| DVD disk is a quite fragile medium and even despite | | | | backups on your hard drive at any time (this will |
| special protection layer on each disk it is still very | | | | require DVD player software, such as PowerDVD or |
| easy to damage.Unlike VHS tapes, even dropping the | | | | WinDVD). If your hard drive is not too big, it would |
| disk or putting it in its box in the wrong way | | | | make sense to repackage movies from MPEG-2 |
| sometime might be enough to scratch it and get | | | | (which is a standard for DVD video) to some format |
| reading errors as a result. Taking in account that | | | | with more advanced compression such as MPEG-4 |
| some collectors- or limited-edition DVDs can cost a | | | | (AVI, DivX, Xvid, Mpeg-4). All that it takes is special |
| fortune, it does make sense to make a backup copy | | | | ripper software, such as BitRipper, AutoGordianKnot, |
| and prevent the loss of the favorite disks. All that it | | | | SmartRipper and others. As a result of such |
| takes is a PC, DVD-Recorder drive and special | | | | conversion the movie can be shrinked to fit standard |
| software.There are many ways to backup DVDs and | | | | CD, which is 5 times less than the original. And by |
| the choice between them depend entirely on users | | | | using smart compression techniques it is possible to |
| preferences. If you have a good home cinema and | | | | keep video quality pretty close to the original |
| prefer to have best available quality, backup copies | | | | one.However, after recording DivXMpeg-4 movie on |
| are best to be made on DVD disks. It is rather easy | | | | CD or DVD in most cases it will be possible to watch |
| to do if the original disk is single-layered (DVD-5), but | | | | it on PC only, as MPEG-4 capable DVD players are |
| in case of double-layered (DVD-9) disks it becomes | | | | not too common. Of course, there are certain |
| much more difficult; and unfortunately, most movies | | | | programs that can convert Mpeg-4 back to DVD, but |
| are recorded on such disks.It might seem that | | | | such double conversion is highly unlikely to improve |
| double-layered recordable disks (DVD+R DL & | | | | quality. Apart from that, most users usually strip |
| DVD-R DL) are the best solution for this problem. | | | | multi-channel sound during DVD -> Mpeg-4 conversion |
| However, this solution is not available to everyone as | | | | and keep only stereo. As a result, watching |
| double layered disks require special DVD-Recorder | | | | DivXMpeg-4 encoded movie on the home cinema |
| drive that can handle them, and these drives are not | | | | doesn't make much sense and won't be particularly |
| too common yet.Fortunately, special software (such | | | | satisfying too, especially if the movie is rich in sound |
| as free DVD Decrypter and DVD Shrink combo or | | | | effects. Mpeg-4, however, will suit old classical movies |
| commercial CloneDVD utility) allows copying | | | | best, since they usually have mono or stereo sound |
| double-layered DVD on two single layered disks. And | | | | initially; and classics remain classics regardless of |
| if shuffling disks in DVD player is not an option, it is | | | | quality.SummaryIt should be quite easy for you now |
| possible to squeeze double-layered disk on one | | | | to choose most appropriate backup method. If you |
| single-layered DVD. Of course, this would involve | | | | prefer maximum quality available, full DVD backup on |
| some reduction of image quality and stripping of | | | | one double-layered or two single layered disks is your |
| bonus materials, but such reduction will hardly be | | | | choice. If you still prefer quality and have a home |
| noticeable on most TVs. And most bonus materials | | | | cinema, but can sacrifice a little of image - backing up |
| are useless anyway.You don't want to cram DVD | | | | DVD on one single-layered disk will suit you well.And if |
| backups on your shelves? In this case it is possible to | | | | you prefer to keep and watch movies on your PC, |
| save all DVD backups on your hard drive by using | | | | same backup programs that you use DVD backup will |
| exactly same programs. The only requirement here is | | | | allow you to create a copy of DVD on your hard |
| the size of the hard drive; obviously, it should be big | | | | drive. In case if your hard drive is not big enough to |
| enough to store all data. In this case, should anything | | | | store full DVDs and you don't have anything that |
| happen with original DVD, it will always be possible to | | | | resembles home movie theatre, the most sensible |
| restore it from hard drive.But what if you don't have | | | | thing would be to convert DVD to Mpeg-4 |
| any home cinema and you prefer to watch movies | | | | format.Artem Chlegov is a editor and writer for - a |
| on PC? In this case you won't actually have to record | | | | DVD software review website. |
| anything, as it is possible to watch movies from DVD | | | | |