Good back ups from bad

[ropd]

I was having a problem with some of my backups breaking up and freezing near the end of the movie. I was using Ritek G04 blanks. After some experimenting (and coaster making) I found a way to redo the disk without having to start from scratch. I use the "bad" disk and run it through the DVD DeCrypter again, run the new files through DVD Shrink, and then reburn it using Nero. OR, I merely use the Copy Disk function of Nero which is quicker than my first method. In either case, both ways are faster and more successful than re-doing the whole process with the original movie. I just can't figure out why re-processing the bad disk cures the problems. Also, am I loosing anything quality-wise when I re-process it through DeCrypter and Shrink? I burn everything at a nice slow 4X and have since switched to TY disks.

[jimmalenko]

The problem is/was most likely your media, and/or your DVD player, or a combination of the two. This is proven by the fact that you can do a straight disc copy and the problem goes away.

TBH using DVDDecrypter AND DVDShrink to copy a non-encrypted DVDR is overkill for mine. I just use DVDDecrypter ISO Read / ISO Write.

[MOVIEGEEK]

You might shrink the DVD to <4400MB because some discs have problems if you burn to the edge(4482MB).

[lordsmurf]

You might shrink the DVD to <4400MB because some discs have problems if you burn to the edge(4482MB).

I would buy better media, not butcher the content to appease cheapo discs.

[MOVIEGEEK]

I would buy better media, not butcher the content to appease cheapo discs.

I use TY or MCC and only burn to ~4400MB...better safe than sorry.

[BSpielbauer]

First, the unit you already have should be working, if the problem is just Macrovision. However, as one of the replies above suggests, there are occasional discs that use some other form of copy protection, and it is possible that you just happened to come across one of these...

IF this problem is occuring with every disc you try, though, then I would carefully check and double check all connections, settings, etc., as I suspect something is simply wrong with the way you have your Sima unit hooked up, or with one of the various settings on the unit, or with with one of the settings on your DVD recorder.

If it is just one problematic disc, give us more info, and perhaps someone will recognize the disc and the problem you are having.

I use a bare-bones time-base corrector, which I purchased because it supposedly could handle several forms of copy protection (including Macrovision, but also the other one mentioned above, and also "Copygard," which was another less popular protection used on some VHS tapes in years gone by.) More importantly, though, it allows a lot of control over the various signal problems that can occur, so you can correct these. (Examples include problems with 20-year-old VHS tapes recorded with early camcorders at the six hour speed, deteriorating and glitching all over the place.) The reply above is correct that most time base correctors tend to be "beyond consideration" due to cost. However, mine cost only $200, from a reputable dealer in the United States, purchased on-line.

Hope something in here helps you to narrow down the cause of your problem,

-Bruce

[Shocker Milwaukee]

You might shrink the DVD to <4400MB because some discs have problems if you burn to the edge(4482MB).

I would buy better media, not butcher the content to appease cheapo discs.

Amen, lordsmurf.

[ropd]

Thanks for all the responses. I have always turned to this site when I run into a problem and never been disappointed.

As far as media, after doing some research (quite a lot on this site) I decided on Ritek since it seemed to get good reviews. I have since changed to TY DVD-R 4X which seems to have resolved the pixelation problems and locking up. But on two ocassions the TY disk froze up for a few seconds about 8 or 10 times during the last 15 or 20 minutes of the movie. It always started up again and I was able to see the complete show. Just a little irritating, that's all.

By the way I'm using a Plextor PX708-A with firmware 1.09. My standalone playback is JVC.