CloneDVD and DL--layer breaks?

W/the death of DVD Decrypter, I can imagine I'll soon be looking for a new backup program. I am just getting into burning DL disks--right now Verbatim/MKM 001--and expect to do more of this as the media prices drop.

I've read thru the FAQs (dated 2003, but I assume they've been updated occasionally), as well as all the threads here on the program, but didn't find the exact answer to my question.

DVD Decrypter would burn a dual-layer disk via its ISO Read and ISO Write modes, leaving the layer break intact for dual-layer disks. I've burned several w/DVD Decrypter using this approach, and they all play fine in an old set-top Panasonic player.

I'll probably be installing the trial of CloneDVD here pretty quick to try it out, but what I'd like to know is this: Can CloneDVD burn an ISO image onto a dual-layer disk, w/no compression--i.e. a true 1:1 backup? Keeping the original layer break intact? About the only thing I'd want to change would be to remove all PUOs. (Being forced to watch the FBI warning for 12 seconds, and now the Interpol warning for another 12, makes me want to pull my head off.)

So, can CloneDVD do all this? BTW, I also checked the Slysoft website, but didn't find the answers. Thanks.

@ HLMencken,

Yes

Best Regards,
bjkg

While I'll no doubt find it frustrating to replace one free program (DVD Decrypter) w/two pay ones (AnyDVD and CloneDVD) dem's da breaks. Anyway, to clarify--since eventually the final version of DVD Decrypter will eventually run into something it can't handle--if I combine AnyDVD w/ CloneDVD, can I do everything I used to be able to do w/DVD Decrypter?

The things:
1) Rip in File mode
2) Rip in ISO Read mode, create MDS file, burn in ISO Write Mode
3) Keep layer break intact for burning DL disks
4) Choose to delete certain files (in File mode) a la DVD Shrink reauthoring

There's probably other things I'm wondering about, but these are the things that jump out at me. Sorry if this is redundant from my first post, but I'm in shock and mourning from the murder of DVD Decrypter. Also, DL media is still darn expensive--too much so for any extensive experimentation right now.

1) Yes...just use windows explorer to copy the files to your hard drive
2) Yes... clonedvd with anydvd can make an ISO and then write it
3) I'm not sure if it recalculates the layer break or not. My DL experience is lacking
4) I'm not sure exactly what you're asking here, but, you can select what you want to keep with CloneDVD. I'm not sure if that answers it or not.

All in all, AnyDVD and CloneDVD will allow you to do what you've been doing before, only faster as you don't HAVE to rip the movie to your hard drive first.

I would be happy if you use CloneDVD, but dispite common believe you can combine AnyDVD with DVDDecrypter as well.
Just do the following:

1.) Use ElbyCDIO as the I/O model.
2.) Disable the structural protection removal in DVDDecrypter.

DVDDecrypter will see the disc as unprotected and will continue to work... forever.

Some honest answers...
Yes. Just set the output size to correctly in the title selection screen. Maybe you even want to try the "Write existing data" button.

Cough. No, CloneDVD always changes the layer break position. On my todo list.

CloneDVD doesn't touch UOPs. But AnyDVD has an option to remove all UOPs, and it does it very well.

Can you explain a bit more?

@ Xecuter2,

To use DVD Decrypter in conjunction with AnyDVD as stated by Olli ->

Proceed to the DVD Decrypter Opening Page - Tools - Settings

I/O Tab - Click on "Elby CDIO-Elaborate Bytes"

General Tab - un-check "Check For Structure Protection"

Best Regards,
bjkg

Thanks for that info.

I'm still confused about one thing. If I use this combination (DVD Decrypter and AnyDVD), do I need CloneDVD? I still don't understand how CloneDVD fits into the picture.

why do you have to disable this? (meaning untick this)

Thanks for the straight scoop, Olli--appreciated. Since up to now I've been using Decrypter always to rip--File Mode if going to a SL disk, ISO Mode if going to a DL disk--AnyDVD and CloneDVD are new to me (tho I have heard of them).

Is there some reason they are not combined into one program? From the description I've heard so far, it seems like the two of them basically equal DVD Decrypter.

Or do the two of them together do more than Decrypter? If so, what would I gain by using the two of them? Is there anything I would lose? (I have no problem spending $$ on new programs to try--but I do ask a lot of questions. )

As far as the layer break issue, again, thanks for being honest. That would be an important feature for me to have--keeping the original break position--before buying. Do you have a time-frame ETA on that?

Okay, I found the ElbyCDIO in I/O--is that basically a version of AnyDVD?

As far as #2: Disabling structural protection, is that so Decrypter won't try to replace dummy sectors or other questionable areas? If the answer to that is "yes", then basically this means I would have to always rip in ISO Mode (using this method, I mean)? Because ripping in File Mode, then burning, always changes something in the structure, does it not? (Or am I just way off base here?)

bjkg, am I even more confused than I thought, or didn't Olli mean that you don't have to use AnyDVD, using the method w/Decrypter that he described?

@ HLMencken,

SlySoft (http://www.slysoft.com) has a "try-before-buy" policy. You can use the software for 21 days. After the 21-day trial period you have to purchase a Registration Key to be able to continue to use the programs.

I suggest visiting the SlySoft (http://www.slysoft.com) Web Site and download a copy of AnyDVD and Clone DVD and try the two programs and see if this software combination meets your needs. If after using these programs for a period of time you have some questions return to the Forum and we will see if we can answers your questions. It is kind of fruitless answering questions about AnyDVD and CloneDVD when someone hasn’t even attempted to use these programs.

What Olli was trying to point out you could continue to use DVD Decrypter if you like and when DVD Decrypter runs into something it cant handle you could configure DVD Decrypter to use the AnyDVD descrambleing engine to remove what DVD Decrypter can’t handle. To do this you would have to have both DVD Decrypter and AnyDVD installed. Normally using DVD Decrypter and AnyDVD at the same time can cause conflicts but configuring DVD Decrypter in the manner as described by Olli alleviates this conflict possibility.

Best Regard,
bjkg

I see what you are saying now--usually DVD Decrypter can get around encryption, but when it can't, couple it w/AnyDVD to make the disk appear non-copy-protected. The settings Olli suggested simply turn over control of the descrambling to AnyDVD, and put Decrypter idle on the descrambling front--I didn't quite get that at first. Have it got it right, now? (I completely misintrepreted what Olli was trying to tell me. Duh.)

Yes, I agree, I should install the programs to see how they work, and then my posts here should take on more of an intelligent air. Because I have so much VOB-related stuff currently on my system (the list is long), I try not to add something until I need it.. But I will give the proggys a look-see and come back when I have topped the learning curve a bit more.

AFA using CloneDVD, what Olli said aboout it not retaining the original layer break, I'd want it to do that--I'm definitely not up to snuff like you guys are, on editing all the VOBs, IFOs, BUPs, etc., to fine-tune. Someday I'll no doubt learn all that, but it will be awhile. Just now, I just want good backups!

And thank you for your patience in replying.

You got it! What I meant is: DVDDecrypter is a fine program, and even if it isn't developed any further, it will not dissolve because of that.
What will likely happen, is that very soon protections will be published, that DVDDecrypter can't bypass (already happened with "Closer" Region 2).
Although AnyDVD doesn't understand this new protection, I expect an update very soon (AnyDVD is actively developed).
If you combine DVDDecrypter with AnyDVD and let AnyDVD handle the decrypting and deprotection, DVDDecrypter can be used for copying and burning for a long time.... (at least until I get the layer break issues fixed in CloneDVD )
Setting Elby I/O in Decrypter will make sure, that AnyDVD is used. You can use SPTI as well, but you should avoid ASPI. ElbyCDIO is good, stable, runs on non Administrative accounts and is written by me.
Disabling the "structural protection removal" in Decrypter will make sure, that Decrypter won't touch the magic AnyDVD has already done.

See my post to HLMencken.

What's to stop AnyDVd or any other such program from being made illegal in the near future? The way things are going, we will not have a legal right to breathe.

I asked about this further up the post, Olli, but I think it got buried... Do you have a time-frame/ETA on when you'll get the layer-break issues fixed in CloneDVD?

I don't mind buying the program (really I don't!), but I do want to have control over the layer-break--i.e. in most cases I'll probably want to retain the original layer break. Decrypter seems to do this right now, and so far my layer breaks have worked out--nothing more than a slight pause at the break, which may also be there on the original (have to check that).

I seem to recall on your website that you have to pay an annual subscription for CloneDVD--if it's going to be more than a year before you get to the layer-break issue, should I just wait to buy it until then? Please advise, thanks.

As I understand it, AnyDVD and CloneDVD originate from the island of Antigua, which does not have (yet) the types of copyright laws that killed Decrypter (someone please correct me if I'm wrong about this).

Olli has frequently mentioned that they have never charged such an upgrade fee up to now!

No, CloneDVD is originally an elby product and sold by elby.ch. It's not illegal anywhere, because it cannot back up Copy-protected DVDs.
AnyDVD is sold by slysoft.com from Antigua. They also offer elby's CloneDVD as a specially priced bundle with AnyDVD. If you are planning to buy both applications, you should buy the slysoft bundle, because it is remarkably cheaper. AFAIK they even offer a bundle of AnyDVD, CloneDVD and CloneCD for a special price.

No I have no time frame. You should never buy CloneDVD (or any other product!) because the author promises you something.
Regarding the one year free update, ... you can consider it a lifetime free update with an emergency trapdoor.
elby has never charged anything for CloneDVD updates, and I doubt they'll ever do.

Nope, CloneDVD is belong to Elaborate Bytes AG...

Right, got it... And anyway, CloneDVD isn't what gives the movie storm-troopers hemorrhoids, is it--it's AnyDVD, right?