I have been using smart ripper and made one coaster. I have been reading guides and they all say to get different software. I was wondering if anyone with a pioneer A04 has any recommendations for software. Thanks.
spleen,
Your burner doesn't need special software. The reason you get so many different answers is that there so many different ways to do what you want. I like the easiest way myself, - try DVD Shrink - It's free, it can do all that you want in as few as 3 steps - It will rip your movies in generally 30 to 40 minutes, it allows you to compress your larger DVD-9's to the necessary 4.36GB you can keep in or remove menus, extras and trailers (re-author) and it provides you with a nice neat VIDEO_TS folder for you, perfect to have Nero or CloneDVD burn for you. At the site below, there's even a guide, step by step, for you to use to burn using Ahead's Nero. A 30-day free trial of Nero is available.
A complete step-by-step guide and download can be gotten at -
http://www.chrismccann.co.uk/dvd_shrink.htm
Hint: Before you start, create a folder on your desktop with the name of the movie and when you click "Backup" in DVD Shrink, use that folder for your saved location.
Hint: Print the guide out or run it on your desktop while you rip and compress your first DVD, makes the whole thing easy as pie ?
Lots O? luck,
?P?
Hey, Im also a GENUINE newbie, but Im all fired up after my first good burn.
I recommend a combination of DVD Decrypter, DVD2One and a standard burning programme (obviously with DVD burning capabilities).
For DVD-5's (usually 4.3gb total size) you can use ONLY DVD Decrypter (including burning). I havent personally used any other, but the reason why i was so impressed with DVD Decrypter is because I am at home with my parents just now, and I am using a rather ancient AMD 900 with 384mb RAM, yet I burned a complete DVD (start to finish) in honestly 1 hour last night. There are inch-perfect guides on this site for DVD Decrypter.
For DVD-9's (larger than 5gb) follow this - its posted by someone who really knows what they are doing.
"I have been at this for a while, and this is what I find to work best for me. I use DVD Decrypter <http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_software/dvd_rippers/dvd_decrypter.cfm> which you can find on this site. I have spent so much time frustrated with using different programs,And I have found that it is better to invest a little money for programs that have better features. I use DVD2One <http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_software/dvd-r_tools/dvd2one.cfm> and Recornnow max 4.50. I make 2 folders on my desktop (make sure to leave adiquite space to rip your dvds) I use file mode in DVD Decrypter <http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_software/dvd_rippers/dvd_decrypter.cfm> and select all files to decrypt. Save them to folder 1. Then I choose, in DVD2One <http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_software/dvd-r_tools/dvd2one.cfm> sorce, folder 1, Destination folder 2. I keep file size around 4400 (because outer edges of a lot of dvds are picky). Then open Recordnow max and choose Data mode, go to options and switch not closed to closed (you will see it). Choose your recorder from the top, insert media, minimize program, Rename folder 2 to VIDEO_TS, go to add files or folders and add that whole folder (not any file inside)and let the laser sizzle. No menu's, no bull. Just a simple run through of how I back up my investments. You can find lots of tutorials that will help you with these programs. Good luck"
ricflair,
Perhaps you didn't read my post, DVDShrink is free, it's one program, it rips AND compresses, it's not necessary to rename folders, it names the folder for you.
If you like to pay for programs then DVD2One is fine. AnyDVD and CloneDVD are good also. You might want to try DVD X Copy Xpress by 321 Studios. It will do everything; including the burn process with just 1 mouse click and the price for it has dropped drastically in the last few months.
Buy a few, try them and try the free ones then decide -
That's why they make Chocolate and Vanilla, people have different tastes -
Pick the flavor you like -
"P"
