How do I finalize a DVD?

Question

I have a few backups on DVD that my drive can't read. I suspect it's because I haven't finalized the disc. How do I finalize a DVD manually?

I've already burned the disc, so suggestions to 'check the box when I burn' are not helpful.

Answer 1

You can't finalize a disc that you've already filled up. Throw it away, and don't make that mistake the next time you burn any disc, because they all have to be finalized.

IF, however, you have any space at all left on the disc, you can write a small file or two to the disc, and select "finalize" or "close out" the disc this time. In some newer versions of Nero, it will just be called "No multisession", which is ignorant, but it still works.

Answer 2

Data discs don't need to be finalized. In fact, when you use your computer to burn movies, they don't need to be manually finalized. DVD burning softwares usually finalize automatically.

Manual finalizing needs to be done when you are using a DVD Recorder to record a video.

If your DVD is not working, it may have been corrupted and scratched or something. Sometimes if data in different formats from different machines at different times is burned, that can corrupt the DVD structure as well which is why your computer can't recognize the DVD.

Honestly, I don't think that you can finalize a DVD manually because if your drive can't even detect the DVD then the only option it will give you is to reformat it. If you have the data available, then try reburning your backups. If possible, go back to the same machine on which you burned the DVD.

Otherwise, I say that you are screwed.
So from now on, whenever you make backups, make sure it is done correctly and the backups are accessible. I too had to learn this the hard way.

In a rare event, your DVD drive is not supposed to read your specific DVD format. For example, if you have only a DVD+R and your DVD is DVD-R or maybe it is a rewriteable disk and your drive cannot read them or something.

Answer 3

I have a dvd recorder that uses the dvd ram discs. These discs can be erased and rerecorded and as best as I can figure they cannot be finalized. However using the plain dvd-r discs when the recorder is finished recording it offers to finalize the disc. These discs can then be played in players that are built for dvd+r discs. Your recorder should ask if you want to finalize.

Answer 4

u shouldnt need to finalize if they are movies.
but if its data this should be on the main box before u choose to burn.

Answer 5

use something like nero ,it will do it automatic

Answer 6

r they dvdrw or just r ? if r only u cant ...only can with rw type...