Iso Vs. File Mode

[striperslayer59]

I'm trying to improve my method and knowlege of backing up DVD's. In the guide, doom9 recommends using the iso method, suggesting that it leads to less problems. I began doing that - using dvdecryptor to rip then dvdshrink to compress, then Imagetool to create an iso (at that time I couldn't figure out how to get shrink to create iso's), mount with daemon and burn with decryptor.
After a couple successful backups, I started having problems mounting the iso's. Powerdvd could not reconize the mounted image and dvdshrink did not create the mds file that dvdecryptor does. So I switched to the file method with dvdecryptor, dvdshrink and burning with the Roxio Easy Media Creator that came with my Plextor drive. This seems to work very well. I've done about 20 backups with no problems. Howvever, I've since read in various threads that the iso method is superior. My question is why? Is it a better quality final product? Also I've repeatedly heard that Roxio is a bad burning program. Why is that? Are there qualitative differences in the way it burns or does it just have less features or something?

Thanks,
Chuck

[jel]

hi chuck,

well, a couple of things to start with:

1. to burn an .iso image with DVD Decrypter, there is no need to mount the .iso image in daemon tools, simply select "mode-->iso write" and navigate to the location of the .iso image.

2. iirc, dvd shrink can not only create .iso images but can be set-up to burn this images with dvd decrypter automatically.

3. the mds file is not critical for burning dvd+/-5 image files. it is however crucial for burning of dual layer images as it stores the correct location of the layer break (among other info)

now, onto your questions/issues.

what sort of problems are you having with the mounted "shrunk" images? have you tried any other dvd players (eg ifoedit etc) to read the mounted image?

as for using dvd decrypter to burn over roxio? well, beyond my own personal experiences with dvd decrypter, and from what i have read on this forum over the years, i managed to find this article which may be of use to you.
Nero vs IMG Tool Burn vs Decrypter - PI/PIF Scans Inside. (http://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=258338)
and another:
Guide: How to burn ISO images with PgcEdit ensuring 32k gaps between IFOs and BUPs (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=88606&highlight=decrypter+burn+iso)

hth

j

[ammck55]

jel-That link to the Nero/ImgTool/Decrypter comparison was interesting as heck, I've spent the last half hour taking a look at it. Nice heads up!

Makes you thank your lucky stars for freeware!

ammck55

[echooff]

That was a very interesting link. I knew there was a reason I liked DvdDecrypter:D.

[striperslayer59]

Jel, Thanks, I agree with ammck55, that comparison was very interesting. Even though it did not answer my question regarding Roxio, it clearly shows that there are quality diferences, and that you can't go wrong with Decryptor. That leads me back to the problems I have with ISO's. I don't know why I have trouble getting them to mount and play with daemon and Powerdvd. I'll have to play with it and document my steps before I waste anyone's time trying to figure it out. All I remember is that after several successes Imgtool started creating a bunch of 1g iso's that would not play, instead 2 or 3 larger ISOs.
I know that shrink can make the iso and automatically burn, but I'm not confident enough in my editing/shrinking to burn without playing my shrunk version first. That is why I was using daemon and Powerdvd. Right now I feel stuck with Roxio because its easy and eliminates extra steps but I would rather learn to use Decryptor to insure quality. I'm going to rip a disk and use shrink to create the ISO, then report back! Thanks for your generous comments and no I haven't tried other players yet.

Chuck