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General discussion

DVD-RW compatibility

Dec 7, 2004 3:41AM PST

I recently tried to play a DVD-RW disc that I had made (and "finalized") with a Toshiba DVR-DVD player/recorder on three other DVD players (2 computer--one apple, one pc--and one "home" player), but got an error message on all of them. The disc plays without a problem on the Toshiba unit. According to the DVD forum, DVD-RW is supposed to by a licensed format. Am I premature in assuming that DVD-RW discs are not playable in all machines that say they can play DVD-RW discs?

Discussion is locked

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Re: DVD-RW compatibility
Dec 7, 2004 5:16AM PST

Yes. There is a problem. I don't want to write at length about it, but let me share my secret weapon. DVDSHRINK when used to duplicate that DVD-RW disc may help to correct minor encoding issues that some players will burp on.

In closing, DVD-RW is harder for "players" to read and play. I will nor debate about this, but just will share that if you put it on DVD-R then you'll likely have a better success rate.

Bob

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Re: DVD-RW compatibility
Dec 11, 2004 8:10AM PST

Hi Bob - I just got the GoVideo VR3840. I wanted to copy my old home movies from VHS to DVD and it does this easily. I can play the DVD on another unit in the house and on Intervideo WinDVD on my PC. But I want to edit the DVD, but none of the 3 video editors I have can "see" the DVD. (Arcsoft ShowBiz, Sonic and Screenblast). Any advice?

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"Edit a DVD" is a problem.
Dec 11, 2004 1:54PM PST

There is no software to do that. Even if such was on DVD-RW.

Here is the problem. You need to "rip" the video to your hard disk and edit that video, then create a new DVD. You can see that this is not "editing a DVD".

Bob

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Re: "Edit a DVD" is a problem. - "Riping" Video
Dec 11, 2004 11:45PM PST

Hmmm ... there is no way I can force a change to the format of the DVD so that it'll be recognized? Rats. So I need to figure out how to rip the video to my hard drive. Is there a way a new DV camcorder can copy my disc somehow? Thank you for your help.

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Re: "Edit a DVD" is a problem. - "Riping" Video
Dec 12, 2004 12:14AM PST

"Hmmm ... there is no way I can force a change to the format of the DVD so that it'll be recognized?"

Recognized by what? If you make a DVD "proper" to play on a DVD player, the content is in that format and not ready to be edited. If you make a video file such as some .AVI or other, then it will not play on a DVD player... I think you get the picture now.


"Rats. So I need to figure out how to rip the video to my hard drive. Is there a way a new DV camcorder can copy my disc somehow? Thank you for your help.'"

That's two questions. I haven't seen any miniDV camcorder copy any disks. DVDSHRINK could help with duplications and is free. Use google.com to find it.

I have not tried http://www.ulead.com/dmf/runme.htm the new version of this product. It claims to be able to edit a DVD.

Bob

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DVD-RW compatibility
Feb 11, 2009 3:08PM PST

DVD+RW worked for me... after much ado.