Perfect 1:1 Dual Layer Backups?

Hi Guys,

I understand that most DVD's (the big blockbuster ones with lots of special features, extra audio tracks etc) use dual layer DVD's (DVD-9 ?) to fit all the information on them.

I've seen lots of guides here but I don't seem to be able to find a DVD-9 to DVD-9 guide using a particular software. Is it even possible to do this yet?

I don't want to muck around with shrinking or loosing any of the video/audio quality I just want to back up my collection cause I'm going away soon on a holiday and I don't want to scratch or loose my originals.

So is it possible to backup perfect 1:1 copies of them using a dual-layer dvd burner and a blank dual-layer DVD?

I want to be able to backup the complete film with all the special features, menu's, 5.1 sound, languages, subtitles, highest quality etc so after the burning is done I will have a perfect copy of my film. That way it doesn't matter if I loose them or if they get scratched because my collection will still be waiting safely for me when I return.

Could someone direct me to a guide for sucessfully backing up a DVD-9 to DVD-9. It would help if there were pics and maybe even the use of a popular title that everyone has. That way people can try with their own copy. Titles that a lot of people should have like Star Wars (all episodes), Kill Bill, The Matrix etc. If there isn't a guide could someone write one?


So here are some questions:

1.

I want a dual layer dvd burner and from researching this site both the Pioneer and NEC brands sounds good. Keeping in mind what I want my dual-layer dvd burner to do does anyone have a preference as to one or the other or a different brand?

2.

What is the best software to use when backing up my dvd collection? I want the absolute best software program that gives as little hassel as possible and makes it as easy to do. Could someone please reccomend their favourite and the pro's and con's of each. So far I've researched DvdShrink 3.2, DVD Decrypter 3.5.4.0, CloneDVD 3.5.4.0, DVD Cloner 2.40.

3.

What is the difference between -R and +R and which one tends to be the best blank media to back up dvd films? I have a Pioneer DVD Player.

I know thats a lot to read but any help would be most appreciated.


Thanks in advance.

 

The choice is yours to make, it all seems like "nike, polo rl, tommy, dkny, addidas, etc." it just a brand name, however, brand name can be very attractive or picky to other people. So I'll say, get the one you're most experienced with. In contrast, some people aren't as lucky as the others. Sometimes, you and I may have the same Dual Layer Burner, but you have all these failed burning issues, and I, on the other hand, am backing up movies happily.

So far, I've heard some of the members in this forum said that the best and highly recommended is DVD Rebuilder & CCE. Keep in mind though, this program does take a lot of encoding times roughly from 2 - 4 hours, and it's all depending on your computer specs. Other than that, the only program I could think of at this moment is "InterVideo Dvd Copy 3," which is truly fast and it does have better quality picture than most of any DVD backing up programs in the market now. On the other hand, DVD Shrink and DVD Decrypter both are prominent and quite famous with decent quality if you perform an "analysis" in prior to backing up your dvds. Plus they're both FREE, so the choice is yours.

Evidently, most stand alone dvd players will be able to handle the -R media better. With that being said; if the player is 2 years or older. Any new (latest) dvd players will be able to handle both -R/+R easily. The +R seems to read and write a little faster when than the -R when performing a back up. Honestly, I don't have any problem with either one of them. Apparently, the majority of members in this forum would recommend the -R due to the fact that it's media compatibility. In reality, despite of the inevitability of the -R and +R; regardless of what format when purchasing such media, you still need to get the most highly recommend such as “TY, Fuji, Maxell, Ritek, Verbatim, Sony and TDK.”

 

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all your help and advice. I will put your sugestions into practice very soon. No doubt I'll be back to ask more questions but thanks for setting me off in the right track.

Cheers.