Noob can't burn DVDs

[plasma george]

Hello,
As you can see this is my first post, and I've been reading here amazed at all the knowledge I don't have regarding this hobie.
I bought a Canon ZR600 with high hopes to make my own movies.

I have a basic Dell Dimension 2400, (CDR drive only) with XP and I use MovieMaker, and installed a Samsung TS-H652A writer.
I make the movies fine with Movie maker, but when I goto burn, I get the long countdown, and as soon as it's at the end and reads "performing final steps", I get a Yellow exclamation point saying "An Unknown Error while saving the movie to the CD".
I think the Master/Slave is OK, cause I can read discs with this drive and tried all the possibilities, just can't get past the Unknown Error (probably 20+ times so far)
Tried DVD+ and DVD-.
I'll try to answer any questions to help (even home theater questions if you have them !), look forward to your help.
I'm on the verge of putting the Canon on Ebay, and buying the camera that uses DVDs instead of mini DVs.
Thanks so much as I look forward to hanging around here more if I can get this new hobie started.

[oldandinthe way]

Test your DVD burner installation

Nero CD-DVD speed will check your burner for proper operation

https://www.videohelp.com/tools?tool=Nero_CD-DVD_Speed

You might as well eliminate moviemaker or other software from the equation.

Potential install problems might include making the wrong drive the master, old and inferior IDE cables, inadequate power supply, a defective drive, too slow a computer, software conflicts, out of date drivers, conflicts with addon CD writing software or a multitude of things.

First find out if you hardware works and what the system sees.

[redwudz]

Don't you just love 'unknown' errors. It sounds like you have the DV video transfered to your computer OK.
Nero Info Tool should also give you some info on your DVD drive: http://www.nero.com/nero6/eng/Info_Tool.html

For real quick and easy for DV to DVD, you might try ConvertXToDVD or the freeware DivxToDVD. I use it for a quick conversion to DVD format at times.

You can still use Movie Maker to edit, but you will need to output as DV and use that file to encode to DVD video.

BTW, a lot of purchasers of miniDVD cameras wish they hadn't bought them. DV tape is usually a better option.

And welcome to our forums.

[plasma george]

Thanks guys, what no HT questions ???---kidding.

I'm running the Nero CD-DVD Speed now, it seems to be OK, Green is flat at 4X, and yellow dropped from 4X to 2X now at 4.5 minutes.

It's also possible the Dell 2400 is too slow, I didn't upgrade the processor, it's the standard Intel Celeron.
It's only a year old, so I'm pretty confident in the connections, IDE cable sbeing OK.

It came with a CD driveon top, I put the DVD on the bottom.
2 wires for the DVD, the big IDE and the 4 wire power, right ?
The 4 wire power was easy, but don't know which IDE to use.
There's 1 at the end of the line labeled "Drive 0" and one in the middle labeled "Drive 1". I have the "Drive 0" at the end of the line in the DVD, and nothing in the CD drive, and I'm in the Master position on the jumper (far right).

[classfour]

Drive 0 = Master - that should be your DVD burner.

SET to MASTER. See manufacturer's instructions.

Drive 1 = Slave - that was the old drive: AFTER you set it to SLAVE.

SEE Manufacturer's information regarding the switch.

Of course, I am assuming that you are using the secdondary IDE channel of the motherboard.

If the above doesn't work, contact your local Geek Squad personnel, and I am certain they'll charge you beaucoups of money to correct any found errors.

OR

You can google the key words and determine what is correct.

There's tons of information here on this site - read the forums and learn how to do for yourself before asking questions that have been asked multiple times.

Learn your machine. If Dell can't teach you, and you're brave enough to crack the case: Locate the motherboard information, go to www.google.com and do a search. You'll learn tons.

As to the Dell 2400: Plenty of machine for burning:

2.4Ghz Celeron

ONLY 256 MB RAM - not enough - needs more, but not a deal breaker

Likely 300 to 350 watt PSU - will die in the end, needs upgrade

Likely 60 to 80 GB HDD - will need frequent defragment.

I only have one piece of advice if you want to go further:

Abandon asking questions.

Go to the Forum.

Do a search, and read ALL the answers.

You'll learn

You'll stop asking questions

You'lll eventually start helping others.

[plasma george]

Don't you just love 'unknown' errors. It sounds like you have the DV video transfered to your computer OK.
Nero Info Tool should also give you some info on your DVD drive: http://www.nero.com/nero6/eng/Info_Tool.html

For real quick and easy for DV to DVD, you might try ConvertXToDVD or the freeware DivxToDVD. I use it for a quick conversion to DVD format at times.

You can still use Movie Maker to edit, but you will need to output as DV and use that file to encode to DVD video.

BTW, a lot of purchasers of miniDVD cameras wish they hadn't bought them. DV tape is usually a better option.

And welcome to our forums.

OMG, this was great...convertxtodvd.
It worked !...so my connections are OK.

I'll look to edit in MovieMaker, then buy convertxtodvd for burning.
Is there any reason I shouldn't use that for burning ?
Class, thanks for Forum101.