backing up your HDV content with dual-layer DVD

I finally made the jump to dual DVDs. I successfully burned a dual layer dvd using growisofs! I am very excited! This means I can get that content OFF my hard drives..FINALLY! However, there is a 4.3GB file size limitation, so keep those MPEGTS's small. Or, if you have files you need to backup that are larger than 4.3GB, go ahead and split them using AVIDEMUX.

First, get and install the dvd+rw-tools from here:
http://fy.chalmers.se/~appro/linux/DVD+RW/tools/

The install requires you to:
1) untar/gunzip the source files
2) run "make"
3) run "make install"

After that, the tools should be installed. Once the tools are installed, load up a dual-layer disc and check your media:
dvd+rw-mediainfo /dev/hda

You'll get output similar to this:
[gagazote@computer hvirtual]# dvd+rw-mediainfo /dev/hda
INQUIRY: [_NEC ][DVD_RW ND-3500AG][2.16]
GET [CURRENT] CONFIGURATION:
Mounted Media: 2Bh, DVD+R Double Layer
Media ID: MKM/001
Current Write Speed: 6.1x1385=8467KB/s
Write Speed #0: 6.1x1385=8467KB/s
Write Speed #1: 5.1x1385=7056KB/s
Write Speed #2: 4.1x1385=5645KB/s
Write Speed #3: 3.1x1385=4234KB/s
Write Speed #4: 2.0x1385=2822KB/s
Write Speed #5: 1.0x1385=1411KB/s
GET [CURRENT] PERFORMANCE:
Write Performance: 4.0x1385=5540KB/s@[0 -> 4173824]
Speed Descriptor#0: 00/4173824 R@5.0x1385=6925KB/s W@4.0x1385=5540KB/s
Speed Descriptor#1: 00/4173824 R@5.0x1385=6925KB/s W@2.4x1385=3324KB/s
DVD+R DOUBLE LAYER BOUNDARY INFORMATION:
L0 Data Zone Capacity: 2086912*2KB, can still be set
READ DISC INFORMATION:
Disc status: blank
Number of Sessions: 1
State of Last Session: empty
Number of Tracks: 1
READ TRACK INFORMATION[#1]:
Track State: blank
Track Start Address: 0*2KB
Next Writable Address: 0*2KB
Free Blocks: 4173824*2KB
Track Size: 4173824*2KB
ROM Compatibility LBA: 262144
READ CAPACITY: 1*2048=2048

Then, burn your files:
growisofs -Z /dev/hda -R -J /mnt/videos/*

This command creates an ISO 9660 image of the directory "/mnt/videos" and writes it to a dual-layer DVD.

-Z erases any previous contents

-R include rockridge extensions

-J include joliet extentions