Sudden burning problem

[FredrikM]

Please help with this awful burning problem!

I have been successfully burning 32 films to Optodisc DVD-R. They all play beautifully in both my Pioneer 535 stand-alone as well as in both drives in my PC (NEC DVD-ROM + Pioneer 104 DVD burner). Then all of the sudden I make 4 coasters in a row. I can't think of any changes I have made:

-Same ripping procedure; DVDDecrypter -> IfoEdit (VTS sectors) -> If size < 4.7 GB -> Burn, if not strip out streams/chapters -> Burn.

-Same burning software; Nero 5.5.9.9 and Gear Pro DVD 6.0.

My four coasters are from two different films burnt with both Nero and Gear. The Pioneer stand-alone does not report an error or something but just keeps spinning the disc until it finally stops and reports DVD on the blue TV screen. It is as if it is somehow unable to get hold of a starting point??? My NEC DVD-ROM will not accept the discs at all. Strangely enough they will play on the PC when inserted in the Pioneer burner.

Trying with a Pioneer DVD-RW it works every time.

Extremely annoying, I was just getting the hang of it when this horrible problem pops up.

Anyone else had this happen or know how to fix the problem?

[rufusrex]

I'll bet you upgraded your firmware as Pioneer recommends. I had the exact same problem with Optodiscs, worked fine before, after upgrade can still write but DVD players can't read them. See post
http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=34126

Luckily other DVD-R work great. I am curently using Accu from CDRDVDRMEDIA. They are very cheap and very dependable.

[FredrikM]

Sure did the "upgrade", damn it! Strange though, I actually managed to burn quite a few Optodiscs with fw 1.32 until it yesterday stopped working. Now I guess I have a collection of 40 useless blank Optodiscs...

Thanks for pointing out that thread, it didn't turn up in my search. One question: did you ever try to downgrade to fw 1.20 again? I'm a little put off by all the warnings everywhere not to fiddle around with the firmware "unless you know what you do" (I sure don't). Also, on the Accu discs; what stand alone player do you have, wouldn't want to order any more discs that won't play in my Pioneer.

[rufusrex]

I don't think it's possible to to downgrade the firmware. I've tried all the utils out there and they don't work.

I am using a junky Genica DVD player and an Apex 500W player with my Accus. Also, the DVD ROM drive on my PC can read them which isn't supposed to be able to read DVD-Rs. Do a search on accu for more info. So far I've had great luck with them, but other people swear bt Ritek. Riteks are a little more $, but not much. I've tried a sampler pack from Meritline and the only DVD in the bunch that gave me trouble was a X2 Meritline disc that ADVDINFO identified as a TDK disc. You can try a 25 pack of accu or Ritek fairly cheaply, I ordered a 25 pack with DVD cases for $30.25 delivered from CDRDVDMEDIA and they worked so well I just ordered a 200 pack.

[FredrikM]

Yeah, I did some researching and I think you're right - only firmware 1.31 and earlier can be downgraded. Oh well, I guess I'll just order a 25 pack of Ritek.

Thanks

Fredrik

[alexnoe]

Are the coaster discs made by the same manufacturer as the others? I have a Optodisc made by Vivastar, which is :angry:

[FredrikM]

No, my coasters are "LEAD D..ATA" whereas rufusrex identified his as "OPTODISC". See http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=35511.