Jeff,

When you make the jump to the DVD burner I'd be interested in hearing what you got and how flexible it is as an editing tool.

I added a Sony external DVD burner (one of the "500" series) to my home computer network a few months ago. I also bought a copy of the DVD XCopy software. Except for the occasional coaster that the combo has turned out (most likely due to the computer I've connected it to) it has made several dozen bit-perfect copies of the discs that I have "backed-up". It even works with Superbits. The only downside (that I can see) is that a dual layer disc requires two blank DVD-R discs, but the software makes the split smooth as silk, and my dual tray DVD player accommodates the results quite nicely. (It's sort of like waiting for a laserdisc head to flip sides - no big deal.)

Blank DVD-R discs can be had in bulk for less than $1.00 online (just bought a stack of 50 + five bonus discs for $48US, plus $11 shipping) and I've found a source for standard two-disc DVD cases for about $0.40Cdn apiece.

I've not yet had time to try all of the software that came with the Sony to see if it can be used to edit DVD contents before burning.

Regards.

Jeff Mackwood