[NTLUG:Discuss] backing up video dvds & burning data dvds

[David Simmons]

> I need to buy a single layer dvd burner that is Linux friendly, and I
> thought I would ask if anyone had any words of wisdom regarding
> hardware.

I've stuck with Plextor drives...they're more expensive, but have been
rock solid!

> also, have any of you used dvd::rip, nero/linux, k3b, etc?
>
> I need to remove my dependence on nero / windows and dvdshrink, so I
> can be rid of the cancer that is Microsoft.

Welp...K3B works great for burning DVD iso's....but you might consider
using VMWARE (free) to run a Win2K environment (on a Linux host
environment) for the DVD ripping/iso creation portion....as some of the
newer movies require some tricks that I don't believe dvd::rip will handle
- (as it's sounds like your going from DVD9 to DVD5...shrink and
vob-blanker are still your friend).

Once you have the ISO's created...you'll need to set-up a SAMBA share to
your host computer and copy the ISO over.  I know that it would seem you
could just mount the SAMBA share and burn directly - but I've been having
problems with files over 4.0gb (which DVD5 iso's are) - when they burn,
they will sometimes leave a blank visible ring on the dvd toward the end -
VERY FRUSTRATING as it means you wan't watch the end of the movie!...SO,
once you've copied them to your Linux filesystem - use K3B to burn from
there.

hope that helps - dave