I have just ordered a Compaq 1619 with Window XP Home and a DVD writer, can anyone tell me if i can now copy/ write dvds without any other software?

Also, what blank DVDs would you recomend for copying to?

Any other hints or advice would be appreciated as i am a novice at computers.

JD

You can write data to the DVD directly from windows in the same way you would move things to a floppy disc.

Select the files you want to copy, right click and choose "send to > DVD/RW" (or similar). Windows then copies the files to an imaginary secret place (you said you're a novice). Once this is done it will say you have files waiting to be writted to disc - simply follow the instructions.

You cant copy movies with windows as they're copy-protected.

I find Verbatim discs to be very good, if pricey. That said, even the cheapest discs seem to have very good success rates.

You may want to do a Google search for 'DVD DeCrypter' if you want to work with DVDs.

Tesco's own brand of disc has always been good for me.

You can't copy DVD's or CD's because of copyright laws. You can however as far as i understand make 1 backup of a disc you already own for personal as long as you don't bypass any copy protection in doing so.

You will need software for this. I use CloneDVD2. Any probs PM me.

As has been said most DVD movie disks have copy protection. However you can copy home made DVD movie disks. I would buy Nero as it is a great set of applications for all things DVD R and CD-R.

As for make of disks, DVD+/-R disks are much more problematic than CD-R disks. Many cheap makes seem to work, but store them for a few months and they will not play! Trying to remember the make that is supposed to be the most reliable????? Can't think of it now, I have a 50 disk spindle of them at home. Some well know brands are known not to be good, so I am not just talking about cheap unbranded disks.

You can get loads of advice here:

http://forums.afterdawn.com/

As long as the disks are made with the "Rytek" dye then it doesnt really

matter if they are branded or unbranded really.

As long as the disks are made with the "Rytek" dye then it doesnt really

matter if they are branded or unbranded really.

The opinions on the AfterDawn forum generally is that you should avoid disks made in Taiwan/China regardless of the brand and stick to disks made in Japan. I use good disks for the PC and to author home movie DVD video disks on the PC (films and memories I want to avoid loosing) but I must admit that I use Tesco DVD+RW disks for the DVD video recorder (for non permanent recordings). Only had it a while and so far 1 disk out of 10 has failed after one use. None of the good disks I use for the PC have given any problems (just wish I could remember the name of the make, but was recommended by people on AfterDawn.com).

Another vote for Ritek dyes. The G05 works great.

I get all my media from www.svp.co.uk They're pretty cheap and offer a variety of discs. You can even print covers directly to disc if you have an epson R200 or other compatible disc-printer.

My home backups look virtually identical to the original DVD movies I have

another vote for http://www.blankdiscshop.co.uk/

as for software,i'm all earsl.

I find Verbatim discs to be very good' date=' if pricey. That said, even the cheapest discs seem to have very good success rates.

You may want to do a Google search for 'DVD DeCrypter' if you want to work with DVDs.[/quote']

I've used only Verbatium ones since I got my PC and they seem to be giving trouble. Stopping on particular scenes, jumping etc. I've mainly found it on Camcorder stuff I've done up but also on a DVD I burned.

Its kinda off the topic a bit but Any advice ?

The disks are Advanced AZO 8X certified, I know my burner is rated at 4X but surely if it one burns at 4X then they should be ok.

I am surprised because Verbatums are supposed to be the best make of disk. Perhaps you have a problem with your DVD writer.

So,

The concensus is:

• Buy good quality DVDs with Ritek dyes
  
• Verbatium are one of the better makes
  
• I can make a "backup DVD" for personal use which doesn't break copyright laws
  
• But should someone wish to copy a DVD they would require software to disable the encryption before they start, such as CloneDVD2
  

JD

So' date='

I can make a "backup DVD" for personal use which doesn't break copyright laws

[*']But should someone wish to copy a DVD they would require software to disable the encryption before they start, such as CloneDVD2

JD

Clone DVD only copies the disc. Someone who wished to disable encryption would need something like Slysoft AnyDVD running in the background.

Note:

Commercial DVD's are dual layer and contain over 9Gb of data. Ordinary blank DVD's are 4.7Gb so Clone DVD compresses the contents of the source DVD by up to 50%. This affects sound and video quailty but you can minimise the compression of the actual film by selecting to omit menus, special features as well as foreign language soundtracks etc and subtitles. On a standard TV or smaller LCD/Plasma Tv you would be pushed to notice the drop in quality. The sound seems unaffected through my 5.1 system.

Most DVD Writers can now write to dual layer discs thus avoiding compression but the blank discs are currently expensive and it's unlikely your home DVD Player will play them. I'm yet to find a brand of Dual layer DVD that works on a domestic DVD player.

I am surprised because Verbatums are supposed to be the best make of disk. Perhaps you have a problem with your DVD writer.

I dunno, it has never had any trouble burning CD's (but I suspect thats different). I bought Sony ones the other day so must give them a go.

To avoid having to compress a dvd-9 to get it to fit on a dvd-5, you can use a program such as DVD-Shrink. this will open the files on a dvd and allow you to de-select some files that you don't really need, such as the audio for other languages, subtitles for foreign lingos etc. ,directors voice overs, animation for menus etc.

By getting rid of a few 'unecessary' files you can fit most DVD movies onto regular dvd-5 without compressing anything or messing around with copy protection.