CloneDVD

[idj]

I would just like to post this small thread about CloneDVD. This is what I use for 'One Click' DVD backup's. Now, I am not familiar with software such as DVDShrink, DVD2ONE etc, and I am NOT saying they shouldn't be used, as they are no doubt good pieces of software.
But I have noticed quite a few threads posted where people are having various problems doing backups, and DVDshrink seems to be the main one used. I have not yet seen anything mentioned about using CloneDVD.
Now, are people not aware of this software?
All I am trying to say is try other things. CloneDVD gives you the choice of copying: JUST the Movie, The WHOLE Disc or Creating an Image file. Now I now that DVDShrink does this, but it DOESN'T burn to blank disc. CloneDVD gives you the choice of Transcoding the files onto the HDD only. Then you will need (e.g) Nero to burn onto a blank disc. Or you can transcode onto your HDD into a Temp folder and then Clone will burn it straight to Blank disc. Now, another bit of software I use is 'ANYDVD' by Slysoft. This is actually made by Elaborate Bytes who also make CloneDVD. It is basically a PLUG-IN for CloneDVD (Although it may work for others, such as DVDShrink but I have not tried it). Once you have got ANYDVD enabled (the icon which is a Foxes head shows up RED on your system tray), you can then transcode the DVD files STRAIGHT from the original DVD disc. Decrypting is not neccesary, because ANYDVD removes (virtually, not physically) the CSS encryption from the original DVD, so Clone sees it as an already decrypted disc. Start to Finish (Transcoding and Writing, depending on the speed of your DVD Burner) totals about 25mins. Thats Writing at 4X speed.

[nyplayer]

I found the quality of CloveDVD to be the poorest of the transcoders. That is my reason for not using it.

[m1482]

I found the quality of CloveDVD to be the poorest of the transcoders. That is my reason for not using it.

I completely agree...

[jhmac]

Clone DVD does have the poorest quality and that childish looking GUI drives me crazy, needs a lot of work before it will be considered serious back-up software...

[OvERaCiD23]

CloneDVD doesn't give options for compression; it just re-compresses whatever you select so that it fits. A very bad idea from the developer.

[MackemX]

DVDShrink has more issues posted as it will have a far greater user base and I'm pretty sure people are aware of CloneDVD

the 2 programs you talk about are $80 and basically all for the sake of burning a DVD direct

it's not very wise to do a direct copy for a few reasons. What if the original disc has reading issues?. Other reasons could be that the final output is incorrectly sized or the final output has playback issues

is it really worth it to pay $80 (whatever it is) for the pleasure or burning direct and saving the moment it takes to burn the DVDShrink with your favourite burner?

another difference is that CloneDVD offers title removal maintaining working menu's (but not individual menu removal)

the quality difference is an issue I don't have an opinion about

[Richk50]

"it's not very wise to do a direct copy for a few reasons. What if the original disc has reading issues?. Other reasons could be that the final output is incorrectly sized or the final output has playback issues"

I agree. Many of my originals have reading issues. Why take a chance making a coaster, when a few mintes extra will guarantee a good copy.

[Dimmer]

I must be the only advocate of CloneDVD around here - I think it's a great program in its class. I made a couple of dozens backups with it and found the quality to be very close to DVDShrink, and it works much faster, too. I never make a direct copy though, always "clone" to HDD first. Got to admit, CloneDVD choked on a movie with seamless branching.

Although many people don't care about it, CloneDVD is the only program of its kind that preserves NTSC Line 21 closed captions. All other programs I tried (DVDShrink, Nero Recode etc.) remove them completely. If you have an NTSC system, closed captions provide way more information than subtitles in case it's necessary for you to read what they say on the screen.