Unable to read DVD-VR on computer

[Farmeroz]

[I spent a couple of hours hunting here for a solution, if it's there kindly direct me with a few key words. Thank You]

I wish to convert old VHS family film to DVD.
I have been lent a LITEON 1105HC+ decoder which I have connected to the VCR.
I can make copies in DVD-VR format (the only allowed format) which will playback on the decoder and my (3+yr old) rebadged liteon DVD standalone no problem at all.
Attempting to read the disk on my computers results in a system freeze only fixable with a powerdown.
This happens whether I use dvd+ or dvd- disks.

I have attempted to read the DVD-VR disks on four machines. Three running W98SE + SP21a and one running XP.
The result is the same. In increasing desperation (on a variety of the machines) I have tried all of:
dvdshrink, roxio, nero6, cyberling power dvd6, fab dvd decryptor, subhash DVDplayer2.4, dvdplayer (lalim), media player and probably a couple more. Obviously explorer too.

I can sometimes get a display of the directory structure (without extensions or anything useful) but this is quickly followed by a freeze.

Drives used:
Machine #1:liteon LH18A (pretty modern), sony DVR-105
Machine #2ony DRU-710-A, generic 54x CD/DVD el cheapo.

Disks have been finalised, I get even less (no crash but no files) when viewing unfinalised disks.

I've spent an absurd number of hours on this with remarkably little result.
Anyone any idea how to read these disks as I need to edit them.

[yoda313]

try different brands of blank dvdrs.

[Farmeroz]

try different brands of blank dvdrs.

Used:
Pioneer 2x DVD-RW
Sony 8x DVD-R (4 disks)
Infiniti 16x DVD-R (4 disks)
Tesco 8x DVD+R (2 disks)

All failed in the same way.

[louv68]

Not positive, but I think FixVTS will recognize DVD-VR

[Farmeroz]

Rephrase:

The disks all replayed fine on decoder and domestic DVD player,
all failed on computers.

[hech54]

How long are the recordings?
My dads crappy Cyberhome recorder had trouble with both 1 hour mode and the LONG 4 or 6 hour modes. A firmware update fixed both problems.
A firmware update is probable NOT in the cards for you....I just mentioned it because the recorder had a major problem recording at certain speeds. They would finalize and play(most of the time) but I could do nothing with them on the computer.

[Bjs]

Without locking up the pc ... , while no disc is in drive ... on the xp system , right click the drive used to read the disc , and disable the autorun features temporarily ... including the idiot dialog box that xp ask's what to do ... insert dvd disc ... then just fire up iso buster after the reading device has stopped flashing the lights .

Isobuster ... see if it can pull the files from disc to pc .
Tmpgenc ... pretty sure it can convert vr , should be vro .

There was a difference between liteon's a while back that brought conflicts ... your recorder is built around the time of the problem .

This could also explain the sony / pioneer issue ... the sony would be best to read the disc's , unless it has done alot of work since new .

As for the generic brand ...

I'm pretty sure I seen somewhere liteon was getting out of the optical drive bussiness ... if true , then it would be a pity .

[Farmeroz]

Not positive, but I think FixVTS will recognize DVD-VR

Unfortunately not, but looks a useful tool.
The problem is that the computers don't seem to get to the files before hanging.
So you never get to fix anything.
Frustrating.

[Farmeroz]

Without locking up the pc ... , while no disc is in drive ... on the xp system , right click the drive used to read the disc , and disable the autorun features temporarily ... including the idiot dialog box that xp ask's what to do ... insert dvd disc ... then just fire up iso buster after the reading device has stopped flashing the lights .

Isobuster ... see if it can pull the files from disc to pc .

Spot on! Isobuster reads the disk just fine. There appears to be three file systems on it.
ISO, UDF and IFO, with copies of the basic .mpeg/.vob file in each one (+other stuff). I think its actually NOT a DVD-VR but a DVD+VR. These must just point to the same file(s) rather than there being three separate (1GB) copies. OTOH people elsewhere have reported only managing a little over 1GB before the decoder barfs. Anyhow, now I can go ahead and extract all the rest of the grainy/low quality family VHS's.

Incidently the isobuster help does say that quite a few dvd-vr disks are peculiar and hard to read on computer drives.

So many thanks to you all, particularly BJS and most particularly I grovel humbly at the feet of Mr Isobuster.

I'm pretty sure I seen somewhere liteon was getting out of the optical drive bussiness ... if true , then it would be a pity .

I hope not. The 18x drive I bought was absurdly cheap and absurdly fast. I suspect that much of their production is rebadged for others (take a look at codes, for example).