Tell Me Where To Go...

[Bodaire]

I use a Pioneer DVD-109 to play and burn DVDs on my computer (WinXP-Pro). I have a Sony stand-alone DVD player. I just got a Pioneer DVR-633 for recording TV shows (my VCR died and I don't want to buy another VCR).

My main use of the 109 has been to keep backups of my DVD movies. It's helped that I've been able to use Shrink to cut out the ads and just store the main movie.

I've had a lot of trouble with my Sony. I kept getting the C:13:00 error. I spent a lot of money on DVD blanks but eventually found that RiData -R blanks worked with the Sony 99% of the time.

Now that I got the 633 the old problems with the Sony have returned. If I store a TV show on a DVD-blank, the Sony refuses to play it. I contacted Pioneer and the techy told me to try different brandname DVD blanks until I found one that would play on the Sony. Those things are expensive in small quantitys, and the -RWs are really expensive.

I found the TDK-RW blanks would play on the Sony. (I also tried Fuji, Maxim and Sony -RW blanks.) Here's the sequence I was hoping would work. 1) Record the show on the 633-hdd and burn it to a TDK-RW. 2) Use Shrink to burn the TDK-RW to a RiData-R (which has been working in the Sony standalone). But Shrink can't get by the encryption that the 633 puts on the disk. And neither can Decrypter from the trials I've run.

I'm knowledgeable about computers but I'm no expert and no techy. Where should I post to get help? Thanks.

Bodaire
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[neuron2]

http://forum.doom9.org/forumdisplay.php?f=73

[setarip_old]

@Bodaire

Hi!

The following info regarding your 633 was gleaned from the Amazon site:
"DVD Video Recording Format (DVD-R/RW, Hard Drive) - DVD-R (Single Layer/Single-Sided, Dual Layer/Single-Sided), DVD-RW (CPRM Compatible), DVD Video, CD, CD-R/RW, Video-CD/ MP3 / WMA / JPEG

The Pioneer DVR-633H-S DVD Recorder with 160 GB Hard Drive features CPRM compatibility DVD-RW VR mode only"

1) Your R/W DVDs are likely in .VRO format, which CAN be read by "TMPGEnc DVD Author". You can obtain a FULLY functional free 30 day trial version of this commercial program at:

www.pegasys-inc.com/en/product/tda.html

2) The crux of your problem appears to be your SONY standalone DVD player. I can suggest to you, based on current and past ownership of SONY standalones, that as far as DVD-Rs, they "like" Maxell and Verbatim brands (REGARDLESS of true Manufacturer's ID) of DVD-Rs and if you can find them, Ridata/Ritek R03 DVD-Rs

3) When burning on your Pioneer 109, I'd suggest you do so at 4x (2x, if possible)

I've had a lot of trouble with my Sony. I kept getting the C:13:00 error.
Have you tried playing these problematic burned DVDs on other (preferably non-SONY) players and/or your PC, to make certain that you've actually burned good DVDs?

[Bodaire]

Thanks for the ideas. I'll try neuron2.

The DVR-633 puts the files to disk in BUF-IFO-VOB format. Decrypter was only highlighting 7 out 10 files and I was letting it "do its thing". When I highlighted all the files, I was able to burn a disk that played on the Sony. So, Decrypter does that job if I highlight all the files.

I tried another TV-show, used Decrypter highlighting all the files, used Shrink to take out any menus added, and burned to disk, just as I had done with the previous one that worked. This time the Sony standalone says "no disk". I can play this disk in the 633 and I can play it with PowerDVD. I don't know what the standalone's problem is and I waste blanks trying to figure it out.

I use the Sony standalone as a test. If a disk plays in the standalone it will probably play at a friend's place if I take it there to talk over a show.

I would consider getting another standalone DVD-player but aren't these players adding more encryption problems the newer they are. And blu-rays are coming out - maybe I should wait and get a player that plays those as well as the regular DVDs.

I have set both RecordNow and Nero to burn at 4x speed. That eliminated some initial problems I had when burning.

I couln't find any R03 marking on the Ridata, the closest thing was R 4.7. I'll definitely try the Maxell and Verbatim blanks because I can get those at a good price.

[setarip_old]

@Bodaire

A minor point of clarification (Probably my pride getting in the way ;>}). The suggestions you've alluded to were made by me, setarip_old.
I have set both RecordNow and Nero to burn at 4x speed. That eliminated some initial problems I had when burning.
Glad to hear that this suggestion proved beneficial.

Let us knwo how things go once you've obtained some Maxells or Verbatims...

[Bodaire]

I know and I appreciate the full and helpful response that solved my problem. I also bought a new (cheap) JVC DVD-player and it plays all the disks that the DVR-633 creates. So all my problems in that area are resolved. I'm also happy that the cheaper DVD-blanks (25cents US when bought in spindles of 100) work with the system.

I'll never buy another Sony DVD-player or CD-player. Both have refused to play most of my backups.

I tried to reply to both posts last time I responded but it looks like I gave the wrong impression. My apologys.

Thanks for the help.