DVD+RWs going bad

[lmemsm]

I picked up some Sony DVD+RWs. Recorded some material to them using my standalone DVD Recorder. They worked fine watching them on my standalone machine. Brought them over to my computer to copy, demux and author. I got a write error when I tried to read them in my computer. Tried them on two different Plextor DVD drives. When I took them back to my standalone recorder, they no longer worked there either. Is there a way to fix them? Is there a good way around this problem? Do I need to copy everything to DVD-R to get it to my computer to author? It's getting very problematic going to all that trouble to get something recorded on my DVD recorder to DVD+RW, just to lose it before I can do any real authoring with it when I want to transfer to the computer. Any help or suggestions on how to fix my messed up disks and to avoid the problem in the future would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Alan69]

You likely have an option for finalizing discs, try it on your RWs before going to the computer. Finalize writes the table of contents and tells a normal system where everything is, some recorders need to do this for RWs, some keep the contents updated for RWs on their own. No doubt there are a few recorders out there that should do this but don't have the option or do it incorrectly for RWs, and basically their RWs will only be useable on the recorder.

I think most need the finalize now though for RW. My older ILO doesn't though, show up on the computer fine and can't finalize on the recorder..

Alan

[bevills1]

I'd try a different brand of media. I've had good luck with Ridata DVD+RW even though I don't like Ridata +R and -R media.

[jman98]

It's probably an issue with finalization, but I have seen DVD+RW discs go bad with little use. I bought my dad a set of Verbatim DVD+RW discs to use in his DVD recorder and one of the discs was used only once and it got corrupted and had to be thrown away, so there is a small possibility that you might have a bad disc. Verbatim makes excellent quality media so if their +RW discs can go bad, I'm sure anybody's can.

[oldfart13]

What software have you tried to use to transfer the files? I just did a Fuji DVD+RW to computer with DVDFAB and it worked great. I can then burn the files as is with another application or else remove commercials and author a DVD with Tsunami DVD Author. Works for me for many months now....

[David K]

On my Philips +R DVD recorder, one does not need to finalize +RW discs, and it was my understanding that all +R DVD recorders are similar in that way. (One does need to finalize +R discs.)

It may be that you simply have bad +RW media. So try some different brands. But if you're still having problems try the following.

Try DVD decrypter or Isobuster to extract individual titles of the +RW disc.
I get error messages if I try to copy a whole +RW disc, even on +RW discs that are good. The DVD recorder writes something in the opening sectors which my computer cannot read. But the actual individual tracks (the individual show recordings) can be ripped.

[tphaggerty]

I have a Panasoic DVR and it DOES require finalizing DVD+R & R/W for it to be able to read on a computer

[buttzilla]

How many times have you rewriten to these disc? These rw's can only be writen to so many time before they are shot. Based on their cost you are better off buying cheaper media for onetime use of transfering stuff from your set top

[SingSing]

I used DVD+R/W on my DVD recorder, and it typically last 5 to 10 sessions, before write error set in. Most of time, I can see tiny scratches on the disc by then.

I am quite sure those DVD+R/W are still go as data disc.

[lmemsm]

Thanks for all the comments.

With a DVD-RW disk, I need to finalize before my computer can read it. However, I've had
no problem with the DVD+RW in the past. I think I may have gotten a bad batch of
disks as two of them are having problems. One disk, I've only written to it twice and after the second time I couldn't access it. The disks seemed to work fine while they were in the standalone record, they became inaccessible after I tried them in the computer's DVD drive.

I was trying to demux using DVDDecrypter which failed. After that I tried to copy the whole
disk with a couple of different tools and even with the DOS copy command. Looks like the
main Vob file became unreadable. I can't get the title list up in the standalone DVD recorder
any more either.

Been having a lot of trouble with disks going bad in the past too, both write once and RW. I've been trying to buy more reliable media based on the FAQ at digitalfaq.com so I won't have the problem, but it doesn't seem to have helped much. May just be the hot, humid climate in my area.

What's the best way to transfer from a standalone DVD recorder to the computer for further
authoring? I prefer the recording quality of the standalone unit, but the computer really has all the authoring ability.

[David K]

For editing: DVD decrypter or Isobuster to extract individual titles of the +RW disc, then Mpg-VCR to edit out commercials. Then you'll need some sort of DVD authoring program to make a DVD of your edited materials.

As to the fact that your computer drive seems to have problems reading all brands of +RW, it might be that either the laser in your computer drive or your standalone player or both are starting to fail.

[RabidDog]

Most of time, I can see tiny scratches on the disc by then

That sounds like a bad drive in the recorder. I have many (ritek) +rw;s that I have used repeatedly, and they are still going stong. Burnt (always) on the computer and watched on a cheapo player.. I would like to get 8x +RW to speed up the process but I'm not sure my drive can write them. Dont use write once media, think of the environment!

[BobK]

I used DVD+R/W on my DVD recorder, and it typically last 5 to 10 sessions, before write error set in. Most of time, I can see tiny scratches on the disc by then.

I'd have to agree with RabidDog. There's a definite problem if they only last 5-10 sessions. Most of my RWs have been written to from 200 to 500 times (in both my computer and DVD recorder. I've had problems with 2 or 3 disks in the last 3-4 years, the rest are still working.

[David K]

I concur with Bob K's experience.
Most of my RWs last many many re-writes.
A few get error prone after a while, but I've never seen anything like scratches.
You many want to consider a new burner.

By the way Rabiddog, I don't think they have come out with +RW (or -RWs for that matter) faster than 4X.

[lordsmurf]

DVD+RW go bad fast. That's all there is too it. I had a few die on me this week yet again. Turn it over, see if there are any craters in the phase material.

[lmemsm]

From the posts, it sounds like different people are having different luck as to how long a DVD+RW (or DVD-RW) lasts. Am wondering if the max write speed has anything to do with it? The ones I have list max write speed as 16x. Although, I usually set my tools to burn at 4x and my standalone recorder is 1x. Other options that could make things go bad might be climate and/or brand. Those are the main variables I can think of. Would be interesting to comparing some of these factors for those who have been able to reuse DVDs a lot versus those of us who have been finding them going bad very quickly. There's a good list of brand differences at the digitalFAQ.com web site and I've been trying to use the brands they recommend there. How is climate affecting the disks? Anyone in a hot, humid climate having good luck reusing them?

[Jo A]

I've had bad luck with Sony DVD+RW disks. A whole box seems to be bad. Once I try to erase the first time, they don't work, hang the computer, have many errors and basically might as well be junked. I've had other RW's that have been written to numerous times without problems...but they seem to eventually go bad. I'm not sure if my new computer and dvd burner are somewhat at fault. Would someone recommend an external burner that is reliable? Thanks! (I would at least partially suspect the Sony disks were at fault.)

[Dubber]

Same here, Sony DVD+RWs are going bad in no time after recording.
Only difference, a freind of mine was using them for backups on his Unix box.
I told him to stay away from ANYTHING Sony

[lordsmurf]

I would agree on the SONY DVD+RW not being a great choice, but the DVD+R and DVD-R are fine.