Superdrive Usage - what for?

To back-up dvd's, you can't simply make copies of them. For one, dvd's are encrypted and posses other measures to stop home copying.
1) CSS (content scrambling system)
2) VOB file type
3) They are almost always larger than 4.7 gigs.

So even if you remove the css filter, and convert to mp4 (which is editable and scalable, thus the movie will be <4.7 GB) you still have to burn the disc, and it may not work in most home dvd players.

Keep in mind too, that converting vob's to mp4's takes about 8 hours on a G4, and de-css'ing takes about 30 minutes. It's not really cost effective or worth the time to copy dvd's. Just buy them at your local retailer.

A superdrive could be handy for backing up music files. I only have a combo, and needed 10 CD's to back up my music, but iTunes keeps track of your backup for you. So again here a superdrive really isn't necessary

In the end, you probably don't need a superdrive unless you plan to make your own movies with a camcorder.

 

My Quicksilver came with a SuperDrive, but I've only ever used it twice it almost 2 years I think there are only 3 real reasons for a SuperDrive.

• If you are in to video editing you can put your work to DVD.
• For large backups.
• If you can be bothered to take the time and effort to make copies of retail DVD's (which you shouldn't really be doing anyway).

So, if 700MB CD's are big enough for your backups, and you are not into video editing, then there really isn't much point to it IMO.

 

If you are big on CD-R, get the combo since the CD burning speed is faster than on the Superdrive.

 

For me in my little old 667 ti it only takes about 30min to rip "back up my DVD's" and 45 to encoded then 30 to burn. So I use my superdrive alot. Also for making wedding dvd's but if you are not into video editing and not "backing up dvd's" Then i dont see why you would realy need one.