CD/DVD Copied To Harddisk - Why is File Size different?

[Pradeep1210]

Hi everyone,
I'v noticed several times that whenever I copy some CD/DVD to harddisk(NTFS File System), the file size is increased.
e.g. When I copy a CD 700MB big, on the harddisk I find its size around 750 MB. Similarly when I copy a DVD of 4.5 GB, the size on harddisk is above 6 GB.

The problem is when I want to make a copy of such disks, I can do "CD Copy" only. So if I store the CD/DVD on my harddisk to burn it later, that's not possible. Nero simply ejects the disk telling that I need to insert a larger capacity disk.

Why the file size changes this much when moving from CDFS to NTFS?

What is the workaround to this problem?

Thanks in advance for any help!

Pradeep

[si_the_geek]

I dont know the exact specification of NTFS, but it does "waste" space - storing security information and so on, and I think it also uses a larger cluster size than CDFS (thus increasing unused space).

If you have a full version of Nero (or any other CD/DVD writing software) it should give you the option to copy a CD/DVD to an ISO file on your hard-drive, which is an exact duplicate of the original CD. You can write this ISO file to a CD/DVD later.

[Pradeep1210]

Thanks so much si_the_geek,

I dont know the exact specification of NTFS, but it does "waste" space - storing security information and so on, and I think it also uses a larger cluster size than CDFS (thus increasing unused space).

Does it keep the security in the NTFS table or within the file? If it is not within the file, I think the file size shouldnot increase that much.

As the number of files per CD/DVD is so less but each having large size, the wasted space should be in the last cluster only for each file. So it shouldnot create that big difference (4.5 GB on DVD to 6 GB on HDD). Isn't this true?

If you have a full version of Nero (or any other CD/DVD writing software) it should give you the option to copy a CD/DVD to an ISO file on your hard-drive, which is an exact duplicate of the original CD. You can write this ISO file to a CD/DVD later.

Nero came bundeled with my CD/DVD writer. I don't know whether it is full version or not.
My problem is that I have copied many movies and other stuffs on my harddisk and lost the original CDs. Now as I m in want of space, I want to put them back on CD/DVD. I don't want to loose them? What should I do?

[si_the_geek]

To be honest I've got no idea where NTFS keeps its info, even if it is with the file the increase in size seems ridiculous (are you sure the DVD's were actually that size before? movie DVD's tend to be larger).

I think the bundled version of Nero is a full version, just restricted to drives made by the manufacturer of the drive it was packaged with. I had it for my old drive, but dont have access to that any more.

My problem is that I have copied many movies and other stuffs on my harddisk and lost the original CDs. Now as I m in want of space, I want to put them back on CD/DVD. I don't want to loose them? What should I do?

If the CD's/DVD's are copyrighted the answer is a simple (but not nice) one, you no longer legally have the right to use the content of the CD's/DVD's, and should therefore delete the files that you have copied to your computer (or any other device).

The easiest answer (whether they are copyrighted or not) is to get replacement CD's/DVD's as appropriate. I don't know off the top of my head how you could "shrink" the files.

[Pradeep1210]

To be honest I've got no idea where NTFS keeps its info, even if it is with the file the increase in size seems ridiculous (are you sure the DVD's were actually that size before? movie DVD's tend to be larger).

I think the bundled version of Nero is a full version, just restricted to drives made by the manufacturer of the drive it was packaged with. I had it for my old drive, but dont have access to that any more.

If the CD's/DVD's are copyrighted the answer is a simple (but not nice) one, you no longer legally have the right to use the content of the CD's/DVD's, and should therefore delete the files that you have copied to your computer (or any other device).

The easiest answer (whether they are copyrighted or not) is to get replacement CD's/DVD's as appropriate. I don't know off the top of my head how you could "shrink" the files.

I'm sure it was 4.5 GB. To check this I removed one of them and copied one of the DVDs I have right now. Same results. Anyway they were free of cost(promotional offer with a mag). So I think now I should pay the price now. or forget it for ever.

What concerns me is one of the CDs is my marrige video!!!
I'm sure it was about 700MB on CD but is now more than 750 MB on disk. How to write back a video CD?? I desperately need a solution to this. Or I'll have to use my harddisk forever for this.

Pradeep

[si_the_geek]

Free of cost does not mean it isn't copyrighted - I have a "free" magazine DVD in front of me which is copyrighted

As to why files have expanded, or how to shrink them again, I'm afraid I don't know Hopefully somebody else will have some ideas.

[DaveBo]

If you're only interested in making a backup of the file, can you create a compressed version, e.g. a .ZIP of it, that might then fit on the CD?

[dglienna]

This site was recommended to compress and copy a DVD. Haven't tried it or the next one.

http://: http://www.afterdawn.com/so...vd_shrink.cfml

http://www.afterdawn.com/software/vi..._decrypter.cfm

Hope they help you. Post your results, also. I'm curious.

EDIT: Updated today.

[Cander]

I use DVD Shrink to make copies of my DVD's that are starting to look a little rough(scratches). It compresses the DVD9 down to DVD5 with little noticable degradation of quality and burns with no problem. I just usually remove the language and sound system tracks I dont need to either just fit it on consumer DVD's and/or to get a little less compression.

[visualAd]

One 700Mb file copied to an NTFS partition from a CD should not cause it to inflate by 50MB. File descriptor infomation may be wasteful but it is not thaat wasteful and its on a per file basis, meaning the difference should only be noticed if you are copying a very large number of files.

Make sure that your PC is completely up to date with the latst service packs and fixes applied. Also have a look at this KB article, it may be of some use:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=315688