Recommended way to error check DVD backups???

[dbr1]

I was wondering if anyone had a recommended way to check for errors on DVD backups?

I realized recently that a fair number of DVDs I backed up were bad- they would usually play halfway and then lock up. At least part of the problem was my DVD writer- since then I have replaced it with a nice NEC.

I still would like to test all my DVD backups after I make them, and am not sure of the best way to do this.

What do other people recommend, short of watching the whole movie?

(I have used a freeware CD/DVD check program, but to run this takes about 25 minutes, and even if it says free of errors, does this mean it will play properly? Is there a faster way?)

[2COOL]

Welcome to the forum!

So you reaaalllly want to know if your DVD is up to specs. Even though you got no playback errors and you want to peek behind the stage curtains to see if you are complaint? Well, here's Phillips DVD Verifier (http://www.licensing.philips.com/services/lover/documents1048.html) for you.

[SallyDog]

$500 bucks?? Nah, I'll just watch the movie ;)

[neuron2]

According to forum rule 12, there is no "best" and you are requested to please not make requests for the best anything. Thank you.

[dbr1]

According to forum rule 12, there is no "best" and you are requested to please not make requests for the best anything. Thank you.
OK how about "personal favorite"? Sorry if I offended you or anyone else.


But can you offer any advice regarding my question- how do you check your DVD backups to make sure they work, other than merely watching them?

[setarip_old]

Hi!

Although you may not personally appreciate this, as far as I'm concerned, the ONLY foolproof method IS to watch it...

[dbr1]

Hi!

Although you may not personally appreciate this, as far as I'm concerned, the ONLY foolproof method IS to watch it...

Obviously that is foolproof, but do you know how upsetting it is to watch 2/3rds of a movie and then it becomes unwatchable? If I could prevent that unfortunate scenario I would be happy.

[setarip_old]

Obviously that is foolproof, but do you know how upsetting it is to watch 2/3rds of a movie and then it becomes unwatchable?

I guess we have differing perspectives. I'm of the opinion that it's better to discover that type of situation right after burning, rather than "somewhere down the road" because you interpreted the results of a testing program to mean you've got a good burn - or drive yourself nuts with programs that indicate all sorts of "errors" or manufacturing defects that may have absolutely no effect on playback...

[dbr1]

I guess we have differing perspectives. I'm of the opinion that it's better to discover that type of situation right after burning, rather than "somewhere down the road"

I think you misunderstand me...I agree, I am exactly talking about trying to avoid finding out about the bad burn ASAP, as opposed to later on when I take it out to watch it and discover a problem in mid view.

[setarip_old]

I view my burns immediately, in order to make certain they're okay...

[laserfan]

...(I have used a freeware CD/DVD check program, but to run this takes about 25 minutes, and even if it says free of errors, does this mean it will play properly? Is there a faster way?)Are you referring to Nero CD/DVD Speed? That's what I use, but it doesn't take 25minutes:

http://www.cdspeed2000.com/

It will tell you if any data on your DVD is unreadable. Why don't you try it on one of your bad burns...

[ammck55]

Navigate to and check out the last chapter of your burn; any problems will have shown up by this stage of the burn. If you've gotten ahold of a dodgy batch of discs, slow down your burning speed. If your ripping procedures are solid, bad media or high burning speeds will be the major causes of bad burns.

Find media that your hardware likes and stock up on it. After you've done several error-free burns, you'll develop enough confidence in your media and your software that it will hardly ever be necessary to test them.

ammck55

[Audionut]

http://club.cdfreaks.com/forumdisplay.php?f=61

This site will help you to dermine the results from Nero cd\dvd speed.

[setarip_old]

Navigate to and check out the last chapter of your burn

Although that can frequently point out problems, limiting checking to ONLY that can be very misleading. Problems at the outer edge of a burned DVD (where the end of the movie is usually located) is typically only indicative of poor quality media. Problems from bad burns can occur anywhere on a disc...

[jel]

dbr1,

you can edit the 'best' references from your title and first post by selecting the edit button in your first post and making the necessary changes.

personally i use dvd decrypter/imgburn to burn all my .iso images and use the verify function to check that the disc has no burning errors. i usually then load the burnt disc into my standalone player and navigate through ALL the menus/bonus features etc. then, as mentioned by setarip_old, i usually watch the entire main movie from start to finish, before deleting the files from my computer ... just because you have a sucessful burn, does not negate the fact that you could have encoding/navigation errors.

cheers

j

[dbr1]

Are you referring to Nero CD/DVD Speed? ...

No, something called "DiskCheck"- freeware from a company called EMSA. I think its similar, but I just tried Nero DVD and it seems faster.

[Rockas]

I usually whatch a little of the first and last chapters... and it works! :)

the major (serious) burning problems (when they exist, of course) are, usually, on the beguining and end of DVDs.

[johnhamler1]

try kprobe, with experience u can say where the dvd will freeze!