How Do I Check DVDR for Errors

[jeffy82]

Has anyone heard of any utility out there that can scan a DVDR that I authored/burned to check for errors?

With CDRs, after I burn them and until I have a reliable combination of burner, software, and blank CDR, I will check the burned CDRs with CDR-Diagnostics which will tell me how many errors, recoverable errors, etc.

However, I haven't found a comparable utility when it comes to DVDR. Is this something that cannot be checked or has a utility not come out yet, or am I just blind?

Specifically, I'm having a problem with mini green square corruption - erratically, on SOME dvd home-type players. And I'm not sure if the cause is just dirt, a scratch, or my authoring. (ie Burning speed, or software) I hate to start burning DVDs at $4.00/per to find out half don't work.

Thanks.
jeffy82

[TRILIGHT]

Are your "green squares" showing up randomly or can you repeat the problem? I've never seen this except for once. The only time I saw the "green square corruption" you mention though was when I skipped to other chapters. It still worked but, for a second or so, these weird squares were displayed. I could not figure out how to get rid of it but since it did not affect the overall usability of the disc, I went ahead and burned it to DVDR (I always test on DVDRW first). Strangely enough, it did not happen on the DVDR. Only when burned to the DVDRW. Weird problem but they only time I've seen something similar to what you mention. As for $4 a piece, you should check some sites like cdrecordable.com or meritline.com. Much cheaper media.

[TRILIGHT]

Oh, I forgot... as for your original question, I know RecordNow Max 4.0 has a verify after you burn. Of course, it's rather time-consuming and I've had it report everything was fine when the burn still didn't play right. I guess it just sees if it can read data from all parts of the disc and doesn't necessarily test anything dealing with what you're actually going to see.

It may be time-consuming, but I burn everything to DVDRW first just to make sure I have what I intended. Once I know it works, I burn to DVDR. I use Nero 5.5.8.0 with this method and haven't had a failed burn yet.

[mikeathome]

Hi,

DVD-R/RW Media does play a crucial part in the game.

If you only use the super-duper-very-cheap-noname-crap don't be surprised when it comes to playback irretations.

mike

[jeffy82]

Thanks Trilight,

I hate to admit it, but I also waste a whole hell of a long time Buring EVERYTHING with a DVDRW first. It's just that this process is very time consuming. I also noticed that it makes a difference whether I Quick Erase or Full Erase. Of course the full takes like 45minutes.

And yes, I just bought some DVDRs from Meritline. I didn't want to mention that cause some people would jump at the quick conclusion "Cheap Media". Well, That may be true, but if DVDRs are anything like CDRs, I personally think that the ideal burned DVDR comes from a good marriage of the right combination of DVDR, Burner, & Software.

One thing that I did notice at Meritline, is that they mention in small print 1X DVDRs (Generic $2.50) & 2X DVDRs (Usually the $7.00 Pioneers). I will try only burning DVDR at 1x instead of 2x.

I'm not sure, but so far, I've had the best luck with Nero 5.5.8.2. Over Prassi which came with my Pioneer A03 FW v1.68.

But, once again, I wish I could test the final outcome someway other than manually testing them in my 2 DVD Players. I never know if there are tons of errors, and my DVD players are really good at correcting them, or just the opposite.

Jeffy82 :)

[TRILIGHT]

Believe me, I know the feeling. It's a pain to burn to DVDRW first but I'd rather waste the hour than to waste the DVDR. Hmm... damn that makes me sound cheap. Would rather waste an hour than to waste $2. LOL! ;) Actually, I just find other things to do during the hour. The drive has burn-proof so I can still easily use the system while it's burning or go to the laptop.

What differences have you noticed between quick-erase and full-erase? I personally have only always used the quick-erase. I've burned to this DVDRW a LOT and haven't had a problem with the quick-erase yet.

Well, That may be true, but if DVDRs are anything like CDRs, I personally think that the ideal burned DVDR comes from a good marriage of the right combination of DVDR, Burner, & Software.

I could not agree with you more! So many factors could cause strange anomalies. I really do believe that, more times than not, people that have problems with cheap media may have more than one issue at hand causing inconsistent results. Back in the beginning of CDR, I remember having a LOT more failed burns than people report on DVDR today. It was a lot more costly too with discs being $15 a piece!