Hello.
The short answer is "no" because of a couple of factors that make it
difficult to make an exact copy of most movies using a recordable DVD
drive in a PC.
The long answer is "maybe" because there are some software programs
that claim to allow you make a copy of more or less any commercial
DVD.
Why can't you make an exact 1-for-1 copy of a DVD like you would for
an audio CD? Two reasons:
(1) Most movies come on double-layered (9 GB) DVD discs. The DVD-R
drives in PCs burn single-layered (4.7 GB) discs.
(2) Most movies have copy-protection schemes.
Source: "[5.9] How can I copy a DVD?" from DVDdemystified.com FAQ:
http://www.dvddemystified.com/dvdfaq.html#5.9
The DVDdemystified FAQ explains "that copying a commercial DVD may be
illegal, depending on what you do with the copy. Copying video for
your own personal use is legal, but making copies of copyrighted discs
for friends is not."
Various software companies currently make programs that allow you copy
your commercial DVDs and burn them for your own personal use.
Inevitably, though, there are drawbacks. Some "special" feautures of
the DVD may not be able to be copied. Some programs make you split a
movie onto two discs. Addtionally, there may be a loss of picture or
sound quality in some situations.
Three popular DVD copy programs:
321 Studios DVDXCOPY
http://www.dvdxcopy.com/
DVD2One
http://www.dvd2one.com/
Pinnacle Systems: Instant Copy
http://www.pinnaclesys.com/ProductPage.asp?Product_ID=1153&Langue_ID=7
Note also that one of the software programs mentioned above is
currently the subject of a lawsuit. See:
"DVD-copying upstart battles Hollywood," hosted by zdnet.com
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1105-986317.html
Here's a recent newsgroup discussion of the various programs, hosted
by Google Groups:
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&selm=ISx9a.4374%24wJ1.456148%40newsread2.prod.itd.earthlink.net
Also see:
"Hey Mac, Can You Burn a DVD?" from Wired.com
http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,56267,00.html
Here's a recent review of DVDXCopy by the San Francisco Chronicle:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2002/12/09/BU86087.DTL
search strategy: "dvd copying", "copy a dvd", "copy dvds", dvdxcopy,
pinnacle
I hope this helps. |
