Best method for backing up DVDA files?

PossibilityX wrote on 2/14/2005, 11:30 AM

I've put together a lot of DVDs using DVDA 2.0. All .dar files and the corresponding MPEG2 / AC3 files are on my system drive presently.

I want to back up (move) this lot to two other drives as redundant backup.

My question is, how best to accomplish this so that the .dar files backed up to the other drives "know" to point to the audio / video files associated with that DVD, instead of to where the a/v files USED TO BE originally (the system drive)?

Not sure if it's just a copy and paste in Windows Explorer / My Computer, or if it involves opening each DVDA file, and SAVING AS on the new drives.

Thanks in advance for all help. It is always much appreciated.

Comments

Jessariah67 wrote on 2/14/2005, 11:38 AM

I believe the .dar file is going to look for the old directory structure of the files when it was last saved. Like other Sony apps, you'll probably be prompted to "look for" the missing files.

If you're not planning to change the project (and simply want to back up the DVD for future burns) you can just back up the prep folder with the TS directories, open DVDA, click Burn Project and choose that directory. The actual "project .dar" doesn't have to be open.

ScottW wrote on 2/14/2005, 11:55 AM

If the .dar file was saved in the same directory as the source files, then simply move all of the files to the new location - the fact that this works also implies that the .dar file maintains source file locations in a relative fashion, so even if there are multiple directories involved, as long as you move everything as a group and maintain the directory structure you should be ok.

And worse case, as was mentioned, if DVDA can't find the files, you'll be prompted to search for them.

--Scott

B.Verlik wrote on 2/14/2005, 12:01 PM

Yes, it would be nice to move everything, but unless you're going to be constantly changing something in the DVD, just save a good DVD and if you need to re-burn it again. Rip it. I use the freeware called DVDShrink to rip my own DVDs. You don't have to shrink a DVD. You can burn an exact copy, complete with menus. (you can also re-author, slightly, a DVD, by switching VOBs) www.dvdshrink.org

Chienworks wrote on 2/14/2005, 12:07 PM

If all you want to do is make a copy you don't even have to rip the DVD. If you have two DVD drives, put the original in one and point DVDA's "burn" menu at that drive and you can burn to the other drive. If you only have one drive then you can copy the AUDIO_TS and VIDEO_TS folders back to the hard drive and burn from there.

The only time you would want to keep the MPEG-2, AC3, and DAR files around is if you plan on changing the menues or layout when burning a new DVD. If you're happy with your current layout then there is no reason to keep these files around.

Jsnkc wrote on 2/14/2005, 2:00 PM

PossibilityX wrote on 2/14/2005, 6:38 PM

Thanks much to all who replied; it was a big help and much appreciated!