I'm on a mac so ripping and burning DVD's is a bit different. If any of you recent mac head converts want software. Try Mac The Ripper for the rip and DVD2oneX for encoding and shrinking to fit on 1 DVD-R. Then use Toast to burn. Easy as pie. In fact I'm backing up Monster's Inc right now.
As far as media goes, I've been having really great luck with the 8x white top inkjet dvd-r's from
shop4tech.com $31 for 100 shipped. They are ritek made, I print on all my discs so these work great.
I use DVD-R mostly (all I have right now). But Since DVD+R have gotten to be the same price as DVD-R there's no real reason for me aanymore. My dvd players play both.