Burning Inconsistencies

[funkhouse]

It's been pretty frustrating around here, ... I'd definitely feel a bunch better if I can get a grasp on where the potential difficulties come in.

After successfully (finally) building and burning my DVD, and testing on 4 systems:

PC - Plextor 708a
PC - generic DVD Rom
Home Theater - Toshiba disc ... model number escapes me
Home Theater - Sony DVP-NC665 - 5 disc

- worked just fine. ** I used tmpgenc DA to build my Memorex DVD+RW


Here is where the confusion comes in: I proceeded by burning 4 more copies of the DVD. All 4 using imation DVD-R's.

On the PC players, ... all 4 dvds work perfect.
On the Toshiba, 3 of the 4 dvds generate an error on loading, one works.
On the Sony, 3 of the 4 (same 3 as Toshiba) ONLY play the main menu, ... once you naviagate anywhere or hit PLAY ALL the DVD jumps to my next CD/DVD in the unit, ... like its erroring out.


Now, ... I'm knocking my head against the wall to determine:

1. Could it be my media? doubtful - works on PC.
2. Could it be my Toshiba and Sony don't accept -R --- NO, one works.
3. I did burn only one of them using tmpgenc DA --- whether or not that is the disk that works I don't know, the other two were burned with Roxio ... and ALL I did was copy the generated TS_AUDIO and TS_VIDEO directories that were generated from DA.

** come to think of it, ... the title I used for the disks generated with Roxio might have been around 16 characters including spaces, ... HMMMMN could this be the problem? *** maybe the title used on the one that works is under DOS limitation spec of 9 char? I'll double check that.

****
Added note - when using the DVD Copier utility that is integrated with tmpgenc DA - I seem to make mostly coasters when writing DVD-Rs, ... but if I take the TIME-CONSUMING approach and do a DVD to DVD copy using ROXIO I have better results, ... minimal to NO coasters.
thanks in advance for your thoughts.

[loontune]

I found that once I got a handle to the best method, stick to it. From all I've read, +r and +rw's are far more compatible with many more players. I have always used either +r's or +rw's as I have one Sony player that wont read -RW.

First check the player compatibility list at this site, that will give much info.
You had 100% success with the +RW. The failures happened with the -'s. I coudnt guess why of the next 4 one worked, lucky? But the math says you did 3 one way, 1 another way, and 1 worked three failed. The tempg program I havent used in a long time. I have incredible luck with Nero. Roxio always tells me I dont have enough space to build movies, (120Gig?).

I never tested -rw's, but from what I've read with other peoples experience, the money saved on -rw's is made up for in tossed errors. I started testing best methods with +rw's to get a procedure together, then switched off to +r's once I got the hang of it. It's frustrating, but worth it when you get there.

[tonx]

I bought 25 imation dvd-r's,7 worked the rest were coasters.some wern't even recognised by drive.some retailers sell grade B media as grade A media(some are aware they are doing this & some arn't).media/compatability is a big issue,just 'cos one works & three don't doesn't mean you are at fault.my advise is to buy media with RITEK dye on(these are the best dvdr's you can buy in my opinion) & go from there.i've done similar things in the past & spent hours trying to sort it out when in the end it came down to the media.no such probs with grade A RITEK's though.hope this may be of some help.

[vivisimonvi]

Try burning at a lower speed...

[ztank]

Given that the same 3 DVDs had issues on both players, it sounds like a media issue.

PC DVDROMs tend to be better at reading DVDRs than most standalone players. Try testing your discs with KProbe, or Nero CD/DVD Speed.

If burning at a lower speed (as vivisimonvi said) does not work, try different media (like Ritek or Verbatim). To be honest, I have not had much success with Imation myself. They seem like inferior media.

[gravyonmychin]

I always use cheao an cheerful bulkpaq tangoes -r's and they play on any player,playstation2,computers(several different),so I woudnt necessarily blame the media just yet, moreover the program your using. Try different ones. Some programs dont like to be with,shall we say competition, and dont get along. Dont be misled into the belief + is better than -, its what they want you to believe! As well as costing more.