DVD-Rs not being read by PC

[PapaCrunk]

Sorry for the noooob type situation, but I have some DVD-Rs that I burned from a home console DVD recorder/burner(Panasonic DMR-E50) that won't play on my DVD-Rom on my PC. The DVD-Rs in question play fine on other newer DVD players, my old PS2, but they won't even be read by my PC. Regular movie type DVDs do play just fine on my PC. I had a regular DVD-Rom player on my PC (wouldn't play on it) and I just bought a DVD burner (BENQ DW800A) but the DVD-Rs won't play on it either. My PC is about a year and a half old, using Windows XP, never have a problem w/ regular cds, regular DVDs, just not these DVDs. Forgive me if I'm rambling, but to give as much info--I'm using 4.7GB DVD-Rs....just don't know what the problem is. Thanks in advance to the people that can understand my ramblings and might have a solution for me!

[toddfv411]

Check and see if theres a flash update for your dvd rom.
I had this problem and it fixed it.
Good luck!

[PapaCrunk]

Check and see if theres a flash update for your dvd rom.
I had this problem and it fixed it.
Good luck!

I'm not exactly a computer idiot, maybe computer "special" but how exactly can I check for the flash update

[BobK]

Do a search for a newer version of firmware for your drive. Check the manufacturer's website and/or do a search for "firmware" "your drive make and model". If you find a firmware update then you download that and flash (install) it. Be sure to follow the installation instructions carefully.

[PapaCrunk]

Do a search for a newer version of firmware for your drive. Check the manufacturer's website and/or do a search for "firmware" "your drive make and model". If you find a firmware update then you download that and flash (install) it. Be sure to follow the installation instructions carefully.

Thanks. I did do that after this post, found the firmware needed, but the DVD-Rs still won't play on the PC. Do DVDs burned from a home console DVD recorder work/play on PC DVD-Roms?

[BobK]

Not necessarily. The disk types have to be compatible- a DVD RAM disk won't play on a PC unless your PC/DVD Reader can read DVD RAM.

And your software DVD player has to be able to read the format used by the DVD recorder.

[PapaCrunk]

Well, I downloaded that great little software called DVDINfo and here is the info that I found out:
http://publish.hometown.aol.com/papacrunk/images/dvdinfo1.jpg
http://publish.hometown.aol.com/papacrunk/images/dvdinfo2.jpg

[presto]

when you put the DVD in your computer can you read what is on it by right clicking the drive and choosing explore? What files are there?

[RDS1955]

Two things come to mind, one from personal experiance, the other from reading what was displayed in your snapshots you posted..
1st, the snapshot shows your using a DVD"+"RW ,and also shows themedia your trying to read is DVD"-"R.. could be your using the wriong type of media vs the type of DVD reader/writer.. Second, I have a Panasonic DMR E80H recorder.. Had exactley the same problem you did time and time again..until I found out that after I burned the Disc in the Panasonic, I had to finalize it in the Disc settings mode before it would play on anything else.. Just food for thought..Also your 1st snapshot indicates the media isn't formatted.... Finalizing may the answer...

[PapaCrunk]

Two things come to mind, one from personal experiance, the other from reading what was displayed in your snapshots you posted..
1st, the snapshot shows your using a DVD"+"RW ,and also shows themedia your trying to read is DVD"-"R.. could be your using the wriong type of media vs the type of DVD reader/writer.. Second, I have a Panasonic DMR E80H recorder.. Had exactley the same problem you did time and time again..until I found out that after I burned the Disc in the Panasonic, I had to finalize it in the Disc settings mode before it would play on anything else.. Just food for thought..Also your 1st snapshot indicates the media isn't formatted.... Finalizing may the answer...

I see what you're saying, but if they aren't finalized I shouldn't be able to play them in my old PS2 which plays them just fine. I'll look into that option a bit more tonight. Thanks again for everone's help, I'll keep plugging away.