+R DVD and -R DVD - what's the dif?

[scamperwillow]

I just bought some blank DVD's at Costco. They had two kinds: +R and -R. I had never heard this distinction before and can't find anything about it? He said most people use +R so I got that , but don't want to open them until I know it's the right one.

they are TDK 4x DVD +R

I have a 17" iMac with superdrive

Anyone know what this is all about?

Thanks,
Marty

[krimson]

iirc, the iMac's have 4x DVD-R's, the +R's wont work in your machine.

check www.dvdrhelp.com for a listing of media and reader reports (Media section) and compatibility listings.

IMO, +R's aren't well supported yet and only new DVD players will read them. -R's have been around alot longer and are more widely supported. Even though I have a DVR-106, i can't read most of the +R DVD's my friend uses.

My advice, dont open it, and exchange them for the -R's.

-edit: incidentaly, i have a TDK 4X +R sitting right next to me right now, and I can't read it at all. :D

[masterjedi73]

What will the superdrive on a G5 dp 1.8 read? I've used DVD + RWs on it and they've worked. Will the + R format work on these?

[g808]

What will the superdrive on a G5 dp 1.8 read? I've used DVD + RWs on it and they've worked. Will the + R format work on these?

I don't have any experience with a G5 although I wish I did. ;)

However, by the looks of it the G5 should not be able to write to +R discs.

http://www.apple.com/powermac/specs.html
"writes DVD-R discs at up to 4x speed, reads DVDs at up to 8x speed"

[Engagebot]

superdrives can read + or - , and only write to -. Apple uses Pioneer DVD-R drives as their 'Superdrives'. It used to be the Pioneer A103 as the 2x, now its a bit faster.

From my experience, the apple DVD player app cant play movies from a + disc, even though it recognizes the data on the disc.

[Engagebot]

the - format is basically supported by everybody. it was a whole group of manufacturers including sony and some tohers that came up with the format and agreed on it.

basically, when DVD-R was put out, Phillips decided they needed to cash in, so they created the +R, a format *ALMOST* exactly like -R, but not compatible. so its basically phillips vs. the world in a rematch of the vhs vs beta conflict.

since only the encoding scheme on the discs is different, and not the actual hardware of the drive, drive manufacturers have kind of avoided the war by supporting both formats with the same drive. thats why you can by DVD+/-R drives now, yet the two formats are still incompatible with each other

most set top tv dvd players can play either format now days, but phillips dvd players will only accept +R discs, just because phillips is stupid. Any older dvd player will most likely read a -R before it will a +R if it has a problem with any type of burned discs because the -R was out first and the format was agreed upon by a bunch of different companies.

[Powerbook G5]

The guy definitely told you wrong, +R isn't nearly as accepted as -R. Your iMac should be able to read but probably can't write. Go to system profiler and check it out. My PowerBook says -RW only

[Engagebot]

Originally posted by Powerbook G5
My PowerBook says -RW only

you mean -R/RW only :0)

(i know it probably says that in the system profiler, but I dont want to confuse anybody.)

[scamperwillow]

So it sounds like the -R is the way to go. will it be read by other computers OK - like PC's??

I should have known the guy was wrong when there was a biiiigggg stack of the -R and a small stack of the +R's.

thanks for the help everyone.
Marty

[scamperwillow]

and about the system profiler...I tried looking there before I wrote, but couldn't find where it said what kind of DVD's to use.

In the Devices and volumes part under the bus, it says: CD-RW/DVD-R

Does that mean it will not read or burn a -RW?

[Engagebot]

yeah, PCs will have no trouble reading them.

you're superdrive may not say that it'll burn -RW, but chances are it will (because i wasnt aware Pioneer made drives up to 4x that didnt support -RW).

I never use -RW because i author DVDs as my job, and set top DVD players cant read RW at all. Not to mention most of my dvd burning is done on the pc platform.

I have one of the old 1x pioneer drives that were used as the original superdrives, and i have 7 NEC 4x +/-RW drives in a duplicator tower with an ACARD duplicator brain that i put together for work .

[Mac]

FYI about the DVD+R:

Business Wire reported the following:
"The Plus format already is becoming the de facto standard for DVD recording in personal computers," said Maureen Weber, general manager of Optical Storage Solutions unit at HP and chief spokesperson for the DVD+RW Alliance. "These new Plus-format recorders will further solidify DVD+RW's presence in the consumer electronics space at a time when DVD recording is moving into the mainstream."

According to Santa Clara Consulting, five out of every six DVD recording devices sold have been for use in personal computers. Because of this, many industry analysts suggest that the PC market will dictate which format will become the industry standard for both DVD drives in computers and DVD recorders that attach to TVs.

In media sales, NPD Group data shows that Plus format media has gone from two percent of the market in July 2001 to 41 percent in July 2002 to 55 percent in July 2003. Meanwhile Dash media has gone from 71 percent of the market in July 2001 to 53 percent in July 2002 and 44 percent in July 2003. RAM has gone from 27 percent in July 2001 to about one percent.

"Over the past two years, the Plus format has steadily established its place as the format of choice in the PC space," said Gerry Smith, vice president of Peripherals for Dell. "Now that consumer electronics companies are embracing DVD+RW technology, more customers will see the inherent benefit that Plus can provide. Because of the benefits to end users, we are doing our part to help DVD+RW become the industry standard."
---------------------------------------------------
Now, a Mac superdrive actually has a Sony DW-U10A installed into it (at least mine). This drive is a DVD+/-RW drive that has the following specs:

DVD+Read: 8x
DVD+Write: 2.4xX
DVD+RW: 2.4x
DVD-Read: 8x
DVD-Write: 4x
DVD-RW: 2x
CD-Write: 24x
CD-RW: 10x

But since the software - specifically iDVD is only "opened" up for the DVD- formats, the DVD+ formats cannot be used. I have tried using Toast to burn + products without any success at all with my Superdrive.

So the only way to use a DVD+ product in a Superdrive is as a DVD-ROM (UDF) - meaning a finished burnt product used for regular reading only (this burning) done on another product than the Superdrive.

[JFreak]

plus format has minor advantages as a data storage, whereas minus format has minor advantages as a video storage. tehcnical differences are however very small and both are generally equal.

but there is HUGE difference in compatibility; minus format is hugely more compatible with hifi dvd-players, so that's a clear advantage and the number one reason why apple chose it.

if i should guess (hope?), i'd say plus format will die. thank god nobody talks about ram-format anymore :)

[masterjedi73]

Originally posted by Engagebot
yeah, PCs will have no trouble reading them.

you're superdrive may not say that it'll burn -RW, but chances are it will (because i wasnt aware Pioneer made drives up to 4x that didnt support -RW).

I never use -RW because i author DVDs as my job, and set top DVD players cant read RW at all. Not to mention most of my dvd burning is done on the pc platform.


I just burned a +RW disc on my G5 and it plays fine on my Zenith DVD. Not to mention that I have tons of +RW movies burned from my PC and they play on it too. What are you talking about?

[Engagebot]

Originally posted by masterjedi73
I just burned a +RW disc on my G5 and it plays fine on my Zenith DVD. Not to mention that I have tons of +RW movies burned from my PC and they play on it too. What are you talking about?

your dvd player may play them, but not all do.

i make dvds of MBA classes to send to people that classes out of state via video and internet. i cant send out 50 discs all over the country for this weeks class and not know that almost all of them will work perfectly, no matter what type of player the students have. ever heard of university of phoenix? well i'm in charge of the digital media for Louisiana State University's distance program.

most of the new 'muli-read' players now will take RW, but the majority of all dvd players manufactured to date do not. trust me, if theres something i know about, its dvd player compatibility

[masterjedi73]

Originally posted by Engagebot
your dvd player may play them, but not all do.

i make dvds of MBA classes to send to people that classes out of state via video and internet. i cant send out 50 discs all over the country for this weeks class and not know that almost all of them will work perfectly, no matter what type of player the students have. ever heard of university of phoenix? well i'm in charge of the digital media for Louisiana State University's distance program.

most of the new 'muli-read' players now will take RW, but the majority of all dvd players manufactured to date do not. trust me, if theres something i know about, its dvd player compatibility

I was simply commenting on the fact that you said that DVD players won't play them at all. It's obviously not true. I'm aware that not all DVD players play them because I've had some that don't, but saying that none do isn't true.

Also, people are saying that the superdrive won't write to +RW discs, but it obviously does because I've done it.

[#Johnny5]

When people refer to the "Apple SuperDrive," they're not always referring to the same drive. Any DVD burner Apple puts into a Mac is considered a "SuperDrive" even though there are actually several (at least 2) different drives Apple has used. The original "SuperDrive" was a Pioneer DVD-R/W drive, and OS X didn't support -RW burning (only -R). Apple later added OS support for -RW. More recently, apple has switched drives (in the G5, and maybe iMacs, too), to what I believe is a Sony DVD+-R/W, and that supports DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R and DVD+RW. Whether the OS supports the + formats, I am unaware, but by previous posts, it sounds like it does.

As for the +plus formats gaining popularity, I wonder how much that has to do with the fact that Dell ships them in their PCs. That factor alone could put the scales off-balance, and turn the "winning" format towards the +plus formats. That sucks, because the -dash format is based on the same format used in commercial video DVDs. Yes, the +plus format is better for data, but I've used -dash discs for data, and they work fine, too. So I would push for the -dash format for the same reason Apple is - it's better for video. But with Dell's and HP's (and now Compaq's) backing of +plus, I don't know if -dash is going to be able to come out the victor in this battle.

[johnnyjibbs]

Johnny5 is right. The only reason DVD+R has any backing is due to Dell. They are the number one seller of computers. However, +R is still not that compatible with DVD-players. Yes, new ones, but many people have players a year or two old that don't support it. For once, Apple was ahead of the game with the Superdrive (standard on high-end Macs before PCs). DVD+R is only gaining ground now that the PC world has caught on. Of course, Dell being anti-Apple and all that... ;)

[maxvamp]

DVD+ and DVD - are two different formats.

The plus format is better for PCs/Macs since it the format offers indexed sectors on the disc, which in turn allow an OS to write to individual sectors, much like a floppy or hard disc. In short, it has the ability to fragment files to make them fit anywhere there is space. Because of this ability, a disk does not need to be finalized for data use.
The downside to this is that DVD movie files must not be fragmented. Furthermore, some DVD players do not like seeing the extra bit flag that represents the disk as a DVD plus format.

Most set top players that can play a -R disc can play a +R disc. This is due to the fact that most plus burners will not flip the plus flag and use other means to figure out the disc type. Furthermore, most new players don't care.


The minus format is better for movies, since, like CDs must have data laid out sequentially on the disc. There is no fragmenting of files here. The bad thing here is that the disk must be finalized after use, and in the case of DVD, cannot be re-opened to write more data. This format most closely resembles a true DVD, and as such, is the most compatible in set top boxes.

R vs. RW. :

It is all about reflectivity of the disc. R discs are burned onto a dye that offers the best reflective wavelength for the red laser in DVDs . These discs are about 80% as reflective as a single layer DVD movie. Only the oldest of players have issues with these discs, as some of the older firmware saw these discs as dual layer discs, and got lost trying to find the second layer. Newer players may have issues with these discs, but most likely, it is due to pending hardware failure.

The RW formats are only about 40% as reflective as a stamped DVD. For the most part, these means that unless a set top box was designed to pickup on the much lower reflected light, or given the ability to bounce a stronger light off of the disc, most players will be literally blind to this format.

Finally, the superdrive:

Apple has used Pioneer ( A04, A04, and A05 ( I think ) ), Sony DRU-55, and a Panasonic drive ( in the notebooks ).

While Apple only supports the DVD minus format, Panther can read and write to plus media. Roxio will allow you to write everything.

The general specs for each model is:

Pioneer drives:
A03 / A04 2x -R, 1x -RW
A05 4x -R, 2x -RW

Sony DRU-55 drive : 4(8*)x +/- R, 2.4x +RW, 2x -RW

* Look Here (http://www.macnn.com/news/22931)

Panasonic : DVD -R 1x. This is Apples special brew of Firmware, but can be expanded by an unsupported hack to allow much more. see here.... (http://www.macnn.com/news/20593)


For more information of this topic, I suggest you visit the DVD forum home page, as well dvdrhelp.com.

I hope this helps.

Max.

[maxvamp]

All Pioneer and Sony drives now burn both formats. Most manufacturers are moving in that direction.

LG offers a burner that burns plus, minus and RAM.

This war will be over in a couple of years, as all burners will burn all formats.

The next war will be of High Def DVD formats.

Get ready for fun!!

Max

[MacRAND]

Since Apple continues to be focused on VIDEO for DVD, its drivers and software are currently only oriented towards the original minus (-) format, which is better for video. This may change to include the plus (+) format at some time in the future, but only time will tell.

Until then, most Macs only burn DVD-R format discs for media, and NOT DVD+R.
Currently, Panther only supports DVD+R for data burning on newer Macs that already have dual platform ± built into the SuperDrive. Try to use either Toast or Apple's Disk Utility for burning DVD+ discs.
PLEASE get back to us if you are successul burning DVD+ discs and tell us what you did, how, and on what hardware configuration. Also, how did you determine that you laser drive could burn DVD+?

Many of us have older Macs with 1x or 2x speed DVD SuperDrives
When 4x came out about a year ago, Apple started buying and installing them in all their new Macs.
8x has now been released by Pioneer (Pioneer DVR-A07), Plextor, Sony and others as the new speed standard. Most of these drives avoid the +/- confusion by being dual format writers/players. Although no 8x media is immediately available, that should change very shortly. Meanwhile, an 8x will burn 4x media, or 2x for that matter. I would expect Apple to start making 8x drives the standard in future releases of Macs with SuperDrives.
(The expected upper speed limit is 16x, although some speculate that 24x is possible for DVD write; but, instead of speed increases, digital video disc technology may shift to another DVD type disc and format entirely - and yes, there are a bunch out there quietly in development...stay tuned. :cool:

For anyone with a slower internal 1x or 2x DVD SuperDrive, or with only a ComboDrive in their tower or desktop, moving up to 8x speed may be just what the doctor ordered. Installation do-it-yourself help, including illustration images, can be found at:
http://forums.xlr8yourmac.com/drivedb/search.drivedb.lasso
http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/G3-ZONE/hival52x/install.html

Currently, all brands of internal 8x burners run between $200 and $229 in stores and online. Oddly, external FireWire 8x SuperDrives are not much more, LaCie 2d is about $249 and includes the current full version of Roxio Toast 6, if it says so on the box! Available everywhere online and in some retail Apple Stores.

Pioneer has a $30 rebate promotion on its 8x SuperDrive, which brings down their $229 price to $199 (or less if you can find a lower price than $229) which lasts until March 31st.
http://www.videoguys.com/pioneer.html
Pioneer DVR-A07 Multiformat 8x DVD Burner - World's first "8x8" dual format writer (8x DVD-R & DVD+R - 4x DVD-RW & DVD+RW)
$30 Pioneer mail-in rebate coupon expires 03/31/2004

I tried to find the Rebate Coupon on Pioneer's site but failed, so only Videoguys seem to be up to date on this, which is where you'll have to go to download the PDF of the Coupon. They also have a $30 rebate on older 4x superdrive ending 2/28/04. If $200+ for an 8x SuperDrive turns you off, the 4x SuperDrives are only about $119 to $149 or less now, and are dropping in price hourly!; so there's less and less reason everyday not to replace that Combo drive or 1x SD with a faster DVD/CD SuperDrive. ¡Viva! la iDVD y iMovie. :p

EDIT NOTE: kingjr3 below provides a link to an excellent article on DVD Wars, which is worth reading although it is nearly a year old -- Apr2003. Today, dual format burners are common, removing much of the need to choose between formats. The plus/minus discs you buy are essentially determined by the limitation of your computer/software to use one or the other formats. Macs are mostly minus (-) only, so avoid plus (+) unless you are sure you can burn them with Toast or something. Thanks kingjr3 for sharing this excellent article.

[jeremy.king]

http://www.cdfreaks.com/article/110

[maxvamp]

As of Panther, the Mac OS does support both formats. Most new macs with Superdrives also come with dual format drives.

See this link. (http://news.com.com/2100-1041_3-5090559.html?tag=mac.nn) .


BTW: If you need to erase a RW disk, you can do so in the disc utility.

Max,

[maxvamp]

Sorry MacRAND, I just re-read your post.

You are right about Pather. I am not sure if DVD Studio Pro burns to the plus format or not. I am still on the A05, and always burn to a Video_TS folder to inspect my work before I go to a disc anyhow.

Thank you for the info and the update....

Max.

[MacRAND]

Originally posted by maxvamp
Sorry MacRAND, I just re-read your post. You are right about Panther.
I am not sure if DVD Studio Pro burns to the plus format or not.
I am still on the A05, and always burn to a Video_TS folder to inspect my work before I go to a disc anyhow.
Thank you for the info and the update....
Max, thanks for the heads up.
I cheated :) editing after I read your post :p

Since my G4 Dual 1GHz has a 2x, and my LaCie d2 is 4x, I have enough trouble separating the speeds (especially in anticipation of 8x blanks) to even play with plus (+) media, unless the universality of minus (-) changes or plus (+) media become much cheaper or somehow better.
Unless Apple fully supports ± in the iApps and DVD Studio Pro, I could care less.

I'm happy with contemplating buying and installing a Pioneer A07 (±8x) either in place of my 2x, or as a 2nd DVD SuperDrive if I can find a bracket & box to replace the empty Zip configuration that Apple installed as original equipment in my dual door QuickSilver tower. (any solutions anyone?) Maybe a MDD bracket and laser drive box (if any) would work?
:confused:

[masterjedi73]

I do have a question for you guys, though...

Can I make backup copies of my commercial DVDs using toast?

[maxvamp]

masterjedi73... In response to your question..... No.

There is a way to make a backup copy of your discs, but it may take some coaxing to get the answer from here.

MacRAND... Thanx for not being upset at my response. I have a DA 733 PM with a built in A03. I later added a A05 by putting it in a cheap(er) FW case. I have had excellent luck with the A05 in this manner.

I can add a link to the case if interested. They are about $40.

Max.

[MacRAND]

Originally posted by masterjedi73
Can I make backup copies of my commercial DVDs using toast? Like...movies?
RULE: Do not steal. (It's one of the Big Ten.)

If software (movies, applications, digital images, etc.) is Copy Protected, unless you go through a lot of trouble, hacks, etc., NO you probably CANNOT.
If you spend enough money on hardware and software, it's always possible.
If the DVD is over 4.7 GB it is pretty hard to use Toast to copy the disc on a Mac.
If the total data is under 4.7 GB and not Copy Protected, maybe you CAN.
If you duplicate an unsophisticated non-copy protected porn DVD will it play? Maybe. You'll probably create a few "coasters" trying.
Can you transfer analog VHS (Hi-8, & beta) movies (personal or commercial) to digital and burn them to a DVD? With an anolog-to-digital converter ($350 - $150) and enough Hard Disk space on your G4 Mac, and Toast, iMovie or FinalCut Pro, iDVD or DVD Studio Pro? -- absolutely!

MAY you legally duplicate (dupe) copyrighted (commercially protected) material? No, not really, unless you own the copyright to the intellectual property or have written permission from the Owner.
Federal copyright infringement is pretty strictly enforced for video movies and music audio.
Better to go the PepsiTunes or iTunes store route.
(BTW, you do know who all the kids on the Pepsi-iTunes commercial are, don't you?)

Ripping a music CD is easily done, but you are limited to "backup" for personal use.
Real "backup" as intent may fly legally. I'm an attorney and I'm not sure. It's complicated at the very least, and it depends on who you are messing with.
When I burn a "mix" it's to remove unwanted tracks, AND
so I can use a Copy in my automobile CD cassette player instead of ruining an Original, especially during the summer when the sun bakes and warps CD plastic... and kills kids left in cars too long @ 200º+. I'm in AZ.

Like photo copying $100 bills, you can always try.***
The penalty for getting caught is kind of nasty. Mostly federal law applies, but some state criminal counterfeit laws can also apply. Think: Fines & inprisonment.

***Adobe Photoshop CS has been secretly modified to include special image recognition software code that reportedly prevents the duplication of images of domestic and some foreign currency. Adobe "cooperated" with the government since their software was being used a significant portion of the time to create counterfeit money. So if you want to scan money, stick with Adobe Photoshop 7 and earlier. Not recommended. :( The U.S. Secret Service investigates.

[masterjedi73]

Hmm....I didn't really need the sermon there, but maybe someone else does. I'm fully aware of all of those laws. I was simply asking if there was a way to make a backup copy of DVDs I already own.

thanks, though.

[MacRAND]

Originally posted by maxvamp
masterjedi73... In response to your question..... No.

There is a way to make a backup copy of your discs, but it may take some coaxing to get the answer from here.

MacRAND... Thanx for not being upset at my response. :cool:
I have a DA 733 PM with a built in A03.
I later added an A05 by putting it in a cheap(er) FW case.
I have had excellent luck with the A05 in this manner.
I can add a link to the case if interested. They are about $40.Thanks, Max; maybe I'll do it...

Can you use one or both of your SuperDrives with iDVD?
What speed are the A03
and A05 (2x?) respectively?
I don't keep track except A06 is 4x and A07 is 8x.

I want to pull my original 2x SuperDrive from the top box in the G4 dual and replace it with a Pioneer A07 8x DVD burner.
Then if I can use the space below it, including the 2nd door, I'd like to reinstall the 2x SD. The goal is to make the fastest SuperDrive "primary" so iDVD recognizes it first, and the other (or an external) second. iDVD is good for quick, down & dirty burning.
That would make a good Duplication Center for CD/DVD read/write ...but nothing illegal. :p
Otherwise, I already have an excellent 4x DVD in the LaCie 2d external FireWire SuperDrive, AND
a super fast FireWire Yamaha 44x CD burner with T@2 software for burning laser images as labels on dark blue CD-R discs.
$40 cost for making the old 2x internal would be borderline. :confused:
But I appreciate the offer, Max; thanks. ;)

Or, maybe I'll sell the 2x to a MacBuddy who has only a Combo or just a CD player in his early Mac G4 sawtooth and would like to move up to a SuperDrive. :cool:

In Fry's I saw a 25 spindel of GQ brand DVD blanks "printable" for about $75
and then a 25 spindel of TDK or some top brand DVD blanks "printable" for about $150.
I want some to print on with my Epson 900 CD/DVD printer, but I'm not sure of the quality of the cheap GQ, which I've had poor luck with in the past. Anyone know? It's a lot of money, and a big difference in price, to just guess at. :(

[maxvamp]

Maxvamp@comcast.net.

[maxvamp]

See my previous posts for speed. The A05 was the first 4x burner, and will work well as a SuperDrive replacement. All Mac Apps would see it. The A06 (4x +/- ) is about half the price, and also is compatible with everything MAC. These are drop in replacements.

Second, beware of cheap media. I like Verbatum, or Ritek. A good source is from Meritline.com.

I have used them for a couple of years now without problems.

Max.

[MacRAND]

Originally posted by masterjedi73
Hmm....I didn't really need the sermon there,
but maybe someone else does.
I'm fully aware of all of those laws.
I was simply asking if there was a way
to make a backup copy of DVDs I already own. No sermon intended, just being thorough and trying to give you a complete answer.
Unless someone says something otherwise, we all assume that everyone
1. knows about copyright laws
2. do not steal or want to do anything illegal.

But, it doesn't hurt to speak the Gospel every once in a while, you know, for the sake of appearances.

That's why I broke my answer down into MAY and CAN.
My 3 daughters hate it when I say
Yes you CAN (being capable, and they are very competent & capable)
No you MAY not (not being allowed).
SORRY for being so anal, masterjedi73.
"Most sorry, am I. Yes."

Don't want to leave you hanging, did we answer your question completely enough for you? If you are talking about commercial "movie" DVD discs (you still didn't say), they are generally so large (more than 4.7GB) that it is virtually impossible to "copy" them for "backup" on a Mac, without expensive pro gear. It would be much cheaper to just go buy the movies at Wal-Mart, unless you're copying in bulk like 100 to 1000.

Example: "Earnest Goes to Camp" may be short in length and small enough in data size itself, but when the studio adds outakes, extra information, games, talent info, etc., it usually goes over the size limit of computer blanks. They ain't stupid. You can tell what the SIZE it is when you OPEN the DVD disk to look at the data on a movie DVD on your computer (not using the DVD Player to watch it) and look at the total size of all the files.
DVD software is almost always written in such a way that you can't just dump some exteraneous files on it to bring the size to under 4.7, you need all of the files...and the studio knows it. :mad:

Actually, most of us are interested in protecting our "movie software" on DVD discs, but I've never copied any of the mainstream movies. Either too big, or I just don't know how...not that I've tried, mind you. ;)
If you figure it out, let us know.

[jeremy.king]

Originally posted by masterjedi73
Hmm....I didn't really need the sermon there, but maybe someone else does. I'm fully aware of all of those laws. I was simply asking if there was a way to make a backup copy of DVDs I already own.

thanks, though.

http://www.wormintheapple.gr/macdvd/DVDbackup.html

[maxvamp]

The tools to do this on the Mac are cheap to free. The performance is pretty good, and the speed on a 733 isn't bad (~1Hr to shrink to 4.7 ).

I have a daughter that is hell on my discs, and I now am at the point where if they aint purple, she cannot borrow them.

Guess I am to nice of a father?

Max.

[MacRAND]

Originally posted by maxvamp
The tools to do this on the Mac are cheap to free. The performance is pretty good, and the speed on a 733 isn't bad (~1Hr to shrink to 4.7 ).

I have a daughter that is hell on my discs, and I now am at the point where if they aint purple, she cannot borrow them.

Guess I am too nice of a father?
Max, you are such a wuss ;)
Then again as a father of all daughters (3), we all are.

kingjr3
This site you gave us is amazing! Thank you very much!!!
http://www.wormintheapple.gr/macdvd/DVDbackup.html
I've already downloaded DVD Backup, it's perfect for what
masterjedi7 was asking about. Damn if it isn't perfect.

masterjedi7, looks like I was mistaken. You can do what you ask! and now, so can I. Live & learn.
And, I agree with the DVD Backup site that you are morally if not legally entitled to backup your own (movie) software...unless the studios are willing to replace any media that gets scratched or damaged (joke ;)) for a nominal repalcement fee.
The copy "goes with the original" (not in the same place) by the same Owner for the Owner's exclusive use. No problem with that.
Guess what I'm going to be protecting this weekend? It's perfect for burning DVD discs to take on a plane with my iBook (don't want to clutter my 40GB HD) so the original won't get damaged. Wow! Totally impressed !!!:D Cool logo for DVD Backup, couldn't resist showing it off to everyone. :cool:

[jeremy.king]

Originally posted by MacRAND


kingjr3
This site you gave us is amazing! Thank you very much!!!
http://www.wormintheapple.gr/macdvd/DVDbackup.html
I've already downloaded DVD Backup, it's perfect for what

No problem. Make sure you own the disc though.

If you are a pc user www.dvdshrink.org

[MacNut]

There is software that will burn commercial DVD's but be aware of the "Digital Millennium Copyright Act" that being said if you are coping a dual layer disk you will need 2 disks as consumer software and burners wont burn dual layers.

[maxvamp]

Try this site to shrink (http://www.dvd2one.com)

Max

[absurdio]

For what it's worth, I just tried to use a DVD + R in my TiBook and had no luck at all. It wouldn't write to it, and, in fact, it wouldn't even recognize it (that is - I'd stick it in, no disc icon would appear, and after a little while, it'd eject).

So at least for the last generation TiBooks, don't use +R.
Now I have to go get some -R discs. That's kindof a nuisance. Ah, well.
That's my two cents.

[MacRAND]

There is software that will burn commercial DVD's but be aware of the "Digital Millennium Copyright Act" that being said if you are coping a dual layer disk you will need 2 disks as consumer software and burners won't burn dual layers.Pioneer recently demonstrated dual-layer burning on a Pioneer 4xDVD burner, model DVR-106 with special firmware and their own driver at a show (CES). Although they said that it would be coming out soon (?) on a model after the 106, they declined to be more specific. In October 2003, both Pioneer and Philips announced their plans for aggresive development and prompt release of Dual Layer DVD/R media and burners in early 2004.

When I installed my new DVR-A07 8x DVD SuperDrive in late Feb2004, until Apple issued a security update the other day, System Profiler showed its capacity as 7.14GB instead of 4.7GB as is normal (I had copy / pasted the info exactly). 8.5GB is normal dual layer capacity, is it not? So, I have no explanation for 7.14GB except that it is now GONE and not part of the stats for the drive on OS X.

I expect 8x rated DVD media and drives will hold the spotlight for a while, then maybe DL will stir up some excitement. Philips has already announced on March 3rd that Dial Layer DVD+R burning will be part of its current models' capability and will be providing a free firmware update when the media becomes available. Likewise, Philips disclosed through a German newspaper that it anticipates releasing a new drive with 16x DVD+R burning capability before the 3rd quarter of 2004.
http://www.dvdrw.com/Assets/images/duallayer1.gif
http://www.dvdrw.com/press/duallayer.htm
New dual-layer DVD+R technology developed by Philips in cooperation with MKM increases DVD recordable capacity to 8.5 Gbytes
Philips will demonstrate its new dual-layer DVD recordable technology at the DVD+RW Alliance booth at the CEATEC* JAPAN 2003 exhibition in Makuhari (Chiba, Japan) from October 7 to 11. Developed by Philips Research in cooperation with MKM (Mitsubishi Kagaku Media)/Verbatim, the technology virtually doubles data storage capacity on DVD recordable discs from 4.7 Gbyte to 8.5 Gbyte while remaining compatible with existing DVD Video players and DVD-ROM drives.
Dual-Layer (DL) DVD media (DVD±R/RW DL), regardless of speed, does not appear to be available anywhere yet; however, the word on the street is look for availability in April 2004 or shortly thereafter, with Philips promising a free firmware upgrade enabling purchasers of its new 8x DVD burner to burn Dual Layer DVD+R media, and possibly DVD±R/RW DL.