PC drive won't recoqnise -RW discs

[Neisse]

OK, here's what I'm trying to do:

Using my new VHS/DVD recording deck (Emerson EWR20V5) DVD-R/-RW, and using Maxell -RW discs (Taiwan, I don't know how to get the codes yet), I'm copying shows originally recorded onto SP speed VHS onto DVD.

I've tried several of these same discs, using both Video and VR formatting.

This is due to the fact that the Emerson's editing capabilities are non-existant with Video mode, or -R discs, and I don't want to archive shows onto -RW.

I want to load the -RW disc onto my PC, using a new BenQ DW1640 multi-format/dual layer capable drive (firmware GSJB). However, using DVD Decrypter 3.5.4.0, I get the following error after inserting a disc (either Video or VR mode recorded):

E 18:22:26 [1:0:0] ATAPI DVD DD 8X16X8X16 GSJB (F (ATA) - UDF File System Parsing Failed!
E 18:22:26 Reason: Function 'UDFFindPartition' returned 0

I have Nero 6.2.1.26 suite installed, using it's ASPI and UDF drivers. OS is Win 2000 Pro, Build 5.00.2195, SP4. 512 MB PC133 RAM.

Ultimate aim is to just yank out commercials, putting 2 shows per DVD-R disc (I could use +R - the BenQ supports 'em, but I'm unsure if the Emerson will reliably read 'em. Says so in the manual, but...). Also want to create decent menus & chapter lists for each show/disc - nothing fancy, just a background photo and links.

I'm thinking it's one or a combo of the following:

I'm missing something in Windows to read the discs

borderline crappy media - although the Emerson recorded to all I've used so far without a hiccup, and it's pretty picky about it's media, from what I've read

BenQ drive is bad

BenQ drive should be cross-flashed to "B-series" firmware

Emerson is doing non-compatible recordings

I'm missing a setting in DVD Decrypter or I need to use a different program for this

If I could get the darn discs recognised, I'm pretty sure I could get going on this project - after three years of stops and starts!

Anyone have a clue what's going on? HELP!

[Abond]

Well, your dvd is not encrypted. Is there some special another reason to use DVDDecrypter?

[Neisse]

Actually, it is. Emerson uses CPRM on all recorded discs.

[Krispy Kritter]

You shouldn't be missing anything to read the discs...windows should be able to read any disc.

If the recorded discs play fine in the original recorder, then chances are it is recorded properly and there isn't a media issue. Most pc drives are now picky about the type of media that you use (assuming it is compatible of course), unless you try using really crappy generic media.

You can test your BenQ drive using other discs. Try store bought and previously burned discs. If it reads them, then your drive is most likely fine.

Stick with only the firmware for your specific drive.

Some of the recorders ( I don't remember the brand(s)), don't finalise the disc which can cause reading/playing issues on other hardware.

And as Abond was pointing out, you don't need to use DVDDecrypter. Just open the disc in windows explorer or my computer and copy the files off.

Well scratch all that...question answered above.

[Cornucopia]

Could be the CPRM, but I doubt it. Sounds like it might be a higher UDF version# of the disc's filesystem than W2K is able to support. If that is the case, options are:
1. Set up dual boot system with XP Pro as well.
2. DL additional 3rd party UDF driver that supports higher UDF versions.
3. Take that machine back and get one that works with your current system.

Scott

[Neisse]

I believe cornucopia is correct. Here's what I've done since my last post:

I returned the Emerson set-top recorder. I wasn't that happy with it anyway. Picked up a Panasonic VHS/DVD recorder combo (I checked the guides here first, and got a good model) - it can record to -RAM, -R, -RW, and +R.

Recorded a -RW in Video mode (only mode the Pana supports for non-RAM discs), finalized it.

Attempted to run DVD Decrypter on the disc (which was a freshly formatted, never before used one) which failed with the same error. Windows Explorer also refuses to see the disc, which reports "Incorrect Function" as an error.

Looks like the UDF reader needs upgrading. I REFUSE to install WinXP, as it's even buggier than Win 2K, and installing it is a PITA. I'll try to find an upgraded UDF driver. Any suggestions?

[Cornucopia]

That must be something else, as compliant DVD-Video formats the UDF filesystem as v1.02 (required as part of the spec).

That sounds like there might be some issues with the Benq DVD-R drive (or the OS's control of it). Or problems reading that particular brand of RW media (but I doubt that). Try one of your recorded & finalized RW discs in a friend's PC --with DVD-ROM drive, Win2k/Xp, and DVDdecryptor (though you shouldn't really need it for home recordings).

If it works there, the disc's OK. You then know it's your system. Maybe the firmware flash went bad--check the drive elsewhere also.

This kind of thing (that you want to be able to do) should be quite easy.

Scott

[Neisse]

I haven't flashed the firmware - yet. I wanted to use the one it came with first.

OK - I tried TWO different UDF drivers. Nothing has worked.

I'm afraid I don't have a friend or another PC with Win2K and a DVD-ROM drive. I have one with a plain CD-ROM, and I have a Win98 Gold w/ a DVD-ROM. I'll try the Win98 system next to see if the disk will read there.

I've called BenQ about this. They did correctly diagnose that my ASPI drivers were screwed up, and fixed 'em - but this was a few days ago, back when I still had the Emerson set-top. They gave up after the disc still wouldn't read. I'm going to try calling 'em again (if my Bright House digital phone is fixed yet!) tomorrow 1/12/06 and see if they can suggest anything else.

Way I see it now:

Drive is bad, or firmware is. Cross-flashing the firmware could still work, but that's a last resort.

My Win2K OS is wonky. Certainly possible.

It feels to me that I'm just missing a driver update, or something like it. I think the drive is working, as Nero Info Tool and DVD Decrypter both see the drive, and correctly see the discs, but can't read 'em for some reason.

I'll report in a few minutes the results of the Win98/DVD-ROM attempt.

[Neisse]

No luck with Win98. I checked, and UDF and ASPI IS INSTALLED AND WORKING on that machine. Of course, as it's on its second DVD-ROM drive, and neither recognizes (recognized) certain DVD-Video discs, that's not surprising. The current one does much better than the old one, but still doesn't like certain discs. But, I digress...

I could reinstall the Samsung DVD-ROM/CD-R/-RW drive that lived in the Win2K machine before I installed the BenQ burner. But, what would that do except test the BenQ drive? If it's still non-readable, that doesn't necessarily mean the BenQ is a bad drive - could still mean that Win2K is wonky. I could install the Samsung in the other Win2K machine I have here, but it's UDF and ASPI-less, I believe.

I do have a copy of WinXP around here somewhere (given to me free by Microsoft when it first came out), if I could find it perhaps I could pull it's UDF driver off of the disc and install that version? Most would say just install XP, but I've tried, and I'm sure that if it will install at all, I'll need to strip the machine down to the bare essentials - a CD-ROM, a hard drive, the mobo, and one stick of memory - tops. I doubt it'll install otherwise. That's a big PITA job, and that's my absolute LAST resort. I'll return the BenQ drive to CompUSA first - even with their return policies, it's less hassle!

Anyway... I could REALLY use some suggestions here!
Suggestions?

[budz]

Your BENQ 1640 drive has OEM firmware "GSJB". I'd suggest you flash your drive to the "B" series firmware. You can download the flasher program and cvt files from doing a search at the BENQ FORUM at Cdfreaks.com. Also you may try to upgrade your NERO BURN to 6.6.

There have been reports that the BENQ 1640 cannot read back DVD-RW that is recorded from standalone recorders. I have a Pioneer 220 standalone recorder that uses DVD-RW MAXELL & SONY media. It can't be read back in the BENQ 1640 but it can in my other dvd burners and dvdroms. Go figure.

I don't think your BENQ 1640 drive is bad. I strongly suggest you crossflash the drive to the "B" series firmware.