DVD Backup. Which Way Is The Best?

DVD disk is a quite fragile medium and even despite special protection layer on each disk it is still very easy to damage.

Unlike VHS tapes, even dropping the disk or putting it in its box in the wrong way sometime might be enough to scratch it and get reading errors as a result. Taking in account that some collectors- or limited-edition DVDs can cost a fortune, it does make sense to make a backup copy and prevent the loss of the favorite disks. All that it takes is a PC, DVD-Recorder drive and special software.

There are many ways to backup DVDs and the choice between them depend entirely on users preferences. If you have a good home cinema and prefer to have best available quality, backup copies are best to be made on DVD disks. It is rather easy to do if the original disk is single-layered (DVD-5), but in case of double-layered (DVD-9) disks it becomes much more difficult; and unfortunately, most movies are recorded on such disks.

It might seem that double-layered recordable disks (DVD+R DL & DVD-R DL) are the best solution for this problem. However, this solution is not available to everyone as double layered disks require special DVD-Recorder drive that can handle them, and these drives are not too common yet.

Fortunately, special software (such as free DVD Decrypter\DVD Shrink combo or commercial CloneDVD utility) allows copying double-layered DVD on two single layered disks. And if shuffling disks in DVD player is not an option, it is possible to squeeze double-layered disk on one single-layered DVD. Of course, this would involve some reduction of image quality and stripping of bonus materials, but such reduction will hardly be noticeable on most TVs. And most bonus materials are useless anyway.

You don't want to cram DVD backups on your shelves? In this case it is possible to save all DVD backups on your hard drive by using exactly same programs. The only requirement here is the size of the hard drive; obviously, it should be big enough to store all data. In this case, should anything happen with original DVD, it will always be possible to restore it from hard drive.

But what if you don't have any home cinema and you prefer to watch movies on PC? In this case you won't actually have to record anything, as it is possible to watch movies from DVD backups on your hard drive at any time (this will require DVD player software, such as PowerDVD or WinDVD). If your hard drive is not too big, it would make sense to repackage movies from MPEG-2 (which is a standard for DVD video) to some format with more advanced compression such as MPEG-4 (AVI, DivX, Xvid, Mpeg-4). All that it takes is special ripper software, such as BitRipper, AutoGordianKnot, SmartRipper and others. As a result of such conversion the movie can be shrinked to fit standard CD, which is 5 times less than the original. And by using smart compression techniques it is possible to keep video quality pretty close to the original one.

However, after recording DivX\Mpeg-4 movie on CD or DVD in most cases it will be possible to watch it on PC only, as MPEG-4 capable DVD players are not too common. Of course, there are certain programs that can convert Mpeg-4 back to DVD, but such double conversion is highly unlikely to improve quality. Apart from that, most users usually strip multi-channel sound during DVD -> Mpeg-4 conversion and keep only stereo. As a result, watching DivX\Mpeg-4 encoded movie on the home cinema doesn't make much sense and won't be particularly satisfying too, especially if the movie is rich in sound effects. Mpeg-4, however, will suit old classical movies best, since they usually have mono or stereo sound initially; and classics remain classics regardless of quality.

Summary

It should be quite easy for you now to choose most appropriate backup method. If you prefer maximum quality available, full DVD backup on one double-layered or two single layered disks is your choice. If you still prefer quality and have a home cinema, but can sacrifice a little of image - backing up DVD on one single-layered disk will suit you well.

And if you prefer to keep and watch movies on your PC, same backup programs that you use DVD backup will allow you to create a copy of DVD on your hard drive. In case if your hard drive is not big enough to store full DVDs and you don't have anything that resembles home movie theatre, the most sensible thing would be to convert DVD to Mpeg-4 format.

Artem Chlegov is a editor and writer for http://DVDSoftwareGuide.com - a DVD software review website.

Is DVD Replication Better Than DVD Duplication?

This is probably the no. 1 most frequently asked question that I get. Many people think that they are the same and use these 2 words interchangeably. Some people say one but actually mean the other. It creates a lot of confusion because each method has its pros and cons. If you are trying to get a price and time estimate even at the same quantity you might get wildly different answers.

Duplication
CD/DVD duplication (a.k.a burned CD/DVD) is the process to create the content using CD-R / DVD-R media. In other words, a duplicator is used to create or "burn" the source image to another pre-manufactured CD-R/DVD-R.

Replication
CD/DVD replication (a.k.a pressed CD/DVD) creates a glass master from a pre-mastered image. Stampers are subsequently created from glass master. The stampers will then be used to press the discs with injection molding made of raw polycarbonate plastic.

What's the big deal?
Now you might be asking, "So what's the big deal? So they are different process". A big deal if you ask me. Replication is the de facto process for higher quantity manufacturing, say 1000 pieces and up. With replication, there is usually a setup cost because stampers and films that need to be made. A longer production time is also expected, most stampers need the entire day to make. We get a lot of wows when clients hear about how long it takes to replicate discs, the truth is, it is a much more complicated process that requires careful quality control and monitoring. The more you make, the cheaper it is with replication.

Lower quantities (we call it short-runs) are mostly done with duplication. With this method the setup is much quicker, since all we will be using is a duplication tower. It is also more economical because of little to none setup cost. That is why companies are able to have a very low minimum (such as 10 or 50) with duplication. You will get your products much quicker, usually within a few days time, but you do pay a higher per unit price for each disc.

Is duplication lower quality than replication?
The short answer is no. The quality of the products is only as good as the original master. What most people are concerned with is the compatibility of discs with CD/DVD players. It is not the same as quality. Nowadays about 90-95% of players are compatible with CD-R/DVD-R, with the exception of Playstation and X-Box. Just remember, the key is to thoroughly test the original master, otherwise problems will still arise no matter which method you use.

Shirley Ho is the co-founder of Hellman Production, a CD/DVD duplication replication specialist in Los Angeles. For more tips visit http://www.hellmanproduction.com and http://dvdduplicationhelp.blogspot.com

How To Convert VHS To DVD With A DVD Recorder

When preserving your favorite movies or memories, the standard used to be VHS video tapes. But with the advancement of DVD technology, the advantages of DVDs proved to outweigh those of VCR tapes. Video tapes can wear out over time, becoming bent, damaged or dirty. The cassette casings are vulnerable to damage as well, rendering the tape inside useless. Storage is easier with DVDs since they take up less space than videos. Not to mention the quality of picture and sound is higher on DVDs.

So the question becomes, how do I convert my video tapes to DVDs in order to preserve them for my future enjoyment? There are several options. First, you could use a VHS to DVD conversion service that will do the transfer for you. However, if you have a great deal of videos to convert, over time you'll save money by doing the conversions yourself in the convenience of your home.

The computer savvy among us will use their computer to transfer their videos to DVD. It requires copying the video to a digital file on the computer using an analog converter. The file gets compressed into MPEG-2 format before being burned onto a DVD. This method takes some time, but it does allow you to make changes to the video, like special effects or music, before you burn it to the DVD. Depending on the burning software that you use, you might be able to add a menu or other special features. However, the process can be quite slow because you have to transfer the file twice: first from the video to the computer and then again from the computer to the DVD.

So in order to save time and effort, you can copy the tapes to a DVD without the use of a computer. There are two ways to do this:

* The first involves buying a DVD recorder that allows input from another source. You simply connect your VCR by cable to the DVD recorder. Then while the video plays, it is also recording. If you choose this option, consider purchasing a video processor called a proc amp or a time base corrector. These devices stabilize and improve the quality of the analog video as it is fed to the DVD recorder and can greatly improve the resulting images that you get on the DVD.

* The second option is to purchase a combination DVD/VCR recorder. It does the same thing as the previous option without needing to connect any cables. If you are planning to copy a lot of videos, it is worth your time and effort to find out what kind of processing the machine does to the analog signal from the video tape before it converts it to the digital signal that gets recorded in DVD format. You want the best possible result that you can get.

If you do the conversion yourself, always follow the manufacturer's instructions to ensure you capture the video appropriately. Make sure that you have cleaned the heads of the VCR between copying videos. Old tapes carry a lot of dust or other particles that can clog up your VCR. And since you are copying directly from the video to the DVD, whatever picture quality issues you have with the video will appear on the DVD. Understand that if you have videos which are recorded at SLP (6 hours of video on a tape) you will not get the same quality of recording onto a DVD as if the video was recorded at SP (2 hours of video on a tape). If you find the quality is not acceptable for you, consider changing your method of converting videos to DVD. However, for many people, the time and energy saved in converting the videos on their own will outweigh any concerns over video quality.

Cole Figgins reviews DVD recorders brands and models at http://www.DVDrecorders.ws - a DVD recorders shopping guide where you can learn more about DVD formats and find news, tips and tricks about DVD recorders and TiVos.