I just bought a Samsung R120, and so far I am pleased with the quality for the price.

However, I have noticed that on a 7 minute video that I am duplicating onto DVD-R, when I play it back in other machines the recorder has automatically changed to chapter 2 around 5 minutes. This causes playback problems in half of my DVD players.
Now the problem is:
-automatic chapter creation is OFF.

-automatic chapter creation (when it is ON) is only supposed to happen when you STOP the recording and start again (which I did not do).

-I am recording from a DV camera thru firewire of a video that was edited on a computer and dumped to the cam (there should not be a timecode break or glitch to trigger the R120 to do anything).

-the video info only shows ONE chapter on the R120 (and TWO chapters everywhere else).

-this shouldn't be a problem, EXCEPT the half the DVD players I have FREEZE at the 2nd chapter mark instead of playing right through like they would on a professionally produced DVD with multiple chapters. (Also in my laptop, Windows Media Player freezes, but InterVideo WinDVD plays it fine).

-I have burned both with firwire AND RCA inputs, but same problem.

-I am using Fujifilm DVD-R discs. They are NOT a "recommended" brand of DVD-R in the R120 Instruction Manual. (I have yet to try a "recommended " brand, but will do so soon). I still don't think that the DISC would trigger a chapter creation, though. Am I right?

Please help!!!! :confused:

Automatic chapter creator suppose to create a chapter approx. every 5 mins if video longer then 5 mins in a title.

I havn't had any problems on playing in another DVD Player when chapter were created by my R120.

And make sure you have the most updated firmware. You can downloaded from "Download Center" in www.samsung.com

Automatic chapter creator suppose to create a chapter approx. every 5 mins if video longer then 5 mins in a title.


Thanks Impreza22b. My automatic chapter creator is OFF, though. Is there a way to work around this? It just seems weird that it is creating this bump in the road that is affecting the other players.

What brand discs are you using that work in all your players?

I will look into the firmware update, too.

Even if your "Auto Chapter" is off. the recorder suppose to start another title if it detects a break(timecode) in the video.

Good Luck!!!

-I am recording from a DV camera thru firewire of a video that was edited on a computer and dumped to the cam (there should not be a timecode break or glitch to trigger the R120 to do anything).

-the video info only shows ONE chapter on the R120 (and TWO chapters everywhere else).



Thanks Imprezza22b. But that doesn't seem to be the problem.

Anybody else got any ideas?

In your video content, is there a combination of 4x3 and 16x9 segments? Were the 16x9 segments recorded from a source that supplies the widescreen flag?

When I record on my Pioneer DVD recorder, if I have a mix of 4x3 and 16x9, I believe each transition point (between 4x3 and 16x9) results in a new video file, partly because it requires a new IFO description to support the format change.

It has been a while since I tested this. Actually, I did not test for this, I just bumped into this in another test sequence because I was trying to fool my Pioneer into seeing the 16x9 widescreen flag on the first short video segment and hoping that it would cary through to following segments that were anamorphic 4x3 when viewed but lacked the widescreen flag. Instead, it split the video and "properly" described the 4x3 file that followed the 16x9 file.

Oh well!

Thanks Dave.
No, there are no changes in the video ratio. It is all straight 4x3.

I did find these two posts at another site. It still does not supply a true answer (as I am not going to be able to "re-author" the discs. Besides, even if I could, that is a waste of time and should not be necessary with a DVD Recorder).

Here is what I found:
_____________________
attar
Member
26. October 2005 @ 11:54
My DVD standalone recorder seems to function well, except that the burned discs freeze momentarily when played on my Toshiba standalone player.
I record 'off the air' and from a video source.

I use the Maxell-RW specified by Samsung (although the same problem is apparent with Yuden,Verbatim,Ritek, all -R media).

The freezeup lasts about one second (video and audio) and occur at predicable five minute intervals, which seems to be the chapter length assigned by Samsung for a 2 hr disk.I verified this by looking at the disk with dvdshrink and noted that (in re-author mode) the occurrence was synced with the chapter beginning/end.
The freezing is not apparent on my PC.

Movies ripped and burned on the PC play with no problems on my
standalone player (Toshiba SD-K750).

attar
Member
30. October 2005 @ 11:39 _
Samsung has promised me a CD to upgrade this recorders firmware.

In the meantime TMPGEnc can be used to reauthor the burned disks, which when re-burned are free of this annoyance.

Reauthoring with DVDshrink does not help.
___________________________

So this seems to be inherent with this model. I am wary about using the firmware update until I have heard that it actually fixes the problem.

I will probably call support and see if I can actually get some.

But anybody else who can add anything, please chime in.

Wondering, did you ever get help from the support number?

On the R120 that I bought on the day after thanksgiving sale, with chapter creation on, is locks up and just jumps from chapter to chapter. Only way to stop it is to eject the DVD. Similar thing happens if I record with chapter creation disabled when I attempt to fast forward. This does not happen when I play it on the R120, but it occurs on any of my other DVD players which include 2 other samsung players and another cheapo.

The media I used was Maxell DVD-R's which are on the supported list.

I downloaded the firmware update from their web and made a few CD coasters, finally after searching many forums, found this here:

1. There are two different updates - "Flash Firmware" Update and "Drive Firmware" Update - I haven't been able to find out what each update does, but it is safe to do each one.

2. For the "Drive Firmware" Update, make sure that you name the CD "SSC01M222" . If you don't, the machine will not recognize the CD.

3. For the "Flash Firmware" Update, make sure that you add a file that is at least 100 MB in size to the CD.

That did allow the R120 to recognize the CDROM only to discover that the firmware from the web is the same as what was already loaded.

Waiting on "support" to send me a CDROM with the latest firmware. My fear is that it will be the same version.

Looks like a trip back to Best Buy to return the unit. Maybe thats why it was only 100 bucks after rebate.

i downloaded and successfully installed the firmware and drive ware...however, the chapter freeze thing still happens:

record from dv to dvd-r, then playing back in my jvc dvd player causes the playback to freeze once it gets to any of the chapter breaks (5 min or so)
playback in the dvr120 is just fine, it keeps going

anyone solve this issue yet? i guess i could just play it back in the samsung...need to try out other dvd players to check this

Same exact problem here as well :( I was recording from my DVR cable box.

I purchased it at BestBuy online for $149 w/a $80 rebate so I figured it was a no brainer.

I've tried 4 different brand of media and that's not the problem.

I really hope they fix this issue soon.

man, good deal...i bought it the next day in store for 179 with 80 rebate. have not sent the rebates yet. might have to return this unit if there is no solution

anyone know if this is a common problem among dvd recorders? samsung recorders, or just this one

any input is appreciated

Well, I gave up on the R120 and returned it today. Support was not very helpful. They only available firmware update was what was on the web which was what sipped on the unit. So now I'm back to looking for another one. Maybe a panasonic this time.

I'm in the same boat as you guys. I have the following problems:

1) DVD-R's recorded on this player have choppy playback on the player. DVD-R's recorded on my PC play back fine of this player. Pressed DVD's play fine on this player.

2) DVD-R's recorded on this player refuse to play on my Panasonic player after the 5 minute mark on a title (using SP mode). The DVD-R's play fine on my PC and my AMW player, but that's not the point.

I bought this on the Best Buy Black Friday deal as well. Unfortunately, I've already submitted my rebate online. I still have the box, but no UPC (sent it in for free media) - I think I'm going to be in a fight with Best Buy on this one, but I'm tired of it and it's going back to the store tomorrow.

If it matters, my model is DVD-R120 AXAA. From the good reviews I've read, I'm guessing the non-AXAA models work better. Doesn't help me though.

Well I just got off the phone with support and the person told me to have it repaired. I was persistent and she connected me with what she called their next tier of support.

The gentleman I talked to was was much more helpful. I told him the problem and everything I did to troubleshoot.
Before I mentioned how I'm not the only owner with this problem he mentioned that there was similar problems reported.

He said there was someone above him that he was going to take this issue to and someone would call me Mon. at the latest. He assured me that they would do their best to resolve the issue.

Not a fix but at least I did not get blown off and maybe there will be a fix.

(ALSO posted in another R120 thread)

I've come to the conclusion that the AXAA models (check the back of yours) are all defective. I went through a couple and all posts I see with problems that specify a model have an AXAA model. I now have an XAA model and it works just fine.

It appears that all of the models Best Buy sold on Black Friday are AXAA models and seem to be very error prone. I had the same stuttering problem you had, and the DVD's it creates only play on about half of the DVD players I've tried. I don't think it adheres to the DVD standard on recording.

Shink,

Is your XAA model still working fine and are the disks compatible with all DVD players you've tried them on? Including the Panasonic you had problems with before? In addition to the R120 I picked up, I have an AMW, Allegro and a JVC. The JVC is the only one that has a consistent problem. It plays OK until using a control command (like FF), then it stutters, and has no audio. On the AMW, I had a 5 minute anomaly (switching from 16:9 to 4:3) during a football game I taped. Could be the source, but I doubt it since it switched back after 5 minutes.

My Best Buy has a couple of open box R120's that are XAA type. I'm debating on returning it for an open box XAA.

Yes, I'm 100% satisfied with the XAA model using generic 4x Compusa discs. Playback is fine on the unit itself and the three different players I've tried (AMW, Panasonic, PC).

Well I just got off the phone with support and the person told me to have it repaired. I was persistent and she connected me with what she called their next tier of support.

The gentleman I talked to was was much more helpful. I told him the problem and everything I did to troubleshoot.
Before I mentioned how I'm not the only owner with this problem he mentioned that there was similar problems reported.

He said there was someone above him that he was going to take this issue to and someone would call me Mon. at the latest. He assured me that they would do their best to resolve the issue.

Not a fix but at least I did not get blown off and maybe there will be a fix.

Did you ever hear anything back about this, I just sent them an email on this subject and it would be nice to know if someone was able get them to look into this so I could help them by pushing in the correct direction.

I've got a curious question... When I make a dvd in this recorder, and then play it in another dvd player, there is no menu. Is that how its supposed to work??

Make sure your auto-chapter creator is on.

Your DVD player should have a two menu keys (disc menu, title menu, root menu, etc.) - try both of them. I believe that the Samsung creates two types of menus - one for multiple recordings on the same disc, and another for chapters within a single recording.

Well I've given up on the Samsung. I returned my AXAA version to BB for an XAA open box version. It started out bad when I found the return slip inside the box which stated that the recorder would record for 15 minutes then stop. The slip also said it was to go to the repair center. Since I had it, I figured I might as well test it. It wouldn't recognize two of my cheapo Playo -R disks. I bought some TDK -R disks which were on the recommended list. It didn't recognize the disk at first, but the second time I inserted the disk it did recognize it. Not a good sign though. Sure enough, after only a couple of minutes of recording, it stopped. It definitely should have gone to repair.

I decided to try burning a -R/W because I was still interested in finding out if the XAA version made disks compatible with my JVC. I burned a -R/W disk without problems. I tested the disk on my JVC DVD player, and it did not have the stuttering / lockup that occurred previously (on a -R disk burned on the AXAA) when I used a control command (like fast forward). So far so good. But when I let the disk continue to run to the 5 minute mark, the chapter end, stuttering/lockup started. So at least for me, the XAA version didn't seem to solve the compatibility problem though it potentially could still be related to the defective unit. But given the other reports, and the fact that it did burn correctly with the -R/W, it still looks like a compatability issue to me.

So, unfortunately it went back to BB for good. No $80 rebate, and my search for a recorder continues.

If anyone had questionable ethics, they could probably go pick up an XAA model that is now on sale at best buy this week, and you could probably pack the AXAA model up that they sold on black friday (If you ask me they were blown out at that price because of the "problems" with the AXAA models). That way you could have a great working XAA model for the price of that crappy bug prone AXAA. Just a suggestion ;)

If you look inside of the AXAA and XAA models, you'll see that they are really two different products. The XAA is based on the LSI Logic DMN-8602 processor and the AXAA is based on the new Samsung S5L-3200 processor.

Ron

If anyone had questionable ethics, they could probably go pick up an XAA model that is now on sale at best buy this week, and you could probably pack the AXAA model up that they sold on black friday (If you ask me they were blown out at that price because of the "problems" with the AXAA models). That way you could have a great working XAA model for the price of that crappy bug prone AXAA. Just a suggestion ;)

A word of caution on this. At the BB where I purchased AND returned my AXAA model, they opened the box and verified the unit serial number with what was on the box.

A word of caution on this. At the BB where I purchased AND returned my AXAA model, they opened the box and verified the unit serial number with what was on the box.

To me that makes it sound like they are aware of this problem, good thing the girl waiting on me at the time didn't look to closely, but you are correct she did dig around at the back of the machine looking like she was trying to verify something. I do have to say the difference between the two machines is like night and day, the PQ of the XAA from an HD feed turns out wonderful on recorded disk.

When I traded mine in at BB for an open box XAA, they wanted to return it and have me buy the open box XAA. But that would have voided my rebate from Black Friday. They sent me to the manager of the area, and he agreed to just go ahead and swap them. Unfortunately the open box I swapped for was bad anyway.

I have a AXAA model and It's not possible to execute an Flash Update.
When you copy the REC and RUF files, only the "Drive Update" is executed.
If you burn a CD only with the RUF file, the unit show "This disc cannot be played".

I think that the AXAA model don't have Firmware Flashable, only the Drive is flashable.

Could anybody test this in anothers AXAA models?

I have a AXAA model and It's not possible to execute an Flash Update.
When you copy the REC and RUF files, only the "Drive Update" is executed.
If you burn a CD only with the RUF file, the unit show "This disc cannot be played".

I think that the AXAA model don't have Firmware Flashable, only the Drive is flashable.

Could anybody test this in anothers AXAA models?

But the only updates I have seen on the sammy site specifically state that they are for the XAA model. Is that the one you are trying?

If so, it's not obvious to me that just because the player rejects it means that the hardware cannot be flashed.

I, for one, kind of hope the reflash mechanism checks for a compatilble image before it goes at it....

I'm trying with a lot of files, from US, Brazil, Hungary.

It's not specifically for the AXAA, but for all other models (R120 and R121 that has the same hardware)

All variations accepts the file RUF only, but the AXAA not.
The hack region also doesn't work.

Where can I find information about the Samsung S5L-3200 that is inside in this model?

I have an R120/AXAA. The DVD-Rs I have burned playback fine in the R120 but don't play in any other brand DVD player. It will play 4 seconds of video, then the picture would freeze and the audio continues. Yes... I have finalized the discs. Has anyone else experienced this problem?

Has anyone confirmed that the firmware on the Sammy site is for the XAA machines only?

Thanks

mobil1,

If I remember properly, the AXAA models already had the website firmware installed on them at the factory.

Hi All,

FWIW I purchased an R121 last October, and experienced the 'stop at the 5 minute mark' problem on most other machines, including other Samsungs. The local tech support in Sydney did report that there was a problem, but they never came back to discuss it further, so back went the R121.

It all sounds remarkably similar to the reports here.

Rob.

I have been reading here for a couple years and picked up a lot of good info and some doubtful info! But the members here have about the most hands on experience I have found.

I started with a Pan emr50 several years ago. Fine machine and still works, but seems to hit about 1 hour and 47 minutes then burns or creates a scratch in the disc which makes it stop playing at that point! Machine still plays fine. I am afraid to waste time and money having it repaired.

I bought the SS 120 last year. Luckily I got the second generation machine and it hasn't had as much trouble as most of these guys have had. Still has momentary freeze when played back on some other machines, even with chapter stops turned off. Lately it is not always recording and finalizing correctly. Sometimes after a recording and finalizing session, there is nothing there to play back. The cheap TY discs which have worked fine for several years now show error when I try to record on them. this is the bottom 1/2 of a 50 pack spindle, the top 1/2 worked fine. I have gone to Maxell Japan discs in this machine now. It does record a nice picture, even at LP on B/W. Bottom line is I would never buy this machine again, I would spend the extra bit and get the new Pan 15. Next good deal on that machine and I will replace my SS.

Anybody that bought one and is unhappy, return it and get the new Pan!!!

I tried the firmware update (both patches) from the Samsung web site to no avail. It does not seem to solve the problem at all.

Has anyone had their unit repaired for this problem and was it fixed when they got it back from servcice?

If so, what did the service agent say they did to the unit?

I've gone through two of the DVD-R120s (both were XAA) over the past two weeks. In each case, it records fine, but freezes at the chapter marks on every DVD player that I try to play it back on (except the 120 itself). I have this problem even when I have chapter creation turned off, which seems weird. I've tried the firmware update from the Samsung site (I could only find one there) to no avail. Our local Sam's Club has this unit for only $60, so I was pretty interested in making it work. I called Samsung today, and the service rep informed me that the only way to make it work was to record to DVD-RW (not DVD-R) and use I think she said V mode. She told me that there is no way to fix the issue with DVD-Rs (disn't sound right to me). I have a whole bunch of DVD-Rs, so I'm really not interested in going out and buying new DVD-RWs that may or may not solve the problem. Since there doesn't appear to be another solution, I'll probably end up just returning the unit (unless someone else here has found a better work around with the DVD-Rs).

I called Samsung today, and the service rep informed me that the only way to make it work was to record to DVD-RW (not DVD-R) and use I think she said V mode. She told me that there is no way to fix the issue with DVD-Rs (disn't sound right to me).

This does not work. I tried it. The RW's (I used MAXELL) still freeze at the chapter points.

Again I ask... Has anyone had any success with getting their defective DVD-R120 fully repaired?

I just bought the samsung dvd-r 120. Lot's of freeze ups recording & lots of coasters made. I bought Sony -r 8x discs (they recommend sony -r 16x) and still problems. I have made numerous calls to tech support, they are nice, but not real helpful. I have done all firmware updates (they are sending me a CD with their updates - probably the same). I just took one of my "successful" discs and tried to make copies on my duplicator - no go - it said that it could not read the source disc (my Samsung copy). Should I consider this unit a loss or is it worth pursuing? It is the AXAA model.

What a waste of time.

This comes up every so often. Re-read the manual. The problem persists because the feature is misnamed. The 120 always creates chapters on finalized Vs. All you can turn off is the creation of a chapter menu.

Sorry,
Mike

Although rich with features, the Samsung DVD-R120 AXAA may produce finalized DVD-Rs that play on other players and recorders, but they only play as long as you do not fast forward, reverse, or skip to the next chapter. Now I find myself questioning what highly compatible means. :(

I have the following problems:

...

2) DVD-R's recorded on this player refuse to play on my Panasonic player after the 5 minute mark on a title (using SP mode). The DVD-R's play fine on my PC and my AMW player, but that's not the point.

... If it matters, my model is DVD-R120 AXAA. From the good reviews I've read, I'm guessing the non-AXAA models work better. Doesn't help me though.

Because of the price and all the features as well as advertised compatibility, I bought the DVD-R120 AXAA to replace my stodgy yet reliable and highly compatible Philips DVDR 75. :rolleyes: I thought my research was fairly thorough. I should have known it was too good to be true that I'd get a compatible DVDR for less than 100 bucks.

I can play DVD-R120 AXAA finalized DVD-Rs on my Panasonic SC-HT740 and DVD-F87 players as well as my Philips DVDR 75 recorder. However, if I skip chapters or fast forward or reverse, it hangs, stalls, locks the machine. From what I have read and understand, finalized DVD-R/RWs and DVD+R/RW are supposed to be highly compatible with other DVD players.

DVD+Rs finalized on my Philips DVDR 75 play just fine on my other players, including the DVD-R120 AXAA, and do not lock them up. So, I'm just as disappointed with as Shink. In this case, you get what you pay for. :mad:

Consumer Reports defines DVD-R/RWs and DVD+R/RWs as HIGHLY compatible with other players and recorders. Does HIGHLY compatible mean it will ONLY play on another player? :confused: My expectations are that it means you can play, fast forward, reverse and skip without problems. I guess I'll have to ask them to clarify.

Bob K.

Consumer Reports defines DVD-R/RWs and DVD+R/RWs as HIGHLY compatible with other players and recorders.

Bob K.



The XAA model seems to be better than the AXAA model. I bet CR reviewed the XAA model (which is the original one).

I've got the XAA with the original Firmware and it will record anything ;) .
One downfall is, it will only record on 8X, and not 16X. I can live with that! :)
If you update the firmware, you can no longer back up VHS movies.

When I make copies of TV shows, or VHS home movies they playback fine on my Sony DVD player, and on my Apex player. I can FF/RR with no problems. They hang up 50% of the time on my PS2, and don't make it past 5 mins on my Computer DVD player.

I'm starting to think it's a compatibility issue between the Samsung DVD-R120 and different brand DVD players.

I can burn some wheelin' footage from my VHS to the SS120, take the DVD to my Jeep club meeting and play it just fine on the player there too. (not sure on the brand of player)

That same disc will freeze up on the Insignia player in my son's room, but still plays fine on the Apex, and Sony Players. (go figure)




I did have some problems with a spindle of Memorex DVD-R's, but after I replaced them with some HP DVD-R's it's working just fine again. (that's another deal)

UPDATE!!!

I found out tonight the DVD only hangs up on the computer at the 5 min mark while playing it through Media Player. If I use Power DVD, it plays just fine on the computer now. :D

I have been using a Samsung VR320 DVD recorder for a year. All of the chapter break problems that have been reported for the Samsung 120 are also observed with the VR 320. After reading all of the posts, I have reached the tentative conclusion, that the incimpatibility resides in how the dvd player or pc dvd software handle chapter breaks. The solution seems to lie in giving dvd player firmware updates to handle the chapter breaks without stopping the playback. Vendors, unfortunately may not be motivated to solve what they might regard as some one else's problem to the detriment of us consumers.

So far my research has not revealed how the chapter breaks are actually realized on the burned dvd. Maybe some knowledgable reader can enlighten us on that. That knowledge will shed a great deal of light on these reported problems.

AnyDVD always reports the Samsung discs as having an invalid structure, so I'm going to blame the player.