I have a friend who is trying to burn a DVD from one to the other..... we have no idea how to do it.... any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

1st you need the hardware (a dvd burner), and 2nd you need the software to actually copy the dvd and burn it onto a new disc

He has the DVD burner..... any suggestions for a good program or can u use like Nero? I guess the real question was how do you burn the files so that they will play the movie back and not just show files...

I would recommend lighter fluid and some matches...

Everything you need to know is here. http://www.videohelp.com/dvdbackup

There is more to it than just having a DVD Burner. The type of burner, the source media, destination media, whether the source needs to have region & copy protection removed the legalities of that and of course what software can do what.

Although once you get it right once it as easy as with a CD.

Alot of the DVD's have burn lock on them
infact you'll find very few that don't!

This is extremely easy to get around by using a program like DVD Decrypter and ripping it as an ISO, then running it in Daemon Tools. You can also use DVD Decrypter to rip the raw .VOB files and using a compression and burning method listed on the excellent Videohelp.com link above provided by Bleeding_Heart.

One important thing to note is that most retail movie DVDs are dual-layer and in the area of 8.75GB. Most of the blank DVD+-Rs you see at Bestbuy and such are single-layer and only have 4.7GB of space on them. You're going to have to cut special features and/or compress the main video when making backups if you go the cheap route. Using a simple program like DVDShrink is fast and easy, but produces poor quality video when compared to going the more advanced route using programs such as TMPEG.

Edit: I would like to point out all of this is considered legal as long as it's used for backups of DVDs you own.

Edit 2: Assuming you don't have a DVD Burner, I would recommend picking this Rosewill 16X Double Layer DVD+/- RW Burner up off Newegg and looking for deals on DVD+ or -Rs at Dealmein.net. Remember to get the dual-layer discs if you want a full transfer of the DVD.

On another note, I would like to express my deepest love for Newegg. I would highly recommend ordering anything and everything related to computers off of them. They have stellar customer service, excellent prices, and their shipping is unbelievably fast. I've spent literally thousands at Newegg on a wide variety of parts and have zero complaints. No, this isn't an advertisement, it's a very strong recommendation to get computer parts off Newegg as opposed to in-store or other online sites (I often find Newegg to be half the price of Best Buy), and that you shouldn't be wary when ordering from them.

Edit 3 (final edit): I need to not post when I'm tired. I didn't read that you already had a DVD burner, I apologize. I still reccomend that burner for anyone reading this thread who wants to pick one up though.

Ok, this is an easy one...first go and download DVD Decrypter
install dvd into burner and rip with DVD Decrypter....the files will be automatically stored in a file on the C drive under the name of the movie.

I use Roxio 7 to burn DVD's, Roxio 6 will work also. Nero CANNOT burn dvd's at all. DO NOT buy NERO...you will be angry and out some money...

Open Roxio 7, click on 'copy dvd'
Make sure you burner is highlighted in the drop down bar on the right. On the left click on 'video image' a window on the left will pop open, you now click on the file that has the dvd movie you just ripped. it will be under the C drive folder.
The movie will appear on the right, click 'ok' at the bottom right
Now you will be at the screen where all you do is click on the 'burn' button, your dvd will take upto 15-20 min... it depends if the dvd is compressed. It will tell you on the window before this one.

Very easy to make backups of your fav movies

do u have to have a dvd drive????

To burn yes.... you can pick up a dvd burner for like $50 these days...

Now there is a way to put video on a regular CD and play it in your dvd player...it is called a VCD...easy to make...all you need is a regular cd-burner..and some software that is free on the internet.......if interested I will tell you how to do it.