't get me started). Homer is right though, check out the spec on your DVD player to make sure it can handle dvd-r or dvd+r. If it can't, you have to ask yourself whether it's worth paying upwards of £350 for a writer and player just to save a couple of quid on the cost of a dvd!! I've spent £200 on the writer, £150 on a player and £150 on blanks so far - but I haven't had time to watch a single copied movie coz I'm always wandering between the PC to check what it's up to, the laptop (can't use the pc while it's burning - it's not worth the risk) to get online, the TV to check whether the discs work and the kitchen to cook the old ball and chain her dinner. Oh yeah, I have a full time career as well!! Seriously, check out the player first, then get a good make of writer - pioneer is brill - then make sure you check compatability of the discs you buy (most online retailers should tell you whether they are compatible - if not, shop elsewhere). Then - and this can be the fun!?! bit - get to grips with the software. Have fun - I am but I've not got any time to sleep. Cheers Tony
TeeGee, Been there done that !!! There are times when the poor old PC is working overtime. I've had to install a TV in the study to catch up on some serious viewing. HomerJ
Hmmm - we have a tv in the guest bedroom but I refused to have one in ours. Now she wants the other portable in the utility room so we can watch while ironing (I do most of it anyway) I have a PCTV usb decoder which I want to put into the laptop but I only have 1 usb socket = used for adsl line. Sometimes its just nice to sit in the dark in here with a cold beer and the radio playing over the web - oh my God, I'm getting old!!!! Now she has discovered that I can make compilation cds of her favourite tracks - there'll be no peace for me now. Please God let us start a family soon so I'll have an excuse for being so knackered all the time.
Ok... Thanks guys. Homer J... I have a 950Mhz processor, 250Mghz memory with a 30 gig HD and a Yahama CD burner with a Toshiba CD rom. I will investigate the Pioneer player but it is about 1 1/2 years old and has played everything I have stuck in it. I was assuming that once you copied a DVD that any home player played it, kind of like a VHS. What you are telling me is if I copied a DVD and gave it to my Son who has a cheapie DVD player hooked to his TV that it might not play? Thanks again... I'll be back. Soja
Soja, Yes, that is correct, you'll find loads of threads on this forum with people saying "my DVD plays on this machine but on the this one". Do your homework first. MOST players are OK (especially say, within the past 18-24 months) but better to safe than sorry. Now the things to look for are DVD-R or DVD+R these are different formats (like VHS & Betamax formats, remember them ? (now it's just VHS). Some PC Burners like the new Sony DRU 500 will burn both formats, but even they are having a few problems, stock seems to be scarce, and there have been BIOS upgrades issued as well. HomerJ
HomerJ... Ok, my Pioneer DV-C302D 3 disk player can play DVD+R & DVD+RW disks. They are found to not be compatable with DVD-R & DVD-RW. This is after extensive searching. Whats the next step? Thanks Soja.
Soja, The choice has to be the Sony DRU500A, Then does'nt it ? This burns both formats (DVD-R/+R) Stocks might have improved by now. Check with your supplier what firmware is installed. Happy hunting. HomerJ
HomerJ... I kind-a came upon that conclusion myself from all the investigating I have been doing. One thing thats troubling me though is the way even DVDXcopy has to 'split' movies and 'rip' this file or that in order to get all of the dvd onto another dvd. I have no interest in the 'extras', we seldom watch them anyway. We just watch the movie and sometimes deleted scenes. The extra stuff is just that, extra. Now in looking at DVD XCopy, it seems that it promises a one click copy but then talks about 2 disks and other files and so on... Any thoughts or comments?? Also... What is "Cable Select"? I have read this in reference to setting up the Sony. Thanks lots... Soja.
Soja, Your right about DVDXCOPY. Because most commercial DVDs are "Dual Layer" the conatin twice as much data as a DVD-R/+R disc, therefore to do a "true" copy you need 2 discs. And this is what DVDXCOPY does, try to give you a true copy. Now, like you most people are happy with "just the movie", BUT, even just the movie on it's own can take up the space of more than a single DVD-R/+R disc. So, what the answer ? Either split the movie across 2 discs (not every ones cup of tea) OR re encode the movie, to make it fit on a single disc. Now, re encoding 5 or 6 GB of data is not that easy, but it it possible if you have the right tools. If you use "freeware" tools this re encoding can take 24hrs plus ( I note your 950Mhz PC) Using "bought" software, this can be reduced to 4-5hrs. You pays your money, and makes your choice. So there you have it. HomerJ
