LG GSA 4040B DVD Writer - Please help!

[netsurf]

Hi, first of all, I apologize ahead if I ask the question in the wrong forum.

I just bought the LG GSA-4040B multi-format DVD writer (i think it just came out from LG). I copied a DVD karaoke to a Memorex DVD+R (4x), using elby cloneDVD & slysoft anyDVD (latest versions). The result was I could only play on my computer, but I could not play it on my Panasonic home DVD player (about 1 year old).

I then use 2 Memorex DVD+RW discs (4x) to test: I copied another DVD karaoke to one DVD+RW using cloneDVD only. Then I copied another DVD karaoke to the second DVD+RW using BHA's recording software that came bundled with the writer. The result was the same as the first. I could only play on my computer, but the Panasonic just couldn't read it.

I brought all 3 discs to the neighbor's and tested on their Apex DVD player. It couldn't read either.

I have been trying to find the cause: could it be the LG writer? or could it be just the Memorex discs. But Memorex makes pretty good discs. I have no problem with its CDR/RW. If you have any idea what the problem could be, please shed some light.

Thank you very much in advance!

[chill007]

I also own the LG4040B DVD writer and have had absolutely no problems once I learned how to properly back up a DVD.

I haven't copied a karaoke DVD before, but you should try and backup one of your DVD movies using DVDShrink and then CopyToDVD (both great for newbies and you can get Shrink for free and a free demo version of CopyToDVD).

Burn the backup and test in your DVD player...if it works, then it means that you are just making a mistake in the way you are copying the karaoke DVD.

It could also be a media issue...(check the compatibilty of the media with your player on this site)...I've been using 4X Princos and 4X Riteks (both plus and minus)...

[netsurf]

hi chill: thank you very much for your response, especially the confirmation on the LG4040B.

my panasonic does support the dvd+r format because the neighbor's kid burned one for me. it was, i believe, a ripped copied that he downloaded and then burned to the disc, and that worked. i just don't understand why the cloning/copying process doesn't work. a DVD karaoke is just like a DVD movie. i just took an original dvd and copied to the dvd+r. that process should work.

i just ripped a dvd to my hard drive. but i don't see ripping to the hard drive (or backing up as you call it) and then burning to the disc would make any difference than copying directly from disc to disc. DVD is certainly more complicated than CD.

have you tried and copied disc to disc? if so, did it work for you?

thanks a lot for your response.

[chill007]

I have indeed copied disc to disc using Nero and it worked fine.

As long as the disc doesn't have any copy protection on it, it should work.

[netsurf]

thanks chill. i'll try it with nero to see.

something aside: this LG 4040B has received very good review from the respected Tom's Hardware website. a lot of people have said it was good. i guess i'll just have to keep trying until i get a disc read in my panasonic player.

thanks again.

if any member reads this and has any suggestion to solve my problem, please give your response. thank you very much!

[Colindale]

???until i get a disc read in my panasonic??

I have one of these burners LG 4040B.

Suggest you buy a cheap DVD player, I bought one a AFK German designed
and made in china, from Coles Supermarket! for $AUS99, it does every thing but fly, plays anything I throw at it DVD-R, DVD+R and DVD+RW, SVCD, VCD's, beats all the expensive players I have owned, including Pioneers!. 8)

All burnt at 4x using DVD Shrink and burnt with Nero, exception DVD+RW.

[davesim]

i have an lg4040b too...i had heaps of probs backing up movies at first as well, i finally got good copies by burning at a slower speed, disc to disc copying sometimes sets the speed automatically so its best to rip to hard drive then burn with a prog that allows you to set the burn speed...worked for me anyway!!

[bluntman72]

Hmm, you must have a bad drive or some bad Memorex +Rs. I've only had good luck with my 4040B and Memorex 4x +Rs. I've backed up about 20 movies, mainly on the Memorex discs, and they've all played on my Panasonic A120 and RP91. I use DVDShrink to rip and CloneDVD to burn at 4x.

[Colindale]

I too have had great success with this burner, only over 20 burns with Princo 4x disc's, TDK 4x DVD-R, no coasters to date!.

Still have to check out the DVD-RAM as yet.

[netsurf]

thank you very much for all of your comments/suggesitons. they are all very helpful info to me. first of, you gave me confidence that this drive is good, so i am going to keep it. secondly you gave me suggestions on what to try. i will have a busy weekend

i was not going to give up anyway, but it was good to get feedback from those who have the same drive.

plus you also gave me info on what brands of media would work. i'd like to try different brands but the whole dvd game is still expensive to play with. but for now, i'll stick with memorex. i've got some maxell, haven't yet tried.

thank you all once again.

[bluntman72]

http://www6.tomshardware.com/storage/20031027/index.html

Our drive faired well at Tom's too!

[netsurf]

i read the review at tom's hardware. looks like this drive is good. i just have to play around with my problem. i also read the list of dvd media on this site. looks like the RW ones have mixed compatibility with the dvd player. so i suppose my panasonic doesn't like the memorex +rw/+r. the memorex +r disc worked in the pioneer dvd player. i just tested out at a friend's.

just an update