I record tv programs on my samsung dvd recorder. I try to play the dvd on another dvd player and it won't play

Question

I am using a TDK DVD-RW. When I'm done recording I finalize the DVD. When I place the DVD in the 2nd DVD player it just gives me an error message. My 2nd dvd player is a samsung. Both DVD players are brand new. What am I doing wrong?

Answer 1

Even though they are the same brand, check the 2nd dvd player's manual to see if it is compatible with DVD-R and DVD-RW discs. It might not be.

Also, you might not be doing anything wrong. Sometimes a player won't read discs of a certain brand. Or that particular dvd might be scratched in a bad location. You could also try other brands of DVD-RWs, or even try DVD-Rs.

If you order off the internet, try to get Taiyo Yuden dvds, they are high quality (not that TDK are a generic brand), and most hard core users like this brand the most. Make sure you get authentic Taiyo Yudens, which can be found at rima.com, supermediastore.com, and meritline.com. These aren't the only sites, but I know these sites don't sell fakes.

Answer 2

I suspect you may be using blank DVDs (media) that is somehow incompatible.

Deciding which type (ie. R, RW, -, +) isn't enough as the issues go deeper than that. There's also the issue of dyes used in the media which can cause problems the most common being playback sticking at random places for random amounts of time progressively getting worse towards the end of the film.

My mum had this problem when burning her home movies on her Mac and distributing them to other family members.

The best thing I can advise is to visit www.videohelp.com and look up your DVD recorder then using the reviews and comments left by the public, match up the make and type of blank media best suited for it.

Many think that because they are using an expensive brand name for their media that everything will be OK - they're wrong. They also think that one particular make "Taiyo Yuden" media are best - it all depends on your DVD recorder/burner and what media are best suited.

I've just replaced my DVD burner in my PC and the DVD player in the living quarters and have luckily managed to match up the replacements so I won't have playback problems with existing burnt movies. Every single one plays fine .

Here's some more suggestions to add:

Maybe it's a simple issue of (+) or (-) , or an (R) and (RW) for the discs accepted by each player. You may be, for example, burning a (+) disc, then loading it onto another player that only accepts (-) discs. Check compatibility of disc formats.

Maybe you are recording in VR mode instead of Video mode. This will cause problems with other players for sure.

If not any of the above, here's another suggestion that should solve your problem, although it's a bit more work and I'm not sure what equipment you have.

Transfer the video to your computer via a rewritable (RW) disc so you can reuse it (or a USB if available). I personally use external hard drives (which are not expensive today) to store my video to work on. Now that you have it on a computer you can use software like Uliead or Nero to edit it, make nicer menus, and burn the final copy properly.

I use a DVR myself to record from television and for digitizing VHS tapes and I love it, but I ALWAYS transfer ALL the video to my computer for the final finishing touches (especially for DivX encoding).

DVRs are great for capturing video, but that's about it. They don't have the flexibility that a PC can give you, and are known to burn discs with limited compatibility.

Answer 3

I can't really say that you are doing anything wrong. DVD recording still has some "bugs" in it. I had the exact same problem with DVD-RW (regardless of brand). In fact, sometimes the -RW discs REFUSED to take the recording in the first place. My Sony DVD recorder will record on DVD+RW or DVD-RW. When I used the +RW disc, I had NO further problems and play back on the recorder or other DVD players was nearly as instant as VCR tape (again, regardless of brand). I was surprised.
Also, are you ready for this? The +RWs automatically "finalize" so you don't have to do that step before playback. The -RW have to be "finalized" manually. At least, that is how it works on my recorder.
Perhaps, there are others reading this who can share their experiences with you. Maybe someone has a "work around" scheme for your brand of recorder.

Answer 4

I bought a DVD recorder from Radio Shack for under $60 and the DVD's play on just about all DVD players. If you have a Radio Shack in your neighborhood, stop in and ask about the Recorders that they have in stock. Most of the guys, and girls, at Radio Shack are pretty informed about these recorders. Mine does DVD's and CD's. It also plays back and has MP3 player capabilities. The*Animal

Answer 5

If you are using Windows Movie Maker you can only make CDs. You have to use a video software program like Sony Vegas Video Studio to make DVDs, believe me I found out the hard way when I was making my family Christmas video into a DVD. Make sure you have it on the correct setting before you finalize as well. Hope this helps.