Freezing DVD-R

[markannab]

This must be a common problem but I can't find an answer. I've used two very good brand DVD-R's to burn my home videos to. I can burn what appears to be really good quality and the video runs smoothly - once, twice or several times.

But often, after knowing it CAN play well, the image, or parts of it, begin to freeze or 'stutter' - a bit like a digital TV signal when the signal is weak. It gets so bad that it's unwatchable and sometimes totally freezes. To my untrained mind, it seems like some kind of static is involved - possibly on the surface of the disk.

If this happened from the very first play, I'd say it was a bad burn, but since it plays well sometimes, I know the burn was successful. This has happened with several disks. Can anyone help me out?

Mark.

[budz]

It would be helpful to know two good brands of DVD-R you're using. Anything made by MEMOREX is crappy media. Also what software did you use to process the home videos and what burning program did you use to burn the discs.

[Bjs]

Yes ???

More info :

A: How old are the players involved

As drives warm up, problems become more apparent, some get fussy.

B: Home video

Which tools and process's were involved in the remastering of content to disc.

A: content from ?
B: Products used for conversion process
C: Media brand ?
D: Burner make and model
E: Burn speed used
F: How full is burnt disc ?

We need specifics in order to assist

[markannab]

The info below is provided as you've requested. I know certain areas will stand and as not being ideal and I appreciate that. Still, as far as burning software, etc is concerned, I'll be interested to know how it can play a DVD well several times over and at other times not.

Burning software: NeroVision 6
Source: Mini DV
Editing: VideoStudio 9 (exported as PAL DVD (mpeg))
Disks: Panasonic (made in Japan) - none left to give exact type; TDK
Player: El Cheapo Sansui. From what I've experienced, plays well on computer.

The suggestion about the player warming up and creating problems is interesting, as it's often further on in the disk (therefore after it's been running for several minutes) that problems arise.

Thanks,
Mark.

[guns1inger]

I would burn with imgburn, as Nero's DVD burning is not the best, and not strictly compliant.

I would try Verbatim discs instead, or TY's if you can get them.

Use Nero CD/DVD Speed or DVD Info to check the quality of the burn.

Consider replacing the Sansui with a cheap brand name model. I like Pioneer myself.

[steptoe]

I have to agree with Nero being not very compliant as I proved myself and since I stopped using Nero have no more problems, and have been using IMGBUrn and before that DVD Decrypter to burn all my DVDs with much better burn quality

But people use Nero and have zero problems, Nero didn't work for me, but give it a try. IMGBurn is 100% freeware and should work straight away after installation with no settings needing changing by you, apart from lowering the burn speed to x4. Yes it will take a few minutes longer but quality should count above speed when burning DVDs

Poor quality media suffers the closer you get to the edge of the media, it might save you a few pennies in buying the media, but if you then have to burn the DVDs again, in the long term for aggrevation and wasted time and media it isn't worth it

I pay a few £'s more and have very few bad burns, the majority are down to me doing far too much at once on my computer, even now DVD burning should really be left on its own with nothing much apart from say browsing the 'net while burning

Burn speed can and will make a big difference, if you are burning at the maximum speed the media can handle, the cheaper DVD burners are not that great at high burn speeds, as you didn't mention that I can only assume its one that came with you computer

If its a couple of years old, it might just be wearing out especially if you don't also have a DVD-ROM drive so you're poor DVD burner is used for everything. As you can pick up a good brand one for about £20 or less then try replacing that


Media can and will make a big difference. Some DVD players just do not like a certain brand of media. Try changing to a slightly more expensive media, I use DataWrites and also Ritek's. If you can get them Taiyo Yudens are often quoted as the best and most compatable on the market, but are also frequently double the price



Skipping, pausing and stuttering are nearly always down the poor quality media and possibly being burnt to fast especially if it is the 'cheaper' media, but the burning software WILL make a difference, not all burning software is as good as they would like you to believe

[markannab]

As of today, we've been looking at a new DVD player - a high-end Panasonic. Interestingly, I've done a test today playing one of the persistently troublesome DVD's on my computer. It works seamlessly.

When I burn, use select the slowest speed possible. Regarding brands of media, I've found it tough. I try to by DVD's that specifically state "Made in Japan". They are rare. The Panasonics were made in Japan but have disappeared from the market, forcing me to another brand.

I have no experience with other burning software. So does this freeware - ImgBurn - give you all the options of setting up chapters, and laying up of the chapters screen(s)?

Mark.

[guns1inger]

No. Imgburn is a burning application only. The features you are talking about are part of the authoring phase. You may continue to author in NeroVision if you want, and output to your HDD for burning by Imgburn, or look at other alternatives, such as GUIForDVDAuthor or DVD Styler