Compatibility after recording from VHS w/ Philips DVD-R 985

[jm4747]

I recently rented a Philips DVDR-985 DVD+R/+RW component unit to use to transfer some VHS tapes to DVD. It works fine but it will only playback on the unit itself. I have a Sony DVP-NS315 DVD player and it will not read the DVD+R format recorded DVD’S. I also have a Lite-on DVD-ROM on my PC that also won’t read them.

About the Sony DVD player: The manual doesn’t say anything about playing DVD+R/+RW’s, only DVD-R/-RW’s. This makes sense as it is not the latest and greatest player. I have read reviews on this site that say they’ve gotten this DVD player to playback DVD+R/+RW’s. I’ve also read some that say it doesn’t work. This leads me to think that what work for one might not for another regardless of what the manufacturer says.
I am wondering if anyone else has had these issues? I am thinking of replacing the DVD player with a model that says it will play DVD+R/+RW’s. Does this seem like a good plan?
As far as the PC DVD-ROM drive, it also obviously isn’t compatible and also needs replacing. I will be buying a DVD+R drive for it soon and will simply get one that records/plays DVD+R/+RW’s. Any thought on that as well?
Basically, I am trying to decide if I should keep backing up these VHS tapes in hopes that I’ll be able to play them back on something other than what I have. Since I am playing a daily rental rate, I want to return it ASAP – especially if this setup won’t allow me to play the DVD’s w/o a giant hassle.

Thanks in advance for any info-

[JimLely]

Did you record on +R or +RW? If recorded on +RW, you can change the compatibility bit on the +RW to a DVD-ROM setting which might permit the DVD to play on your Sony. With the DVD+RW in the Philips tray (and with the tray open), hold down the '2' button on the remote until the tray closes. If that doesn't work, try the same thing using the '3' button on the remote. Using the '3' button will change the compatibility bit to a
DVD-R setting.

If the above doesn't work, go to a Circuit City and try the Philips-recorded DVDs on each of their DVD players until you find one that plays it. I have found the greatest compatibility with Apex, Panasonic and Sony DVD players.l

Good luck,

Jim

[qpskfec]

On www.dvdplusrw.org, there's a compatibilty chart that shows players that have been tested with +RW/+R. It shows that Sony DVP NS 315 is supposed to play both +RW/+R.

If you are recording to +R, did you make sure to finalize the +R before trying it in another player? An unfinalized +R will not play in another player. If you use a +RW, it does not need to be finalized.

The chart could be wrong. It was accurate in my case. I have Sony DVP S530 and the +RW/R from my Philips 985 work fine in it, as well as in an Apex.

[Gil T Pleasure]

The newer Philips/Magnavox models will play DVD+R/+RW. You can check Philips website to see if a particular model supports DVD+R/+RW playback. Look for this indicator:

DVD Rewritable Compatability
Playback of the most compatible DVD recording format in the world, DVD+RW and DVD+R.

The Philips DVD727 that I got played my DVD+R/+RW discs beautifully. This player specifies DVD+R/+RW playback on the box as well as on the Philips website.