TheSessler, of course you're right. Once you've got a digital file all authored up, the burner is not a make-or-break item. I have to assume Hal 9000 is fully aware of this, but is referring to something else higher up in the production chain? Because it's certainly true that between ripping the DVD and reburning a modified version there are many steps that can potentially degrade the quality. There are no strict generational losses, but stack up too many counterproductive AviSynth or VDubMod filters, and you could be doing more harm than good.

The only burner issue I can think of that could make a quality difference would be if Hal 9000 is referring to a standalone DVD recorder, maybe? Let's hope not: that's a quick way to re-introduce generational losses and virtually guarantee an end result crappier than the source.