I have Pinnacle Studio 12.x.

I have created a library of about 20 home movies and I am looking to make copies of some movies already burned to DVD but I have also erased the Pinnacle project from my hard drive.

Can you choose the "burn from previously created disc content" where the previously created content is a movie that you previously created on Pinnacle?

If not:  can anyone recommend a good free-ware program for copying movies?

Many times you will get a dvd copy program with your burner. That would be the best way. If you extract the video from your present dvd into studio to make another copy, you will lose you menus, if you have them. If you don't, you can use the extract video method within Pinnacle. As far as a free dvd copy program, I'm sure someone will know the answer to that one.

Don

jwconk:

I have Pinnacle Studio 12.x.

I have created a library of about 20 home movies and I am looking to make copies of some movies already burned to DVD but I have also erased the Pinnacle project from my hard drive.

Can you choose the "burn from previously created disc content" where the previously created content is a movie that you previously created on Pinnacle?

If not:  can anyone recommend a good free-ware program for copying movies?

Imgburn

Burns or copies dvd's. And it's free. 

To copy a dvd is a two step process. It creates an image on your hard drive and then it burns the dvd from the image. It would be a good idea to read the help files.

Other programs like Nero ($$) also do it in two steps but automate the steps. It's been very dependable for me. I have Nero 7 but I use Imgburn for dual layer discs because Nero is not as reliable, imho.

Joe

jwconk:

I have Pinnacle Studio 12.x.

I have created a library of about 20 home movies and I am looking to make copies of some movies already burned to DVD but I have also erased the Pinnacle project from my hard drive.

Can you choose the "burn from previously created disc content" where the previously created content is a movie that you previously created on Pinnacle?

If not:  can anyone recommend a good free-ware program for copying movies?

You can copy the contents of the DVD Movie to your hard drive and import the Vob files into studio by renaming the files into .MPEG from .Vob.

And just to add another one to your arsenal of tools, have a look at DVD Shrink which can be found HERE. This will, as it's name implies, allow you to shrink a DVD which is larger than 4.7Gb down so that it fits on a 4.7Gb DVD as well as copying selected chapters or just making straight duplicates. 

Mick Bentley:

And just to add another one to your arsenal of tools, have a look at DVD Shrink which can be found HERE. This will, as it's name implies, allow you to shrink a DVD which is larger than 4.7Gb down so that it fits on a 4.7Gb DVD as well as copying selected chapters or just making straight duplicates. 

Good one Mick. I've heard good things about DVD Shrink from other users as well. Should be worth a shot.