Burning a DVD that requires a DL disc.

Posted by La Profe (593 days ago)

hi folks,
I am testing my computer. Forgive me, but i'm really tech -challenged. I"m trying to burn a DVD (that's about 2.5 hours long or so) into a regular DVD blank. AFter my drive reads the original dvd, it asks for a DL dvd blank (Double layer). it is possible to "compress" the files from this original dvd to make it fit into my reg. dvd blanks, as double layered blanks are bloody expensive. BTW, why does it require a DL. Is it because it exceeds the 2 hour limit?

If so can someone give me step by step directions.

thanks so much.

(I am based in Other)

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Posted by ldldjr (593 days ago)

there are programs that do this - dvdshrink is one. Do a bit of online searching - I am sure there are numerous other programs. The programs will remove unnecessary portions of the DL dvd and only install what you want - i.e. the movie and maybe some subtitling if you want.

(I am based in Vietnam)

Posted by car_lover (592 days ago)

And also make sure ur DVD doesn't have a code protected security, otherwise, u can't burn it too...correct me if am wrong.

It requires DL because the file size is bigger, it uses a 8.5GB disc space compare to a single layer which only has 4.7GB space. There are few programs that will compress/shrink it for u. One of them is dvdshrink, as said above.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by ldldjr (592 days ago)

actually what dvdshrink does is leave out things that are not necessary - trailers, alternate sound tracks,etc. There are other programs that will disable/remove regional codes and anti-backup locks - all easily found on the internet - although not all free

(I am based in Vietnam)

Posted by Gary Summer (590 days ago)

dvd9 capacity is 8g or so,I used dvd lab to shrink dvd9 into dvd 5, dvd9 blank isn't expensive,which is 8-9rmb in Beijing

(I am based in Beijing)

Posted by La Profe (590 days ago)

Wow, Double layer blanks are that cheap?? How much do they sell them for in GZ/HK? Are they sold by bulk (spindles). I'm in US and they're bloody expensive. If they're cheap, I'd like to pick some up next time i'm in asia.

i am watching a korean soap that my friend got in china and it appears some of the formatting now is that they cram 4 episodes onto a DVD (DL as i apparently found out). The quality is really good. I've noticed that for HK tv series, they dont use DL but put them on a format that is not viewable on a dvd player but only on the computer and the quality is LOUSY. I like the series, that's why i wanted to copy it.

(I am based in Unspecified)

Posted by La Profe (590 days ago)

I dont really care about the region as aren't most DVDs sold in asia now uses a 'universal disk" that can operate on any dvd machine? And if it doesn't, i just watch on my computer.

(I am based in Unspecified)

Posted by ldldjr (589 days ago)

I think computer dvd drives even have the wonderful region code - if it turns out to be a problem, the software to get around it is a download away.

(I am based in Vietnam)

Posted by blackvirusss (586 days ago)

get some good DVDrip proramme and rip that DVD in to ur computer as AVI or Mp4 format and watch it in your computer if you want to watch it in DVD Player then can just burn that file in to CD or any DVD disk and DVD player can read it as a file as now all DVD players have Mp3 Mp4 and other formats
I not see any problem here
even DVD disk have security code or something like that there a lot of programmes that can rip it and get all information!!!

(I am based in Hong Kong)