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DVD backup

Can I make a backup of a DVD movie using my iMAC? Can't I just copy the files of the DVD movie onto my deskto or folder and then burn those files onto a blank DVD??? Would the DVD play in my DVD player?

weed

Nope. DVD movie discs have two layers and thus contain more data. Typically 9 GB. DVD-R discs are single layer (you just cant burn to both layers yet) so only contain about 4.5gb. Just cant fit 9gb on a 4.5gb disc.

Now, say you have a VERY short movie on a DVD. You cant just copy the files across because of encryption, and because of the way DVDs are created. You CAN do it if you extract the entire video to MPEG with an audio stream, then drop it on iDVD. However you have to decrpyt it, when you translate to MPEG, and extract the audio.

Sith_Lord

ASKER

Audio? I'm talking about Video. The actual movie. And I've seen DVD-R's that are now 9gb.

weed

Movies have two components. A video stream, and an audio stream. Unless youre talking about backing up old silent films.

9GB DVD-Rs are double sided, NOT double layered. They're just like having two 4.5gb discs slapped together back to back. You actually have to eject them, flip them over, and do another burn.

Sith_Lord

ASKER

So bottom line Weed...making a copy of a movie to a blank DVD is NOT going to work out???

Sith_Lord

ASKER

How about copying a DVD movie to my computer?? Will this work??

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weed

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