Burning DVDs

[Pyromaniac]

generally speaking, what you can burn to depends on your *hardware*, not the software. The software will burn to whatever your drive will burn to. Common DVD burners are

* DVD-R, which will also burn to DVD-RW
* DVD+R, which will also burn to DVD+RW
* DVD+/-R, which will burn to any of the above

For you to burn dual layer, you need to use a dual layer disk. It won't burn dual layer on a regular/non-dual layer disk. Those are currently more expensive, a couple bucks a pop I guess, as compared to say 40 cents apiece on DVD-R or DVD+R discs.

[AlexHoops]

I just checked... I have a DVD+RW burner. Is the video quality noticably better when the dual write capability is used?

[ QUOTE ]
I just checked... I have a DVD+RW burner. Is the video quality noticably better when the dual write capability is used?

[/ QUOTE ]

If I remember correctly, DVD+RW refers to the format of DVD that you may use. Your burner supports + (as oppossed to -) format DVDs, and will write to either DVD+R or DVD+RW. The RW format allows you use rewritable discs. If you're burning movies, or anything you don't plan on erasing later, save yourself $ and go with the +R format.

The quality of dual layer burning is better, but single layer discs (about 4.7 gigs) is not bad. You may not even notice with an older TV. If my memory serves, a dual layer disc will hold about 8.5 gigs; I don't think this will hold an entire movie.

I use DVD Shrink. It works well. Remember that you need to have Nero (or perhaps some other burning engine) installed for its burning qualities to function.

Hope this helps, and that I am not too far off.

Go to http://www.doom9.org/ for more thorough, accurate information. Check "The Basics" section.

[AlexHoops]

If dual layer discs don't hold a full movie, how are actual DVD movies made?

I just checked and a movie I ripped earlier is around 6.5 gigs . In this situation would the movie need to be shrunk or could it just be copied as is?

[ QUOTE ]
If dual layer discs don't hold a full movie, how are actual DVD movies made?

I just checked and a movie I ripped earlier is around 6.5 gigs . In this situation would the movie need to be shrunk or could it just be copied as is?

[/ QUOTE ]


I could be wrong about the upper ceiling on dual layer discs and studio-burnt DVDs. 8.5 gigs may be the max for any DVD, home- or studio-burnt. A quick search suggest 8.5 is about the max.

Remember, different movies will be different sizes. It depends on length, extras and the like. Some will come in under 4.7 gigs, some at 7 gigs+, or around 6.5 like yours.

As to your question: that depends. If your burner is dual layer, you can simply burn. If single layer, then you'll need to shrink. As mentioned elsewhere in this thread, DVD Shrink will do the job (this program will also allow you to remove unwanted options, like commercials, commentary, etc.).

I suspect that you've already decrypted the ripped files. If not, you need to do this. Check out DVD Decrytper. Both this and DVD Shrink are free.