Recording to DVD

[Francis Asis]

I am completely stumped. Hopefully someone can help. My mum and dad have a DVD recorder and video combination machine. I have been usuing it to copy videos of the kids to DVD. I have just opened a new pack of DVDs and they are not recognised by the machine. They are DVD-R which is what the books says the machine takes. The last batch of DVDs I used were DVD-R and I had no problems. I have tried the new discs in my own machine and they are fine. My machine recognises them as DVD-R. What can possibly be the problem?

[Hugh Spencer]

I have a pack of DVDs to use to record but I have to test each one before use to be sure that it will record on my machine - some will some won't. I have been told and have come to accept that this could happen whatever make of DVD you buy. It's a sad situation, really.

[Francis Asis]

That's unbelievable. I don't know what to say to that. Is it worth taking the discs back to the shop?

[Sputnik]

Ah - the vagaries of blank DVD media !!!

You will find there as many people who have issues such as yourself as those who swear by cheap supermarket-branded discs. It's a lottery. However, if you want to improve your chances of a greater success rate, DON'T buy cheap. These discs will almost certainly hail from somewhere like Taiwan or China and will use an inferior dye. The most important aspect is the dye manufacturer...and - guess what - you won't find that out from looking at the packaging!

What is the make of the DVD Recorders/players involved, and what brand of discs are they?

One other thing.....you need to think about how precious these recordings are. Cheaper discs will almost certainly have a shorter lifespan. You don't want the disappointment of unplayable recordings 10 years from now...

[Francis Asis]

The recorder is a Toshiba. The discs are Tesco. This has been a real eye-opener for me. Bring back video, please.

[ACtheTROLL]

I use verbatim for almost everything - they have a dark blue layer which seems to work more often than not

silver looks nice ... but blue is "anti red" so you get maximum absorbtion

seemed strange that one of the developers of DVD+r
would recoment -r ... looking on the site it says + or -

but then ....

however on the tosh site
http://www.home-entertainment.toshiba.co.uk/en /DVD-Players-Recorders-Upscaling/DVD-Recorders -VHS/
DVD+R Yes
DVD+RW Yes
DVD-R Yes
DVD-RW Yes
HDD Yes
VHS Yes

but then


**Some DVD-R/DVD-RW and CD-R/CD-RW discs may be incompatible due to laser pick up and disc design. CD-R/CD-RW discs must be recorded using CD-DA method for CD audio playback. The DVD/VCR may not support some MP3/WMA/JPEG recordings due to differences in recording formats, disc structure, or condition of the disc (use of CD-RW for MP3 files is not recommended). See owner�s manual for more information.

[Francis Asis]

Thank you all for your help. i shall buy some Verbatim discs and see if i have more luck.

[romko]

As others have said, this is likely just down to the technology. These recorders are fussy, to put it politely, about which brand and which disc production runs! makes video tracking problems seem like a picnic in comparison!

...and be sure to keep your original tapes safe, as it is sods law your dvd-rs will end up unplayable!

Another reason for erratic operation is dirt on the dvd recorder lens, but to sort this properly means opening the drive and using a q-tip dipped in pure alcohol or head cleaner on it.

i suggest also buying smaller packs of dvd-r discs to try, so you don't end up with load of useless ones.

[Francis Asis]

Thanks Romko. i'm beginning to wonder if its worth all the hassle. I'm going to buy a new batch of discs and if they don't work I'll leave it and get a life again.

[ACtheTROLL]

francis
If I were you I'd go for +r and not -

+ seems to be the more common format of choise for DVD recorders

[Francis Asis]

I checked that. The booklet definately says - R and - RW. It also states that it is not compatible with +R or +RW. Thanks anyway

[ACtheTROLL]

so what model?

on the tosh site there are two recorders ... both "prefer" +r

they are shown here
http://www.home-entertainment.toshiba.co.uk/en /DVD-Players-Recorders-Upscaling/DVD-Recorders -VHS/

[Francis Asis]

Not sure of the model. Its not any of them. I'll check tomorrow when I'm over my mum's.