DVD+RW Playback Issue

[RA]

Hello all. I'm a part of a small research group whose work is being adopted in a number of areas. A few months ago, I produced original training DVDs, and while I've done some basic video editing, making the DVDs themselves was somewhat new to me.

I made these DVDs using my Win 7 tablet using a I/O Magic external DVD burner (my desktops were already packed up for a cross-country move) using Nero 11 and Sony DVD+RWs. I tested them out on multiple computers and stand-alone DVD players with no issues. However, the e-mail posted below lists some of the problems we are having...

After the DVDs were made, they worked on G's and my computer when we played them the first time or two. And, with lots of help from the Arizona AV folks, we got them to play once during the initial training in AZ.

Since then, they have not worked at any of the other regular or T4T trainings in NYC, AZ, or VT. We have tried multiple computers (including my computer) and DVD machines. Problems have included, ejecting disk before it starts playing, screen says skipping damaged section, and, most commonly, not playing or freezing after 10 to 40 sections into the video.

I assumed at first that the problem was that I used DVD+RWs instead of DVD+/-Rs. I've tried to do some research on my own regarding this, but I've seen so many different issues from codecs to firmware. I'm probably going to reburn these on one of my desktops. I have a regular internal DVD burner and another one with blu-ray reading capabilities. Any thoughts into this would be appreciated.

 

[noidea_77]

Make sure the dvd-writer firmware is up-to-date, because it includes the laser calibration for the different types of DVDs.

 

[USAFRet]

One question: Did you put stick on labels on these? If so, were they paper-based stickons?

 

[RA]

One question: Did you put stick on labels on these? If so, were they paper-based stickons?

Yes, actually I did. They were self-adhesive labels you can use in a regular printer.

 

[USAFRet]

One question: Did you put stick on labels on these? If so, were they paper-based stickons?

Yes, actually I did.

Well...I had pretty much exactly that same condition back in my DVD movie burning days.

What happens is, the paper eventually absorbs a little moisture, shrinks, and warps the disk ever so slightly. Not so you can see, but the laser knows.
A movie would play about 2/3 the way through, and then fail to read. A few would fail to read from the beginning.

So, to fix this:
1. You can get plastic backed labels for future use. Does not exhibit the same problems.
2. For the existing disks, soak them in a little pool of isopropyl alcohol to loosen the adhesive. Peel the stickers off, and clean gently but thoroughly.
A round DVD case works well as a soaking container. Only takes a few minutes of soaking in the alcohol.

A previously bad disk returned to full working condition after removing the label. Every one of them.

CD's apparently don't see this same condition, because the data density is much less, and more tolerant of clearance differences.

 

[RA]

What happens is, the paper eventually absorbs a little moisture, shrinks, and warps the disk ever so slightly. Not so you can see, but the laser knows.
A movie would play about 2/3 the way through, and then fail to read. A few would fail to read from the beginning.

So, to fix this:
1. You can get plastic backed labels for future use. Does not exhibit the same problems.
2. For the existing disks, soak them in a little pool of isopropyl alcohol to loosen the adhesive. Peel the stickers off, and clean gently but thoroughly.
A round DVD case works well as a soaking container. Only takes a few minutes of soaking in the alcohol.

A previously bad disk returned to full working condition after removing the label. Every one of them.

Well, that sounds just about insane enough to be right! I will definitely advise the holders of the DVDs to try this.

In the meantime, any other thoughts would be welcome.

 

[USAFRet]

Well, that sounds just about insane enough to be right! I will definitely advise the holders of the DVDs to try this.

In the meantime, any other thoughts would be welcome.

Also, it's a heating issue. The paper and plastic expand at different rates as the disk heats up in the drive. Again, warping the disk just a little.

 

[noidea_77]

You are searching for a quick, reliable solution? Copy the DVD directory structure to cheap 4GB or 8GB flash drives and send them to the DVD holders. Whatever computer or multimedia player with an usb port will play that without problems.

 

[RA]

You are searching for a quick, reliable solution? Copy the DVD directory structure to cheap 4GB or 8GB flash drives and send them to the DVD holders. Whatever computer or multimedia player with an usb port will play that without problems.

I actually would have preferred to do that, but the powers that be in this situation want it in DVD format. The places we are dealing with are more likely to have a VHS set up than a DVD player that can take a flash drive. Thanks for the suggestion though,

 

[noidea_77]

You are searching for a quick, reliable solution? Copy the DVD directory structure to cheap 4GB or 8GB flash drives and send them to the DVD holders. Whatever computer or multimedia player with an usb port will play that without problems.

I actually would have preferred to do that, but the powers that be in this situation want it in DVD format. The places we are dealing with are more likely to have a VHS set up than a DVD player that can take a flash drive. Thanks for the suggestion though,

I have to deal with places like that as well. You can try a Google search for a DVD copy service near you. They typically know the working combination of DVD-Rs and their writers and have the printers to print directly on the DVD.