I wnat to make a backup of starwars eppisode 3 to a dual layer disk. I have done lots of backups to single layer with recode but not to dual layer. Since the movie should fit without compression, should I still use recode or should I use the "copy dvd" option in start smart (which uses nero express)? If I use recode and it doesn't have to compress it, it still compiles it. does it alter it in any way or does it make an exact copy? If it doesn't make an exact copy, would nero express?

Don't use any Nero product, they will recode the movie against your will.
Just use DVDDecryptor to rip in ISO, then burn in ISO. You will get a perfect copy.

You could as well use DVD Shrink ... set it to DVD-9 and choose between Re-Authoring (deselect unwanted menues/subtitles) or Backup mode (full disc without PUO's). Let Shrink write an ISO to HDD which can then be burned with DVD Decrypter.

Thanks for the info. I'll give it a try.

for DL use DVDDecrypter as it keeps the layer break in the same place as the original!!

Deffintely. And, Shrink will, by default, remove the original layer break which can often create problems.

The DVD Copy function works well and shouldn't change the quality of the movie as long as it will fit onto one disk. What I can't remember is if the DVD Copy function asks if you want to copy to a DVD 9 disk if it won't fit on DVD 5 media - but I think it autodetects the media you've inserted in the drive so that shouldn't be an issue.

Actually if you are just interested in a straight copy, then something like CloneDVD2 would serve you better.

It has more features, especially in the sound department, and will automatically switch off the transcoder if the movie will fit on the media you specify.

It's also much faster - probably twice as fast as Nero if you're simply copying a disk.

I believe it does a better job of dealing with the layer break as well.

If things just won't work and you end up with crap, then the best solution is to use NeroVision to Make Your Own DVD.

This will import the .vob files and ask if you want to merge them together. If you do, you end up with a nice, untouched, mpeg file on your HD, that can be played in just about any media player.

You have to remember to change the video settings to High Quality and Progressive to get an uncompressed movie.

If you do merge the .vob files, and it won't fit on a DVD 5 uncompressed, it will ask you if you're copying to DVD 9 media.

Unfortunately - this is one of the reasons I mainly use CloneDVD2 - it does mess with the sound, and unless you have Nero 7 Ultra it won't produce Dolby 5.1, only 2.1, and no version of NeroVision will produce a DVD with DTS sound.

Better than nero maybe. Certainly not better than Dvd Decrypter.
Again, maybe better than nero but worse than Dvd Decrypter which places the layer break in exactly the same place as it was on the original dvd.

In short, just follow rdgrimes advice and remember to load the image for burning from the .mds file so that the burning module has the necessary layer break info.

I did it with the copy dvd method (which does not recode it) and with the dvd decryptor method. Both seemed to work fine but the one with decryptor seemed to have a little less errors around the layer break (maybe because of the method, mabe just a fluke).

With the dvd decryptor method, I used it to create the iso image on my hard drive, then used dvd decryptor to burn it too. I'm guessing that it is using nero's burn engine unless it has its own? That is the correct way to do it, right? Fyi I tried to open the iso and it said something about you are suposed to use the .mds file, but i'll forgive you this time and change it for you, lol!!!

No. Dvd Decrypter has its own burning engine.

I have a similiar issue with Nero on their recod. I have used DVDDecryptor in the past, but am not sure how to set it up to rip to ISO (software settings). Would someone be so kind as to enlighten me?

Thanks!

Create ISO with Decrypter, and Burn with IMGBURN ( from the author of dvd decrypter) :P. The best way. Period.

User error.

If the movie fits, there is no recoding, period.

Also, you need to use "copy to DVD", not "copy to NeroDigital", of course.