WHICH DVDWRITER TO BUY? *help plz*

[dave24]

hi guys

i am wanting to buy a DVDwriter for my pc and need help in deciding which one to buy from UK. I dont really have a budget - just want to buy the best one . I am interested in copying dvd's etc etc and want to know is it is possible to copy a full dvd movie, and what implications are there? etc etc.

i have a pentuim 4 2hz processor. i am right in saying that it usually take hours to copy one dvd to dvd. ? is there anything else i need to know?

thanks in advance

dave

[Deus]

I would reply with an actual helpfull answer but after reading your post in two different locations i changed my mind. Please dont double post.

[setarip]

Look into the latest Sony DVD burner (it replaces the excellent Sony DRU500A)...

[dave24]

hey deus, im sorry that was a mistake, i posted it this section first and then thought it might be better to place it in the other. it wasnt intending to double post it.

dave

[ddlooping]

dave24, it is very likely that you will mainly be advised to buy the Sony or the Pioneer A05/A105.
It looks like the Pioneer has been causing less trouble than the Sony, specifically in terms of media compatibility, firmware (but don't take my word for it) .
It is also cheaper (it can be found at around £170).
The main advantage the Sony has is its ability to read/write DVD-R/RW and DVD+R/+RW. The Pioneer works only with DVD-R/RW.

I have only recently bought a A105 and I'm a newbie at DVD backuping (backing-up?), but so far so good.
Having said that, I'm pretty sure either would meet your requirements.

To reply to your other question, "Yes", it is possible to back-up a full dvd movie.
There are a few softwares that will enable you to do just that. Some are free, DVD Shrink, ifoEdit, some not, DVD2One, DVDXCopy, etc etc.
Depending on your needs and wants, you will be able to backup a DVD, including the extras, to two dvds.
If the movie is not too long or if you do not mind loosing some or all of the extras (subtitles, foreign audio tracks, "making-of",..), only one DVDr might be needed.
Some fairly long movies will most probably require to be "compressed" to fit on one DVD though, with or without extras. Depending on your setup you might see a slight degradation of the picture or none at all.

If you want more insight about the "art" of backing-up DVDs, I'd suggest you browse a few specialised forums (like this one) and read a few guides.

Good luck
ddlooping

P.S: here is a link to a list of movies that have been successfully backed-up to one DVDr; some of them required the extras to be removed, some didn't (not that many would be my guess).

http://webplus.dvd-recordable.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Reviews&file=index&req=showcontent&id=11

It might give you an idea of what is possible.

[Batman]

Pioneer is coming out with a new burner this year, the A06 which will support the competing dvd+/-r/rw formats.

If you want to "play it safe" then you will opt for a burner that supports the competing formats (from Sony, NEC).

Otherwise, purchase a cheaper burner (there are many manufacturers).

[dave24]

thanks guys

is there some sort of protection to rip dvd's? i want to rip dvd's from uk and india and backup my data. i know the data backup will not be a problem but can you rip any dvd? i know cannot copy because most of them are protected. i am aware of the nre pioneer drive coming next month, so i might wait for that.

dave

[ddlooping]

dave24, DVD Decrypter and Smart Ripper are free DVD-ripping tools. I don't know of any DVD that either of these programs was not able to rip.
(then again I'm a newbie so I might be wrong)
For further info, I'd suggest that you read some more on this and other forums.

[FXP]

Pioneer A06 or Sony DRU-510A !

I would choose the Sony...

The choice is yours.