Just like my audio CDs, I refuse to take my original DVDs to gigs. So, I'm making

copies to tote around. Doubles of each, just in case I need a song that's on the

same disc currently playing.



Anyway, VMS Media's discs are standard 4.7G DVDs...no problem. Promo Only uses

Dual-Layer discs and the blank media expensive. I tried using DVD Shrink but it

just doesn't look sharp. Reauthoring the disc to split it is an option I've yet to try.



What are you doing to backup your DVDs to take to gigs?

Actually, it seems that DVD Shrink will allow you to select a range of tracks, let's say 1-15 of 30 and burn directly to DVD. It's basically a couple of clicks and the software takes care of the rest, plus I can remove the menu and ambient titles.

Once I make a Master Copy, I can just duplicate it. The DL discs are about $2.99 each and standard 4.7G DVD-R discs are $.66 each. And I have about 40 Promo Only discs that I need to backup.

I've had great luck with the ritek dual layer dvd-Rs. Burn them at the LOWEST speed possible. I only burned at 1X. Anything higher wouldn't load in the DVJ-X1.

use good quality blanks, cheap disks last about a week.

I just received Promo Only's Hot Video for JUN06. Using DVD Shrink, I only copied tracks 1 thru 26 (Top 40 and Dance Section) and it took only a little bit over an hour to complete. I compared the two DVDs (original and copy), and the copy looks perfect to my naked eye. Mind you, probably half the customers at the club will be drunk anyway and wouldn't give a rat's ass about video quality...but I do.

The downside is that I'll have twice as many discs to haul around, but at least the originals are kept in a safe place. All in all, I'm saving some money because NON dual-layer DVD-R media is cheaper and I don't have to go out and buy a Dual Layer burner...for now.

A little off topic here, but...GFunk which club are you spinnin at? I'd like to check out your show next time I'm in Denver.

Caleb,



I'm at the Cool River (1/4 mile East of I25 and Belleview) in the DTC area every Friday and Saturday. My VJ gear won't be used until mid-late June when they upgrade their TVs, add another projector screen and run a video line from the stage to the A/V control room. But, please stop by whenever you're in the area.



G

UPDATE:

Apparently, NERO and DVD Shrink (or my burner) are having some issues with autoburn. So, now I need to export the Promo Only disc to two different directories. Then, launch Nero and use it to burn the DVD files to disc.

To tell you the truth, this actually works better because I needed two copies of each disc anyway.

Just installed my new SATAII Plextor DVD-R w/ 16mb cache. This puppy is awesome!
My Verbatim spindles are still on backorder so I had to resort to two other brands (Maxell and TDK) to finish backing up my DVDs.
They were all burned at slow speeds (4x).

Has anyone ever used these brands before?

Oh dear lord, not Maxell.

Sorry, I've had horrible experiences with Maxell CD's and even tapes - they just don't last. They'll do in a pinch but are prone to flaking.

'Course, they may have improved things, and their DVD's might be different, but I stay far far away from them wherever possible.

Others on the board swear by them however, so don't take my word for it.

-r-

I'll second the Maxtor = bad statement. I haven't had problems with TDK but I prefer Mitsui.