I've got a question on how exactly do you use a DVD Burner?
My computer doesn't have one but my mom's computer does.

I've got some DVD's that are all scratched up and stuff and keep running into problems with things getting erased all of a sudden.

So, trying to figure out if a way to back everything up and transfer to another?

Thanks,
Amy

You should be able to find complete directions and/or a "Wizard" that will walk you through this. It might be a good idea to go into your Help and Support and read the sections on this before you start. My burner is in my Music Program and also in Windows Media and there is an icon on the taskbar labeled "Burn". You need to make sure you have the correct type of CD, a writable one, insert, and follow the steps. To burn from another, already made CD, you need to create a copy of it in a file and then burn a new one from there. I hope this is what you are asking. Sandy

If you're trying to copy from DVD movies you already own - you can't do that. The DVDs you buy in the store are protected so you can't make copies.

Oh, DUH! I was completely in the mode of CDs and not DVDs . Nix all that I said, Amy, ladymacb is so right and I am so embarrassed!

You can make copies if you have the right program and a dvd burner.

A "DVD ripper" is a computer application that copies the content of DVDs to harddisk, through a process called ripping.

You can find free programs if you use a search engine. You can leaglly buy the software at retail stores.

I bought a pc from Circuit City as a open box; they had all kinds of programs already installed, including Dvd ripper software. They also had over 100 albums loaded into it! I made out like a fat rat...

I hope this helps.

I thought more about this and then saw your post today, Pinhead. I do have the ability to copy DVDs via my Windows Media Player by the rip and burn sequence you mentioned. I have never done this with a DVD, only CDs, but I knew I had seen it. I would guess that unless it is an old one, any DVDs now are protected like ladymcb pointed out. I agree, Pinhead, you did make out like a 'fat rat' on that deal! Sandy

If you want to back up Dvds that you own that are copy protected I recommend using DVD Shrink. It not only allows you to burn copy protected DVDs but it also allows you to remove unwanted extra features like subtitles and language tracks. The only other thing you need to do is download an ISO burner as that is the type of file DVD Shrink saves the DVD as. It is all free and I am not sure of the legalities but in my opinion if you bought the movie you should be able to back it up as long as you are not distributing them.

I think we're entering the grey area of copyright protection here. It may be legal to copy a DVD for personal use but it's probably illegal to bypass or strip encryption in order to make the copy. I don't think anyone has been prosecuted for doing this but nonetheless, FunTrivia wouldn't want anything discussed that may be illegal. I would ask people to be careful when giving advice.

The DVDs I'm talking about is stuff I recorded from tv.

If that's the case, Amy, you have nothing to worry about as far as not being able to copy them. I don't think it will increase the quality of them, though, what's on them is what will be copied ie what you put in, is what you'll get out. The problem is this. A DVD-ROM drive or DVD player utilizes a laser beam to read the metal layer. This laser beam crosses the plastic layer on the surface and reads the metal layer where the data is. If the plastic layer is scratched, the beam will be unable to pass through it, which will give a read error. In other words, the data to be read are still on the DVD, the trouble is in the layer of plastic refracting the laser beam. Since the DVD's contents are still there, a scratched DVD can be recovered by polishing its surface. I would caution you though on the polishing of them. You have to know what you are doing, or you will make the situation worse, like the simple act of cleaning them in a circular motion, which you NEVER do. There are some kits and also things around the house you can use like toothpaste for minor ones. If I were you, I would just Google 'removing scratches from DVDs' and see what comes up. Sandy

Yes, I realize it wont increase the quality of it. I just want to get it backed up before losing everything since I've lost things so many times just from a bit of dust on it causes our DVD Recorder/VCR Combo to erase everything.
Our DVD thing does tell us though if the thing is dirty. It will just stop while recording and says that it maybe because it's dirty and that cleaning may help.
My mom cleans them with these DVD/CD cleaning cloths she found. Only thing, looks like it's maybe even getting dirty but we aren't sure if it's ok to wash them.
I've lost things so many times already.
I also have a bunch of other DVD's that got ruined from these plastic DVD cases that like melted to them.

The other problem I have too is the DVD Recorder/VCR Combo which is an RCA is failing and it looks like the DVD's I've been using on them DVD+RW are not going to work with other DVD Recorders. So, I'll need to get them transfered to DVD+R's. If I could, I'd switch to using DVD+R's right now so that I don't have so much to try and back up, but I can't due to the speeds of DVD's required aren't anywhere to be found. So we are scared to try the wrong ones and ruin the Recorder.

We tried a Panasonic and the thing wouldn't play them without wanting to format them first. Did find that Sony will play them but can't add to them, and the other problem we have with the Sony unit is that when trying to record sometimes it will stop and say it's illegal. The thing it says that is illegal is Entertainment Tonight. Not all the time, but sometimes it kept trying to do that. At the same time I know it's not illegal because other units in the house at that time were recording it.