Problems burning in Nero onto DVD-R (Sony 500AX)

[Llama]

I did a search and couldn't find this exact problem, so here goes:

I have a Sony DRU-500AX. I have a Sony DVD+RW disk for testing and a bunch of Taiyo Yuden DVD-R 2X (from rima.com) for the final burn. I have been using Imgtool Classic and DVD Decrypter to do my burning. However, I've recently started using Scenarist NT and for some reason, the Imgtool/DVD Decypter combo doesn't work for Scenarist output.

So, I try using Nero. Nero burns fine onto the DVD+RW disk and it plays great on a standalone DVD player. However, Nero refuses to burn onto the DVD-R. I tried all of the different modes (wizard, non-wizard different UDF modes, etc) and a few different versions of Nero, and it still won't burn the disk. When it's starting the process, I see the light on the burner blink once, then it does nothing. I have to do a hard reboot in order to regain control of the computer (running Windows XP SP1). Fortunately, it doesn't make a coaster of the disk. Apparantly it doesn't even try to start burning.

I tried using Nero with other program's output (like DVD Shrink) and it's still a no-go on the DVD-R (again, it's fine with the DVD+RW). On a whim, I tried burning with the built-in burner that DVD Lab has. This works great on both the DVD+RW and DVD-R. I find it amusing that the program built for burning won't burn and yet the authoring tool that has burning capabilities as a convienence works great.

I'd be fine with just using DVD-Lab to do my burns except for the fact that I'm running out of days for the free trial period. I'd buy it in a heartbeat if the muxing worked (it skips), but I refuse to pay 80 bucks or whatever it is just to be able to burn.

I have tried the Imgtool burner that uses the Nero stuff to do its burning. It doesn't work either. I haven't tried any other burners. Well, I tried the RecordNow DX that came with the burning awhile ago, but it was crap and I couldn't seem to find any updates for it. I also haven't tried any other disks. I don't feel like spending a bunch of money when I know for a fact that the Taiyo Yudens work just fine with my burner (as evidenced by DVD Decryter and DVD-Lab). So, I'm up for any suggestions on either: a) getting Nero to work with my DVD-Rs or b) getting the Imgtool/DVD Decrypter combo working on Scenarist output. I'm up to trying any burner tools that are either free or that have a free trial so that I can verify that they work.

Sorry for the lengthy post, I just wanted to get all of the details out there the first time around.

[markrb]

I don't like using Nero for my DVD burns. It has left a bad taste in my mouth from all the old problems that some say have been fixed by all the updates. If you must use Nero for DVD (I like it for CD BTW) then make sure you have the latest version.

For DVD burns I prefer RecordNow Max. There are updates out there and you have to have a fairly recent version for it to work on the Sony burner. I have the 500A and without the PXengine update on version 4.5 it will not work.

One thing you should make sure to do when you are creating files with Scenerist. Load the main IFO into IFOEdit and click on create image. This will force IFOEdit to check the directory (must be VIDEO_TS) for errors and will it fix them for you if it can. You don't need to actually create the image, but this may also fix your Nero issue if you burn the IFOEdit image instead of the directory. I have noticed that sometimes Scenerist gives you files that may not be completely correct.

I have had no issues burning -R or +R discs in this way. I also force the burn to 1X(for -R on Ritek media), but that is my preference. I would much rather have a better burn then a faster one.

Mark