Computer Does Not Read Fianlized DVDs

[BillP2]

I'm using a Sony RDR-GXD455 to dub some tapes to DVD +R discs.

The finalized discs play well in a number of different DVD players, but when placed in the DVD drive of a computer, the computer does not see anything on the discs.

Any thoughts as to what is happening and if there is a fix for the problem would be appreciated.

------------------- Bill

[wabjxo]

Your computer only reads DVD-R?

[BillP2]

No, the computer does not have a problem reading DVD +R discs from sources other than the Sony RDR-GXD455.

---------------------- Bill

[hech54]

Does the Sony have different modes of recording?...like Video Mode vs. something else?

[wabjxo]

Does the Sony have different modes of recording?...like Video Mode vs. something else?

Yes, this Sony does have VR-mode recording. Check a disc that works and one that doesn't and see if one of them is rec in VR-mode, which your computer might like better?

[wabjxo]

BillP2, does your Sony have an HD tuner? When I looked it up, the mktg lit says it does.

If so, can you view true HDTV thru the Son'y tuner w/o upconverting, and I have to assume it records in SDTV?

[BillP2]

Yes, this Sony does have VR-mode recording. Check a disc that works and one that doesn't and see if one of them is rec in VR-mode, which your computer might like better?

I don't know how to determine the mode of a given disc.

If so, can you view true HDTV thru the Son'y tuner w/o upconverting, and I have to assume it records in SDTV?

Right now, I'm just feeding composite video out from the Sony so I can see the menus and cue up the material being recorded, so it's feeding 480i to the monitor. If I set the input to the ATSC tuner, it does feed out in the proper aspect ratio, albeit in 480i.

I intend to pick up a HDMI cable for the Sony's output just to see how well it up-converts DVDs. We'll see then if it passes HD OTA out to the monitor.

Yes, it only records SD.

--------------- Bill

[hech54]

Yes, this Sony does have VR-mode recording. Check a disc that works and one that doesn't and see if one of them is rec in VR-mode, which your computer might like better?

I don't know how to determine the mode of a given disc.

According to the manual (available online) the machine
automatically formats discs to the proper VIDEO MODE...
but then contradicts itself later in the same manual.

I have a feeling it's not a VR Mode problem.
Did you happen to record this disc at the lowest possible quality setting
(highest number of minutes allowed on the disc)?
My computer hated those discs too from my Philips.

[Billf2099]

By 'not read' do you mean 'not play'? My computer does not like disks from my philips recorder, ie, does not play them because of the somewhat bizarre structure they have, but it can read them as a drive letter. So did you check in explorer to see if you could read information off the disk? If so then you have a chance of doing something with the information. I found it to be more of a problem with RW's then R's if that's a clue.

[BillP2]

I have a feeling it's not a VR Mode problem.
Did you happen to record this disc at the lowest possible quality setting
(highest number of minutes allowed on the disc)?

Since the manual seems to indicate that VM mode is only available when recording to a -RW disc, I would agree that it is not a factor for my +R discs.

The problem exists on all of the discs I've burned, including 1.5 hr and 2 hr modes.

By 'not read' do you mean 'not play'?

What I mean is that the computer seems to think these discs do not contain any files. Windows Explorer does not show any files structure such as a VIDEO_TS or VIDEO_RM folder, while discs recorded on other recorders (the CyberHome CH 1600 or the computer's DVD drive for instance) can be read by Windows Explorer. Needless to say, the discs from the Sony will not play in the computer.

Just to see what happens, later today I'll record a -R disc and and a +RW disc and see how they work on the computer.

-------------------------- Bill

[hech54]

Windows Explorer does not show any files structure such as a VIDEO_TS or VIDEO_RM folder, while discs recorded on other recorders (the CyberHome CH 1600 or the computer's DVD drive for instance) can be read by Windows Explorer. Needless to say, the discs from the Sony will not play in the computer.

Just to see what happens, later today I'll record a -R disc and and a +RW disc and see how they work on the computer.

-------------------------- Bill

Wow...that's like....completely backwards...
One of the only recorded discs I couldn't read was from my dad's Cyberhome recorder.

[usually_quiet]

Windows won't recognize unfinalized discs from my recorder. but I can use ISO Buster (Free) to open them, even when the disc has failed during recording. The only time ISO Buster was unable to see anything was when a disc failed during finalization.

I would try ISO Buster (Free or Pro), ISO Puzzle or other CD/DVD recovery utility to find out what is on the discs. They won't play the discs, but will reveal the file structure. After that maybe someone can help you to figure out what to do next.

[BillP2]

I'll download ISOBuster and see what it sees.

Meanwhile, I did record to a DVD -R disc and a DVD +RW disc. Both are readable (and playable) in my computer.

--------------------- Bill

[usually_quiet]

A vague memory just bubbled to the top of my mind. I don't have a DVD recorder capable of using DVD+R or DVD+RW, so I never payed much attention to it, but I half-remember something about the book type setting used causing problems for some people burning these types of media. Something about changing it to DVD-ROM for improved compatibility?

[BillP2]

OK, I've used ISOBuster to look at discs that will read in the computer and discs that will not read in the computer (remember that all will play in DVD players).

The consistent difference is that those that will read say "Session 1" after the first disc symbol down from the top while those that will not read in the computer say "Open Session 1" in that position.

Since all of these discs were "finalized" after recording, why would those recorded on +R discs still be open while the +RW and +R discs are not?

Any thoughts on this?

------------------------- Bill

[hech54]

Either something strange happened during finalizing.....or the recorder just doesn't like that disc.
I own a +R exclusive Philips recorder and have NEVER had any noticeable compatibility differences between +R and -R (burned on my computer)...so please ignore the barrage of stupidity that is starting to come your way about +R.
There has GOT to be an explaination we are overlooking. It could be that the brand of +R disc you bought is just crap or the machine doesn't like that brand. Stick it back in the Sony and run through the menu....Sony hasn't gone THAT far down the tubes.



OH....this may sound dumb but have you tried opening it with DVDShrink?
Yea I know....it doesn't require shrinking but DVDShrink once added a "fix"
for stubborn DVD recorder recorded discs....it was LONG before your Sony was
born but it may be worth a shot.

[Billf2099]

Multiple session disks are notorious for being difficult to impossible to read using windows. That might be the problem. The DVD Shrink suggestion is a good one actually. Standalone recorders are ... a pain.
For mine I use Sony brand +RW's and Verbatim +R's. Because the lunatic thing actually had trouble with verbatim and all other -r's. Plays them fine, records them... not so good.

[BillP2]

It could be that the brand of +R disc you bought is just crap or the machine doesn't like that brand. Stick it back in the Sony and run through the menu....Sony hasn't gone THAT far down the tubes.

The +R discs I've been using are Verbatim.

I've tried putting them back into the Sony to see if anything could be done through the machine's menu, but everything but timer functions are grayed out when these finalized discs are returned to the machine.

I'll have to download DVDShrink and see what might be done with the discs that will not read in the computer. It may be a day or two, but I'll post what I find.

I suppose it's not really that big a problem, since the only reason to read them in the computer would be to make copies of these old "home movies" for other family members. In the future, I'll lay in a supply of -R Verbatim or Memorex discs for transfers made with the Sony machine.

It just kind of bugs me that the Sony was not a wise purchase.

-------------------- Bill

[usually_quiet]

Your Sony probably is not an especially unwise purchase. In case you don't already know, most DVD recorders have some kind of quirk or weakness, often more than one.

If something on those problem discs is irreplaceable, and DVD Shrink can't help you, ISO Buster can likely recover it. It may not be as easy as using DVD Shrink, but it probably can be cone.

As for book type, I brought it up hoping some one would know more about it. I remember that the subject used to come up as a possible reason why some DVD+R discs were unreadable by some DVD players or DVD drives, but as I said, I don't remember all that well. It seems like sombody might have thought I was being critical of +R/+RW media, or that I was being snide, and took offense, but that's not the case. For the record I have nothing against that type of media. I just don't have the option of using it, at present.

[BillP2]

I've now tried DVDShrink and, just as Windows Explorer, it doesn't think a disc is even in the drive.

Since I still have the original tapes, there are a number of ways to make additional copies if need be.

Thanks to all for their consideration of this problem.

---------------------- Bill

[[_chef_]]

Does the Sony have different modes of recording?...like Video Mode vs. something else?

Yes, this Sony does have VR-mode recording. Check a disc that works and one that doesn't and see if one of them is rec in VR-mode, which your computer might like better?

And the computer / drive which should read those discs has to have VR drivers installed FIRST!!