Backup Encyclopedia

[Richk50]

I received a DVD containing containing video and data, from a donation to PBS. It's a combination of videos and data, With data retrieval, topical dictionary etc. Would there be a problem with the data part if I reduced the size, keeping everything and backed it up?
I'm not concerned with the quality of the videos, they will mostly be viewed in a small window on my computer.

[writersblock29]

Mixed-mode DVDs usually only seem to have encryption on the video end of things... so I wouldn't think you'd have a problem if you decrease the size of your video streams (using conventional methods)-- nor would you have navigational errors, providing that you were careful to copy the original data files and name their folders exactly as they appear on your original. If you apply any sort of compression sceme to the data files (Winzip, et al) then you'll run into problems, since your player has to decompress these files to access them. Of course, this may not prove to be a problem on your computer! Any tests you do, try them on a DVDRW first, just in case. But I can see no reason why simply bouncing your data files onto the copy... while re-processing the VIDEO_TS file's contents so that everything fits... would present any problems whatsoever for you. You could always set a program like DVD Shrink to "custom", and specify the space you have left after considering the size of your data files (only be sure to disable burning with Nero, instead directing it to a folder on your hard drive!). Later, you can burn it as a data DVD; how you format it won't matter much if you're just going to view it on your computer -- it's those set-top boxes that run ya into trouble!

[Kedirekin]

I do backups with DVD-ROM extras all the time. It works just fine.

[Richk50]

Thanks for the help. There was no problem. I always expect there to be one.