Converting or archiving DVD-RW and DVD+RW formats

[Parchiao]

Need some help here. I have some DVD-RW and DVD+RW discs that I would like to either convert or arcive to some other easily accessible format. Any suggestions on how I should go about doing it? These are some precious moments captured of my girl of not so long ago.

[AReality]

Burn them to DVD+R, buy 2 different brands, make a copy on each.

[JRC]

Originally Posted by Parchiao Need some help here. I have some DVD-RW and DVD+RW discs that I would like to either convert or arcive to some other easily accessible format. Any suggestions on how I should go about doing it? These are some precious moments captured of my girl of not so long ago.

As what Areality said, burn into DVD+R (or DVD-R, doesn't matter).
Not all DVD media is same quality. Don't buy those cheap no brand type.
Usually, made in Japan or Singapore is the best but now is so hard to find.
Most are made in Taiwan.
I recommend mitshibishi chemicals (or verbatim) DVD media. Supposed to be good quality.
Better be safe then sorry. You buy those lousy ones may degrade in a few years time.

[Adiemus]

Originally Posted by AReality Burn them to DVD+R, buy 2 different brands, make a copy on each.

That's a great idea! 2 brands.

[Parchiao]

Originally Posted by JRC As what Areality said, burn into DVD+R (or DVD-R, doesn't matter). Not all DVD media is same quality. Don't buy those cheap no brand type. Usually, made in Japan or Singapore is the best but now is so hard to find. Most are made in Taiwan. I recommend mitshibishi chemicals (or verbatim) DVD media. Supposed to be good quality. Better be safe then sorry. You buy those lousy ones may degrade in a few years time.

Hmmm.... So if I record them in -RW and +RW format, I can always burn the disks in another format? BTW, what software do you use to acheive this?

Also, is there any other option that I can have, to strip out what was recorded onto the DVD into a mpg file?

[JRC]

Originally Posted by Parchiao Hmmm.... So if I record them in -RW and +RW format, I can always burn the disks in another format? BTW, what software do you use to acheive this? Also, is there any other option that I can have, to strip out what was recorded onto the DVD into a mpg file?

http://www.doom9.org/

check ripping guide.

[jerry25]

u try Ulead DVD MovieFactory v5.3 can do many things...

[Limsgp]

Easily accessible.. with or w/o a computer? If with computer, isn't the easiest way is to dump everything into an ext HDD? 250GB 3.5" USB drive can easily store approx 50-60 DVD's worth of pictures or videos.

Originally Posted by Parchiao Need some help here. I have some DVD-RW and DVD+RW discs that I would like to either convert or arcive to some other easily accessible format. Any suggestions on how I should go about doing it? These are some precious moments captured of my girl of not so long ago.

[cyberdigi]

Originally Posted by Limsgp Easily accessible.. with or w/o a computer? If with computer, isn't the easiest way is to dump everything into an ext HDD? 250GB 3.5" USB drive can easily store approx 50-60 DVD's worth of pictures or videos.

Agree. Best thing is that there are devices today (DVD player, digital photo frame) that supports USB and can display photo, mpeg4 movies. So you can relive those moments even without a computer.

[jaegersing]

Problem with archiving on DVD is that you don't know if the media has rotted away until you need to use it, and by then it is too late. It's happened to me a couple of times already, after just 2 or 3 years of storage.

Now I have set up a pair of 300GB HDD as a mirror raid, and use that as my archive. If one of the HDD fails, hopefully I will get a warning in time to recover my data. Need to think what to do next though, after I fill the raid.