Question on DVD Shrink quality w/low compress.

[Rasta]

I've backed up many movies using this method:
1: Use DVD Shrink to re-author DVD by taking the main movie only
2: Burn with Veritas RecordNOW

Usually DVD Shrink never reports that the compression is any more than 20%, when I only take the main movie of course. I use the 3.0beta. I have heard that DVD Shrink produces low quality in high-motion movies ... I have watched several action movies and have not noticed any real problems in my backups so I was wondering if this quality problem would only show up in higher compression or should I probably change to a better solution (my goal is to have nearly 1:1 quality ratio between my backups and originals with all my DVDs, keeping in my mind that I only was dump the extras and anything beside the main movie, with the exception of TV series volumes).

Also, if I do go a different route, is this a good process:
1: DVD Decryptor
2: DVD Rebuilder with AVIsynth plugin, MPEG2DEC3.dll, CCE SP 2.67 (one click)
3: Veritas RecordNOW on Ritek GO4 media

??

I am willing to learn about and use a more complex system if it will yield good and consistent results. Thanks everyone in advance
*Rasta

[Teegedeck]

Not having lots of experience with DCT-transcoders, I'd still say that you have more options to try out:

As for quick compressed domain transcoding (DVD Shrink-style)
- use DVD Rebuilder with ReJig
- buy Pinnacle Instant Copy which still is known as the best compressed domain transcoder

- re-encode using DVD Rebuilder and CCE (seems to be the killer combination if you want to stick with MPEG-2) which offers better efficiency than just requantization

- re-encode with XviD


The latter two methods probably offer higher quality but take some time and learning.

[Rasta]

Hey thanks a lot for the response. I think this really gives me a good idea; I have one more question which I think I know the answer to: If DVD Shrink reports that no compression is necessary will using one of the more advanced methods (such as DVRB+CCE or whatever) produce higher quality or will any simple method produce equal results as there is no compression? Thanks.
*Rasta

[cyberbob25]

If you DVD will fit onto a standard blank DVD (roughly 4.5GB) from the get-go, then all you have to do is rip it to your hard drive using Decryptor and then burn straight to disc; no further processing is necessary. None of the encoders will make a difference, as there is no compression needed to be done.

If your movie is only slightly larger than the 4.5 limit, I would typically run it through DVD Shrink with no compression to get rid of unwanted audio streams (I know there are better ways).

Alternatively, as I just replied to you in another post, you can preprocess it using a program like DVDReMake or DVDStripper. With these, you can cut out all unwanted material (FBI warnings, trailers, etc). A lot of times, it is possible to bring a large movie down to the 4.5GB limit by cutting out things you don't care about, which then eliminates the need for any encoding at all (saves time and quality).