Need help with DVD recording

[Goliath182]

I recorded a thing to DVD and now it wont play. Im pretty sure i have to close the disk somehow but i dont know how to do that.

[Pablo 54]

What software are you using?

Added: Am I correct in assuming that you ejected the disc and it won’t play on either a set top player or your computer?
If you pop it back in your system and you get a popup saying ready to add more data or something like that, chances are good you have not closed the disc yet.

[Goliath182]

I burned it on a DVD player with a record feature. Windows doesnt prompt me, and my computer messes up when i insert the disc. It played right after i burned it on the DVD player then i took it out and it wouldnt work on anything else.

[Miker]

Ok, after you record you need to finalize it. Some records before you remove the disk, some anytime.

[Goliath182]

Thats what i thought now how do i do that?

[NoRest4wkd]

You should be able to use whatever software you used to burn the DVD to finalize it. Insert the disc but tell Windows to do nothing if the little autoplay window pops up. Don't try to play the disc or look at the content.

Now, you can either run the program that you burned the disc with and look for a feature to finalize it, or some programs will automatically prompt you when you try to eject the disc. What software did you use? That would be helpful in figuring out the best way to finalize the disc.

Also, if you do manage to get the "finalize disc" prompt, choose the selection that offers to make it readable in most other drives. Don't pick the option that allows you to record to it again later.

Hope this helps. Let us know what program you're using if this doesn't work. :icon_tiphat:

[Pablo 54]

It sounds like you recorded it on an external set-top box possibly a DVD/VCR machine(?) If so, you might have a couple of extra steps to go through to allow it to play on both set-top players and PC’s.

[Goliath182]

It sounds like you recorded it on an external set-top box possibly a DVD/VCR machine(?) If so, you might have a couple of extra steps to go through to allow it to play on both set-top players and PC’s.

Yes i did. What are those steps?

[Goliath182]

Ok i can view it with Nero now how do i make it work on a normal DVD player?

And how would i put the file on my computer?

[Goliath182]

:bump: Any help would be appreciated.

[Pablo 54]

Not sure what model you are using but yesterday I fiddled around with my in-laws’ Toshiba DVR (purchased a few years ago). The good news is I got one 30 minute tape to burn and play on the set-top player and their Dell 8100. The bad news is, when I tried a 45 minute tape conversion it would not finalize. The manual was of no help so I did some googeling and found out that this model has a very low rating because of finalization issues and the fact that its discs have issues playing on anything but the player itself. It has been discontinued. In reality, most of the set-top burners I ran across had low ratings for the exact problem you are having. It was not until I started looking a models around the 1K range did the ratings improve.

I am not familiar with the current versions of Nero but it seems to me if you can see it on your comp. you should be able to do some type of finalization to it to make it play. Is it possible to copy the data from it to your HDD?

[Goliath182]

I used some Sony one that has 720p.

I can only play the DVD with Nero. I have Nero 8.3. I have not found a way to copy the data to my HDD, that is what i am trying to do now.

[Pablo 54]

More not so good news:
While eating with several co-workers today got on the subject of creating DVD’s with a set-top box. One could not get hers to play on anything but the burner itself the other used one that connects to her computer. The one connected to the computer had no issues.
From what I can gather, Goliath182, it seems this is not a very reliable way of creating DVD’s. I wish I could be of more help. My apologies.
Paul