Burned DVDs on DVR, finalized, & now SOME of them will not play on that DVR

[justkay]

Lately,with my DVR/VCR combo, when I burn DVDs, finalize them, & then try to play them on the same device, SOME of them won't play. Message is: Disk Error: Playback features may not be available on this disk.

I do not have another disk player but tried them with my PC & they all play just fine.

What could be wrong?

[Baldrick]

Moving you to our dvd recorder section.

[LCSHG]

I thought this was teh DVD recorder section

justkey

When you say "lately"
Does that mean the combo did work ok at one timeand the disks burned did play ok in it.

[justkay]

Yes. It has only been recently that this is a problem.

[usually_quiet]

What is the make and model of the DVD-VCR combo? We have a few members that have extensive knowledge about the weaknesses of particular brands and models.

[justkay]

It is a 5 year old Symphonic, model SR90VE.

Also, all the disks I used (those that work & thise that don't) were from the same container.

[LCSHG]

justkay

I don't have that unit and have no info on it, but as usually_quiet said someone who does may chime in

The unit is 5 Years old Which is very good for that unit. My guess, As it will not play a disk burned on it would be possibly a failed Disk burner/player unit.
If so a replacement burner may not be avail and any repairs may be more than the unit is worth Does they VCR section still work ok? Do you need a combo uni?t

[justkay]

The VCR still works. I originally bought it so that I could convert my VHS tapes to DVDs.

Also, I just checked out one of the DVDs that will not play on my DVD recorder that created it in my neighbor's DVD player & it works just fine.

[usually_quiet]

Have you tried cleaning the DVD drive's lens? Most members of this website open up their units and clean the lens with a cotton swab and the strongest isopropyl alcohol they can find. This can be a bit scary if you haven't done it before, and not all DVD drives are made to be opened and closed back up, though most are. If you aren't comfortable with this, you could try a CD/DVD lens cleaning disc instead.

If cleaning doesn't help, the DVD drive may be wearing out. This is certainly possible if it was used often for 5 years, and sometimes the drives used for less expensive brands are less durable. Your unit was made by Funai, which does not have the best reputation for quality.

[justkay]

I bought one of those CD/DVD lens cleaners & ran it. I had never cleaned the lens before. I found that the disks I could not read were still unreadable on that DVD recorder.

It looks like my options are to either have it serviced (if that is reasonable) or replace it with a new unit. Yesterday I checked both Walmart & Best Buy. One had a Magnovox & the other had a Samsung. Do you have any thoughts on the quality of DVD recorders?

[usually_quiet]

I doubt servicing it is even an option at this point, but even if it is, it won't be reasonable.

Once again, you have provided no model numbers, but Samsung DVD recorders have a poor reputation in general.

I suggest this one from WM, though you may have to order online http://www.walmart.com/ip/Magnavox-160GB-DVD-Recorder-Tuner/10104532?sourceid=15000000...0944&ci_sku=10

It has no VCR, but most DVD-VCR combos are of worse quality today than in the past. I don't imagine you use VHS very often now anyway, but I would suggest that you continue to use what you have for VHS if the VCR still works.

[justkay]

How does the quality fo Magnavox compare to Toshiba? Yesterday I did some more looking & saw both of these brands. But I noticed that the Toshiba only has a 90 day warrantywhile he Magnavox has a 1 year. Makes me wonder.

Also, I really do not need a unit with a hard drive as I have a hard drive in my HD cable box (with DVR). What I normally do is record TV programs on the hard drive & those I want copy off with my DVD recorder/VCR unit.

Another question: Do the combos all come with their own tuner? Do I need a tuner?

[usually_quiet]

Toshiba DVD recorders are not of the same quality as in the past. As I understand it, both Toshiba's and Magnavox's current models are made by Funai. The Magavox HDD model I suggested is better quality than the average.

No, you don't need a DVD recorder with a tuner, but I don't know which combos don't have one. If you need to shop at a brick-and-mortar store and want a new tunerless recorder, you may as well buy a tunerless Toshiba, Magnavox, or the Panasonic DMR-EA18 if you can find it. The DMR-EA18 offers a flexible recording mode, which means you set a duration for the recording, and it fills the empty portion of an unfinalized DVD blank with that one recording.

One of these tunerless Sony refurbs might also be a good choice.

Here is one: http://www.jr.com/rdrgx255-dvd-recorder/pe/SON_RDRGX257_hy_BS/

Still no model numbers, and up until now you made no mention of how you are using your DVD recorder. How is anybody to know what you have been looking at or what you need? For future reference, please provide better information, in your first post, if you can. If you don't there is a good chance that you won't receive replies.

The members here provide help on a voluntary basis, and it takes more time than you think to provide a good answer. When the original poster can't be bothered to provide basic information, especially when asked for it, most of us will simply move on to another thread.

[LCSHG]

It is a 5 year old Symphonic, model SR90VE.

Also, all the disks I used (those that work & thise that don't) were from the same container.

It doesn't sound as its a disk problem
Are you copying to disk only home recorded VHS tapes, or comercial tapes that may contain CP. DO you or do you want to Edit any of these recordings It's much easier on a HDD unit and the cable DVRb unit MAY not allow it.
How many tapes are there? ARE you or do you want to record directly to a disk If so The HDD unit is a plus
By your posts it would seem the disks burned play OK in other units and include a PC. This would seem odd but odd things happen.

[jjeff]

I agree with much of what usually quiet said but I do caution against the newer Toshiba and Sony DVDRs due to overly sensitive copy protection problems. Even copying non CP'd programs a newer Toshiba or Sony may not record.
I'd agree with the Maggy 2160a(I'm not so hot on other Funai built machines) or the Panasonic EA-18.

[justkay]

To finally answer the question of what models I was looking at, for the Magnzvox it is ZV427MG9 (a combo) & for the Toshiba it is DVR420 (only a DVD recorder).

I am not attempting to copy copy protected videos. One of the things I have been capturing is this season of Lost. My HD cable box has a DVR & I typically record each week's Lost episode on it. Then later I copy it off of the hard drive onto a dvd with my Symphonic unit. After the disk is full & titled, I finalize it. I had not been checking after finalization to see if the disks were playable. When I tried one last week, I discovered some of this seasons Lost disks I created would not play on my Symphonic, but would on either my PC or my neighbor's DVD player.

After talking to the manufacturer's helpline, it was suggested that I clean the laser. I bought one & did that, but to no avail. Then I had the unit professionally cleaned by a repair guy I had used previously. After he cleaned it, we tried one of my "unplayable" disks & it still did not work. He said that it was likely that the laser was failing &, due to the expense of fixing it, I would be better off just replacing the unit. However, there may be a new twist to this.

Yesterday I created a new disk on the unit, titled & finalized it & then tried to play it on the unit. It played! So is that a fluke or what? I am perplexed. So I am thinking that I will continue to try to create disks on this unit & see what happens. Meanwhile I will not delete those programs on my hard drive until I am sure they are captured on a DVD that I can play on anything.

Does anyone have any comments?

[LCSHG]

To finally answer the question of what models I was looking at, for the Magnzvox it is ZV427MG9 (a combo) & for the Toshiba it is DVR420 (only a DVD recorder).


Yesterday I created a new disk on the unit, titled & finalized it & then tried to play it on the unit. It played! So is that a fluke or what? I am perplexed. So I am thinking that I will continue to try to create disks on this unit & see what happens. Meanwhile I will not delete those programs on my hard drive until I am sure they are captured on a DVD that I can play on anything.

Does anyone have any comments?

I had always been concerned that you could burn a disk on the Symmphonic but would not play that disk, but would play on any other machine. It could be a fluke OR something is presinting a problem in the playback Of the Unit OR It might be The connections or a cable
CAN YOU OR DO YOU EDIT ON THE CABLE DVR
I fso, I feel your Route is fine and if necessary you will only need a new disk recorder.
If Not THE HDD unit is simpler for editing
Either way if the issue is resolved to your satisfaction . THAT'S IT {If it ain't broke don't fix it]

PS
If you do get another recorder [Evan A Combo Unit] Check Out a unit that satis fies you and return it if necessary.
I would chose a supplier that provided a GOOD return policy'.
The combo unit would be ok for your need

[usually_quiet]

To finally answer the question of what models I was looking at, for the Magnzvox it is ZV427MG9 (a combo) & for the Toshiba it is DVR420 (only a DVD recorder).

I am not attempting to copy copy protected videos. One of the things I have been capturing is this season of Lost. My HD cable box has a DVR & I typically record each week's Lost episode on it. Then later I copy it off of the hard drive onto a dvd with my Symphonic unit. After the disk is full & titled, I finalize it. I had not been checking after finalization to see if the disks were playable. When I tried one last week, I discovered some of this seasons Lost disks I created would not play on my Symphonic, but would on either my PC or my neighbor's DVD player.

After talking to the manufacturer's helpline, it was suggested that I clean the laser. I bought one & did that, but to no avail. Then I had the unit professionally cleaned by a repair guy I had used previously. After he cleaned it, we tried one of my "unplayable" disks & it still did not work. He said that it was likely that the laser was failing &, due to the expense of fixing it, I would be better off just replacing the unit. However, there may be a new twist to this.

Yesterday I created a new disk on the unit, titled & finalized it & then tried to play it on the unit. It played! So is that a fluke or what? I am perplexed. So I am thinking that I will continue to try to create disks on this unit & see what happens. Meanwhile I will not delete those programs on my hard drive until I am sure they are captured on a DVD that I can play on anything.

Does anyone have any comments?

Niether the Magnavox ZV427MG9 or the Toshiba DVR420 has a tuner, if you didn't already know that, and both are built by Funai. The DVD side on most Funai-built products are not the best quality but they manufacture most of the less expensive DVDRs presently being sold.

As I said before, the VCR side of any of the new combo units is not as good as older VCRs. If you must have a combo, you may as well buy the Magnavox ZV427MG9. If you buy something cheap it won't hurt so much if it dies within a year of two of the warranty's expiration.

The Toshiba DR420 has only 2 RCA and 2 S-Video inputs, while most other DVDRs have 3. It has a front DV input (firewire) if you want to record from a DV camera. The recording quality for current Toshiba DVDRs is average, not the fine quality produced by older Toshiba-built units. Based on personal experience, Toshiba seems to design products that are somewhat more complicated to operate than usual.

Sony and Toshiba DVDRs reportedly do have a greater tendency to see analog copy protection when it isn't present than some other brands. I suspect it it is less likely to be a problem for those with digital cable service who are recording a relatively clean analog signal from a DVR line-out. As I understand it, misinterpretation of noise in a specific part of the analog video signal is to blame for the problem, so it is more likely to affect those with analog cable or those who are transferring VHS tapes to DVD.

It is more likely to be a failing laser than your discs, since all your recordings were fine until recently, and your DVDR is 5 years old.

Media does matter, but I am guessing you have had enough time to figure out what works best for you. You didn't say that you changed brands, or switched from DVD+R to DVD-R discs (or vice-versa), or recently bought some new discs. (Most brand name media is outsourced to whoever can make it for the lowest cost, and that changes over time.)

[usually_quiet]

Update: I went to the AVS Forum last night and looked for more information. There were some comparisons between Toshiba's newer models and other brands. As you supected, the Magnavox recorders built by Funai are better made than those they build for Toshiba. If Toshiba and Magnavox are all that is available for you to buy, get a Magnavox.

The Magnavox HDD unit offers the ability to temporarily store recordings if you need to make room on your DVR, as well as the ability to do rough edits on your recordings before burning to discs. If that is of no interest to you and a cheap VHS player is, get the Magnavox combo instead.

The current Panasonic DMR-EZ48VK DVDR-VCR combo model (with a tuner) is not particularly good and costs more than Magnavox's tunerless combo, so don't bother with it.

The Panasonic DMR-EA18 is a good product if you can find it.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1021745&highlight=panasonic
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1140933

[justkay]

I really appreciate your input.

I have mixed thoughts on what to do. I do not need a combo nor another hard drive, but the appeal of the Magnovox is that it is quite similar to the Symphonic I have. I read thru the manual for it & realize that there would be a much smaller learning curve for me. On the other hand, I have always been happy with any of the Panasonic products I have had. I actually still have an older Panasonic VCR which works just fine.
Both these 2 products have a one year warranty. Do you have any idea of the quality of the DMR-EA18? It costs about the same as the Magnovox, but I don't think it is available at a local retail store. If I got it, I would probably have to order it online.

[usually_quiet]

If you read the links I posted, you were already informed that the Panasonic is better made and has a flexible recording feature that the Magnavox combo lacks. I think you made up your mind some time ago that you were going to buy the Magnavox combo, and want someone to validate your decision. That is not going to happen, and should not be anything a grown man or woman needs.

Go buy the Magnavox combo, since in spite of all the advice to the contrary, it is what you really want and you don't like ordering online.

[justkay]

I'm sorry that I offended you. I think you have misunderstood me. I actually have been very happy with all the Panasonic products that I have bought. I did read your links but nothing I read made it obvious that Panasonic was still producing quality products as they had in the past.
I have not made a decision yet & actually am leaning towards the Panasonic. I would prefer to make the purchase locally but so far have not found a retailer near me who sells the unit. The Magnavox is available locally & with a return policy that allows a 100% refund, no questions asked.
Again I want to thank you for the information you have provided.