How to burn a proper backup with CloneDVD2

[Webslinger]

If you just purchased CloneDVD and are experiencing issues installing the program, I recommend reading the article "CloneDVD2 Intro Guide + Vista Update".

1. Visit your burner's website, and update your burner's firmware if possible. If you don't know how to go about doing this, please read this thread.
   
   
2. Use good quality blank media. Try Verbatim Datalife Plus, Maxell Broadcast Quality, Maxell Plus series, or Taiyo Yuden (not Valueline or Trublu). Do not use Memorex, generic/regular Maxell, Princo, TDK from Costco, Fuji, nor Ritek. If you use junk blank media then you should expect problems. If you're going to make a double layer backup use Verbatim + R DL media (preferably made in Singapore) or MAM-A +R DL 8x only; I find most burners will burn Verbatim +R DL (made in Singapore) well at 4x (to be safe); other burners can burn this stuff at 6x or higher with no problems. Get to know your burner.
   
   
3. For +R, +RW, and +R DL blank media, change the booktype of the blank media you're using to "DVD-ROM", if your burner supports bitsetting changes. This step improves the chances of playability in/compatibility with (standalone, mostly) DVD players. The best way to do this is through the software that came with your burner (if possible): if you own a Plextor drive, use Plextools; if you own a Lite-on burner, use Lite-on's bitsetting utility, etc.
   
   Also, if you own an NEC, Sony Optiarc, or Hitachi-LG burner, you can skip this step. As of Clonedvd version 2.9.2.0, Clonedvd will automatically change booktype for you.
   
   
   Otherwise, use Imgburn to do this if you need to.
   
   
   • Download and install ImgBurn, which is also a free program: http://www.imgburn.com/index.php?act=download
   • Insert your blank media in your burner.
   • Select your burner in the "Destination" drop down box.
   • Click "Tools -> Drive -> Change Booktype".
   • Choose your burner type.
   • Under "Change For", select what you're using.
   • If your current setting is "DVD-ROM", leave everything alone and exit ImgBurn and ignore step "h)".
   • Under "New Setting", select "DVD-ROM". Click "Change" and then "OK".
   • Exit Imgburn.
   
   Some drives lose their settings each time you reboot, so you might have to do this each and every time before you burn.
   
   You can skip this step if your burner defaults booktype to "DVD-ROM" automatically with the various +R types of blank media. You can also skip this step if you're using DVD-R, DVD-RW, or DVD-R DL blank media.
   
   Not all burners support bitsetting.
   
   
   
4. Have the latest version of AnyDVD running on your toolbar (try the free 21 day trial if you don't own it). Check the sticky articles (very top) of the AnyDVD board for the latest versions.
   
   
5. Stick the original disc in your optical reader/drive.
   
   
6. Ensure you're using the latest version of CloneDVD (try the free 21 day trial if you don't own it). Check the sticky articles (very top) of the CloneDVD board for the latest versions.
   
   
7. Run CloneDVD, and select "Clone DVD" from CloneDVD2's startup menu--if you want a full disc backup. Select "Copy DVD Titles" if you want a main movie backup only without all the extras. Keep in mind that when "Copy DVD Titles" is selected, Clonedvd makes a best guess and selects the titleset that Clonedvd believes contains the main movie. However, Clonedvd doesn't always guess correctly (especially when angles are involved). That's why it's important to make use of the preview screen in Clonedvd.
   
   
8. Select your optical reader/source drive in "DVD video files" (if need be, click the circular arrow buttons to the right of "DVD video files". Choose the appropriate optical reader/drive that contains the original movie disc).
   
   
9. Choose the titles you want to backup. If you selected "Copy DVD Titles" in step 7, the main movie *should* already be selected for you (select the titleset containing the checkmark, and watch the Clonedvd preview window). If you chose "Clone DVD", everything will be selected, and you will need to choose what you want to remove (if you want to keep everything, then keep everything checked).
   
   
10. If you want to split the movie over two single layer blanks, use the scissor icon towards the bottom of the screen and select the beginning and end chapters that you want to burn. This feature is pretty easy to figure out. CloneDVD2, unlike DVDShrink and Nero Recode, can retain the original menus while splitting across two single layer discs. Just ensure the quality bar is showing 100% if you do want to split across two discs.
    
    
11. In the upper right, click "preserve menus" if you want to backup the (title) menus on the source DVD.
    
    
12. Near the quality bar (towards the bottom), select "DVD-5" if you want to compress to a normal single layer disc (4.7 GB). Select "DVD+/-R DL" if you don't want to compress and are using Verbatim +R DL media (for example); "dvd +/-r DL" is for double or dual layer blank media (8.5 GB).
    
    
13. Click next.
    
    
14. Select the audio tracks and subtitles you want to backup. Read this posting for details.
    
    
15. Click next.
    
    
16. Select "DVD writer" for the output method.
    
    
17. Below that, select the appropriate burner. Ensure you have an appropriate burn speed selected on this screen. You need not burn at 16x or higher unless you absolutely want to (this often causes burn quality issues, especially with poor quality 16x rated media). Essentially, I'm recommending that you not burn at "maximum". Typically, burning at 12x or 8x is better than burning at 16x to 16x rated blank media (I do not recommend burning at 16x or higher, unless you know what you're doing). With Verbatim +R DLs (MKM 001s), try a 4x or 2x burn speed. Get to know your burner.
    
    
18. Click "Go".

For more information check CloneDVD2's Excellent help files and visit:

• Zebadee's excellent picture tutorial
• MadBob's CloneDVD & AnyDVD Guide (thanks for the link, Iocoeng)