[GreggPenn]

I have a Polaroid 2001G component input player. Of the first 15 disks, two are only readable (after finalizing) in the Polaroid. They will load in other players (and display a menu of chapters), but upon playing they lock up in the first chapter. If I try to play anything but the first chapter, my other units simply won't respond. They will only play the first chapter for a minute or two -- then lock up. I have a Panasonic, a Sony, and a GoVideo. They all error the same way.


Again, the two problem disks will play in the Polaroid. Everything -- including chapter selection works fine.


The player is designed to use all disk types +/- R/RW disks. I selected Maxell DVD-R (16x) discs. Are their issues with various brands/types -- even for recorders designed to use all types?


In both cases, the problem disks were completely filled (to the last second).


Is the problem related to the disk type, the software (e.g., the recorder), or something else? Are their more issues for disks that are completely filled -- especially if there are a lot of chapters (i.e., 10+).

 

[bobkart]

Flakey media would cause that. Try burning another disc from the Polaroid with a different brand of media, Verbatim perhaps. TDK and Sony are medium/good quality, also worth a try. Taiyo Yuden brand media would be best at ruling out media problems, but you're not likely to find it in stores.


Also try reading the discs on different players. All this is an attempt to isolate the problem: is it the burner, media, or player.

 

[7558037]

Could be any of the things bobkart mentioned, or it could be (a WAG only):


1. The menu you selected can't handle the no. of Titles (you said "Chapters"?) on the disc. Select one that has lots of title spots...the Pio's last menu option has 10-12 title slots presented in list form. (Someone alse had a similar problem with 10+ titles, but never reported back if a diff. menu helped.)


2. The -R media requires large "border zones" between multiple recordings on a disc. Maybe the Polaroid doesn't handle a lot (10+) border zones well? Try a +R disc, which uses much smaller border zones???

 

[FullOnShred]

If you can find Made In Japan Sony 8x+Rs they are usually made by Taiyo. Sears is a good place to check.

 

[GreggPenn]



Quote:
Originally Posted by bobkart /forum/post/0


Also try reading the discs on different players. All this is an attempt to isolate the problem: is it the burner, media, or player.

I described what happens when I try to play them in my other players. Am I missing your point?

 

[GreggPenn]



Quote:
Originally Posted by FullOnShred /forum/post/0


If you can find Made In Japan Sony 8x+Rs they are usually made by Taiyo. Sears is a good place to check.

What makes +R's better? What makes Taiyo better (never heard of them)! What's the deal with bigger gaps? Do these disks hold a little less but perform better? Wouldn't inter-gaps be a function of the recorder vs the disk?


Are RW disks any better - especially if I don't want to re-record? (Don't really want to select them cause they cost more).


I did completely fill a couple of other disks -- which transfer to all players well -- but I think there were fewer chapters (i.g., 5ish). So it sounds like the inter-chapter space or disc type may make a difference! But why didn't the recorder show any error -- and why does it still play those disks?!?!?!?


Also, my Polaroid seems to crush lighter screens but the discs don't seem affected as they create a good color palette on other players. I would assume the output section of the Polaroid is the culprit while it's ability to burn good (color/contrast) discs is better. Agree?


gp

 

[nextoo]

"Technically" the Polaroid does not support -R media. It supports +R -RW and +RW. Although I've never had a problem with -R media. But the Polaroid could be more picky about what -R media works well as a result.


I personally never run a recording to the very end of a disc. The edge of a disc is more vulnerable to disc errors. I also very rarely record directly to a disc. I prefer to record to the HDD first and then dub to a disc. Try recording to the HDD first and then dubbing to your discs. I'm guessing you'll have fewer problems. And get full use out your current -R's. If you want to record directly to a disc then I would move on to another brand of discs.

 

[bobkart]



Quote:
Originally Posted by GreggPenn /forum/post/0


I described what happens when I try to play them in my other players. Am I missing your point?

I mean different players beyond the one(s) you tried them on. You didn't mention what those players were or how many of them you tried.

 

[nextoo]



Quote:
Originally Posted by bobkart /forum/post/0


I mean different players beyond the one(s) you tried them on. You didn't mention what those players were or how many of them you tried.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[GreggPenn]

My other players include a Panasonic DVD-CV52 (5 disc changer), a GoVideo DVR4100 combo VCR/DVD, and the Sony DVP-NS975V. The Sony is a year old, the GoVideo is 3 yrs old, and the Panasonic is about 5 yrs old.


My Sony is their first HDMI equipped and upconverting unit released 8/2005. I believe it should be considered the best of my units. Because all three units (from different eras utilizing different "engines") read (and error out) the discs in question the same way, I have to assume the problem is with the way the discs are being written -- probably in the indexing areas. I also have to assume other players would fail unless they include the same/similar engine for reading the Polaroid indexing scheme. (For example, I read that Magnavox units can read unfinalized Polaroid discs which indicates is uses the same engine).


This seems more likely to be a software issue with the Polaroid than the media being faulty -- since the original unit can still read them. It's apparently doing something not universally recognized (at least with DVD-R media). Are the different formats of discs really written differently? My only other thought is how the discs are actually burned (tracks, etc). Something is up when fast forwarding occurs more quickly on these Polaroid discs vs. commercial media.


It is interesting that -R is listed as supported in my manual while Nextoo says it's not technically supported. How was that determined?


Note: If it wasn't clear in my first post, only two of my Maxell DVD-R's had a problem. And, they were completely filled in SP+ mode (2hrs 7min). I have about 4 others that are O.K. I think at least two of them were also filled but they probably only have one/two chapters. Also, the couple of Sony DVD-R's is used are O.K. The rest of my DVD's were burned with a Philips component unit that I returned. So all of the 15 discs weren't burned with this Polaroid.


This is my first attempt at buying a DVD recorder and my first discussion of media for them. So any comments on the best type of media (in general) are certainly welcome!


The only other burning I've done is with CDs. Even then I usually have to slow down Window Media Player (to 8x) to avoid write errors. So, I'm not surprised about these DVD errors. OTOH, I don't see any "controls" for DVD burning/speed and the discs are at least readable in the original unit. Whereas CDs that fail during burning are obvious at the time of the burn.


P.S. If you keep my yakin' long enough, it looks like I'll pass the 1K post mark!

 

[nextoo]



Quote:
Originally Posted by GreggPenn /forum/post/0



It is interesting that -R is listed as supported in my manual while Nextoo says it's not technically supported. How was that determined?

The manual is a chinese - english translation. It has been discussed many times for its errors as being poor. The money was spent on the box. Folks that actually speak English were involved. There is no reference to -R on the box. It says +R -RW +RW. The consensus has been to believe what is advertised on the box.


That being said I believe your problem is your media. You would probably save yourself a lot of heart burn by trying different discs. This is not uncommon. Try +R if you want to record directly to disc.


Also. I have never had a problem dubbing to -R from the HDD with any brand of media. Perhaps burning directly to disc using -R media was why -R media was excluded. But only a guess.

 

[bobkart]

And your -R discs from the Polaroid play okay in other players nextoo?

 

[GreggPenn]

Well ya got me on that one, Nextoo. The box says it supports +/-RW and +R discs. In the manual, it says +R's need to be finalized. Does that mean RW's don't need to be finalized (to be read in other players)? Can they be finalized even if I tried? If so, can they not be rewritten at that point?


In recording modes, it says +/-R/RW which is why I thought all formats were supported.


Since -R's do work, is there really a diff in the way discs are written? At this point, I'll certainly try +Rs to see if they are more foolproof, but it never hurts to be curious about media, software, etc....


---------------------------------------------


Bob,

My preliminary -R's play in other players. It's just the two recent ones with lots of chapters that are full -- that won't.


I also bought a newer (K serial # unit). I could try and see if there's a difference in the two releases -- if it matters.


Gregg