Having problems playing DVD's on Panasonic RV-32

[dryfly]

Can anyone help me with this thing (I'm somewhat new to this). I just bought a Sony 530A. I have burned 4 DVD's using DVD shrink and Nero 6.0. They come out fine and play on my computer. But my Panasonic RV-32 (there are many posts about this DVD player and many different stories but everyone claims they can play DVD-R's on it) can't read the DVD-R Memorex discs and the Fuji DVD-R discs it reads but the picture and sound are very choppy. I have also had problems reading VCD's in the past and have never gotten it to play a SVCD. Am I missing a setting in Nero? I assume the discs are fine since I can play them back on the burner. Is this correct? Thanks in advance for any insight.
P.S. American version

[FulciLives]

Try burning with DVD Decrypter instead. Afterall it is free and many (myself included) feel that you can't beat it in terms of quality burning.

The only downside (which really isn't a big deal) is that DVD Decrypter can only burn from an ISO IMAGE file. It can't burn a VIDEO_TS folder with DVD files (IFO, VOB, BUP etc.) without first converting that VIDEO_TS folder into a single ISO IMAGE file.

But not to worry!

There is a freeware program called ImgTools (you want the classic version not any of the other versions) that will make an ISO IMAGE file for you from your VIDEO_TS folder of DVD files.

In fact the newest version of ImgTools classic can even be set-up to auto launch DVD Decrypter and begin burning (just load a DVD disc before hand).

Why do all this?

It is probably the most reliable way to make a properly COMPATABLE (note stress on the word compatable) DVD disc.

If your Panasonic RV-32 still doesn't work burning in this fashion then it could be a media problem. You can rule that out by buying some top notch quality DVD-R discs. I suggest Maxell 4x DVD-R discs or the 4x DVD-R discs made by FUJI that say MADE IN JAPAN (basically the 5 and 10 packs ... stay away from the bigger packs that say MADE IN TAIWAN).

So ... use ImgTools classic and DVD Decrypter + quality media.

That SHOULD work.

If not then your Panasonic is not going to play ANY burnt DVD

FINAL NOTE ... this model works best with DVD-R discs.

THE CATCH!
Please note though that this model went through some changes and it is known that early model RV-32's did not like even properly burnt high-quality DVD-R media whereas later model RV-32's were much better.

So in short nothing you do may help ... for your current player that is.

But these guidelines (if you want to call them that) will help in creating the most compatable DVD-R that you can so that is a good thing and if you still get no joy with your Panny RV-32 then it is time to buy a new DVD player.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

*** EDITED ***
Fixed some spelling/grammer issues blah

[dryfly]

Fulcilives,
First off thanks for your advice, truly much appreciated. Since I am new to this bare with me I am still trying to figure this stuff out. In using DVD Decrypter am I still using DVD shrink beforehand to reduce the size of the media?
On another note why are we using DVD shrink? Aren't the blank DVD's we are buying, 4.7 gigs, and isn't that true of say your typical blockbuster or netflix DVD? If so then why the need to shrink them?
I am trying to learn this game so bare with me. I have read a lot on this site but there is a lot of contradictory information (not putting down the site, it is a great site, but there are a bunch of different contradictions just about my Panasonic DVD player RV-32 alone) so you have to weed through it. I want to educate myself on this stuff and be educated by those more knowledgable than myself (probably most of you).

[bdf24]

First off if your insinuating that your backing up rented DVD's, that's against forum rules and cannot be discussed here!

The next thing is every piece of software, hardware, DVD Player works different for everyone. It's really a matter of finding what works for you. You can't really take into account what works for someone else because most likely there hardware is different. All you can really do is try different things that may be working for others. And hope it works for you. Then you have the difference in media. Even blank disks of the same batch can give different results.

I do things the way FulciLives does them. Take his advice he knows what he's talking about. If you do all this and still cannot play them in your player your most likely going to have to buy a new one. Which is'nt that terrible considering how cheap you can get players for these days.
I had an old Samsung DVD-709 that would'nt play any DVD-R's But others have been able to. So I went and bought a new one.

Oh and to answer your question. I use DVDShrink to shrink the files. Then run them thru IMGtools. Then burn with DVDDecrypter. Done deal!
Or you could set up DVDShrink to output as an ISO file thus skipping the IMGtools part. But I'm not sure if there's a difference in how compatible the disk will be. So I just use IMGtools anyway.

[cbsmooney]

I own the same player and use a sony burner, and the DVD player plays everything except DVD+R and DVD+RW. I have used Memorex and Fugi DVD-Rs and all have played. I use shrink and Clone DVD. Nero is a great program but can be quirky at times. Clone DVD has a free trial. I suggest using shrink and the free trial to see if this will improve your play

[dryfly]

My bad on the wording of a couple of sentences. It was late at night, the Sharks just pulled a win off and I was tired. What I meant to say is in backing up the Videos that I have purchased at blockbuster and best buy aren't they 4.7 gigs. And if so why do I need to use DVD shrink if the blanks I am buring them to are 4.7 gigs?

Oh and to answer your question. I use DVDShrink to shrink the files. Then run them thru IMGtools. Then burn with DVDDecrypter. Done deal!
Or you could set up DVDShrink to output as an ISO file thus skipping the IMGtools part. But I'm not sure if there's a difference in how compatible the disk will be. So I just use IMGtools anyway.
Thanks BDF24 (sorry about the breach of rules on the website, my bad)

[Vanderlow]

Check here to see how to check your RV-32s firmware to see if it is the latest (440), if it isn't 440, upgrade it and this may fix your problem and it will be allot cheaper then buying a new player. It's easy to upgrade. Post back if it works, my sister has this player.


http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=378689

[dryfly]

I actually sold that player to a friend yesterday. He doesn't do any DVD burning and wanted it for his bedroom and plaing CD-R's. I might check it out of curiosity thought. I went and bought one of those little cyberhome 400's it's small but pretty cool and cheap.