Problems with "combo" players and DVD-R? at DVinfo.net

George Odell · November 21st, 2005, 03:10 PM

Recently I've had two customers whom I made DVD-R's for from their tape originals come back and say they either had problems playing the discs or they would not play at all.

Upon futher discussion with them I learned they both had one of those "combo" units that have both a VHS deck and a DVD player side by side. They both said they only had the units a short time so they should be DVD-R compatible at least age wise. The discs all play fine on several test players I have so I know they are problem free.

For programs less than 1 hour I usually set my Pioneer recorder to the highest megabit rate... around 9 mb/s... for the best quality. I'm wondering if the cheaper set top players may choke on this high a data rate and this is why these low-cost combo units have issues??

Has anyone else had similar complaints or any thoughts on this one?

Thanks,
George

Richard Alvarez · November 21st, 2005, 03:54 PM

George,

DVD-R's are pretty high in compatibility ratings, but not perfect. It's bound to happen. You might try lowering the data rate and giving them another copy. If that doesn't work, try different media, that's helped me sometimes.

Dan Euritt · November 22nd, 2005, 05:13 PM

what brand of media did you use, and what brand of dual-deck recorders do they have?

November 21st, 2005, 03:10 PM	#1
George Odell Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 270	Problems with "combo" players and DVD-R? Recently I've had two customers whom I made DVD-R's for from their tape originals come back and say they either had problems playing the discs or they would not play at all. Upon futher discussion with them I learned they both had one of those "combo" units that have both a VHS deck and a DVD player side by side. They both said they only had the units a short time so they should be DVD-R compatible at least age wise. The discs all play fine on several test players I have so I know they are problem free. For programs less than 1 hour I usually set my Pioneer recorder to the highest megabit rate... around 9 mb/s... for the best quality. I'm wondering if the cheaper set top players may choke on this high a data rate and this is why these low-cost combo units have issues?? Has anyone else had similar complaints or any thoughts on this one? Thanks, George __________________ "the difference between an amateur photographer and a professional is the amateur shows you all his pictures"

November 21st, 2005, 03:54 PM	#2
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	George, DVD-R's are pretty high in compatibility ratings, but not perfect. It's bound to happen. You might try lowering the data rate and giving them another copy. If that doesn't work, try different media, that's helped me sometimes.

November 22nd, 2005, 05:13 PM	#3
Dan Euritt Trustee Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Carlsbad CA Posts: 1,132	what brand of media did you use, and what brand of dual-deck recorders do they have?