Compressed backup query

[Trev <trev-h@blueyonder.co.uk>]

I plan to use my DVD+RW drive for server backups (cheaper and media more 
reliable than tapes).

I would like to make compressed backups. Correct me if I am wrong, but I 
believe growisofs does not provide that facility via an option.

I believe I would need to make a compressed backup of the directory and 
then copy this to DVD with growisofs?

Many thanks
Trev.