1. # use the program xine-check to determine whether your cd/dvd software (e.g., mplayer, ogle, xine,...) is configured optimally: 
     xine-check
  2. # enable dma for your dvd player: 
     sudo hdparm -d1 -X34 /dev/dvd
    If you are satisfied with this setting, consider appending its specification to /etc/init.d/bootmisc.sh: 
     echo hdparm -d1 -X34 /dev/dvd|sudo bash -c "cat >> /etc/init.d/bootmisc.sh"
  3. # how to write bootable cd/dvd images to cd/dvd using linux: here
  4. # create an exact copy of the information on a cd/dvd to your hard disk: 
     sudo umount /dev/cdrom;sudo dd if=/dev/cdrom of=/tmp/image.iso conv=noerror
  5. # how to burn a DVD-Video under Linux with mkisofs and dvdrecord