Captured Home Video DVD won't play on standalone DVD Player.

[hw3679]

Hi,
I'm trying to convert all my home videos (analog) to a DVD format. So I connected my camcorder to my PC thru a video card (AVerDVD) and converted the video successfully to an mpeg file. Then I converted it to a DVD format...all this on my hard drive. The software I used was called neoStandard4. Since I only did a test run, I recorded like just 2 mins worth of video. So the file was approx. 50mb. Now burning 50mb of info on a DVD+R disc didn't make much sense to me so I put it a regular blank CDR. (Can I do this anyway??)
Here is where my problem is. The CDR disc with my test DVD info played fine on my PC's DVD reader. But it didn't play on my standalone DVD player (Sony DVP-S360) which said plays DVD/SVCD/music CDs. So did I not do anything right? Did I miss anything?
Thanks in advance!!

[Tommyknocker]

Hw3679 asks:

Did I miss anything?

Just one small detail. Your player plays (S)VCDs, but putting a DVD file on a CD-R does not make it a DVD or an (S)VCD for that matter. If you look at the DVD player database, it seems your player has a hard time playing CD-Rs. I would suggest you get a DVD+RW, then you may still get to use it as a DVD, and not worry about wasting a disk, since it is reuseable.

[hw3679]

So that's why it doesn't work. But why should the medium matter if the files are written correctly or in the right format? What's even more puzzling to me is how come the CDR played fine on my PC's DVD-Rom but not on the standalone? I would think if it doesn't work it doesn't work regardless which DVD player.

[rkr1958]

It has to do with the reflectivity of the media. DVDs and CD-Rs have different reflectivity, which means two different lasers and two different frequencies. Computer DVD-ROMs have this and most (especially the newer ones) but not all DVD players have this also. Even if your player can read both media types, it may not be able to handle DVD format on a CD-R. My for example, Toshiba SD2800, can't. It can play commerical DVDs, music CDs, authored CD-Rs and authored DVD-RWs. However for CD-Rs, if can only play authored VCDs and XVCDs (MPEG-1 format). It will not play SVCDs or DVDs (i.e., Mini DVDs) authored on CD-Rs. This has to do with the fact that when I put the media in the player, the player recognizes it as CD-R and expects (or allows) only the VCD or XVCD format.

[hw3679]

I tried with VCD on the CD-R and still didn't work on my standalone DVD player even though it says plays VCD. It's a SONY too. I thought SONYs are suppose to be good.
Well, I guess I just have to go get a DVD-RW or DVD+RW. Which is better anyway? I mean most compatible.

[rkr1958]

Oh, If you check out your player in compability list to the left ("DVD Player") (https://www.videohelp.com/dvdplayers.php?DVDname=Sony+DVP-S360&Submit=Search&Search=Search) , the Sony DVP-S360 is listed as being able to play CD-RW (but not CD-R), DVD-/+RW media. Also, it list VCD and XVCDs. So you should be able to play a VCD, or XVCD, authored to a CD-RW (but not to a CD-R). Have you tried CD-RWs yet? Based on the specs (I haven't read any of the users comments) and the prices (around $50) it looks like a good player for the price. You might want to check out the comments on it. But anyway, I'd try VCD, or XVCD, on CD-RW first. Also, the good news that is looks like your player handles DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R and DVD+RWs.

[Pussylips]

A little tip. If your ever going to buy another DVD player, take some disks with you to try. All different formats you have made! That way you know what is compatible.