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Copying a DVD

RSLancastr

www.StopSylvia.com
RSLancastr
Joined
Sep 7, 2001
Messages
17,135
Location
Salem, Oregon
Okay, how do I make a copy of a DVD?

This is just a DVD of a home movie, which I paid a service to create a DVD out of.

Now I want to copy it, and am at a loss as to how to do so.

I have a copy of Nero, and thought it should have a simple way of doing it, but... not that I can find.

I am running XP Home Edition.
 
First off, the CD unit in your computer must have the capability of playing DVDs.

Then, you have many options:

1) You can "clone" the DVD, that is, get a second DVD identical to the original. For that, you must have a "DVD burner" in your comp.

2) You can "rip" the DVD into a CD-R, to what it's called a "Video CD". You just need a "CD burner". Most DVD players can reproduce Video CDs so you can view it on the TV. The image quality degrades a bit, however.

3) There's also the option of a "Super Video CD", which is of better quality of the Video CD.

4) Then, there's the option of converting the DVD into a video file playable only in the computer.

Maybe your Nero version has the capability of "ripping" DVDs, if not you can try an aweful lot of softwares available on the internet. Make a Google search for "DVD rippers".

Here's one I use:

http://www.seeoc.com/video/imtoodvdripper/imtoo-dvd-ripper.htm
 
If the DVD has the same capacity as your burner (which sounds like the situation, given that it's a home movie), the easiest way is to make a disc image of the DVD using Nero, then use that image to burn subsequent DVDs. Rinse, repeat.

This wouldn't work if the disc you want to copy is dual layer (9.4GB) and you only have a single layer burner (4.7GB). Your options in that case are much more complicated, as Patricio described.
 
Well, I would prefer to simply clone the DVD, making another DVD playable in a regular DVD machine.

My PC has a DVD writer/CD-writer combo drive, as well as a CD-ROM drive.

quote:
Originally posted by Space Fluffer
the easiest way is to make a disc image of the DVD using Nero, then use that image to burn subsequent DVDs. Rinse, repeat.
Sounds good, but HOW do I do that?

Installing Nero put about a dozen or more options on my menu. Which do I use?

In case it isn't painfully obvios, I bought and installed Nero, but have yet to use it.
 
RSLancastr said:
Sounds good, but HOW do I do that?

Installing Nero put about a dozen or more options on my menu. Which do I use?

In case it isn't painfully obvios, I bought and installed Nero, but have yet to use it.
Click to expand...
The Nero version I own has the "Back Up" option and the "Burn Image to Disc" option, maybe yours does as well.

Use "Back Up" to transfer your DVD to a designated folder in the hard drive. Then, "Burn Image to Disc" will do the job you want. There are clear instructions on the step by step details.
 
If you have the full Nero, then you have Nero SmartStart.

The only trick is, up the top of smartstart, make sure you select DVD. I think it defaults to CD, in which case you won't see the DVD options.

Open up Smartstart, right in the middle, up the top, there is a drop down option list, Click on the little triangle, then pick DVD.

On the yellow favourites 'Star' icon, the first icon on the top left, hover your mouse cursor. The third option down will be 'copy DVD'. click on that, and you are on your way.
 
SpaceFluffer said:

This wouldn't work if the disc you want to copy is dual layer (9.4GB) and you only have a single layer burner (4.7GB). Your options in that case are much more complicated, as Patricio described.
Click to expand...


I'm not sure if this will help you, and the following is probably more complicated than anything you require. Anyway:

Should you ever want to copy a DVD that is larger than your standard blank DVD, you'll need a way to edit the DVD (remove stuff you don't want, like foreign languages and stuff), compress the DVD (reduce video quality to make it fit) or to "break up" you DVD onto more than one disk. There is a great (and free) program that can do all of this (although to actually burn the final project you will need Nero or something similar). It’s called DVD shrink.

LLH
 
Thanks all!

i was able to make the copy using AUP's instructions.

Unfortunately, the original DVD was damaged, so I will have to pay again to have the VHS made into a DVD.

Argh.
 
Is it really damaged, or is it just a fingerprint? A good polish can often fix a reading error problem. If you are sure the disk is damaged, you can also risk the products that actually scour the surface. Sometimes they will remove the scratch sufficiently, if that is what is causing the problem.
 
a_unique_person said:
Is it really damaged, or is it just a fingerprint? A good polish can often fix a reading error problem. If you are sure the disk is damaged, you can also risk the products that actually scour the surface. Sometimes they will remove the scratch sufficiently, if that is what is causing the problem.
Click to expand...
When I brought the DVD home from the store which had burned it for me (from VHS), I put it in the DVD player, pressed PLAY, and was treated to a horrible series of sounds, along the lines of...

zzzzZZZZZZBANG! BANG! zzzzzz BANGBANGBANG!!!

I frantically pressed the eject buttoin, but was treated to a full 30 seconds or so of these sound effects before the tray ejected.

There were two DVDs in the tray. The new one was on top. (I guess I had missed the fact that the other one was already in there, even though I checked).

The new DVD had lots and lots of circular scratches ground into it.

:(
 
Those CD/DVD buffers actually work pretty good (at least a couple of times per disc). I paided 25 dollars for one a long time ago and it has saved several discs. I guess how many scratched discs you have would determine if it is worth purchasing one.

LLH
 
LordoftheLeftHand said:
Those CD/DVD buffers actually work pretty good (at least a couple of times per disc). I paided 25 dollars for one a long time ago and it has saved several discs. I guess how many scratched discs you have would determine if it is worth purchasing one.

LLH
Click to expand...

Just remember to follow the instructions carefully. Where I used to work we decided to *ahem* test how easy it was to ruin a disc with tho polisher. Results - fairly easy. Of course this depends on which product you get and how fine the polishing paste is.

Getting back on track a little if you can a product that comes with a polishing device rather than a the budget "Tube of goop and a cloth" they are well worth the extra money, they'll last for years and if used correctly there's no danger of overpolishing the disc
 
Wudang said:
I've rescued a couple of DVD's with SkipDr.
Click to expand...

And the earlier, cheaper, motorless version, DataDr, works just as well, if you follow the instructions thoroughly. I've used it to rescue discs back to readable--and then immediately made image copies of them.
 
DrMatt said:
And the earlier, cheaper, motorless version, DataDr, works just as well, if you follow the instructions thoroughly. I've used it to rescue discs back to readable--and then immediately made image copies of them.
Click to expand...

Maybe different products in the UK and US. My SkipDr has no motor.
 
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