Need solution around Windows Vista DVD Maker

[robertcie]

Hello,

I am new to video editting and recently purchased a Gateway media Center computer with a pre-installed version of Windows Vista Ultimate. Using the Windows DVD Maker I am able to burn video and images to a disk but that disk will not load on any of my TV DVD Players. I have a Toshiba DVD Video Player and a Panasonic DVD Video Recorder neither of which will load the disks. It does however load and play on a portable DVD player and Play Station 2.

I have not been sucessful getting an answer from Microsoft. I suspect the format Windows DVD Maker finalizes will not read on the TV Player. It has been suggested that the quality and reflectivity of media I am using might contribute to the problem. I am using Memorex DVD media.

I am looking for a solution around this problem. I thought of purchasing a third party software like Nero or Roxio Creator 9 but I know there are compatibilty issues with Vista.

Can anyone suggest a solution?
Thank you in advance,
Bob

[redwudz]

The first thing I would try is different DVD media. That causes the vast majority of playback problems and is the easiest thing to change. You can look up your media, burner and players to the left and check to see what media others use for them and how your DVD media rates.

Also you may want to visit lordsmurf's site for good media info: http://www.digitalfaq.com/media/index.htm

If you need an authoring program, you might try something like TMPGEnc DVD Author or one of the freeware ones like DVD Authorgui or GUI for dvdauthor.

For burning, try ImgBurn. Nero is major bloatware and not a good authoring or encoding program, IMO. It does OK for just burning. I don't know about Roxio, but I suspect it's similar.

And you might look into this Vista compatibility list for other programs: http://www.iexbeta.com/wiki/index.php/Windows_Vista_Software_Compatibility_List

And welcome to our forums.

[robertcie]

The media was the problem. The Memorex and Playo media I had would burn using Windows DVD Maker but would not load on a Toshiba DVD Player or Panasonic DVD Video Recorder. When I replaced the disk using Sony media, the disk burn and load just fine.

Thank you again for you help.