Why do not DVD-RW VR media read on my DVD Drive

[lingoguysw5]

I have tried to get my DVD-RWs in VR Mode to read on my DVD Writer nor on my DVD-RW compatible DVD player but will not read. Does that mean that in this mode there is no way I cannot re-edit any file of the VR sort? I guess it does doesn't it?

[swallowtail]

DVD-VR mode files are based on the UDF 2.01 format, and only Windows XP can read them without any drivers installed. If you use other versions of Windows, you need a UDF reader to read them. Refer to the last post of the following link for a UDF reader download:

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=231644

[lingoguysw5]

Well I have Windows XP which reads DVD-RW but only in VIDEO MODE and if I put a disc which has been formatted in VR MODE nothing appears on the screen, so I am still bemused.

[swallowtail]

Well, did you finalize the VR mode disc or not?

[waheed]

Which software are you using?

PowerDVD 5 is capable of reading DVD in VR mode. Also, try WinDVD 6.

Try to playback the DVD in the DVD Recorder it was originally recorded on to see if the disc plays fine. This will rule out any possibility of the disc being the problem.

[lingoguysw5]

Yup swallowtail I tried it both finalized an unfinalized stuck in my XP waited a few seconds and the D drive was still showing empty. So if there in nought showing waheed I can hardly use PowerDVD It's really bizarre that one shows i.e. VIDEO MODE and VR doesn't?? They both read in my JVC of course

[chas0039]

I have a combo drive that has the same problem and I have seen a lot of posts over the last few months where that was the problem. I have also see a few drives that would not read at all where others would on the same system. What is your drive?

[lingoguysw5]

Mine is a built-in Windows XP DVD+RW Writer combo drive which again I reiterate will read DVD-RW but not DVD-RW with VR format. This means I have to dub everything in VIDEO MODE which takes as long as the footage High-Speed will not enforce with the this format.

[chas0039]

Your answer is not clear. A combo drive is generally considered to be a drive that reads and writes CDs and also reads DVDs. If that is what you have it is one of those I have encountered in the past.

[lingoguysw5]

Sorry I meant it reads cds and dvds but only writes to DVD+RW and CDs

[chas0039]

I have never seen a drive that only writes to DVD+RWs and not to DVD-R or +R as well. Do you know the model number and brand. It should be in the Device Manager. In any case, I think you simply have one of those few drives that will not read VR files. I would suggest adding a plain ROM drive as those seem to have very few problems.

[lingoguysw5]

well my Windows XP 8300 desktop has a tower whose drive is DVD+RW R compatabile for reading/writing, however will only read DVD-RW R discs but will not write.

[piano632]

Cyberlink PowerProducer 2 is able to read files off DVD-RW VR mode discs on WinXP (sometimes they don't even need to be finalized, depending on the drive and whatever other software is installed). I do it all the time. For me it's easier than having to finalize Video mode discs all the time. You might also try installing Nero InCD or Pinnacle Instant Read which may help.

[lingoguysw5]

What I meant piano632 is that my drive will read a DVD-RW dubbed in VIDEO MODE but if dubbed in VR mode my XP combo drive shows and IS in fact empty even though there really is a file to be played. I have Nero Startsmart and Pinnacle 7 but that wouldn't apply in this case. I need a tool which would open what I would call a ghost file.

[piano632]

VR mode discs always show empty using Windows and many other apps. But as I said Cyberlink PowerProducer 2 will be able to read files off VR mode discs even if Windows says the drive is empty. Someone else said that DVD Shrink works too, but I haven't tried it.

[lingoguysw5]

Well I will give it a go. But I can't see how I can select the file if it isn't there, unless with this installed it will be able to appear. Thanks piano632 I'll keep you updated once I've given it a go.