Question about using a Superdrive to "backup" DVDs

Hi all,

I'm a new switcher planning on purchasing a new G5. (I have an old G3 600 iMac right now) I've never used a DVD burner before (mac or pc), but a friend of mine has one on his pc and backing up his commercial DVDs isn't the easiest thing in the world. He had to buy DVD Xcopy to get it to copy without much headache. It takes about 90 minutes to copy a DVD and the computer is pretty much useless while this process is taking place.

I'm wondering if this process on the Mac will be any easier/less time consuming. Will I need to purchase 3rd party software? On average what kind of copy times could I expect from a 1.8G5 with 1GB of Ram. Will I be able to use my computer for other things while the copy is taking place (unlike my friends PC)?

Thanks in advance!!

 

lets see he used a pc to copy the dvd's
if he only used a mac

a) use dvdbackup to rip the dvd to your harddrive
b) use dvd2onex to shrink your dvd to fit on one divd

then burn with toast

now copy time is the speed of the drive
the second part will be the cpu ussually it takes 30-45 min on my 867 so it should take you 10-15 on the g5

 

Sounds pretty easy. So I do need to go ahead and purchase some 3rd party software.

I know Toast is a comercial program, but what about the other 2? Shareware/Free-ware?

Thanks.

 

I'm also a new switcher and it's incredibly easy. I just "backed up" my first DVD the other day and it works perfectly. It took about 3 hours to do, but that's just because the SuperDrive on my Powerbook is amazingly slow. The process itself is absolutely easy, i just set it up then went and watched some TV and did some homework while it burned away.

As for the software, you only need three pieces: Toast, DVDBackup, and DVD2OneX. Toast you can buy at any computer store (that sells Mac stuff, of course.) DVDBackup is freeware, and DVD2OneX is shareware, which costs ~$50.

The investment isn't cheap, but the payoffs are great

(PS - I've also heard that you can use other freeware DVD burning programs, although the name escapes me right now--something like "MissingBurner". If you're on a budget, this would be a good replacement for Toast, which can run upwards of $90. Then again, Toast is always a good application to have around.)

 

there are other free transcoders

try this place
they list a few
http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread/t-64914.html

 

Only fools paid to backup their DVD collection on PC.

1) Buy a Lite-On CD or DVD writer, which comes w/ Nero, free.
2) Download DVD Decrypter. Rip whole disc to HD.
3) Download DVD Shrink. Shrink movie to 4.38GB. Full disc, or movie only mode.
4) Burn shrinked files to DVD w/ Nero.

 

hey fuzzball get ur pc out of here this is a mac discussion

 

Easy

I bought a Pioneer DVD burner a couple months ago. Heres how i backup DVDs.

First, there are 4 types of DVDs: Single layer single-side, dual layer single-side, Single layer dual-side and dual layer dual-side.

All single layer single-side discs can be copied directly with no compression or loss of material. This type kicks ace. I use nero or DVD decrypter for this.

dual layer single side are tougher b/c they hold up to ~8.5GB and a DVD-R or DVD+R only holds ~4.35GB. So either you have to transcode the video to lower file size or cut out things like audio commentary, extra features, etc. These are a pain in the ace. I use DVDshrink because its easy (and free) along with nero to burn for this type.

single layer dual side are 4.35+4.35GB, i think you get the picture by now, you can only copy one side, or both if highly compressed.

dual layer dual side, yea you get it by now.

anyway, its not that tough to backup DVDs. There is no need to buy 3rd party software IMO. I do DVD backups on my pc, im sure theres Mac freeware out there similar to what ive mentioned.

have fun