Insignia NS DVDR1

[Bluenote58]

I have owned this DVD recorder for about 10 months now. I just started to transfer my home videos of my children which where recorded on VHS tapes. I have tried DVD-R, DVD+R and DVD R/W to record the VHS Tapes to.

When I go to review the DVD in the Insignia DVDR1, it automatically goes to the thumb nail screen instead of auto starting as programed.

Also the new DVD does not play in any other DVD player.

I am new to DVD recording and have little knowledge which DVD type does what. Any help in solving this matter will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

[oldandinthe way]

Have you finalized the media?

[Bluenote58]

I have initialized and finalized when required. Normally all I do is hit the record button and then when all is done, I hit the stop button. I do no more than that.

The manual says on page 19 that DVD-R and DVD+R discs are always formated in "Video Format" which is the same as pre-recorded video DVDs.

DVD RW are formated as "Video Recording" or VR format. Personally I do not know the difference.

I do not understand why the DVD player always go the the thumb nail (chapter) mode when first inserted into the DVD player. I am wondering if I should be naming the chapter to which the home family VHS was recorded.

I have 12 VHS tapes I would like to convert to DVD and present a set to each of my three children. This can not be completed until this problem is solved.

I thank you for you time and help in this matter.

Tim

[oldandinthe way]

If all you do is hit stop you have not finalized. Most players will not play disks which are not finalized,

It is possible that the thumbnail menu is bypassed by the finalization step.

[Bluenote58]

I have attempted to make DVDs in several formats without success. I copied the same VHS tape to the following DVDs in both “Video Recording” and “Video Format”. I initialized and finalized each DVD as require.

DVD-R - Maxwell
DVD+R - Sony
DVD+RW - Verbatim

None of the completed DVDs will play in my GE 1101P Player. This unit was built somewhere around 2000 – 2001. Other store bought DVDs play in this player without any problems. The following is an excerpt from the GE 1101P User Guide of what will not play in the GE DVD player”

The following discs CANNOT be used with this player:
• Laserdiscs
• CD-I, CD-ROM (computer-only discs), CD-RW, DVD-ROM
• Discs recorded using other broadcast standards (i.e. PAL or SECAM)
• CD-G discs play audio only, not graphics

I don not understand what PAL or SECAM really means. Could this be my problem?

I am wondering if I am doing something wrong or are the two players incompatible. Maybe because the GE 1001P being such an older model that the DVDs being recorded in the Insignia NS DVDR1 just will not play in the GE 1101P player.

Thanks again for all your help.

Update: I have been reading about updating internal firmware. I am not too sure on how to accomplish that. Could this solve my problem. If so, how do I do it?

After reading this article, I do not know why I am having a difficult time playing home made DVDs in the GE 1101P player. http://www.fixup.net/tips/ge1101p/ge1101p.htm

[oldandinthe way]

I have initialized and finalized when required. Normally all I do is hit the record button and then when all is done, I hit the stop button. I do no more than that.

Finalization is required after the stop if you are going to read this on a player. See page 28 of your manual.

Also note that EDITED DVD+R are not compatible with standard DVDplayers.

RE firmware updates. I am not aware of the availability of any for this recorder. There are some firmware hacks for LG recorders which work on this recorder. (It is made by LG).

I bought one of these for no money on Ebay some time back but other than a checkout to see it worked haven;t used it much. I have more quipment than time.

[Krispy Kritter]

As oldandinthe way stated, ensure the discs are finalized properly, this cannot be stressed enough.

You should also be using "Video Format" mode for your recordings. Standalone players cannot read VR mode.

Use more than one dvd player (your old GE) before deciding the discs are bad. Many players have trouble reading various brand/types of media. Also, as players age, the laser often becomes less powerful. The first types of discs to have playback issues are recordable media. It's possible your GE is just over the hill.

[Bluenote58]

I am still experiencing problems playing DVDs on the GE 1101P player that were made on the Insignia NS DVDR1 recorder. All store bought DVDs play on the GE machine. I have taken the NS DVDR1 recorer and gone back to manufacturer's setup. I will purchase some DVD -RW discs this weekend and try one more time to make a DVD that will play on the GE1101P unit. I have talked to a Bset Buy employee who has the NS DVDR1 and he has no problem making DVDs. Thanks for all help provided by forum members.