Backed-up DVD plays OK on several players EXCEPT SONY!

[aqk]

A friend recently asked me to make a security backup of the recently released "Siix Feat Undre -Seasn 3" for him.

I used DVDshriink 3.2 and all went OK. Disks compressed to approx 62%-65% of original. I tested (well, watched) complete 5 copied disks on my LG DVD player. No problem. Quality very good (but video not QUITE as good as original).
I made both DVD-R and DVD+R copies just to be sure.
I then gave him his originals and bkup disks back.
The copies would NOT play on his Sony DVD & VHS combo drive. Typically 5 to 10 seconds, then pixellation, then "Loading" message again. The player even had problems EJECTING the disks! Took several minutes of unplugging/replugging unit in and pressing 'Eject' madly.

This was for both the -R and +R sets.
I tried on several other peoples' DVD players. (No Sonys).
Everyone said they played perfectly.

Is there something peculiar about Sonys? Some '2nd level' of encrytion/copy protection? Or is this just a bum machine?
My friend is think of throwing his classy Sony out and getting a LG or Samsung.
-Thanx.

[thevoelk]

My dad's older Sony has issues with cheap media. What kind are you using? Try to get something made in Japan, either Maxell or Taiyo Yuden.

[Mustang.VxD]

Get a different brand. I had two sony changers, one I had replaced for that issue three times and then got a replacement model and I still had the same type of thing. I ended up giving the changer to my parents and purchasing a Denon drive.

[Mustang.VxD]

I tried multiple shrinking and burning programs, cleaned the drives, and used verbatim, fuji, TY, etc... (just so you know)

[aqk]

Thanx fer the quick reply.

I used Maxell as DVD-R, but "Staples" (50 disks for only $17!) as DVD+R.
Both work OK for regular 4 Gig copies of my VHS tapes...

ONE thing I did tho, was print a fancy sticky label (Sometimes glossy, sometimes matte - hey makes it look professional) and put on each disk.
Maybe I'll burn a test copy and NOT add a sticky label onto the CD. Some posts seem to suggest addition of a label screws up reading the DVD sometimes...

[steptoe]

Adding DVD labels is not a good idea, the extra weight will throw the DVD out of balance causing problems

If you insist on having labels, which I know look very good, invest in a CD/DVD printer, which for what they do are very cheap and buy printable DVD media, its not much more expensive

Or buy a DVD LightScribe burner, but the media is pretty expensive at the moment and can only print black and white (at the moment)


I've tried quite a few media over the past couple of years and now stick to Titanium media, it works perfectly for MY needs, a lot of media choice is down to personal preference. If it works for you, there isn't a problem



Also, just what I have read on different forums and from other people who have had Sony DVD players, they are very picky in what media will play with no problems, it appears that the so called cheap and nasty DVD players tend to play virtually anything you put in them, but the expensive top end players tend to be very fussy about what will and won't play

[aqk]

Thanx for the label tip.

But- I can't believe that the added weight of paper will affect the platform mechanism.
Are all Blank DVDs EXACTLY the same weight?
I'm gonna borrow a friend's fine-balance and start weighing some of these brands, with and without labels glued on 'em.

Possibly the label could cause a synchro problem, if the paper were heavier on one side of the disk as it whirls around?
Or maybe the glue affects the optical 'see-through'?

Why would they selll these labels anyhow? Fellowes and others would be out of business soon.

Time to investigate. I'll post my results here of course.

Some brand remarks-
Although Sony is supposedly 'high end', I suspect their products are over-rated, and are now being eclipsed by so-called 'cheap' Korean makes such as LG and Samsung, just as Hyundai is now on a par with Toyota and Honda.
At one time people sneered about cheap Jap products compared to good American stuff.. Now they sneer at cheap Korean and Chinese makes...time to move on, guys...
Thanx.. eagerly awaiting more suggestions as to my Sony problem!