Helping people with computers... one answer at a time.
Backing up to DVD is easy with a backup program or a DVD burner. Copying a video DVD, however, requires a different tool, and may be illegal.
How do I backup to DVD? How can I copy video DVDs?
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DVDs have become great backup media. With capacities of nearly 5 gigabytes on a single disk you can place a LOT of data on one. Doing so needn't be difficult but there are a few options.
Copying video DVDs on the other hand may not be that easy.
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Chances are your DVD writer included software with it to be able to burn not only DVDs but CDs as well. That's always the best place to start. (If your drive did not include software, I've had good luck with Roxio Easy CD and DVD Creator.) I use these types of packages to copy files I've selected onto CD-R, DVD-R, and DVD+R media.
Windows XP itself also has burning software included. With XP you can treat some types of media - most notably "RW" media - as if they were just another drive by simply copying files to it.
Important: While we're talking about formats, it's important to note that the "+" and "-" in the DVD media types are significant. DVD-R and DVD+R are two different standards. Most DVD writers will work with one or the other but not both. The same goes for DVD-RW and DVD+RW. Make sure you get the right kind of media for your drive.
Now then, about copying those video DVDs.
As much as I hate to say it, I've always viewed the claims of copying software very skeptically. The fact is that the movie industry has taken many steps to prevent piracy, and it wouldn't surprise me if the claims made for the ability to copy video DVDs weren't blown out of proportion. I'd be fairly shocked if there was a package that could legally copy a commercially produced DVD. I definitely understand that there are legitimate needs for making a personal, backup copy of a DVD you own, I'm just not currently aware of a working legal solution.
So my recommendation is this: get the backup scenario working. This will validate that your drive fundamentally works and that you have the correct type of media. Then you can try the DVD copying packages. I'd be interested in hearing which ones actually work, if any.
Article C1973 - June 1, 2004 « »
Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he
was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed.
After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers
to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.
November 12, 2009 4:39 PM
Hello I am trying to copy a DVD-R to my computer to put in an end of season video for my daughters cheering and I can't seem to burn it. I really need this to work. Can you help.
I would also like to make copies of it. It is my own personal taping of there pep ralley for high school.
November 21, 2009 8:47 AM
"For your wedding: DO NOT HIRE the videographer unless s/he agrees, in writing, to sign over to you the rights to copy or do whatever you want with your wedding videos."
Absolutely correct! The reason horrific license agreements for software exist and burdensome copyright protection exists is because too many people aren't willing to take this kind of action. If only ten percent of the people buying wedding photography took this step, the standard arrangement would change!
I had to train many software sales people back in the 1970s to understand what their standard contracts actually meant via my own Fortune 500 company's lawyer - whom I also had to train, of course.
April 21, 2010 9:50 PM
HD Campcorders record in big AVCHD files.
Blu-ray burners and disks are expensive and many devices are combo, it means they just play blu-ray not record.
How one can backup all the files in the PRIVATE directory tree in several DVDs?
This is not to duplicate comertial Blu-ray or DVDs, but SDHC menories recorded by the camera.
23-Apr-2010
May 30, 2010 5:03 AM
i dont want to spam or anything but i use this thingie http://www.gamecopywizard.com/?hop=76777 it doesnt copy only dvds to my computer i use it to copy music CDs and video games :D epic win! :D
June 2, 2010 8:48 AM
If you have a Mac, I would recommend you Daniusoft DVD Creator for Mac.
Here is a guide on how to burn AVCHD videos to DVD for your reference.
http://www.daniusoft.com/convert-avchd/avchd-to-dvd-on-mac.html#139
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