Back-ups keep messing up

[muteme]

Hi, been reading the boards for about the last week trying to find some ideas of how to fix my burning problems, but every time I think I've beaten it, it happens again

My problem is that most of my DVD back-ups jump and freeze at random places when I play them on a stand-alone player. I usually try running them on three different players around the house, and also on my PS2, but if a burnt disc has a problem with one it'll have the same troubles with all the others too.

Thing is, though, sometimes I can back-up a DVD and it'll be perfect, sometimes they'll have a few glitches but still be watchable, but often they just come out useless.

I've been trying a few steps to try and iron out the problem without much luck so far. This is what I've tried so far...

I use DVD Shrink 3.1, with the Nero autoburn option disabled. When I rip a DVD to my hard drive, the ripped VIDEO_TS file plays perfectly in Windows Media Player without a hitch. So I'm guessing there isn't a problem with ripping the disc.

I've tried updating to the latest Nero (6.3.1.15) which I thought had fixed it, but only seems to shift the problems to a different part of the disc. I think I read somewhere about how an earlier version of Nero is more stable, but can't remember which one now.

I use a Freecom DVD+/-RW4J external burner, and as far as I know the firmware's the latest (it's 'FSR1'... I haven't seen any other firmware, so I assume it's the latest anyway). I don't think it's a problem with the burner itself, because as I said sometimes a back-up will be perfect (not often, though), and I've burned hundreds of CD-Rs without a problem.

I've been using Bulkpaq DVD+Rs, because the guy who served me when I bought the burner recommended them and as you can guess my results have been frustratingly mixed. I've also used these brandless DVD-Rs that I can't even remember the name of, but they're just pathetic.

I'm going to order some 4X Branded RITEK G04 DVD-Rs from ukdvdr.co.uk, hopefully they'll help, but I don't hold much hope as whenever I think I've cracked the problem it happens again. So if anyone has any advice in the meantime, I'd be grateful! I have 8 more of these Bulkpaqs to waste through experimentation, if need be

Oh, erm, if it helps to know, I have...
608mb RAM
2.40 GHz processor
Lots of HD space, spread over two drives
Windows XP

Umm, don't know much about specs so not sure what else to list.

Thanks in advance!

[ormonde]

"I'm going to order some 4X Branded RITEK G04 DVD-Rs from ukdvdr.co.uk, hopefully they'll help"

I think that will "Hopefully" solve your problem.

[muteme]

Hehe, yeah, I certainly "hope" so I'm a pessimist though, whenever I think I've got the better of my computer it finds a way to bite me in the botty. So just want to try and cover all my bases.

[lgha]

You mentioned your burner is an external - is it USB or Firewire?
If it's USB it really needs to be 2.0. You'll want to make sure that there is nothing running in the background and you're not using the PC for anything else while backing up dvds. You did not mention your burn speed - try to reduce it to 2x or less and give that try. Use RWs to reduce coasters, and an upgrade in media quality will help.

[kuneo]

Download DVDinfo Pro (free) to see what type your "bulk" blanks are.

K

[muteme]

Igha: The burner is USB 2.0. I try leaving the computer to just run Nero on its own and not fiddle with anything until it's finished (burning eats up a lost of my CPU anyway). Though there's a lot of processes running when I look in Task Manager (if that's what you mean), but I have no idea what's safe to stop.

I've been burning at 2.4x, as that's the only speed it'll burn these Bulkpaq discs.

kuneo: Umm, not exactly sure what I'm looking for here, but this is what I got from 'Media Info' in DVDinfo Pro...

Region information N/A not a DVD-VIDEO
Media code/Manufacturer ID 001
Media Product Revision Number 00h
Free Blocks 405405696
Free Capacity 4.38GB(4.70GB)
Book Type DVD+R
Media Type DVD+R
Media Id Code Speed Unknown
Available Write Descriptor CLV 2.4x 3324KBps
Data area starting sector 30000h
Linear Density 0.267um/bit
Track Density 0.74um/track
Number of Layers 1


Thanks.

[kuneo]

DVDinfo pro gives a lot of info-no?.

I use it basically to see who made my disc's.

Can't tell on your's,but as you said it was bulk pak.

I just bought my first load of Ritek's, and they listed on Info pro.

Hopefully your Ritek's will help solve your dilemma.

I generally use -R's, and don't think +R's are causing your problem anyway.
More likely the cheap blank's.

K

[muteme]

Yeah, admittedly I haven't tried other brands as I haven't had much money to waste on packs that might be no good, but I suppose I should do some exploring.

If these Riteks work I'll be very happy But if not, I guess there's no rush, there'll be other discs and things to try. Just frustrating to have a problem and not know what's causing it. Grr, etc.

[Mig$y]

hi muteme,

Bulpaqs are ok for data but are pretty poor for video. Some posters have experienced good results with 'em but not many.

I made the transition to Ritek quite a while ago, never looked back.

[kuneo]

Mig$y-

Are you saying that Ritek's are Video rated, and will burn better at 4x VS Bulk (cheap) pak's are data rated, and don't burn at 4x's well???.

Difference's between Data and Video blank's, and how do we tell when ordering??

Tx

K

[Mig$y]

hi kuneo,

I'm saying many many people who use Ritek have a good success rate. Before ordering any new media read what other people think of it over at http://www.videohelp.com/dvdmedia it will give you a good idea what to clearly avoid......
Have a look at Bulpaq if you want to see some horror stories, they do not play on so many posters DVD players.

At the end of the day you get what you pay for.

[muteme]

I originally used the Bulkpaqs to back up avi/divx files, just to free up HD space, but they weren't much good for that either - sometimes fine, other times files refused to play.

Should have these Riteks tomorrow. Are they usually good for burning data too? That'd be handy.

Oops, didn't notice that link, thanks mig$y

[kuneo]

Tried one of my new Ritek's on a heavily compressed (Shrinked) file at 4X burn speed at it worked!!!!

Usually use 2x with bulk pak's-Sooooo maybe i'll be able to burn consistantly at 4x using the better Ritek's.

Will try more at 4x with Ritek to see if I can produce a coaster or two like I usually got on the bulkpak's at 4x speed.
If the Ritek's work well at 4x for all my transfer's I will switch to Ritek for good (except i've got about 150 cheepie's left

K

[muteme]

Tried a few of these Riteks and so far haven't come across even a single dodgy frame. Been burning at 2x to be on the safe side, but I'll give 4x a few tries, see if they all still come out ok.

Yay for things that work Woo!

[Billy_Black]

Problems like this always seem to be related to media, one size does not fit all. You need media that is a good match for your burner. Once you find it, stick with it. If you update your firmware, though, things may again change.

Nero CD/DVD Speed's "Transfer Rate" test will help you to choose. Pop in one of your burns and see how it reads. A result like this is what you want, this shows a good burner/media match that should work well.



Here's any example of a bad media/burner match that will cause problems on standalone playback.



Here's the dreaded 'the disc messes up at the end".