Hi,
so I want to backup my optic discs (both DVDs and BDs) but I'm not sure what format use. I know AnyDVD can do folders or image files. I also use MakeMKV for extracting the content when I need to but I want a precise copy just in case.
Which one should I choose for a backup copy?
For DVDs, the preferred method is to rip to folder, unless you have CloneDVD2 in your list of programs, and then you can use CloneDVD2 in conjunction with AnyDVD to make an image file or a folder if you prefer. By the way, AnyDVD specifically says
not to rip to image file by itself for a reason. The reason why and why you should rip Blu-ray discs to image file is explained
here.
You can also use DVDShrink (available online for Free, but I'd recommend that you either go to Video Help dot com or Afterdawn dot com in order to get a copy that isn't infected with viruses or malware) after which you would have to use AnyDVD to rip the DVD to folder, and then process the resulting DVD folder with DVDShrink to either an DVD folder that you can play with any software that plays DVD folders properly or an image file that can be played with any software that plays folder/image files, such as PowerDVD. Please note, you can use VirtualClone (Free to use, and you can get
here from RedFox/elby) to mount any image file in order to play your image file with any decent Blu-ray/DVD playback software available.
As far as Blu-ray discs go, the preferred method is to rip to image file, and keep protections (in case AnyDVD hasn't gotten the proper playlist correct, for example, in which case you'll need a future AnyDVD update in order to get the right playlist-- and you won't need to re-rip the Blu-ray in that case,) and then use CloneBD to make either a cleaned up image file (removing trailers, etc. that I don't want,) a MKV, or a folder to play with on PowerDVD or any software to use to play Blu-ray folders with if you prefer.
With MakeMKV, you can do anyway that you prefer, but I find that for Blu-ray, I'd rip to image with AnyDVD, and then use MakeMKV to make an MKV file.
Don't forget to get ImgBurn to help make sure your image is properly set after using AnyDVD/CloneDVD2 or AnyDVD by itself.
I also have MakeMKV, but the methods that I mentioned above is what I always use, whether with AnyDVD/CloneDVD2, AnyDVD/DVDShrink/ImgBurn, or with AnyDVD/CloneBD, or MakeMKV by itself.
So, you can you any method that you want, but you're only limited by how much space you have to backup your files.