What DVD format is most common and/or best for smooth playback?

Question

I'm having trouble playing a DVD with my computer's DVD drive (Toshiba DVD-ROM SD-M1302) that was burned with the "+RW" format. It plays back in an extremely choppy manner, locking/freezing up frequently throughout playback. What formats can my computer's DVD player play? How can I get it to play the +RW format properly? The DVD plays perfectly on my parent's home DVD player.

Answer 1

I think it has something to do with your either the graphics card or the memory (HDD free space, physical RAM, Virtual memory).

Start first with increasing your virtual memory and freeing up some disk space. Then play it using the same DVD player connected to another system (better configuration than yours) and see if you have any performace lags. If its better then try and increase the RAM and upgrade the graphics adapter. Otherwise get another DVD rom drive.

Hope this helps....

Answer 2

Copying a DVD is an Art, not a science.

You will have to experiment with differnet programs and DVD blank media. Some DVD players willl NOT play DVD +-RW, but most will play DVD-R and DVD+R.
If you are trying the DVD+-RW, make sure you FINALIZE the compilaiton with the writing software. there should be an option before burning. You might want to try different media brands. I use SONY blank media since it works best in my burner.

If the DVD is choppy and freezes. You need to try again. Try slowing down the burn process. Say you have a 16X burner and blank media. Try burning at 8x or even 4X and see if that makes a difference. Another thing to consider. ALWAYS disable your antivirus or any other scanning programs you have running, like pop up blockers, spyware stoppers, whatever. Lastly, disable your screensaver, you do NOT want it kicking on while you are burning. Do not do anything on your PC while it is burning a DVD, it needs to burn UNINTERRUPTED.

Either way, you will end up with a few coasters until you find a ood methods that works.

Here is a GREAT site for additional DVD burning software and help forums.

http://www.afterdawn.com

Answer 3

DVD-R was the first format designed for home DVD players before there were PC burners
DVD+R was created for DVD burners, and usually play the best on computer DVD players
Most modern DVD home players will play both -R and +R.

If your PC is have problems playing DVDs, you may want to try a different brand. (Not -R instead of +R, but Sony instead of Imigatron) Check the documentation or web site for your burner. They may have a recommended brand.

Also, choppy playback may be a sign of resource issues. You may have too many things running in and the background and/or be low on memory and/or hard drive space. Those will slow playback as the PC is having to work overtime to keep everything running with limited resources.