How do you copy DVD's
 

Can anyone help. I am new to this dvd burning thing. I have a windows XP home edition and no other dvd burning packages other than what windows provide me with. I have just downloaded a movie and want to copy iy. I have a dvd player and CD rewritable drive but am I able to copy DVD's on this. Also do I need DVD CD's instead of normal CD's. I know all this sounds thick to the avaerage joe but like I say I am new. Any info would be great.

Cheers

Hey Chris, there are numerous threads about this, it may pay to go back a few pages and check some out. I'll try and help as best I can.
You probably need some burning software, I use Nero which seem to work most of the time. I have also been recommend alcohol 120% (?) or something like that. As far as I'm aware you can get trial versions from download.com.
If you want to put something onto dvd, you will need blank dvd discs. Anything burnt onto a cd becomes a VCD which only holds around 700mb. DVDs hold upto 4.7gb. Thats about the best I can do, once again, go back through some of the other threads, there are more knowladgeable people than me here.

Actually DVD-5 format disks hold 4.36-7 GB in practice. DVD-9 format disks hold 7.95 GB, & the double-sided DVD-18 format twice that amount (15.9 GB.) But you can only burn dvd's if you have a dvd burner. And you need to be aware of what format of dvd it can burn. Most burn dvd-5 format, the newer ones burn dvd-9 format also. You also need to be aware of the difference between dvd minus & dvd plus. It's a little like the difference between beta & vhs video in the respect they do the same thing but are different formats. Most will burn both dvd+/- but some will only burn one of the other. Check with your burner manual to see what it can do. If you don't have a manual, find out the brand & model no. & google it & look for its specifications. This is important to know because if your burner only burns one format +/- or only dvd-5 (4.7) disks, then putting the wrong type of disk in to burn may result in anything from refusal to burn, burn failure, or at worst, damage to your burner. It then becomes a cup holder. lol :D

Hey Lord do you have one of thoes cupholders :D :D :D