video plays perfect on divx compat dvd player but wont copy to hd on pc ???

[extentofmysin]

I'm not sure if there's a real solution to this!

I backed up my digital camera made videos as avi files (divx) onto dvd and cd a long time ago, but a couple of my discs are seemingly scratched and no longer copy to my computers hard drive at all.
I want to copy them back onto my pc so I can put them all onto one double layer dvd.
I try to copy them to my hard drive and I get a 'data redundancy check' error after a few mins near the end of each. I have tried to use toothpaste as many tech sites specify get rid of marks on the discs (and to avoid buying cd repair sets which ive heard can do more harm than good), but it hasnt done the job at all as they still wont copy.

I have tried to copy the files to more than one computers hard drive to see if its just a problem with my own dvd drive, but with no luck either. What is very strange is that they play 100% perfectly on my divx compatible dvd player.

I have also tried pc programs such as "bad cd repair" and "iso buster", and although some will copy the files to the drive ok, they jump visually and audibly in places that have no problems whatsoever on my regular dvd player! It is obvious that these areas are probably where the possible scratches lie on my discs, but if they were so bad my normal dvd player should obviously have problems, which is definately doesnt! On looking at the discs there are some very faint marks but nothing seemingly major. If anyone could offer advice on a possible solution that would be great

I know that using the disc in the divx compat dvd player as it is connected to the pc and recording straight from there whilst playing the file could be the only way, but im not sure how I would set this up anyway, and Im almost more concerned about exactly why a normal pc cannot manage to copy my files anyway if my cheap ass divx player has no problems? lol

thanks for any advice or help- anyone!

[redwudz]

Playing is sometimes easier than copying with digital formats. A standalone player may buffer the images if there is part of a frame missing, where a computer just gives up. Divx is highly compressed, so a small amount of surface damage goes a long way.

It sounds like you have tried most of the common ways to make the disc readable. But if you are in a fair size town or city, you might try a CD or video store that has a polishing or scratch repair service. They do this all the time, so they usually have good equipment for that purpose.

To copy from your DVD player you would need some sort of a capture device, either a capture card or something similar.

You didn't mention it directly, but do they play on the computer? You might try VLC media player as it is fairly tolerant of damaged video. If so, it can 'capture' the video and save it, though I have never tried it for that purpose. Probably a long shot, though. Others here can probably give you a few more ideas.

And welcome to our forums.

[extentofmysin]

I don't have a specific capture card, only a 3d graphics card which probably doesnt have a similar feature (NVidea geforce5500 which only has two connections, one for a standard monitor and one for S-video).

The videos halt in wmp, windvd and realplayer, ive also just tried VLC and it does the same.
Thanks for the info anyway!

[olyteddy]

There's a program called 'Unstoppable Copier 2.25' that I have used to recover .MP3 files from a damaged CD. It may work with DVDs too.

[extentofmysin]

thanks, ill give Unstoppable Copier 2.25 a go as well, but it no doubt will not work since its probably mainly down to how well my dvd drive on the pc can read over slight scratches. My video works with no problems on my dvd player! lol