DVD wont play

alison74

I have a DVD drive on my comp that plays +RW and - RWs.

I have a DVD recorder which is +DVD. I can record off the tv on the recorder and then play it back on my computer.

I have just recorded some video footage from my 8mm camera onto my DVD player via scart leads / output.

The DVD plays back on my DVD player ok, but not on the computer.

It says 'format is not recognised'.

Anyone any ideas why the camcorder footage wont work but other stuff I record on the same machine plays on my computer not a problem ?

Thanks in advance (again !)

Rex_Mundi

If you put the DVD in your computer. Open my mycomputer, then right click on the icon for your dvd drive. What does it say about the file on the disc?

The message you are getting is telling you that your media player doesn't recognise the type of file that has been recorded onto the disc. This should be easy to get around. Either download the correct codec for that format, or find a media player that will recognise and play that format. Both methods should be free with a bit of looking around.

If you can tell us what format is on the disc, we could probably help you out. It's the last bit of the filename we need. e.g. .avi .mpg .mov or something else maybe.

alison74

I have done what you suggested and in my computer, on the drive E: it says nothing. Not avi. mpg. NOTHING which is weird on it's own

it is calling itself a CD drive though, rather than DVD drive, well it's both I know and all other DVDs work including other ones that I have recorded off the same machine.

Do you think it's anything to do with the fact that it has been recorded from the scart on the DVd recorder and might be an unrecognisable format ?

alison74

Just tried another DVD of Live 8 which I did off the telly. It then turns the E: into a DVD player called Sonata and will play with power DVD or WMP.

Why is the other DVD not working, so so strange........... must be something to do with recording it off the camcorder, but it works on my other 2 DVD players fine, just not the computer

Rex_Mundi

Sorry, try opening mycomputer. Double click your dvd player. This should show you what is on the disc. Then right click whatever is there and click properties.

alison74

thats what I am doing, but it is coming up as nothing and calling it a CD drive and nothing on the CD when I click on properties

When I put a working DVD in, it calls itself the sonata DVD.

It is saying there is nothing on the disc in the DVD drive.

Thank you for your suggestions, but there's something afoot with my DVD and comp !!

Rex_Mundi

Just had a quick look round the net. I found someone had nearly the same problem as you, but didn't find a fix for it. Maybe someone else has an idea to try.

Look HERE for what I found.

alison74

Looking at the other thread, it must be something to do with the machine when it records camcorder footage.

This is a real pain as no-one can view any copies of DVDs that I make for them as it seems like it must be played back on my machine.

I was about to convert my entire 8mm collection to DVD before my camcorder packs in, but it seems a bit pointless if it's only ME that can watch them on MY machine. Not much use for the future if the DVD recorder breaks down.

Hummmppphhh, VHS may be the way to go !

Rex_Mundi

What's the make and model number of your DVD recorder?

alison74

Thank you for your help Rex

A whole lot of trial and error later, it seems that it was the fault of the DVD itself.

I had used a DVD +R and it did not work.

I tried doing a little recording on a DVD +RW and it works on my computer !

yee ha.

They are both Phillips blank DVDs so it must be something to do with the RW function, i.e you need it !

Don't know what I will do with my stock pile of DVD +Rs now, but at least it is working.

Thank you for all your suggestions along the way

boogiemaster

Dvdv recorders that use + disks wont work with Dvd - disks.
Thats why its better to get one that uses both - and + formats.
Then you can use any disks you like, dual format is better becouse it stores 8.4 gigs on one disk.
Its better when buying recorders for computers or Dvd recorders that you look for ones that can both use -and + disks its better in the long run becouse you dont have to worry about disks.