DVD Blues

Here's what I know:

DVD-R and DVD+R both mean that the DVD is recordable. What this means is that you can save things on it but only once. You can't erase it or record over the data.

DVD-RW and DVD+RW both mean that the DVD is recordable and can be re-written over. What this means is that you can either rewrite over the data in the disk or add more to the data later.

The - (dash) and the + (plus) means that these are different formats supported by different companies or manufacturers. I can't remember which companies support which but that's what it means.

I've seen DVD drives that say DVD±RW so I guess that means that they're usable with both formats.

I have a similar problem with some of my hardware, may have something to do with the $20 DVD burners I tend to buy. Try a DVD-R and see if it works, I found some older driver seem to prefer them.

One other thing and I don't think it's your problem since your DVD player plays them, are your data DVDs "finalized"? some software will allow you to add files to a data DVD later and in that mode other software may not recognise it.

It would appear that your work computer has an older DVD ROM or Burner, that has trouble reading the "thin" data streams on your "home made" DVD....commercially made DVDs have "wide" data streams.

Get a new DVD Burner or ROM for the office machine.

In many tests, done independently in Germany, DVD+R(W) have far fewer errors generally than "-" Formats....

This brings to mind a question of my own, regarding these thin data streams.

The first burners had a maximum speed at which they could record your disk. As technology improved, those maximum speeds were increased, but now you had the option of picking which speed you'd like to use.

I have been told that when recording your own disks, your results will be longer lasting ... or in some way, of a higher quality if you do not use the highest speeds ... but continue to use the lower speeds.

Any truth to this? Are you sacrificing something in order to get your disk burned quicker?

That was certainly true in the early days of CDs, it was always better to burn an audio CD slowly.

I personally do not worry anymore except for audio CD format.....but I feel that I may be worrying for nothing......quality of drives has significantly improved over the years....

I have found that after making a DVD, and I have forgot to put in a title name for the disc, I cant copy it? but I can play it. I dont know whether this is part of the problem or not, but I thought I would mention it in passing.

I had been facing the same problem as under:

Take the Property & will show all-Blue ie Full.

But can't view anything OR

can see all the Folders but can't open anything OR

as above but can open files placed in root [out of any directory ] or

could read everything on own PC but not others [having same platform]

OR

If recorded in Win98 XP will not read anything.

And a lot others.

I was using a purchased SW.

With a number of friends discussion revealed that:

1. Media, 2. Version of Platform 3. Speed of recording all may effect. Not regularly but randomly.

I selected the best available Media & changed my SW to a Very-Good Free SW

"DeepBurner" free edition from:

Astonsoft.com
www.deepburner.com
ma@deepburner.com
Tel. +3725108015
and all is solved.

The SW is a wonder-full piece of Gift, but always try to keep speed to minimum possible !

Enjoy !!!!!

Win98 is well Win98, you cannot really expect much more from an OS with no more support.......

If your PC is up to it, I personally would recommend XP Pro, not Vista (at least not yet!)

There you will be supported and you have a far less chance (provided you take all the usual precautions!) of being infected by a Virus or Trojan....