When compressing DVD files to fit on a blank DVD there are two basic methods. The first, and most common, is to use a compressed domain transcoder. In plain English this means a program that removes data from the video, hopefully in the places it will be hardest to notice. The other option is to use an MPEG encoder and re-create the video using a method similar to the one used to make the DVD originally. This second method will generally give you much higher quality backups, but due to the complex nature of DVD authoring it''s beyond the abilities of most people. DVD Rebuilder, or DVD-RB, makes it easy for someone with very little (or no) knowledge of DVD authoring or MPEG encoding to use this method.
There are two versions of DVD-RB - free and Pro. As the name implies, DVD-RB Free doesn''t cost anything. The trade off is that it lacks many features found in DVD-RB Pro, such as handling DVDs with multiple angles and making Movie-Only backups. Additionally, DVD-RB Pro gives yoiu much better tools to customize each backup. Even if you plan to buy DVD-RB Pro it''s a good idea to start with the free version to evaluate the quality of backups for yourself.
Supported MPEG Encoders
Both versions of DVD-RB come with two different free MPEG encoders - HC (Hank''s Encoder) and QuEnc. Both are good encoders, although not quite as good as the best commercial MPEG encoders available. In addition, Cinema Craft Encoder (CCE) and Canopus ProCoder are also supported. These two encoders are generally considered the best available. CCE comes in two versions - CCE Basic and CCE SP. The basic version retails for around $60 and SP retails for about $2000. ProCoder costs approximately $500. Currently there is no support for any version of TMPGEnc or MainConcept Encoder.
