Burnt DVD's consistently failing in standalone player

[otal]

I have been using burnt DVD’s in my standalone player for some time now with no problems. Recently however, usually about 40-60 mins into the movie the screen will briefly pixelate and then the screen will freeze. The only apparent way to fix the problem is to jump another chapter or 2 in the movie, but even then the problem usually reoccurs. The problem also seems more apparent if the info on the disc has been downloaded as opposed to backed up from an original. I thought it may be my player, (an Onkyo DV SP501), so I tried using my PS2 instead, although this had the same result. If anyone has any suggestions they’d be more than welcome.

[guns1inger]

First suggestion ? Give more details.

1. What is your process ? How do you convert ? What tools do you use ?

2. How do you burn ? Again, what applications and process ?

3. What media do you use ?

4. What hardware and how old is it ?

[louthewiz]

I have been using burnt DVD’s in my standalone player for some time now with no problems. Recently however, usually about 40-60 mins into the movie the screen will briefly pixelate and then the screen will freeze. The only apparent way to fix the problem is to jump another chapter or 2 in the movie, but even then the problem usually reoccurs. The problem also seems more apparent if the info on the disc has been downloaded as opposed to backed up from an original. I thought it may be my player, (an Onkyo DV SP501), so I tried using my PS2 instead, although this had the same result. If anyone has any suggestions they’d be more than welcome.

Stop using cheap media!!

[otal]

When backing up from original purchased DVD, I rip with DVD Decrypter (3.5.4.0). I then use DVD Shrink (3.2.0.15) to encode and burn. When using avi files, I use Nero 7 Ultra Edition to encode and burn.

I use TDK discs as I have found both their CD & DVDs are compatible with my burner, which is a 16X dual layer, Lacie external drive. The driver is about 2 years old.

[guns1inger]

Ditch Nero and use imgburn

Try using Verbatim discs instead of the TDKs

That this is a recent development suggests that you either recently purchased a new spindle of discs, or your drive is on the way out. You might try giving it a clean.

[MysticE]

Well both your players are suspect. A friends Onkyo was just way too picky with burns, he dumped it, as is a ps2. Just burning with Nero or ImgBurn should make no difference, I use them both and have no problems.

As was suggested it might be the media. Todays TDK's aren't the same as yesterdays.

As long as you have Nero, open CD-DVD Speed and do a 'Transfer Rate' test. Ideally you want to see a fairly even line.



This is an example of a good media to burner match that is read easily.

[oldandinthe way]

Have you been running anything else while you burn?

Its easy enough to underrun an external burner with lots of CPU bound activity. 40 minutes into the disk is a point when the data written per rotation is increasing and can swamp an overloaded system.

Although poor quality media can give these symptoms, if you are still working on a spindle of media which has worked in the past and you do not see signs of physical flaws on the media it may be a contributer but not the sole cause.

A two year old DVDwriter may be beginning to show its age. LaCie does not manufacture DVDwriters and it relabels drives of varying quality. Almost all DVDwriters use cheap mechanical parts and they do deteriorate with use.

[tinker]

I have been using burnt DVD’s in my standalone player for some time now with no problems. Recently however, usually about 40-60 mins into the movie the screen will briefly pixelate and then the screen will freeze. The only apparent way to fix the problem is to jump another chapter or 2 in the movie, but even then the problem usually reoccurs. The problem also seems more apparent if the info on the disc has been downloaded as opposed to backed up from an original. I thought it may be my player, (an Onkyo DV SP501), so I tried using my PS2 instead, although this had the same result. If anyone has any suggestions they’d be more than welcome.

I ran into exactly same problem.
The culprit was my DVD burner. No matter what media I used the result was the same. Latest firmware for burner made no difference. Some disks OK, some bad.
The problem was more apparent in burning DL disks.
You can download Nero CD speed
http://www.cdspeed2000.com/download.html
and run your disk through it, that is if your burner supports the function. Most will support Benchmark, but not Disk Quality which is more telling.
I bought Lite-On burner just for that reason. There are other burners supporting that.

[otal]

Re media, if someone could suggest what I should try aside from TDK & Verbatim, (cheers guns1inger!), that would be great. I'm in Australia so other major brands include Sony, (which my drive previously hasn't even recognized), and of course Verbatim.

I ran the benchmark test on an 18 mth old disc and a current one but I'm having trouble pasting the images into my reply?? I should point out that the 18 mth old disc that previously worked fine on the player, no longer does. Both lines on both graphs appear similar to the one posted by MysticE, although they do seem to have some slightly more downward "deviations".

I'm usually always doing other things when I'm ripping, encoding or burning, from surfing the web to using apps such as Adobe Audition.

I am only using SL discs.

A work colleague today recommended buying a $50 Chinese player as according to him, "they play anything"

[tinker]

If your burner will be able to run Disk Quality, do it, it tels you little more about your burn.
It is quite possible that 18 mth old disk had gone dad.
One think I would never do, and I think others will agree with me, is to run other program when burning or encoding.
I do nothing during rip either, but that is my preference.
Verbatim is a good media, I use it without problem, also if you can get hands on Toyio Yuden it would be good.
guns1inger is Australian too, may be he can help here.
Mind you there was some talk about Verbatim being produced in India not heaving consistent quality.
If you suspect your player than give your disk to your friend and see if it will play on his $50 Chinese player.

[oldandinthe way]

Your comment that your writer does not recognize blank Sony media makes me strongly suggest it is the source of the problem. Either due to its own failure or due to another hardware failure like dying power supply.