How difficult is it to record DVDs on a home computer?

[Rabrrrrrr]

I've got some ST:TNG DVDs which are failing (they've gotten scratched and shit; I didn't handle them well) and I've been tempted to buy a DVD recorder for the computer and make backups of the damned things.

But, I remember years ago, that people had to download bizarre programs and crap to break the coding on the DVDs and get them to record.

So - to the experts out there - is it worth my time to spend the money on a DVD recorder to back up my DVDs? Or is it a useless, damned near impossible pain in the ass?

[Salviati]

1. a few programs you might be interested in:

are called dvd decrypter and dvd shrink. I won't post links to them here, as I don't want to get anyone in trouble, but a few seconds on google should find them for you.

[Rabrrrrrr]

2. Are they necessary?

I assume that DVDs are still locked out somehow, so you can't just copy them like a CD?

[Salviati]

5. that is a correct assumption...

[EstimatedProphet]

3. I do it all the time, with d/led MST3K episodes

For what you will be doing, you will need a DVD read/writer (I have DVD/-R; look into the formats to determine what will be best for your system) and some software for DVD burning. I use Nero and am kind of annoyed with it but it was free.

[democracyindanger]

4. all is revealed

here

http://www.cdfreaks.com/article/117

[Rabrrrrrr]

6. Thanks!

That's pretty helpful!

So when one records a DVD, does it also record all the menus and stuff, so it plays just like the original?

[democracyindanger]

8. Pretty much

But be aware that the format you burn the DVD as IS NOT the same as professionally mastered commercial DVDs. There's a small chance that your player won't be able to read the info, not to mention that sometimes a burn doesn't work for no good reason, and you have to burn it again. I think there's a table at videohelp.com that lists various makes and models of standalone DVD players and their compatibility with different DVD formats (DVD-R+/-, DVD-RW +/-)

videohelp.com is a great resource.

[Kellanved]

7. the one and only page to continue this:

www.doom9.org

[Deja Q]

9. Have a computer? Get a DVD+/-R drive and decrypt s/w or disc copier.

That is a LOT cheaper than getting a DVD recorder that can bypass the copy protection which denies you your fair-use right to make backups for yourself.

www.videohelp.com has more too. Invaluable resource.

[Rabrrrrrr]

10. I'm sending this around one more time for the day crowd

Happy Saturday everyone!