Films too big? Dual layer?

[RogerGW]

I have been backing up my DVDs for about two years now using Fab Decrypter followed by DVD Shrink and then Clone DVD for burning. I must say I have had a very high success rate until recently, but now a lot of films seem to be too big, even after re authoring an getting rid of all but the main film. So I decided to buy a new Dual layer Writer and discs to see if this would solve my problems. I have since tried Happy feet using Fab Decrypter etc as before. but have found that the copy is prone to jumping.
Maybe I am doing something stupid but would like to make 1:1 copies unless a minimum of shrinking will leave the copy quite acceptable. ie without jumps or missed bits! I also have lots of blank ordinary DVD's which I would like to use whenever possible as the Blank dual layer ones are quite a bit more expensive, especially with my current failiour rate.

Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

[Art Vandelay]

Burning Problems?

If your DVD is "jumping" it sounds like a burning problem so check the firmware for the drive to see if it is up to date, use good DVD media like Verbatim, and burn slower. I only use ImgBurn for burning the ISO.

I only use DL as a very last resort if you go DL get the Verbatim +R DL ones and bitset to DVD-ROM. I have found with reauthor in shrink and cuting the credits all my backups have worked. I have had episode DVD's that were too large for a single layer DVD (DVD5) even after eliminating other languages for shrink so I ran them through with compression at about 70% and output to DVD folder or files rather than a ISO. Then open shrink againe but select the DVD files that have already been shrink once and process them again but this time output to ISO and remember to use DA and AEC for quality improvement both times processing. The 2nd time through it will show a % like 95 since it such a small amount to get it to fit the 2nd time through and is much faster.

A better way is to use DVD Rebuilder and HCenc rather than Shrink to backup something rather large and still maintain good quality sicne the compression is so high. Shrink is so fast it is nice and RB is much slower but the output is very good IMO.

[locoeng]

but have found that the copy is prone to jumping.

This can also be cause be using cheap media...what brand do you use? Is your firmware up to date? Using paper adhesive labels?
Also when applying high levels of compression you should consider using Advanced Analysis and one of DVD Shrink's AEC features to smooth out the ill effects of compression. There is also a program called DVD-Rebuilder which outperforms DVD Shrink by a long shot in terms of quality on movies with high compression levels.


EDIT: Too quick Art.

[philip44]

RogerGW, I assume you mean that the films are too big even though you are reauthoring with movie only because you can't keep them at 100% and not that DVD Shrink can't shrink them enough to fit on the disc? If that is the case, I am wondering if you have tried viewing anything with compression. Even at 75 or 80% I can't see a noticable difference and I am projecting on a 7 foot screen. If I am understanding your question correctly, you should try viewing a movie using some compression and see if you can notice a difference. And Locoeng is correct in that you shouldn't be having a high failure rate unless you are using cheap media, have firmware problems, or actual hardware problems with your drive.

[RogerGW]

Many thanks for the replies. I guess the blank media is the most likely culprit; 'Datawrite' ? These discs are what I was sold with the new dual layer writer. Also I have now set the burn speed to 4x rather than automatic, which i presume is too fast?
I am afraid I am not too knowledgeable on the finer details and was not sure how much compression you could get away with before noticing any effects on the film, is there a rule of thumb?

[soup]

You pretty well have to judge that yourself but I have been as low as 50+%. I go by these quality settings, less than 65%=Maximum Smooth, 65-80%=Smooth, 80-90%=Sharp (Default) & 90-99.9%=Maximum Sharp.

[locoeng]

AEC settings:

99.9%-90% Maximum Sharp
89%-80% Sharp
79%-65% Smooth
Below 65% Maximum Smooth ( or preferably use DVD-Rebuilder)

The above guidlines are suggested by NWG and adopted by many. Play with the setting to see what works best for you on your system.

[Art Vandelay]

@locoeng

I think you reversed all the %'s. Your last one says Below 65% Maximum Sharp I think you mean Max smooth????

[locoeng]

Thanks art...looks like I reversed them. Soup had 'em straight though.