How to copy a TV programme DVD RW?

[Peter McL]

In my computer, I've got a DVD player - Hitachi DVD-Rom GD-5000, and a DVD recorder - Sony DVD RW DW-U14A. I copied TV episodes from video tape to a DVD+RW via my Phillips DVD recorder. Now I've decided to keep them permanently, I'd like to copy the DVD+RW to a DVD+R, but when I try to use Clone DVD, I get this error message.. "D:/VIDEO_TS/VIDEO_TS.IFO:21 unable to open file". Is this because Clone DVD will only copy DVDs with pre-recorded films on them, and not ones you create yourself from TV programmes? Any ideas how I can copy my own DVDs? I tried Media Player, but it won't recognise that there's a disk in my DVD player.

Thanks for any help.

Peter

[Chromedome]

Hi

I too have a Philips DVD Recorder and just tried what you are trying, worked OK.

I viewed the DVD+RW for a few moments first and then copied it with CloneDVD2.

[Peter McL]

How did you view it? That's the Holy Grail.... I can only view it on the Phillips - the computer refuses to acknowledge it exists.

Peter

[Chromedome]

Did the disk finalise in the DVD Recorder?

[Peter McL]

Ah HA! I think not.. I'll check and try again. Thanks for your help!

Peter

[Chromedome]

Good Luck.

[Peter McL]

No good I'm afraid... as it's a DVD+RW, not a DVD+R, the Phillips DVD R75 says it can't be finalised (at least there's only a menu item for DVD+R). Any other thoughts?

Peter

[Chromedome]

I've got the DVDR70 and my programs are also on DVD+RW.

I'll have a look at things on my Philips tomorrow to see if I can work out what's going on. Hopefully the DVDR70 is similar to the DVDR75.

I'm pretty sure my recorder finalises the disks automatically.

I know if PC disks aren't finalised they will not play anywhere else hence my logic.

I'll report back.

[Peter McL]

According to the DVD R75 manual, finalising means you can't add/delete anything, and that's why it only applies to DVD+Rs (I assume). Thanks very much for continuing aid, and I'll be interested to see what you come up with. There must be a solution I'm sure!

Peter

[Chromedome]

Have you got auto chapter selected?

After recording on a new DVD+RW my machine does a "POST FORMAT". I would think this is what makes the disk readable elsewhere.

Apart from this I can't think of anything else, sorry.

[Chromedome]

Just checked on Philips Wesite (www.philips.com) and I think I've found the problem.

The DVDR75 does not have "PC Convergence" therefore disks won't be readable in the PC.

Only the DVDR70 has this option. How long have you had the machine, if not too long perhaps your dealer may exchange it if you really need this facility.

[Peter McL]

I looked up the English language version of the link you sent, and the DVD R75 HAS got PC Convergence! So I'll try the other suggestion you made.

Rgds

Peter

[Chromedome]

Double checked the website and the DVDR75 does have "PC Convergence", so back to square one, I don't have a clue.

Just a thought................

It says somewhere in the book that if a recorded program is under 15 mins in duration it won't play in other devices.

In my book it's the last page (P80) under "A DVD+RW disc cannot be played on certain DVD players". There it specifies the minimum length depending on the record mode selected.

There is also another "fix" mentioned there as well.

You now have the sum of my knowledge!!!!!!

[dude]

on my machine a mustek r100a i have to select the option ' make compatable ' on the finished disc otherwise it wont play on any other machine. once i select this option it works fine and copies fine to.

[Peter McL]

I solved the 'computer won't read DVD+RWs I record from the TV' problem by downloading a copy of PowerDVD SE (advertised in Media Player as a Plug-in). It cost $14.95 and seems to have fixed problems, including 'no sound'! Except... (why is there always an 'except'?) disks I've recorded won't play in my Hitachi reader, only in the Sony Writer. So I can't copy disk to disk, in Clone DVD I have to copy from Writer to Image file then from Image file back to a blank in the writer. Any ideas on that?

Peter

[Chromedome]

Does your Hitachi support the media you've recorded on?

Eg. If you have recorded on DVD+R your DVD-Rom may only read DVD-R.

[dude]

it may be that you'r Hitachi reader is not dvd + rw compatable. however it is better to copy to hd first then back to dvd rather than on the fly from drive to drive. less likleyhood of failures or other problems.

[Chromedome]

Just checked the manual of your Hitachi DVD-Rom.

Only reads original DVD and DVD-R.

[Peter McL]

Pity, but all is now clear then. Thanks very much for your efforts!

Rgds

Peter