Explanation of why a copy of a scratched DVD can be better than the origina

[dstocks]

I have observed that I can have a DVD that is essentially unplayable because of scratches and make a copy of that scratched DVD onto a new DVD and the new copy plays perfectly. Because it is a digital recording and not analogue, this does not really surprise me, but I do not understand the process well enough to be able to describe why this is so to my wife. Can someone please offer a explanation of the process involved that enables this phenomenon? Thank you.

[jimmalenko]

Will your wife understand if you tell her ?

[redwudz]

Probably because a PC DVD reader does a better job reading a scratched DVD than a set top player.

It might also be related to the reading or copy program used. The program may be skipping over small errors and when the backup disc is burned, you don't notice the momentary missing video on the backup copy. But that's not as likely as just a better reader.

And welcome to our forums.

[dstocks]

Thank you

[AlanHK]

A backup application may slow down reading, or reread (certainly serious recovery apps like Isopuzzle do this) until it gets the data. A player will try to keep going at constant speed. If it can't get the data as needed, it just fails or fakes it.