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General discussion

iDVD burned DVD-R not being recognized by dvd player

Jun 21, 2007 4:03PM PDT

I own what some might call an old DVD player (Cyberhome CH-DVD 500). It says "Bad disk" when I insert DVD-R just burnt from my MAC via iDVD. The same disk plays fine on my PC and my MAC so I figure the issue lies on the DVD player. What puzzles me is that some say online that there is no pb in reading DVD-R via this DVD player. So is it common that DVD burnt from iDVD might create this problem or is it just that my DVD player is too old and not entireley compatible with DVD-R?

Discussion is locked

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You don't mention
Jun 21, 2007 9:53PM PDT

whether this old player will play any other DVD's.

Back in the day, when DVD burners were a novelty, Mac and Windows commonly used two different formats. DVD-R and DVD+R.
DVD players, at the time, did one or the other.
This is no longer true. Almost all DVD players and burners are capable of reading and writing both formats without a problem.

iDVD will burn to whatever disk you put in the DVD writer. -R or +R, it makes no difference to it.

I would put your problem down to old age, especially considering that the disk can be read in both of your computers.

P

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not that old
Jun 22, 2007 12:25AM PDT

I purchased this DVD player in 2003 and this is the first time that it refuses to read a DVD. However it's also the first time that I try with a DVD that I burnt myself.

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Which DVD player? MAKE AND MODEL.
Jun 22, 2007 12:31AM PDT

My neighbor has a year old Samsung. It does not play ANY recorded DVD.

Absolutely none! I think it was the V8500.

Such details can help others help you.

Bob

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Do you still havee the DVD player manual?
Jun 22, 2007 12:49AM PDT

It should tell you what kind of discs the player will play and what kind it will not.

cheers

grim

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DVD-R/+R supported (supposidely)
Jun 22, 2007 2:39AM PDT

The manual says that it should be able to play such DVD. However for some reasons some people can and other can't.

Here is my question, how can you be sure when you buy a brand new DVD player that it will play home made DVD and CD?

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Let us look too.
Jun 22, 2007 3:35AM PDT

If you had supplied the make and model I could check for discussions about it.

As it stands the only issue left could be if the SESSION is not closed. Some players will not play a recorded DVD if the session was not finalized.

Bob

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Cyberhome CH-DVD 500
Jun 22, 2007 3:41AM PDT

My player is a Cyberhome CH-DVD 500

I suppose the session was closed because iDVD ejected the DVD after it finished the burning process. The only wierd thing is that iDVD got stuck and kept showing the burning windows with a cancel button which had no effect. Since the DVD was ejected I guess that it finished the burning but didn't close the window correctly.

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Iffy unit. See link.
Jun 22, 2007 3:49AM PDT
http://www.videohelp.com/dvdplayers/cyberhome-ch-dvd-500/1734 has some good reports but some discouraging ones as well. If you are up to the challenge and don't care if it turns into a brick, research the reviewers comment about a BIN flash via CD to update it's firmware.

Also how long has it been since you tossed a CD/DVD lens cleaner in there.

-> Bottomline. This unit is not known to be that good about recorded media.

bob
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Thanks!
Jun 22, 2007 3:56AM PDT

I never cleaned it up but I also never had any pb with commercial DVDs.

I could update the firmware but what if it doesn't work as good as it currently does (with commercial DVDs)?

Also when buying a new player how can we know it will play recorded DVD well?

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Sorry if this seems harsh.
Jun 22, 2007 4:19AM PDT

But recorded media is "dimmer" than factory pressed material. I would not dismiss the pass of the lens cleaner.

As to the flash update I don't have an accurate crystal ball. I've done a few and been happy with the results. But then again I did such on other than CyberHome units. I offered this as a possible save with the usual note that you could end up with a brick.

In closing I like the Philips players that can play DIVX content. My dad has one, my neighbor bought one, I have one and it's been very forgiving as to media and more. Not expensive at wallymart.

Bob

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Take a burned DVD to the store.
Jun 22, 2007 5:04AM PDT

I worked at a specialty chain store (REX TV) for a few years. We kept a demo of every model out on the shelf. Even if it isn't hooked up to a TV you could stick a disc in and see if it was recognized on the display. Of course this is the difference between a discount place and a place with service. You could try doing the same at Walmart but I don't know if you would be allowed or even find someone with the time to help.

A point of etiquette - You may know this already but if a salesman at a specialty store helps you then make sure to ask if they work on commission. If they answered your question and they do work on commission then consider buying from them, even if the same model is 10 bucks cheaper somewhere else. Future service, should you have a problem, will more than make up for the extra cost.

BTW... since you described a problem in the burning process you might have a bad disc. Of course you did say it would play in the computer though, didn't you? Hmmm... as Bob says, your firmware may be bad. I had an LG CD burner in a computer that had bad firmware. An update saved me from buying a new one. I have never updated a home player but if it is recommended then you might try it.

Luck

grim

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mpeg file
Jun 22, 2007 8:05AM PDT

I looked at the directory structure in the DVD.

There is an AUDIO_TS and a VIDEO_TS directory. The first one is empty. Second one contains VOB, IFO, and BUP files. VOB are mpeg file. Is that the correct format for DVD-R? That's how iDVD created the disk by default.

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That is the correct format for viewing on a home dvd player.
Jun 22, 2007 8:54AM PDT

It is the same format you would find on any commercially recorded DVD. If you were to use mac's DVD player application to open the disc it should play just as it would appear on your home's DVD player.

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Except that ...
Jun 22, 2007 9:02AM PDT

Except that it doesn't play on my Cyberhome and I just tried a Sony DVPNC85H that also refuses to play it. It keeps saying loading...

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Does it play on your computer using DVD player?
Jun 22, 2007 9:22AM PDT

If not... and considering you said there was a glitch during burning... then I would say you have a bad burn.

One suggestion for the future. Instead of burning a disc in iDVD right away... make a disc image instead. This way, the computer will only have to encode all the menus and content just once. When you get the disc image completed you can store it away or you can use the disc utility in your utilities folder to burn the image to a blank dvd as many times as you want and when ever you want. Once you know you are done with the disc image then throw it away to make space on your HD. This will save you from having to reopen and recode a project in iDVD when you find a disc did not burn properly. Either that or don't close out iDVD till you test the movie.

grim

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Sorry but...
Jun 22, 2007 9:06AM PDT

To test that DVD I'd have to see what DVDSHRINK would do to it. I've used DVDSHRINK to "test and repair" oddly made DVDs. But it's a PC program so I'm unsure if you can pull it off.

Sorry but I'd like to see what my Philips player would do to that DVD.

Bob

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HELP! 2011 with similar problem, is anybody still out there?
Nov 25, 2011 7:56AM PST

Please respond soon, I will return my iDVD burner if this process is impossible. I have only a few days remaining until my purchase is 30 days old. Hoping to hear a solution from you.

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What you learn is that recorded media is never a sure thing.
Nov 25, 2011 8:19AM PST

If you want to create media that plays on all players, do not invest a dime more. No "burner" made can do this yet. And as optical media fades away (see Netflix and other internet media sites) there is no maker that will correct this issue.

Yes I try the DVD+R and DVD-R media but it's never a sure thing.
Bob