How Do You Read the Data from a DVD Recorded on a Combo Unit?

[Junkman]

I spent about an hour searching for an answer on this (I'm an admin on another forum so I know this should be your first option as a newb...). I was unable to find my exact situation so if someone has a link, please direct me!

I have a Sony RDR-VX500 Combo unit. What I basically want to do is take the video/audio off of a DVD that I have recorded with that unit, and copy it to my hard drive so that I can edit it.

I know how to edit any type of video file and have the software to do so. When I put a DVD that was recorded on that unit into my PC, it will play fine with no issues. However, when I try to rip the video/audio to my hard drive, Tsunami - MPEG DVD Author Pro or DVD Decryptor both do not see any information on that DVD. I'm thinking that maybe I need to close the DVD (as you would do a CD) but I don't see that option on my unit. When I stop it from writing, it shows on the display that it is writing some kind of INF info so I'm thinking that it should be good to go. Apparently not. I've been recording the DVD's in EP mode. Should I use SP instead (I know that gives me better quality video but does that make a difference with my issue)?

When I use a DVD that contains video that I have captured to my hard drive, edited and recorded to a DVD, both DVD Decryptor and my Tsunami software are able to import the .VOB files off that DVD with no issues. I'm expecting my Sony combo unit to be recording .VOB files on a DVD when I use it to record a DVD. Am I wrong?

[guns1inger]

I suspect it is being recorded in VR mode, which can be harder to read. I only ever record in video mode, which does produce VOBs/IFO/BUP files, so I have not had this problem. If you can set your recorder to record directly in video mode, give that a try. If not, make sure it is finalised before attempting to read it.

[Junkman]

First of all, thanks for your reply.

I got to thinking about what you've posted (the VR mode thing) and I downloaded a PDF of my manual. Take a look at page 10 of the manual here: http://www.dvd-recorder-review.com/dvd-recorder-user-manual.html (Choose the manual for the RDR-VX500). It appears to me that the only type of media that is automatically finalized is the DVD+RW media. Everything else has to be manually finalized (I think). However, I cannot for the sake of Santa Claus, find anywhere in the manual were it tells you how to finalize a DVD. Maybe another set of eyes will see something that I don't see. This could be my problem all along. Thanks for sending me in this direction.

Great forum you all have here. I've learned quite a bit just going through other post. You all have a good thing going here. I'm going to have to add it to my recommended sites.

[guns1inger]

Read Page 44 : Finalizing a disc

[Junkman]

I knew it. A second set of eyes. Maybe I need to go to bed!

Thanks!

[Junkman]

FYI, it was te closing of the DVD that resolved my issue, just as I suspected in my first post. Thanks for sending me in the right direction.