DVD duplication to HP 100j DVD+RW

[fritts]

I see all sorts of programs designed to allow copying from DVD to CDR,but I have not found any to copy DVD to DVD+RW. I see programs such as Smartripper,TMPEngc and DVD2AVI. but they do not lead to copying DVD to DVD+RW.

Can anyone lay out the basics of the process, and whether or not it is possible to copy DVD to DVD+RW?

[CHE]

DVD to DVD-rw copy

I'm trying to find out the same thing...
So far.. I found a dvd copier made by panasonic: Model #DMR-E20S............... BUT................ I have no idea if this thing would do it properly. Because of Macrovision I guess you still have to use a SIMA COPY MASTER between your source and your copier but I still have to find someone hwo has it to find out if it could be done.

[vbyrd]

Being a newbie I hesitate to jump in but, I've gotten far enough in the last few weeks to take a shot at the basics:

The first thing you have to do is add a forum such as this or Doom9 to your favorites. The information there is indespensable.

Smartripper or DVD Decryptor is the start. These "rippers" decrypt the DVD, i.e. remove MacroVision and region settings. There are many ways to output files out of these rippers. Both SmartRipper and DVD Decryptor auto select the main movie on the DVD. The reason this is important is because DVD's are almost always larger than 4.7 Gig. They accomplish this by dual layering their DVD's. Our HP writers won't do dual layer so we have to get the unencryted raw material below 4.7. Getting rid of all the "extras" will, about half the time get the size of the files below 4.7. If your auto selected files are below 4.7 then you're golden. You take the default settings and produce new VOB files.

You can now take your new VOB files and author your DVD. Some programs, QuickBuilder, DVD Junior, etc will accept VOB files and build a VIDEO_TS directory which will include all the files necessary to "play" the DVD from your hard drive.

To play your DVD on a home player (set-top) you have to burn the VIDEO_TS directory to your DVD. I use RecordNow Max and it works very well. I have never been able to get Nero to work? neoDVD works well also.

Now what if your main movie files are over 4.7? More work. . . You can demux the movie (option in the ripper) and choose only one audio track (there are usually several). Sometimes this enough to get under the limit. If so then you end up with two files a video (m2v) and an audio file (ac3). To proceed you have to remux these two files. The easiest way to do this is to get DVDMaestro. Its a relatively easy program to use to remux. There are audio delay issues (from the demux) in some programs which produce un-synched VOB's. Also I use 5.1 Dolby and some authoring programs won't support 5.1 only 2.0. Maestro handles all these issues.

If your still over 4.7 after a demux you've got to use ReMpeg to reduce the bitrate to a rate that puts you below the limit. Then you can remux, etc.

This is a very simplistic "guide". There are many other programs and methods that can be used. I'm still a newbie and haven't even gotten into menus, subtitles, etc. I simply rip the main movie and copy it to DVD and watch it. No menus, special programming, extras.

It takes a fair amount of research and trial and error to accomplish ripping your first DVD. But thats half the fun.

Good Luck
Victor