ISO files sizes different when a MDS file is created

[pigflipper]

I am in the process of converting all of our VHS tapes to DVDs using a Sony RDR-VX500 VHS to DVD recorder.  Initially I was ripping to DVD+R disc then create an ISO from the DVD+R.  But after creating a number of coasters I switched to ripping the VHS tape to a DVD+RW disc then create the ISO using ImgBurn 2.5.8.0 for backup and future DVD+R burns. The DVD+RW method works much better with the Sony because it is simpler to set up a transfer and then it auto-finalizes DVD+RW disc.  

 

 

 

When I was using the DVD+R method occasionally (less than 10% of the time) a MDS file got created by ImgBurn along with the ISO file.  ISO files created without a MDS file were much larger than the ISO files created with a MDS file but all were less than the capacity of the DVD+R.  Now using DVD+RW disc there are no MDS files and the ISO files are all the exact same size, the capacity of the DVD disc, 4.7 GB.  Can I make any setting changes in ImgBurn that will create the MDS file using DVD+RW media and reduce the size of ISOs created from DVD+RW media?

 

[LIGHTNING UK!]

The MDS file has no baring on the size of the ISO file... quite the opposite in fact.

 

You'll get an MDS when the ISO is a certain size (well, within a range of certain sizes).

 

DVD+RW are always reported to be a fixed size (the size of the entire disc), no matter how much has been recorded onto them. That's why they'll be coming out to 4.37GB each time. Your recorder must also be making the file system look like it's taking up the entire disc as ImgBurn uses that info when creating an ISO from one. So in short, no, there's nothing you can do to make the ISOs come out smaller.

 

The best you could hope for is to use Build mode to build a new ISO (not Read mode) and point the 'Source' to the drive with your DVD+RW in it.