DVD burning question

[bossass]

I took the plunge and bought a firewire DVD burner for my iBook. All I want to do is burn some DVDs. Here's the problem I'm running into: the DVD+Rs I bought are 4.7gb and, for example, Scarface is 8.7gb. So how does this work, do I just need to get some media with more space? I blindly bought a 50 pack of Memorex DVD+Rs on black friday, not knowing there was a difference. Any suggestions. My drive is a Fantom DVD+/-R/RW 16x dual layer external firewire, if that helps.

[eDub]

I took the plunge and bought a firewire DVD burner for my iBook. All I want to do is burn some DVDs. Here's the problem I'm running into: the DVD+Rs I bought are 4.7gb and, for example, Scarface is 8.7gb. So how does this work, do I just need to get some media with more space? I blindly bought a 50 pack of Memorex DVD+Rs on black friday, not knowing there was a difference. Any suggestions. My drive is a Fantom DVD+/-R/RW 16x dual layer external firewire, if that helps.

You can buy dual-layer (DL) media and that would solve your problem. However, DL media is still relatively expensive compared to single layer media. I haven't checked in a long time, but the prices I saw were $7.50 - $12 per DL disc. Not really economical for making back-up copies.

Alternatively, there is software (often freeware) that allows you to further compress the file (e.g., DVD Shrink). Small amounts of additional compression aren't that noticeable (to me - but I'm not a videophile), but when you start compressing more than 30%, you have a loss of clarity.

Or you can use the same software to rip just the movie itself (no menus or extras). If the movie is 2 hours or less, you shouldn't have any problem ripping it and burning it on a 4.7GB DVD. I have no experience w/ Macs, so I can't help you there. For Windows, I use DVD Decryptor (SL to SL backups); DVD Shrink (DL to SL via movie only rip or additional compression); and Copy to DVD (for burning after ripping with DVD Shrink). All work great.

Excellent resource:
Videohelp.com

[m1e448]

I have no idea if MAc's can read PC stuff, I'm a Mac jong. If they can somehow, I'm willing to send you a copy of DVD xcopy gold, You can burn most anything to one disc, you just might have to go without subtitle or something. It will let you pick and choose what you want on your copy. Or else just use the inevitable two discs.

[skier666]

I'm a PC guy but DVD Shrink and DVD Decrypter have worked like a charm for the past couple of months. It does compress, if it has to. Like above, I usually don't see any clarity issues as well. You can also cut out extras, etc to keep the movie at hi-res.

If you want to copy ski vids...lot of videos aren't that big, so you'll see no loss whatsoever.

[bagtagley]

The latest version of DVDShrink does decryption and compression, and it burns if you have Nero installed. It also has a Reauthor feature that allows you to remove special scenes and add-ons. It's all you need unless you're downloading movies, plus it's free.

I've compressed as much as 45% without any unacceptable loss in quality. The only exceptions are high action movies (eg. Terminator 3) which tend to pixelate during fast moving scenes. Even then it's tolerable.

[eDub]

The latest version of DVDShrink does decryption and compression, and it burns if you have Nero installed. It also has a Reauthor feature that allows you to remove special scenes and add-ons. It's all you need unless you're downloading movies, plus it's free.

I've compressed as much as 45% without any unacceptable loss in quality. The only exceptions are high action movies (eg. Terminator 3) which tend to pixelate during fast moving scenes. Even then it's tolerable.

Bagtagley-

The re-author option also removes menus. That is, it rips the movie out and burns it on a DVD in a linear format. However, if you know how to remove selected extras and still retain menus, please share because I would really like to know how to do that. (I am convinced that studios are throwing loads of crappy extras on DVD just to make it too large for a SL DVD.)

And you are correct about 2nd Gen DVDShrink having burn capability if you have Nero. But I've used DVD Shrink since 1st Gen when it didn't have burn capability, so I had to get Copy to DVD. As a result, I never bothered to get Nero and I still use Copy to DVD with 2nd Gen DVDShrink.

[bagtagley]

Bagtagley-

The re-author option also removes menus. That is, it rips the movie out and burns it on a DVD in a linear format. However, if you know how to remove selected extras and still retain menus, please share because I would really like to know how to do that.

TMPGenc DVD Author will take .vob files and let you reencode w/ a menu. I've only done this when combining multiple small DVDs (eg. Yoga DVDs for the GF). It was a bit of a pain diggin through the titles and figuring out what was what.

As soon as the DL DVDs become affordable, I'll probably start stacking movies on a single DVD using Shrink and TMPGenc. Until then, I'll continue to compress the shit of the whole thing, or drop everything but the main title and say fuck the menu. Incidentally, I've seen rumors that you can load a hacked firmware upgrade onto current DVD burners that will allow you to burn DL DVDs...nothing substatiated though.

Also, if you're interested in Nero, it's really easy to get. You can just DL the trial version and then get a crack code online (or so I've heard : winky)

[focus]

ok...so...if you have a MAC......

this took me a while...you hear all these great reviews of programs that are only available for PC's.... there isn't a lot for the mac, which is one of the tradeoffs we have to deal with....

http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/19238

seems to work very well -- it's fast and doesn't completely fuck up your image quality.

[skier666]

I just use DVD shrink 3.2 and then when I want to "Backup" it opens up DVD Decrypter and seems to work perfect....2 clicks and its done.

As far as menus, extras...I've never really fooled around with that too much.

Also, thanks for the info on action movies...my brother burns a lot of movies but he never mentions that...I'll ask him.

As far as DL...I think my brother just got one and has been "experimenting"...I'll share any info I get fom him...


....man we're nerds

[bagtagley]

....man we're nerds

Heh. I spent way too much time at the comp figuring out how to burn compressed movie files.

Speaking of nerds, I wrote up a tutorial on how to download and burn DVDs for my GF's brother. It's a tad dated, and I've learned quite a bit since then, but it covers about everything...if you're interested.

Edit: BTW bosass, I totally missed the fact that you're working w/ a Mac. Sorry for the hijack.

[bossass]

Hijack noted, no problem. Shit, this is quite a bit more complicated than I had anticipated. Any more Mac dorks out there with insight?

[focus]

I spent a lot of time messing with this (googling) a while ago...dvd2onex is seriously the best app i found for trimming down .vob's.

It's been a while, so i don't remember if dvd2onex will decode movies...you may need to get something different for that... if i remember right this part of it wasn't nearly as hard as figuring out how to trim it down so it'll fit on a 4.7gb dvd.

edit: dvd2onex is easy to find on limewire, too. sheeit...pay for software?

[skier0178]

I guess I'll be your token mac dork. You have two options:

1. Use Fast DVD Copy (http://www.fastdvdcopy.com/). I've used this and had variable results but it's by far the easiest thing to use. If it works well for you, you're golden.

2. Use MacTheRipper (http://www.wormintheapple.gr/macdvd/mtr.html) to de-crypt the DVD (you have to de-crypt or else it won't copy) and then use DVD2oneX (http://www.dvd2one.com/) to create the burnable files which you then burn with Toast (http://www.roxio.com/en/products/toast/index.jhtml).

I personally use the second option as it consistantly produces good results and is much more customizable.

Hope that helps.

[Schralper]

OSX? Disk Utility/Copy instead of toast and/or Limewire for the apps