Stimulating DVD burn questions! :)

[semiclue]

Hi there, I will be using an external HD for TI backups as recommended, but will burn occasional DVD copies for redundancy, off-site storage, etc. Have some questions about best practices for TI burns, and did try searching and reading til cross-eyed (well, one of my eyelids is twitching anyway, very annoying!!). TIA for any answers. FYI, I have TI v10, highest build (4942), and XP Pro. Will probably back up from the rescue CD only, and will use the "two step" DVD burn method.

1.] ISO9660/< 2k MB size limit vs. UDF/> 4 GB:
Is there really any advantage anymore to burning three 1492 MB splits per DVD with ISO9660, instead of just burning single 4.3 GB splits per DVD with UDF? (4.3 GB is TI's default for DVD-sized splits.) Otherwise, not only does the latter sound more convenient, but somehow I'd feel safer without all those extra operations/splits.

There used to be frequent mention of a conflict caused by UDF packet writing software 'running in the background,' but I gather that isn't related to this, and only applied to older TI versions and direct burns or something. So are there any compatibility or other problems associated with using UDF-only format? For example, I saw a comment by Imgburn's developer that he wouldn't be surprised if UDF wasn't recognized by "anything command line-based." If so, could that relate to the ability to use TI's safe version if the full version fails? (I saw another post -- not by him -- that claimed splits under 2000 MB should be used "since TI's recovery environment is Linux-based." I figure that's inaccurate and just a misinterpretation/stretching of the actual Linux incompatibility issues, but please correct me if I'm wrong.)

2.] Advisability of splitting at all:
If it weren't for wanting occasional DVD copies, would it be safer not to split backup archives at all (except where required due to file system)? Sounds like a lot of ppl perform all their backups in 1492 MB splits just in case they want to burn to DVD later. Might that leave more room for trouble, since each optional split adds an otherwise-unnecessary action that TI must perform exactly right, not only when it splits but when it re-combines? Even with splits compiled into the same folder, seems like the simpler/fewer factors in the mix, the better. Might it be best to only split backups when a DVD copy really *will* be burned, or is it definitely just as safe to always backup in splits... even as many extra ones as are created by using 1492 MB instead of 4.3 GB (or none unless dictated by TI and file system)?

3.] Burn speed:
My slimline external multi-burner is 8x and my Verbatim DVDs are 16x (Imgburn only detects available write speeds of 2x, 4x or 8x for the discs, but maybe it's factoring in my burner speed...). Have often seen the advice to burn at lowered speed -- approx. half of the max rated speed of the drive or media. I take it that means half of whichever is higher. I also saw one comment that burning at a speed way lower than the media is rated for "usually" produces unreliable discs. An example was given of burning 16x media at 4x speed being a very bad idea. True? I was planning to burn at 4x, but should I use 8x instead?

And hey, since I'm already here, Imgburn as Nero replacement: Imgburn can apparently burn plain data files now, so it would be a fine choice for TI-related burning, yes? Nero Express 7 came with my multi-burner but I had to uninstall it, because it prevented access to Windows safe mode ("bad pool caller" BSOD upon any attempt). So, especially since I won't be getting all that I already paid for, I hope for a freeware replacement if just as capable.

TIA again!

[DwnNdrty]

1. Your call really, 3 by 1492 will waste less room than 1 by 4300. Not much but it may save you a dvd or two here and there.

2. Instead of letting True Image do the splitting, you can use an external splitting software after the whole Image is made. Whatever you feel comfortable with. I have some BAckups split (by TI) and some not, all kept on an external hard drive.

3. I very rarely burn TI files to DVD and the few I did, I used Burn4Free at whatever speed it defaults to.

[semiclue]

Thanks DnD. So not hearing any buzz about problems with UDF/4.3 GB splits eh, that's good. I'd rather do that and 'waste' space on the occasional DVD, especially since even quality ones are pretty inexpensive these days. All those extra splits the other way just make me nervous, tho I've never seen that subject come up. Hoping it will tho.

I'll let TI do the splits rather than another app, since the DVDs may as well be created in a form that could actually be used directly to attempt a recovery *IF* there was no access to the external HD for some reason. (E.g., it had bitten the dust; wasn't accessible at location of urgent recovery need; etc.) Altho my external HD will be my first-line defense and I'm fully aware of the swapping hassles and reduced success rate of DVDs, I still want to create them as correctly as I would if they were all I had, especially since that doesn't involve any extra effort as long as one finds out what constitutes "correct" (settings, etc.) beforehand. I think that's what most ppl are aiming for/talking about when they discuss things like occasionally burning a copy of a TI backup to DVDs; creating their backups with splits to retain that option; etc. -- actually being able to use them as-is if necessary for some reason, not just creating them as literally storage-only in a nonfunctional form.