DVD Copies

Chris Bauer · Post by **Chris Bauer** » 24 Oct 2004 2:39 pm

This may or may not actually be a computer question...

I need copy a DVD to both VHS and to other DVDs. The number of copies is far too small to get a good deal through the commercial replicators. Recommendations on how best to do this? (I have a combo drive on my Mac so doing this via computer would mean purchasing a DVD/RW drive of some kind.) My other option, I assume, is buying (finally) a DVD player and running copies to VHS from there. I would still need to figure out how to make DVD copies though.<?>Thoughts?

John Fabian · Post by **John Fabian** » 25 Oct 2004 9:29 am

You need to buy a DVD recording device of some kind to do what you want. It could be a stand-alone unit or a dvd burner for your computer.

Cheapest option is find a friend with the equipment you need who will let you do this (or better yet, do it for you).

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 25 Oct 2004 5:45 pm

I saw a DVD recorder marketed as a set-top box at Wal-Mart the other day. DVD players are going for something like $40. VHS will soon be totally obsolete.

Chris Bauer · Post by **Chris Bauer** » 25 Oct 2004 7:51 pm

John - I like the way you think!

and bOb - that sounds like my kinda investment level! (Though I haven't a clue to what degree cost plays a role in the quality of DVD machines. Are good one really that cheap now???)

Jeff Agnew · Post by **Jeff Agnew** » 26 Oct 2004 3:27 am

For copying DVDs you won't need another burner besides your SuperDrive but you will need some software. Unfortunately, the best copying programs are on PC. But here are two for OS X:

Fast DVD Copy 3
DVD2One

I don't believe either one will write a DVD-9 but they do have a built-in compressor so content will fit on a DVD-5.

You'll also need ~10GB of free space for the temp files while copying.

Joey Ace · Post by **Joey Ace** » 26 Oct 2004 4:02 am

Mac's "Super Drive" is a DVD Burner.

Their "Combo Drive" is only a DVD Player.

Both can record and play CDs.

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 26 Oct 2004 5:43 am

If you make a file image copy of the DVD (as with using a PC and a DVD burner) you will save title and chapter information (the authoring information used for menu navigation). If you do the "set top box" copy all you duplicate is the video information, no navigation. Depends on whatcha wanna do and what's on the original DVD.

Chris Bauer · Post by **Chris Bauer** » 26 Oct 2004 12:21 pm

This is for a video product (from my seminar business). One version will simply be the program and will need no menu. The other, though, will need a menu to navigate between a quick demo designed for meeting planners and the full length program.

And yes, Joey, I have the combo drive so I'm currently entirely dvd-writerless...

Keep those suggestions comin'!

Jeff Agnew · Post by **Jeff Agnew** » 27 Oct 2004 7:03 am

To create a DVD with a menu and branching structure that will play in a consumer DVD player, you'll need a DVD authoring program. Apple's iDVD is okay, but not great. If you don't need a lot of customization it will be fine. DVD Studio Pro is superb, but expensive (~$600).

For burning, you can add a SuperDrive, which I've seen on sale recently for $70 after rebate. You could also add an external burner but it will cost more.

Be aware that self-burned DVDs have more compatibility problems with consumer players than you're accustomed to with CDs. Newer players will accept any format but others even a year or two older may not. DVD-R is currently running about 96% compatible with all players, while DVD+R hovers around 86%. High quality media is a more important factor in DVD compatiblity than for CDs.

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 27 Oct 2004 3:20 pm

In less you have an ongoing need to author DVDs I'd recommend that you pay someone the few hundred bucks to author the program in DVD Studio Pro and then take it to a dub house. They can make DVD General dubs - a straight dub from the DVD master for nominal cost. Compatability is an issue and for a professional product that represents your business, you don't want to be penny wise and pound foolish IMHO. Email me if you like and I can give you some leads for authoring and duplication.

Chris Bauer · Post by **Chris Bauer** » 30 Oct 2004 12:48 pm

Anyone have pro or con recommendations on external DVD-R drives for the Mac?