Why can't you make an exact copy of a DVD?

[50]

Ok, I know there are a lot of DVD burner programs, but why can't you just make an exact copy of a dvd with all the menus and stuff in 1 dvd copy? You can do it with CD's, so why not DVD's?

 

[Zim Hosein]

It can be done IIRC correctly, but I don't think we can discuss that here Cartman2003.

 

[Angrymarshmello]

Because they are more complicated.

 

[Amused]

Most DVDs now a days are dual layer. Is there a consumer level dual layer DVD burner?

 

[UglyCasanova]

With a single layered disc I believe you can, but with a dual layered you can't because they hold 9.* Gb of data compared to the 4.7 (i believe) gb's that DVD -/+ R's can hold.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: Amused
Most DVDs now a days are dual layer. Is there a consumer level dual layer DVD burner?

Not that I'm aware of, but like dparker posted, w/ a single-layer DVD it can be done 🙂

 

[waylman]

Originally posted by: Cartman2003
Ok, I know there are a lot of DVD burner programs, but why can't you just make an exact copy of a dvd with all the menus and stuff in 1 dvd copy? You can do it with CD's, so why not DVD's?

you can with this

 

[yukichigai]

If you cruise over to the software forums they have links on some free DVD authoring software in a few threads. The stuff will let you backup your single layer DVDs (hello legal terms) and also will let you shrink down your dual layer DVDs so they can fit on a single layer DVD. Check it out yo.

 

[MrDingleDangle]

just wondering...how do they make the dual layer dvd's?

i see 2 options
1) they have lasers that can burn different layer (i think this is unlikely)
2) they burn a layer, put another layer down and burn it again

 

[50]

Originally posted by: waylman

Originally posted by: Cartman2003
Ok, I know there are a lot of DVD burner programs, but why can't you just make an exact copy of a dvd with all the menus and stuff in 1 dvd copy? You can do it with CD's, so why not DVD's?

you can with this

I've seen this demoed, it puts the DVD on two DVD's and it doesn't do menus like they are in in the movie. Also they write that the DVD is a copy on the movie which doesn't make it an EXACT copy.

 

[amnesiac]

DVD2One makes a duplicate of the movie, menus, extras, and all.

It just downsizes the bandwidth of the video to make up for it. You get "good" quality video instead of "great" but it still works, and it's easy.

IIRC a couple other programs like InstantCopy and stuff do the same thing.

 

[Iron Woode]

You can use something like DVDXCopy, but you will need to span DVDs to do it.

Also a new DVD burner just got released in Japan. It is the blue-laser version that holds 32 gigs/ DVD.

 

[amnesiac]

Originally posted by: Iron Woode
You can use something like DVDXCopy, but you will need to span DVDs to do it.

Also a new DVD burner just got released in Japan. It is the blue-laser version that holds 32 gigs/ DVD.

That's not DVD. IT's Blu-Ray and not interchangeable with DVDs.

 

[The Stigenator]

Also 4.7 Gb Single layer dvd's (they exist) are stamped.. but when you burn you lose about 400 mb due to dvd header..

so you end up with a 4.3gb dvd and with that sound gets cut out first. We found a way to make perfect legal copies but i wont tell you how. It took us ages. Why did we do it, because stupid Sonic.MyDVD started screwing up our cuts, we found it easier to just copy the freaking dvd rather than reencode it each time to make a copy.

 

[BennyD]

Originally posted by: MrDingleDangle
just wondering...how do they make the dual layer dvd's?

i see 2 options
1) they have lasers that can burn different layer (i think this is unlikely)
2) they burn a layer, put another layer down and burn it again

not sure but i think they just focus the laser differently for each layer

 

[LikeLinus]

Originally posted by: The_good_guy
Also 4.7 Gb Single layer dvd's (they exist) are stamped.. but when you burn you lose about 400 mb due to dvd header..

so you end up with a 4.3gb dvd and with that sound gets cut out first. We found a way to make perfect legal copies but i wont tell you how. It took us ages. Why did we do it, because stupid Sonic.MyDVD started screwing up our cuts, we found it easier to just copy the freaking dvd rather than reencode it each time to make a copy.

You figured out a way to make a 9GB Dvd w/ all menus and everything fit a 4.3GB DVD? You found the Holy Grail then 🙂

There are a few freeware apps that can reduce a movie to 1 dvd stripping out extra audio, full/widescreen modes, the extra features, and languages. Visit sites like doom9.org and dvdr-digest.com for some helpful tips. Anyone can do it with the right software and time.

 

[pulse8]

Originally posted by: BennyD

Originally posted by: MrDingleDangle
just wondering...how do they make the dual layer dvd's?

i see 2 options
1) they have lasers that can burn different layer (i think this is unlikely)
2) they burn a layer, put another layer down and burn it again

not sure but i think they just focus the laser differently for each layer

It's actually closer to number 2 than anything. I'm not sure of the exact process, but I know that they press one layer and then put the second on afterwards.