Rescue video from non finalized DVD

[Ensign]

I have a friend (it always a friend ) that after making DVD's on a LiteOn stand alone DVD recorder now finds he can't play them on other DVD players except for his computer

I suspect the reason is that he didn't finalize the disk(s).

Given that this is the reason, is there a way to recover the videos?

Can he just copy the data (the AudioTS / Video TS folders) from the problem disk(s) to his hard drive, and using NERO, just re-burn them onto new DVD?

Or does he have to use something like ISOBuster to extract the video and then use Nero Vision to re-burn them to a DVD?

[Steve Stepoway]

Can he not just put the DVD back into the recorder and hit "finalize"? That usually works.

Steve

[oldandinthe way]

If he can't finalize them in the recorder (like because he no longer has access to the recorder), but he can read them on the PC, we should be able to rip and rewite them.

[tinker]

Yes, as long as you can play it on your computer, you can copy both Audio_TS and Video_TS to your HD and make new disk. To copy you do not need anything, it is just like any other file to copy.
The way you describe the problem it could be the media type (DVD disk) is a problem.
What brand of DVD are you using?

[Ensign]

UPDATE

After going over to friend's house I have discovered that his problem IS due to his not finalizing the disk with is LiteON 5005 recorder.

What he was doing was transfering segments from his camcorder to a DVD, but, not all at once.

One day a segment, then maybe another segment days (or weeks) later.

But, one day his 5005 said "Hello" and the drive then went "good by!"

So, he was left with DVD that would only play on the 5005.

To fix the problem he went and purchase a Panasonic DMR-ES15

(which I thought was a bad idea since every panasonic - even re-branded ones - have always been junk! )

When he got it home he tried to finalized his LiteON 5005 disks. As you have suspected, it did not work.

So, I said "let me try ISOBuster," which I have been doing. I finally got the VideoTS folder extracted, however, all the files seem to be damaged. ISOBuster states that the sector addresses were identified as unreadable.

Plus, they will not play in any of my video applications.

So, now what can be done

Are these files saveable, or should he just redo them

P.S. My friend is returning the Panasonic because it will not record in anything other then the 6 to 8 hour mode if you are not recording via the timer page. Or, in otherwords, if you want to record in the best mode directly from a camcorder to this unit - you cant!

[Ensign]

Final Update

Just to let the forum know:

1: I was able, using CD Roller, to get the raw video off the non-finalized DVD that my friend made. So, that problem is taken care of.

2: As for his quest for a DVD recorder? I tried to get him to use his computer with a capture card since he already has a dvd burner and software. However, he wants the "safety" of a stand alone DVD recorder. So, now he's on his 3 make, after using a Panasonic (rejected due to lack of recording speed options) a LiteOn (rejected due to no S-Video), he finally setteled on a Philips DVDR-3400.

So far I haven't heard any complates. But, I am sure I will.

I thank the forum for it's help

[pinetop]

If you were using the free Isobuster, you were not going to get the VOBs off the unfinalized DVD. You would need IsobusterPro(payware), then you just extract the mpegs, and you'll have the VOBs.
You now need the Ifo and Bup files, Ifoedit can create these for you. You would then have a DVD with no menu. For a menu, use TDA,Womble, Ulead, or a host of other authoring programs. DO NOT USE NERO!
Nero trys to encode files instead of just creating a menu. Nero encodes equals lower video quality.

[LJB]

For what its worth, I read a tutorial that "claimed" Nerovision could read .vro files.

Method #1
Copy the VR-MOVIE.VRO file to HD.
Import/load into Nerovision in the Make Movie option.

Method #2
Copy the VR-MOVIE.VRO file to HD.
rename VR_MOVIE.VRO to VR_MOVIE.MPG and import/load into Nerovision in the Make Movie option.

If method #2 is correct,then why not rname VR_MOVIE.VRO to VR_MOVIE.MPG and import/load into your favorite edit program?

[Baldrick]

Final Update

Just to let the forum know:

1: I was able, using CD Roller, to get the raw video off the non-finalized DVD that my friend made. So, that problem is taken care of.

2: As for his quest for a DVD recorder? I tried to get him to use his computer with a capture card since he already has a dvd burner and software. However, he wants the "safety" of a stand alone DVD recorder. So, now he's on his 3 make, after using a Panasonic (rejected due to lack of recording speed options) a LiteOn (rejected due to no S-Video), he finally setteled on a Philips DVDR-3400.

So far I haven't heard any complates. But, I am sure I will.

I thank the forum for it's help

I have added cd roller to our tools list under the new CD/DVD recovery section.