Burned my first successful DVD-R, can I improve anything?

[Alvis]

Here is what I did:

1. Used Smartripper to rip DVD, no problems.
2. Used Spruceup to create a simple menu, great!
3. Used IfoEdit to preserve Asprect Ratio, no problems.
4. Burned to DVD-R using Nero 5.5.8.2 and VCDhelp guide.

I burned this DVD-R using a Pioneer A04 and I used Memorex media. The DVD-R plays in my Philips DVD711 but it takes a minute to recognized the DVD-R. Also, the movie hesitates for a moment in about the first 1.5 minutes. The Philips also has problems resuming after stopping the DVD-R. Otherwise, seems to play good, however, haven't played it all the way through. I have looked up the compatibility of the Philips DVD711 with DVD-R(W) on this page and did "pad out" the DVD-R as suggested(However, couldn't get it to recognize a Memorex DVD-RW even though a few people have reported it will play them). I have done the latest firmware upgrade on my Philips.

I tried the DVD-R on my PS2. It recognizes it immediately like it would a factory DVD. The movie still hesitates at 1.5 minutes but only for a fraction of a second(less than the Philips does). Does the same thing on a friends PS2. Begins glitching badly about an hour into the movie and I have not done any firmware upgrades on my PS2(purchased in December of 2000).

Tried it on my friend's Sony DVD player(DVP-C600D) and it plays all the way through without glitching.
Also, got my DVD burner last week and I have not done a firmware upgrade on it, either.

Any suggestions, comments, solutions? As this was my first successful DVD-R, I'm pretty pumped, though I would like to figure out why there is some hesitation though I realize it may be the players and not the authoring/burning process.

Edited to add that maybe it wasn't as successful as I had hoped.

[mikerios]

I would say dump the DVD player and go for a Pioneer. I do DVD to DVD-R as well except I use DVD Decryptor to rip ( sometime Smart Ripper ), I frameserve in DVD2AVI, render in TMPEGEnc, author in DVD Workshop, Burn in Nero 5.5.8.2.

Playback is on a Sony 550s and a Pioneer 434. Media is Apple Media burned at 2x. I have yet to try Memorix but have tried others, Princo is really awful stuff, despite cheap price.

[Alvis]

I would say dump the DVD player and go for a Pioneer. I do DVD to DVD-R as well except I use DVD Decryptor to rip ( sometime Smart Ripper ), I frameserve in DVD2AVI, render in TMPEGEnc, author in DVD Workshop, Burn in Nero 5.5.8.2.

Playback is on a Sony 550s and a Pioneer 434. Media is Apple Media burned at 2x. I have yet to try Memorix but have tried others, Princo is really awful stuff, despite cheap price.

Where is a good place to get the Apple media?

[mikerios]

Well I get my AppleMedia locally at at place called Fry's here in southern California, though there a re getting to be a bigger and bigger chain as thy store thoughout the state and some in Necada and Texas and Arizona if I am correct. go to www.frys.com, it will give you store info, though none have a website ( storewise ) for ordering, pity too.