Set Top DVD Compatability Idea.

beatnik wrote on 3/7/2003, 4:01 PM

I am currently setting up a part-time business of editing peoples old VHS home movies
and burning them to DVD. As is the case with some older DVD players, some may NOT
be able to play the DVD I burn. I will be using DVD-R as this seems to be the MOST
compatable of all the media.

MY IDEA is to create a "demo" DVD-R disk that a client can try-out on their set-top
DVD player to make sure the disk will play.

The disk can be 1-2 minutes long with an intro ie. "alexander productions presents"
with some need background loop and some great music to back it up. AND some kind
of animation that tells them "if you can see this then the disk is compatable and
I look forward to editing your memories!"

Just an idea

Alex

Comments

Johnny7777 wrote on 3/7/2003, 4:19 PM
Alex,

You probably want to try several types of brand name DVD-R as some play better than others. Test it out to find which DVD-R is best suited for your project. You may want to add something a little longer than a few minutes of demo. For example, my girlfriend brought over a DVD wedding of her friends wedding that was professionally done, while it started off great near the end of the DVD it kept on freezing. I played it in my Xbox and PS2 same thing happened but at different areas near the end of the DVD eventually just freezing up without going any further. I haven't tried it on my DVD-Rom at home on my computer as yet but will do so today when I get home.

Hope this helps.
Yanni
nolonemo wrote on 3/7/2003, 5:29 PM
This is an interesting point, I think ideally you would want to burn a close to full disk of whatever, but have it set up with a chapter point 10 min or so from the end which would be where your test section starts. You could set up the disk to open with a menu with nothing but a single "test your player" button linked to that chapter point. DVD-A could handle that. That way you'd be testing the outside tracks of the disk, where players are more likely to have trouble.
DGates wrote on 3/7/2003, 5:43 PM
I bought some cheap DVD-R's from Meritline (their brand) and they worked at the beginning, but also froze or skipped towards the end. Pretty much junk. It's true that you get what you pay for. I now use either Verbatim or Fuji discs (made by Verbatim), and they seem to work fine.

Your idea is a good one, Alex.
haze2 wrote on 3/7/2003, 5:52 PM
For what it's worth....I have found better compatability with DVD+R. In fact, in my experience it has worked in far more DVD players. Perhaps I'm the exception to the rule, and I haven't tried it in any really old DVD players, but it's been the better format for me.

Frank
beatnik wrote on 3/7/2003, 6:14 PM
Wow! That's what I love about this forum, people are always giving suggestions, expanding on ideas! Unlike the Pinnacle world I started in where everybody slags
one another, I guess if you are using a Pinnacle product you are pretty frustrated.

Again, thanks to all for the suggestions, keep them coming. DGates, you are right,
use quality disks (let the customer pay for them), nolonemo, your suggestion was great as well, try and burn at the begining, middle and end of disk.

Thanks!

beatnik wrote on 3/7/2003, 6:14 PM
Wow! That's what I love about this forum, people are always giving suggestions, expanding on ideas! Unlike the Pinnacle world I started in where everybody slags
one another, I guess if you are using a Pinnacle product you are pretty frustrated.

Again, thanks to all for the suggestions, keep them coming. DGates, you are right,
use quality disks (let the customer pay for them), nolonemo, your suggestion was great as well, try and burn at the begining, middle and end of disk.

Thanks!

TomG wrote on 3/7/2003, 8:32 PM
Your're right, Alex. When you really like a product, you spend a lot more time/energy in helping others get the most out of that product rather than bashing a lousy product....

TomG
The_Jeff wrote on 3/8/2003, 9:43 AM
I think it depends somewhat on what machines you have available to try.. I have found the +R and -R to have about the same compatibility (but with different incompatible players)...

Just avoid ever using the RW of either format for anything other than internal proofing and you'll probably be fine.

If you get the Sony DRU500, then you can make both +R and -R disks and pick up the last few % points of compatibility (by being able to provide one when the other does not work).

Kered5 wrote on 3/8/2003, 10:33 AM
I buy blank DVD-R Gold Discs from ESBuy.com...come in at aound $2 a disc...no compatibility issues so far on a number of players (burned on Pioneer A04).
TheHappyFriar wrote on 3/8/2003, 4:56 PM
DV.com has an article on DVD compatably:

http://www.dv.com/features/features_item.jhtml?category=Archive&LookupId=/xml/feature/2002/labarge0702

You need to make a have an account to view it, but it's free. It goes over using different burners, player, and media. Amazingly, one of the most compatible players was the cheap Apex AD660, which isn't more then $60 on e-bay now. It's a good article.
Bear wrote on 3/8/2003, 7:18 PM
I bought a Pioneer cheap player that says it plays dvd-r (I thin it is the 250 from Walmart) It plays everything. DVD-R DVD+R DVD+RW so far.