Copying DVDs?

[amnesiac]

One of my neighbors just got a new computer that included a DVD-R drive.
He was asking me about copying DVDs, which is a natural thing to do since it's so easy with CDRs.
AFAIK, the only way to easily copy a dvd would be to rip the video stream onto the HD and copy it to a DVD-R but you'd lose all the functions of the DVD...plus wouldn't the macrovision screw with it too?
I told him I'd get back to him about it because i know nearly nothing about DVD-Rs.. can one do a copy?

 

[Nocturnal]

Originally posted by: amnesiac 2.0
One of my neighbors just got a new computer that included a DVD-R drive.
He was asking me about copying DVDs, which is a natural thing to do since it's so easy with CDRs.
AFAIK, the only way to easily copy a dvd would be to rip the video stream onto the HD and copy it to a DVD-R but you'd lose all the functions of the DVD...plus wouldn't the macrovision screw with it too?
I told him I'd get back to him about it because i know nearly nothing about DVD-Rs.. can one do a copy?

you cant do a 1:1 copy of any dvd. it isnt like old skewl vhs where you can just copy the tape to tape.

it has that macrovision... but anyways, copying dvds is illegal, isnt it?

 

[dakata24]

i know nothing about copying dvds, but there are programs out there that can remove macrovision.

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

Originally posted by: Nocturnal

copying dvds is illegal, isnt it?

Depends on what DVD, which is probably why he didn't say they'd go hire loads of DVDs and wanted to copy em all.

 

[amnesiac]

Originally posted by: Nocturnal

it has that macrovision... but anyways, copying dvds is illegal, isnt it?

Yes it is, another point which I was trying to make to him..he said it was "misleading" how people are led to assume that a DVD-R can copy DVDs.. I don't think the general public sees DVD-R drives and thinks "Oooh, I can pirate movies!"

 

[dakata24]

and i remember someone saying that their are dual layer dvd recordables, but are double sided while movie dvds are single sided discs..

id still love to get one just for one huge backup of my system on 1 dvd disc instead of 5-6 cdrs..

 

[amnesiac]

Heh, I searched around, and apparently with Smart Ripper and Prassi Primo, h@x0ring DVDs is a snap. Kinda.
Though, I think that the money spent on wasting blank discs will outweigh the costs of just buying the damn discs.

 

[HendrixFan]

DVD-R drives are good for data backup, where 700MB just isnt enough. As mentioned, a 1:1 copy of a DVD most likely wouldnt work because of the size limitation of the blanks.

Any ripper nowadays will strip macrovision for you, so that isnt really a concern. Now you can "back up" DVDs you have in the form of high bitrate DivX (100% quality 1 pass) with AC3 audio and it should fit just over 4 GB. You would lose the fancy menus and other "perks" of most DVDs.

Im looking forward to getting a DVD-R in the future, so that I can back up all my important files without using 50 or so CD-Rs. With all the audio work Im doing, a 700MB CD doesnt cut it.