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