DVD Copying basic knowledge - 1

Since DVDs and DVD recording is currently a hot topic, there is greater demand for DVD backup software. DVDs are still vulnerable to children or pets scratches, so people are looking into solutions to create safety copies. In this article I will try to explain why you can?t simply copy a DVD, and the processes you have to go trough in order to copy one. This article is in no way the answer to all your questions, but it should get you started and explain the basics of the process.

A DVD is usually a movie, therefore we will focus on making a copy of a DVD movie. This process includes several tasks that might be - or become - illegal in your country, because there is circumvention of copy protections involved.

First we will introduce you to the DVD format, tell you why you can?t just simply copy it and the processes needed in order to make a copy. After that we will discuss some useful tools to assist you in making your backup.

If you want to copy a DVD that you have purchased, you can insert it into your DVD-ROM drive to check its contents. On the disc you will find several folders. Normally you should always see a VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS folder. The AUDIO_TS folder is used to store DVD Audio, the VIDEO_TS to store DVD Movies.

Since we will be focusing on a movie DVD, so we?ll open the VIDEO_TS folder. In this folder you will see .VOB .IFO and .BUP files. The VOB file contains the actual movie files. This is a MPEG-2 encoded file. Simplfied is MPEG-2 is a method of compression for movies, just like MP3 files are compress audio. The file contains also audio, normally this should also be a compressed format. Mainly it is an improved form of MP3, named AC-3. Besides that contain the .VOB files the subtitles and multiple camera angles.

The .IFO files are the information files, it can be used by your DVD playing device. It gives the DVD player information on what .VOB files to load and when to start a new chapter. The .BUP files are just a backup of the IFO files and ususlly not being used, they will only be used when an .IFO files become somehow unreadable.