Help me copy from VHS to DVD+r ti work in both PC and DVD player.

[sayger2]

I have a Magnavox ZV420MW8 VHS with which I am easily able to convert DVS tapes to DVD+R and they work well on the DVD player - but not in my PC - with which I would like to edit and copy to labellable DVD's. If I am on the wrong forum, please advise. S Sayger, MS

[PuzZLeR]

Are they finalized?

Finalization in many ways is like a translation to a common standard otherwise they may only work on the original player that created them.

[classfour]

Do you have the proper codecs installed to play a DVD? and even the proper type of drive?

Download MediaPlayerClassic and see if the DVD will play - windows media player sometimes chokes.

You may want to try mediaplayerclassichomecinema as well.

After this, you may want to learn how to author - and have motion menus and the other "good stuff".

I thought that an unfinalized disc would not play on a DVD player, but sometimes on the PC??

UNLESS: you're playing them back on the DVD RECORDER that recorded them???????????????

If that's the case - back up and look at the process.

[PuzZLeR]

I thought that an unfinalized disc would not play on a DVD player, but sometimes on the PC??

UNLESS: you're playing them back on the DVD RECORDER that recorded them???????????????

If that's the case - back up and look at the process.

I made an assumption as such because he/she said "the" DvD player, which in context of the sentence sounds like only the DvD player of the recorder of which it was created on.

Otherwise, if it's another DvD player that plays them well, but not the PC, I'd too say try other software on the PC first to see if it's a decoder issue before anything else.

[sayger2]

I believe I mentioned that the DVD's will play on my DVD (video) player = and on others as well = and they are finalized. The PC does not even recognize that I have inserted a DVD when I do so but the writer has has performed perfectly otherwise.

[PuzZLeR]

Mentioned it? ... unless there's edits later....

Ok.

Does your PC's drive currently recognize other discs - other DvDs not from your recorder, CDs, etc?

[sayger2]

Thanks for your reply. Yes, my PC drive has played DVD's from several sources w/ no problem. In my original post I should have stated "I am able to easily convert "VCS" tapes to DVD, Finalize and play in the same device -- but not in my PC DVD Rom. Or other PC DVD drives either for that matter. They are definitely finalized tho -- the process is very simple (even for me, a 71 yr old) to complete on the Magnavox and I have many such tapes to convert. Must have the info to make them readable in PC in order to edit with Photoshop Premier and Elements.
Thanks

[PuzZLeR]

Hi again.

Ok, so your PC drive, and other PC drives, are not defective since they play pretty much everything but the Mag discs. And the Mag discs play in other DvD players but not the PC drives. And all discs are finalized. Ok, I think I got it now.

Is it A) a system issue that doesn't even recognize them in "My Computer", or B) they're there but just don't play?

If it's A): then, assuming your other DvD players see final menus, etc., do you think maybe your PC drive is older and can't play a certain format, such as maybe + media, or RW media? Maybe you can try a different disc in your Mag that your PC drive supports.

If it's B) then try a different decoder: VLC, MPHC among others.

As well, do you have Nero? If you only care to rip out the streams for other programs, another suggestion I can recommend for stubborn, even unfinalized or unrecognizable, discs is NeroVision. Using Import it can locate the titles on the disc and rip them to .mpg files so you can use later.

[sayger2]

Certainly you know your stuff there - but I have a new (1 yr) model #: p6120t w/ Software Build #: 93NAv3PcA5 , Pavilion running Windows 7 (upgraded from Vista). The instructions with the Mag were that I should use +R DVD's and that is what I use. The Mag is about five years old. Is it possible that is the problem>? Or do you suggest other type DVD's? All your suggestions are very much appreciated.
S Sayger

[sayger2]

OH, sorry - I failed to mention that my PC does not even acknowledge that the DVD is in the drive - so it is that part of A)! Not sure if I mentioned that other PC's do the same thing with them?

[PuzZLeR]

Apparently your HP, according to one source, is equipped with a blu-ray player. I can't see how this would be a problem with DvD media of any type.

Do you have Nero though (some PCs have an OEM version)? If so, you can run InfoTool and it will tell you exactly what your PC's drive is capable of supporting. I'm sure there are free tools similar to this app if you don't have Nero, hopefully someone may know of one.

And yes, you did mention that these discs don't play on other PCs' drives as well. This makes me awfully suspicious of the content your Mag is creating. If you're finalizing, do you see menus on other DvD players where they do play? As well, can I get you to try a Minus disc in your Mag if it supports it, and try that in your PC?

[sayger2]

Hey thanks much for another post. I have tried DVD-r and nogo there. I don't have Nero now - using Photoshop Premier and Elements and am loving that. I've been suprised that there is not a file on my PC to open the files but nogo there as well. I do appreciate your help. I' m just an old guy lerning this late in life and have a long way to go!!
Thanks
Oh, and yes, this PC does write to Blu Ray.
e

[PuzZLeR]

Ah, you can still enjoy this stuff at your age. Most regulars here are older too.

No disrespect, but are you sure you're finalizing the disc correctly? All reasons seem to point to this, and the other reason could be that your Mag isn't outputting compliant discs.

Do the Mag discs show menus on other DvD players that do accept them?

As well, has your PC ever played a Mag disc and this just happened? Or you've never gotten one Mag disc yet to play on a PC drive?

Another thing, which part of the world are you from? Could it be a region, or NTSC/PAL conflict between your Mag and your PC's drive?

[sayger2]

Thanks again Friend! I live in Mississippi, (Central Standard Daylight Savings Time) so I use the standard Western style recording. I follow the manual exactly each and every time I record a disc. I've checked the process as carefully as possible and get the same results. Do you suppose it is possible to change the format for the output of the Mag>? As to the finalizing, the menu asks before each recording if I want to finalize and I check "yes" each time. Today, I am using DvD+RW to see if that will make difference. and am withing minutes of finding that out as I have been recording this AM. At the moment, the disc is finalizing. - - - - - (10 min later) - - - - I am extremely happy to tell you that the DvD RW disc has recorded perfectly, plays on the Pc AND on the Video player!!! For some unknown reason, the RW thing has done the trick. The manual did instruct me to use DvD+r OR RW - and NOT DvD-R (which of course, I did not!). I do so appreciate all your time and help and am sorry to have had to involve you in this process. I feel as tho I have used a Cadillac to accomplish something I could have done with a bicycle!!! You are an encouragement to many I'm sure and your ability and willingness are greatly appreciated here in Mississippi. I don't know if there is any process whereby I may give you a "*" but if there is, you have it!
Thanks
S Sayger
Hernando, MS

[PuzZLeR]

Well, as a precaution, I did mention to try MINUS media only if your player supports it. Wouldn't want to screw it up.

I'm glad you found your solution. Now it's a breeze for you to migrate content onto your PC for further processing. I figured a problem as this is either finalization, disc type or region type assuming nothing is defective. It's beyond me though why RW media is recognized over R media by your PC's drive. It must be a different way your Mag finalizes each disc. But 10 minutes for a finalization? Sounds a bit long for a stand-alone to me.

And don't worry about any star, or rating. This Forum doesn't work that way. The reason I attempt to help anybody is because many have helped me here before, and will again if I again need help, so I give back. I also do love video as well.

I do appreciate your gratitude though.

[sayger2]

Well, thans again for your great help!
Sam