best dv rw drive for dvd backups?

[cypher007]

ok im seriously thinking of buying a dvd rw drive, and as a newbie to this technology would apprieciate some steering in the right direction:

1) i have found there seems to be two different formats, which is the best?

2) which is the best drive?

3) is it possible, with the small capacity available, to backup dvds?

4) are those backups noticebly inferior?

5) should i wait until the drives get cheaper and have larger capacitys?

6) will my backups work on stand alone players?

7) will a dvd rw disc play on a stand alone player?

8) have i asked to many questions, hmmm.

[Batman]

Re: best dv rw drive for dvd backups?

"3) is it possible, with the small capacity available, to backup dvds?"

To do this you must either strip out components of the dvd (such as trailers, foriegn language audio tracks, extra's etc....) or re-encode the dvd to a lower bitrate.

4) are those backups noticebly inferior?

Again, if you decide to re-encode it depends on the settings.

6) will my backups work on stand alone players?

It depends, you may have higher success on newer dvd players. Also, sometimes the "procedure" used to burn dvd's impacts on their playability in standalaones.

7) will a dvd rw disc play on a stand alone player?

Visit vcdhelp.com

doom9.org has some good guides, and search their forum. Sony manufactures a drive capable of burning the "two" formats you talk about.