I'm embarressed to be asking these simple questions, but I don't know the answers so here goes:

1) Is copying a homemade un-copy-protected video DVD-R as simple as copying the files onto harddrive and then burning them back onto to a fresh disk using, say, Nero's Video DVD option? Or do the files need to be ripped or demuxed or something?

2)When using Nero to burn a disk image from SpruceUp or DVDWorkshop to a DVD-R, what are the correct settings? Mode 1, 2048, iso/udf hybrid?

3)I often use the "output YUV data as basic YCbCr" option in TMPGEnc. Is there an easy way within Premiere - using its filters - to get the same result when encoding with another encoder that doesn't have that output option?

Thanks!

Question 1:

Yes - its that easy.
Simply copy the files to harddisk and burn them using the dvd video option. Or even easier - select copy in Nero and create an imagefile on the harddrive - and burn that to a new dvd-r.
Nothing to it - no ned for any muxing or alterations of any kind. Unless you want to reauthor creating a new menu and new chapters.

I'm embarressed to be asking these simple questions, but I don't know the answers so here goes:
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Not lame at all. Actually pretty good questions !!


1) Is copying a homemade un-copy-protected video DVD-R as simple as copying the files onto harddrive and then burning them back onto to a fresh disk using, say, Nero's Video DVD option? Or do the files need to be ripped or demuxed or something?
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To be more specific copying a "home-made" DVD (ie DVD-R) is in fact a simple copy technique. There is no protection or encription as in commercial DVDs so they do not need to be "ripped". The term "rip" is referring to the technique of "extracting" or "ripping" the content from it's encripted package. I believe some software like "Nero" can use it's copy wizard to duplicate a DVD-R. Much like you use a CDR copy wizard to copy a CD.

2)When using Nero to burn a disk image from SpruceUp or DVDWorkshop to a DVD-R, what are the correct settings? Mode 1, 2048, iso/udf hybrid?
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Don't confuse disc image with a title set. If using SpruceUp to do a direct burn to a DVD-R you need not set anything. It will do it's thing and set everything for you. However if you had choosen to burn a "Title Set" to a hard drive, and then wanted to copy that title set to a DVD-R then in Nero you would use the following:

Use Nero's DVD-ROM (UDF/ISO) setting. ISO level 1. Charset ISO9660. Make sure joliet is UN-checked. Also make sure any relax restrictions are UN-checked. All fines in the title set should also conform to the 8.3 file format. When that is all set, just drag the title set from it's hard drive location to the root of the DVD-R and burn ..


3)I often use the "output YUV data as basic YCbCr" option in TMPGEnc. Is there an easy way within Premiere - using its filters - to get the same result when encoding with another encoder that doesn't have that output option?
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Can't help you there. Any one else?


Thanks!
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You're welcome

In the previous post the line "All fines in the title set should also conform to the 8.3 file format." should read " All files in the title set should also conform to the 8.3 file format.

Geeshh, I wish we had an editor ..

Thanks for the good feedback. Actually Rich, my question 2 was particularly about the third option Spruceup offers of producing a disk image (option 1 being to burn direct to disk and option 2 being to create a titleset).

When I load the resulting image into Nero it prompts for some data structure info ... so does your advice regarding burning the titleset apply to the image too?

Thanks again.

Well I've not had much experience with the "image" producing with SpruceUp. I always prefer to do a DVD "Title Set" and find that quicker and less trouble.

I think the "Image" is too dependant on the encoding software being able to work with that image. I think (and someone with more experience than me can help here) that images can be different for various burning software. Like an EZCD image can't be used with Nero and vice versa without some kind of converting.

Can't help much there. But wonder why you would prefer doing the "image" over a simple drag and drop of the title set?

Yep - just like you I always burn the titleset and have had zero problems so far. However...reading the "puzzle" thread I got to wondering whether the image-burning option would tend to produce better or poorer compatibility with cheapo media. (Can't directly experiment at present as I havent been having any failed burns).

Thanks anyway.