Help for a Backup Virgin!!

[Edgey]

B4 I make any rash decisions/purchases can you guys please advise me what is the best hardware and software combination to use.
I run XP
I need the operation to be really straight forward as I'm a bit of a computer DUMMY
Thanks

[Big Country]

There is not really any hardware/software combination that works better than any other. I have found that most DVD burners work the same if your just backing up your DVD movies. I use a $50 Optorite from NewEgg and it works great. I have had no problems.

As for software I have been using AnyDVD and CloneDVD2 together and they work great. You can get them at slysoft.com for $65 U.S. Then I use Alcohol 120% to burn it to disk but I'm pretty sure any burning software that burns DVD ISO files will work. I think Nero comes with most DVD-RW drives and I used it and it worked fine. You will hear a lot of people say bad things about Nero but I have never had a problem with it and it is free.

I use DVD-R disks not DVD+R. The DVD+R does not seem to play on some DVD players. I have used several brands including the cheap ones and have had no problems yet.

[sqid7]

Either a Pioneer 108 : firmware 1.14 nil OR nec 3500 Drives for burning. cost around £50ish each

Use dvdshrink 3.2 - very simple if your starting out, and its free but have nero 6.3.1.15 installed first. DVD SHRINK here

I use Trax Data G05 8x disk, work very well at 12x on pioneer 108 with nil's firmware 1.14. aint done the full 16x yet.........