DVD-RW won't play on PC

[dcdaria]

I just got a VCR/DVD-R combo and absolutely love it. I just dubbed one of my VHS tapes to the DVD-RW and it works perfectly in the recorder, of course, but when I load it into my laptop, it won't even recognize that a disc is in the drive.

I have a Toshiba Satellite laptop, about 3 years old. Does it just not read DVD-RWs or did I do something wrong in the recording? I know I have to "finalize" the disc and that maybe I didn't do that, because I couldn't find a mention of it in my User Guide (yes, yes, newbie, could you tell?). Is there something specific I have to do to finalize a disc before taking it out of the recorder, or is it just my PC?

While we're on the subject, can I dub and watch Tv at the same time even if the cable is going into the recorder? And can I take out a DVD-RW and then put it back in and record something else - not overwrite? So simple, I know, but I'm desperate to learn some basics.

[MeekloBraca]

I have the same problem, and it doesnt matter if its finalized, video mode, VR mode or anything, it just wont reconize it. And this is from 2 different brands of DVD Recorders.

[dcdaria]

Actually, my problem was just that I didn't finalize it, this being my first foray into recording. Sorry about yours though, I hope someone here can help!

[ClubSteeler]

I have a couple theories that you can test out.

First of all, some are particular to certain media. Stay away from the cheap stuff. Try a couple different types.

Also, and this is just an uneducated guess, but I wonder if you use -RW media often, erasing and re-recording, does it "wear out". The answer is yes, but supposedly not until several thousand erases in theory, but I don't buy that. I sometimes get a "disc dirty" error on a clean disc in another DVD player, and it's always on -RW media, never had this on -R media.

Finally, is you computer drive only "+" format? Quite a few are. A lot of it has to do with the nice editing features that +RW offers. Now in theory your drive should be able to READ a finalized -RW disc, just not write it, but once again, it may be finicky. Try recording on a +RW and loading into the drive.

I have a problem that is the opposite of yours. When I record using a DVDR, those discs can play in all of my other players if they are -R, +R, or -RW, however +RW discs often will not load in my other players. I simply use -RW instead and all is fine.

[MeekloBraca]

+RW doesnt work either.

Used 3 different types of media. So it must be something in the drive that it doesnt want to read the discs.

[ClubSteeler]

IS your laptop drive a DVD writer, or just a ROM?

If just a ROM, the RW formats are less compatible, so that could be it.

I just read today that -RW formats have less reflectivity the -R. So your drive just might not be able to handle it.

Heck you can get a new burner for $50 (not sure about laptop drives though), might want to upgrade.