Screwy +RW compatibilty results

[Richkut]

My problem is that my Panasonic RV-31 set top player used to recognize and play DVD+RWs (it will play DVD+Rs and DVD-Rs until the cows come home, but so will every other player I ever have tried!). While it sometimes struggled, it nevertheless played DVD+RWs until a few weeks ago. Now, all that it does is make groaning noises when +RWs are inserted, and ultimately fails to read these re-recordables. It doesn't matter if the +RWs were recorded in my Phlips 985A or on my HP 300i PC burner!! On another note: +RWs recorded with my 985 TUNER will play on my Cyberhome 300 and my Mom's new Apex DVD Player/VCR, but WILL NOT recognize +RWs if recorded via my 985's Firewire input (these latter +RWs must be modified via DVD Movie Factory's +VR record mode by rewriting the +RW without any menus or with menus I select to replace the proprietary Philips menus). And what about the proprietary VIDEO_RM folder that the 985 creates--is this for their proprietary menu system? Furthermore, I though that the Apex systems will play just about anything--well, my Mom's will not play DVD+RWs created on my PC or via my 985's Firewire input, but WILL play all +Rs AND 985 +RW recordings made via its tuner! Talk about compatibility or lack thereof!! I was informed on another Forum that re-recording via Nero (copy DVD files to HD and reburning these files on a +RW using Nero) or reauthoring via DVD Shrink might solve this compatibility issue. Can anyone else reading this here confirm with a variety of other circumstances, such as those in my case and others? If anyone has a chance to check this out before I do (READ:BUSY), please let me know; otherwise, when I get to it, I get to it!! Any other ideas on how to force better compatibility??!!

[tompika]

Here is a HP utility for bitsetting (RNM must be installed)
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareDownloadIndex?product=241023&os=228&lang=en...tem=dv-13024-1


Or there are many threads about flashing your drive with Nec1300 firmwares and doing bitsetting that way.
Search www.herrie.org and http://tdb.rpc1.org/

[qpskfec]

This sounds like a media issue to me. You didn't mention whether you changed media or if the panasonic players refuse to play any +rw or just some of them. If it doesn't play any +rw discs, try cleaning the dvd player and/or the disc.

I have a Sony dvd player that occasionally gives the a "dirty disc" error when playing a +rw. If I unplug the dvd player to reset it and clean the disc, it generally works.

I have a 985 and an Apex 1500 player. The Apex plays almost all discs made on the 985, but occasionally will not like a disc or two.

[Richkut]

tompika: I forgot to mention that changing bitsettings did not affect a thing--Neither DVD+RW or DVD-ROM bitsettings affected the outcome!

qpskfec: I tried about a half dozen different manufacturers' blank DVDs to no avail. Besides, all +R and rented DVDs play just fine on the aforementioned machines!

Thanks for your thoughts, ideas and suggestions, even though they did no solve the problem!! Anyone else with any other ideas, expereinces, etc.??

[tompika]

tompika: I forgot to mention that changing bitsettings did not affect a thing--Neither DVD+RW or DVD-ROM bitsettings affected the outcome!

Tried to set the booktype of the DVD+RW to DVD-R or DVD-RW?

[lenti_75]

dude, is PANASONIC....they suck. the worst dvd players out there....my borther had one, and i used bitsetting on +RW's and worked fine, until, one day, it just stopped working completely.......

I better buy a cyberhome for 35 than a panasonic for free.....

[Richkut]

tompika, I do not believe that a +RW booktype can be changed to any of the MINUS formats--only DVD+RW OR DVD-ROM.

lenti_75, I might just go pick up another Cyberhome 300 if I cannot get the Panny to read my +RWs. I am in the middle of several experiments, and if they do not work (rerecording/reauthoring) I think instead of racking my brains and wasting any more time for less than 50 bucks the Cyberhome may just do the trick!!

[tompika]

tompika, I do not believe that a +RW booktype can be changed to any of the MINUS formats--only DVD+RW OR DVD-ROM.

Just believe it.

Do a little search about it. Hint: DVDInfo Pro

[Richkut]

I took a look at Nic's latest, per your suggestion. Will the NEC bitsetting work with my HP 300i (a rebadged NEC, or so I am led to believe)?

[tompika]

Have a look at my first post.

[lenti_75]

I took a look at Nic's latest, per your suggestion. Will the NEC bitsetting work with my HP 300i (a rebadged NEC, or so I am led to believe)?

it should work, actually, the nec bitsetting is based on hp firmware....

[Richkut]

The HP bitsetting tool you referred to, tompika, has been installed on my computer (XP) for some time now. It just changes the bitsetting between DVD+RW and DVD-ROM.

lenti_75, I tried the latest DVDINfoPro, and it defaults to trying to alter the Ricoh DVD recorders ONLY. Since I do not have a Ricoh DVD burner, the echoed message back to me from this prog is that my DVD burner is unable to write bitsetting changes--this is BS, for the HP Utility DOES work (buy only alters between +RW and ROM bitsettings, neither of which make any difference to my Panasonic RV-31!).

[tompika]

The HP bitsetting tool you referred to, tompika......

Well, I do know that.
I was referring to the second part of my first post.

[lenti_75]

lenti_75, I tried the latest DVDINfoPro, and it defaults to trying to alter the Ricoh DVD recorders ONLY. .

I use it, on my nec, and works fine....'

I could not find your HP 300i just 300n or300c. one is nec and one is philips

if is a nec, then just flash it with a nec firmware, and then do bitsetting with dvdinfopro.

go here for firmwares...http://forum.rpc1.org/dl_firmware.php?category=4&manufactor=37

[Richkut]

I have confirmed that it is a 300n. So, which NEC firmware upgrade will work and NOT SCREW UP MY HP 300 DVD BURNER? I don't want to be in the market for another DVD burner this soon! HELP!!!! By the way, the SECOND Cyberhome 300 I purchased last evening works like a charm and has played back everything that I have thrown in it (+R, +RW, purchased DVD-Videos). I wish that I could once and for all force my Panny RV31 to read +RWs!!