Not setting the Region Code?

[EMARTY69]

Is it absolutely necessary to set the region code on a DVD burner? I installed a new burner in my laptop but never set the region. I've always used AnyDVD (before and after the installation) and have been successfully burning for a year. I have been experiencing some burning issues lately and wonder if it's because the region code is not set. The drive is a Toshiba +/-R/RW DL Burner. Any thoughts would be appreciated... Oh, I use DVD Shrink and Nero to burn.

[waheed]

Setting the region does not affect burning in any way.

The only factor it affects is playing a dvd on your PC. As you have AnyDVD installed, this fools your software dvd player into thinking you have a multi-region dvd drive.

IMO I dont think setting a region will affect burning at all.

However, some softwares may require you to set a region.

[pbhalerao]

For burning, there is no necessity to set the region code. This is only required for playing commercial movie DVD's.

[offline]

What burning issues exactly?

[EMARTY69]

Well, after I burn a disc, it ejects it, of course. So, I reinsert the disc to test it, but the computer can't recognize it. Sometimes it will play in my stand alone DVD player (Philips DVP642), sometimes it won't. I tried using TMPGEnc DVD Author to burn (instead of Nero), but a couple of minutes into the burn, I get an error that says something like "unrecognized disc has been inserted." Plus, I can't burn Dual layer discs. Nero freezes when it starts the 2nd layer. Any ideas?

[TaoTeWingChun]

Hi Emarty69,

Could be bad media, bad burn speed (slow it down) or you might have a combination of things happening all at once. Some key points:

- Are the discs all from the same company/spindle/batch? Or are you using different discs from multiple manufacturers?

- What discs are you using? -R? +R? If you're only using one type, does burning the other type work or does this also create a problematic disc?

- You installed a new burner to replace the old one, is that correct? Have you gotten anything to burn successfully using the Toshiba drive? When you installed it, did you update/upgrade Nero as well? If not, likely you need to update Nero to handle DL discs.

- Have you done anything at all to your hardware/software/firmware configuration just prior to the problems anifesting themselves? Sometimes flashing a DVD burner incorrectly renders it completely useless, but also certain software installs can have a similar effect.

- Have you tried burning at a slower speed? If you can, try a DVDRW disc to test and check your burn before committing it to a recordbale disc.

Check these out, and also make sure to disable your Auto Insert Notification in Windoze.

Please post back with your answers so we can narrow it down for you, ok?

Good Luck!

[EMARTY69]

Okay, let's see if I can answer everything... I replaced the DVD Burner in my laptop. It was a Toshiba SD-R6172 (2X DVD-R/RW). Now it is a Toshiba SD-R6472 (8X DVD+/-R/RW Dual-Layer). I have had it for about a year now. At first, I could burn on any type of disc (+/-/DL) with great success using Nero, CopyToDVD, TDA, etc. However, for a month now, no type of disc is readable (once burned successfully) on my laptop. Only some +R discs play on my stand alone player. Sometimes the blank -R discs (before burning) aren't even recognized by Windows. Is this an issue with the Autoplay function in WinXP? I do have it enabled. I'll change that...

Nero is up to date...
No major changes to system (I DO use windows update...)
Media: I always stick with TDK or Memorex +R's. Tried Sony -R's which were on special, but none of them were recognized!
Tried slower burn speed, too.

I can't think of anything else. Oh, yes, I have successfully authored DL discs in the past.

Thanks!

[TaoTeWingChun]

OK, definitely disable Auto Insert Notification.

Next, tell me what Nero reports as your firmware version (use the little Drive Info button to get the info, or select 'Recorder - Choose Recorder...', or just hit CTRL + R and select your recorder from the list, then jot down the details for the Firmware Version and let us know.

One last thing - on these slim-line drives for laptops, the burning lens is often exposed directly to the air when you pull the tray oout. Can you please try using a lens cleaner on it and then attempt a burn on an RW DVD disc and see if that works? I know I had an issue with a buddy's HP DVD-R/W/CD-R/W drive combo and a good cleaning did the trick. Sorry to state the obvious but it's better to start with the simple first.

Post back and let us know, ok Bud?

[EMARTY69]

This is what Nero reports...

Firmware version: TU51
Buffer Size: 2MB
Date: 11/02/04

PS - I will get some lens cleaner later on tonight and report back...

[Skith]

I would recommend trying a blast or two of canned air first. If you do use lense cleaner, be sure to use a lint free tool/cloth made for cleaning high precision optics.

[EMARTY69]

Thanks! Hopefully that'll work...

[EMARTY69]

OK! Didn't clean the lens, but removed Nero, removed Adaptec ASPI, and installed CopyToDVD. Working great! As much as I love Nero, it's never been 100% reliable. Too bad, $70 bucks down the drain... Anyway, thanks for all the advice. I really appreciate it.