Plays sometimes? some dvd players, not others

I have a new MacBook Pro with a super drive and the latest version of iDVD. I work doing video editing but I never burned anything to DVDs before. So I used iDVD and I burned a few on the Taiyo Yuden DVD-Rs. We have a DVD production system that prints right onto the surface so I use no paper labels. After making a few DVDs, I played it with iDVD. I put it into a PC and played it with CyberLink's PowerDVD. They both played fine. But when I play in Windows Media Player, it doesn't work. My boss has grabbed a couple and played them on his PC and he just gets a few seconds of menu music, then it goes black. I am not sure what he used to play it. Also, some clients have taken them home and are unable to play them in a DVD player and their computers. The clients are old, and they could have old dvd players but that shouldn't matter. Before I did the edited we had them as just a video file and would play on insertion (also on dvd-r) and would work fine. So we didn't switch anything except doing the editing. We mass produce these DVDs and distribute them to clients so these need to be compatible with more. Why don't these work with everything? Is there a way to make them more generic to play in more places? I used final cut pro to edit, exported as a .mov file, then dragged to iDVD. I used just the standard revolution menu layout. Nothing fancy. Any ideas?

Once you have the disk image, you would either need to burn a disc or in some way copy that to your duplicator hard drive for duplication. Most duplicators I am aware of let you control the burn speed. I wouldn't choose the slowest or the fastest. 4x is my sweet spot right now.
I won't to go back to why has the ability to play changed question. Are you saying you had a DVD NOT made with iDVD that plays but using iDVD it doesn't play? If so, that has already been answered: could be the menu, could be uncompressed audio, could be just that particular compression.
Are you saying you have the same video made with iDVD that plays in some players but not others? Same answer! Could be the menu the player doesn't like, could be uncompressed audio the player doesn't like. Could be the compression the player doesn't like. I have seen some players that will only playback a CBR (not VBR) disc- the under 60-minute version of iDVDs encoding.
Are you saying you have a disc made on iDVD that played once on a DVD player but that same disc now won't play again? I would say something about the disk integrity has changed. Could be scratched. Could be an "invisible" defect. The only thing you now is that this one disc doesn't work anymore. If this is systematic of all your discs, I would have to say it's a compression issue.
Mike

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Burned DVD plays on some DVD players and not others

Hello all,
First, please forgive my ignorance because I do not work with video much and have no idea what I'm doing. Someone created a video that I need to burn so the DVD can play on any DVD player. The folder is titled "VIDEO_TS" and then the files within it have the following extensions: .BUP, .IFO, .VOB. with VIDEO and VTS as the prefixes. the largest file has a .VOB extension. The master disk is a DVD-R and I burned the video on a Verbatim DVD-R which played fine on my MAc, a PC and two DVD players. However, I tried it on two other DVD players and it could not be played. So now I'm trying to figure out how I can created a DVD that will be compatible with any DVD player or create an alternate version that can be played on the machines that currently can't play the DVD.
Does all of that make sense? I've been all over the internet and seen different suggestions for similar problems but I don't want to spend money or waste time trying different tactics that won't solve my problem.
Thanks in advance!

Hi
This is a question very familiar in iDVD forum. I use to answer like this.
• Brand of DVD used matters - I only use Verbatim (more organic dye in these) - but there are other GOOD Brands
• DVD-R - plays on more DVD-players than DVD+R as it plays on even older DVD-players (DVD+/-RW - don't even think of it)
• BURN SPEED - is a major contributor to this problem - I never go faster than x4 - I use as standard x2
There are two kinds a blanc DVD can be burned as
• DATA-DVD - Files from DeskTop just stored on a blank DVD - few DVD-players can play this (only very very new ones and they are rare - if I'm rightly informed)
• Video-DVD - a DVD-authoring program is a MUST. iDVD, DVD-Studio Pro, Burn, Roxio Toast etc etc
I'm told that Compressor can do this - I never got it to deliver a Playable-DVD - BUT THIS IS DUE TO MY NEGLECT !
So when iDVD or Toast creates this very special structured DVD - You find the two (must be there) folders VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS (empty) - and if the DVD-player don't find this = it will not play.
Yours - very happy with iDVD and Toast (and DVD-Studio Pro - but this is hard to get right) - Bengt W

IDVD created DVD plays on some DVD players and not others, HELP!

Hi everyone,
I just finished a huge wedding photo montage and burned it using iDVD to a standard DVD-R. I popped it into a Sony home DVD player and all went well, and looked great. Next I tried the DVD in a Mintek portable DVD player (so it's easier to take to the wedding and connect to the LCD projector) and the DVD is not recognized. I tested another computer burned DVD (from a wedding video that was burned on a PC) in the mintek and it does work. I also tested the mintek using a standard store bought DVD movie and it worked fine.
Any thoughts on why this might be happening? I've browsed through the prefs for iDVD in search of some "compatibility" options but there aren't any.
The wedding is Saturday so I'm really hoping to get this sorted out quickly.
BTW I'm using the MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-815 (the one that came standard in the original 1GHz, 17" Powerbook)
Thanks everyone!
Dave-G

Your problem is the Mintek portable DVD player.
Some older DVD players will not play the newer burned media.
This is by design to force conusmers to always upgrade and update there equipment to stay a head of the technology curve.
I had the same problem with a 2 year old stand alone player wouldn't play anything I burned. It would play on other computers and on newer stand alone players but not on a 2 year old player. (VERY FRUSTRATING) I bought a new cheap stand alone and quess what , All was good it played.
There are different codes that are on these players that distingish the players capability.
Good Luck.
Don

2nd video doesn't play on SOME DVD players

So I've been burning DVDs of our film for months now with iDVD 5 and have had no problems with playback, including on an older Sony DVD player (~7-8 years old). I now added a trailer to our DVDs (3 menu items now: Movie, Scene selection, and Trailer) and the discs will play the movie fine, including from the scene selection menu, on the Sony. But it stalls and gives an error when trying to play the Trailer. However, the all the elements work fine on the Mac and in another, newer DVD player. Weird.
Is this just a matter of the unpredictability of older DVD players?

Is this just a matter of the unpredictability of older DVD players?
Probably.
http://dvd.kentidwell.com/?page_id=54
john b

Error Messages When Burning / Disk only plays in certain DVD players

When burning most all of my DVD's in DVD Studio Pro, after all of the encoding in the burn process and the program starts the initialization, I get a Media Error Calibration Error message. When I retry to burn, everything seems fine. But, my DVD's only play in some DVD players. Others say unreadable disc. Any ideas?

Many times, media can cause your problem, I use Maxell myself, (never had any compatibility issues. Here's a URL to a site that rates the quility of many different kinds of media and there reliability.
It also includes alot of very useful info below the ratings area.
URL: http://digitalfaq.com/media/dvdmedia.htm
G5 Quad Core 2.5GHz & G4/1.2GHz Dual 6GB RAM Mac OS X (10.4.5) [storage] X RAID's : [capture] Io : [decks] Betacam SP, S-VHS, DSR-11

Imovie iDVD finished but DVD does not Play in ALL DVD players?

I have made several DVD movies over the years and sometimes when i go from imovie> idvd> finished DVD
1. it does not play in ALL dvd players? why?
2. or sometimes plays in some DVD players?
3. sometimes plays in computer( apple) dvd but not always?
Is there something i have to due before, after or during rendering so that the finished DVD plays in all DVD players
thanks

Hi
*I do put paper labes on discs --*
NEVER DO THAT - The ability to get them perfectly centered is near to impossibly
DVDs are many tims more sencitive to missaligmement by 1/100 or 1/1000 of a millimeter.
CDs often can handle this - but still not advicably.
I do.
• Use only Verbatim (Taiyo Yuden - also recommended by many - no own experience)
• DVD-R (no +R or +/-RW)
• Burn at an as slow speed possibly eg x1 with iDVD08 or higher or Roxio Toast™
or Apple Disk Util tool
• NEVER under 25Gb free space on internal boot hard disk (others not important)
• I use a Cleaning-DVD from time to time
• I burn max 3 DVD at a time then cool for 20min
• I use the Cleaning DVD on my other players as well
On Quality.
*DVD quality*
1. iDVD 8 has three levels of qualities.
iDVD 6 has the two last ones
• Professional Quality (movies up to 120 min.) - BEST
• Best Performances (movies less than 60 min.) - High quality on final DVD
• High Quality (in iDVD08) / Best Quality (in iDVD6) (movies up to 120 min.) - slightly lower quality than above
2. From
• FCE/P - Export out as full quality QuickTime.mov (not selfcontaining, no conversion)
• iMovie x-6 - Don't use ”Share/Export to iDVD” = destructive even to movie project and especially so
when the movie includes photos. Instead just drop or import the iMovie movie project icon (with a Star on it) into iDVD theme window.
• iMovie’08 not meant to go to iDVD. Go via Media Browser or rather use iMovie HD 6 from start.
3. I use Roxio Toast™ to make an as slow burn as possibly eg x1 (in iDVD’08 this can also be set)
This can also be done with (Apple) Disk Util tool.
4. There has to be about or more than 25Gb free space on internal (start-up) hard disk. iDVD can't
use an external one as scratch disk (if it is not start-up disc).
5. Verbatim ( also recommended by many - Taiyo Yuden DVDs - I can’t get hold of it to test )
6. DVD-R (no +R or +/-RW)
7. Keep NTSC to NTSC - or - PAL to PAL when going from iMovie to iDVD
8. Don’t burn more than three DVD at a time - but let the laser cool off for a while befor next batch.
iDVD quality also depends on:
• HOW much free space is there on Your internal (start-up) hard disk. Go for approx 25Gb.
less than 5Gb and Your result will most probably not play.
• What kind of movie project You drop into it. MPEG4 seems to be a bad choice.
other strange formats are .avi, .wmv, .flash etc. Convert to streamingDV first
Also audio formats matters. I use only .aiff or from miniDV tape Camera 16-bit
strange formats often problematic are .avi, .wmv, audio from iTunes, .mp3 etc
Convert to .aiff first and use this in movie project
• What kind of standard - NTSC movie and NTSC DVD or PAL to PAL - no mix.
(If You need to change to do a NTSC DVD from PAL material let JESDeinterlacer3.2.2 do the conversion)
(Dropping a PAL movie into a NTSC iDVD project
(US) NTSC DVDs most often are playable in EU
(EU) PAL DVDs most often needs to be converted to play in US
UNLESS: They are plabacked by a Mac - then You need not to care
• What kind of DVDs You are using. I use Verbatim DVD-R (this brand AND no +R or +/-RW)
• How You encode and burn it. Two settings prior iDVD08
Pro Quality (only in iDVD08)
Best / High Quality (not always - most often not)
Best / High Performances (most often my choise)
1. go to iDVD pref. menu and select tab far right and set burn speed to x1 (less errors = plays better) - only in iDVD08
2. Project info: Select Professional Encoding - only in iDVD08.
Region codes:
iDVD - only burn Region = 0 - meaning - DVDs are playable everywhere
DVD Studio pro can set Region codes:
1 = US
2 = EU
Yours Bengt W

Widescreen format play's back in 4:3 on SOME dvd players?

Can anyone help? I shot and edited a video in actual 16:9 format (canon xl2 & FCP). When I exported to a quicktime file I changed the video properties to 853 x 420 as stated in an earlier post to make FCP widescreen work with iDVD widescreen. And that works! When i burned to DVD using iDVD I tried playing it back on my Panasonic DVD player and it played back in 4:3, cropping off the sides. But when I played the same DVD on my Playstation 2 on the same TV it played back in 16:9 perfectly fine. I tried it on two other DVD players and one worked (JVC player) and the other didn't (another Panasonci)? So I am confused what is going on. On the first DVD Panosonic player that didn't work I stuck in a 16:9 format DVD that was burned using Adobe Encore and it worked fine, so I don't believe it is a settings issue with the actual player (I think anyways). Does anybody know what is going on? Thank you.

+so I don't believe it is a settings issue with the actual player (I think anyways).+
I've found that you have to go into Setup on some DVD players and make changes. Something like Letterbox or just 16:9 setting. Try it.

Burned CD-RW plays in some CD players

(I see many ?'s but no A's.) Here's another question. Burned iTune downloads using Memorex CD's and a Memorex DVD recorder, play in some CD players and are unrecognized by other players. Is this problem written in to prevent copying or is it a system fault?? If a fault, any suggestions?

Hi, alcalc.
The problem most likely occurs because of the CD players being used.
What types of devices read CD-RW discs?
Written CD-RW discs have slightly different optical characteristics (lower reflectivity and signal modulation) than prerecorded (pressed) and written CD-R discs and therefore are not as widely compatible. They can be read only on MultiRead-compliant CD-ROM drives, CD-R/RW recorders and MultiRead-compliant DVD-ROM drives and recorders. CD-RW discs are, in addition, compatible with some consumer electronics devices including MultiPlay-compliant portable, car and set-top CD audio players and MultiPlay-compliant DVD-Video players and recorders. Again, all CD and DVD devices that read CD-RW discs do not necessarily display the MultiRead or MultiPlay logos. If in doubt, consult with the hardware manufacturer.
-source: http://www.osta.org/technology/cdqa6.htm

Burned DVD glitches in some DVD players

Any answers to this one. I burn my 45 minute program to DVD using idvd. It plays fine on computers, also in some DVD players(Sony) but glitches out and stops playing on many lower end DVD players. Why?

Well that is the first time I have heard all that (not saying it isn't true, just that I have never heard that). My reading suggests that DVD-R are more compatible. In any case, here are my tips for a more reliable burn:
Remember that the DVD is the final product. The last step in a long series of steps. Keep this in mind when taping and editing. Use SP mode, not LP mode on the camcorder. Use 16-bit/48KHz audio. I have read that some image stabilizers offered on camcorders can cause editing problems. The best image stabilizer is a tripod. Keep in mind that MPEG2 compression does not like fast motion, so keep your pans & zooms slow and steady... use that tripod.
Note any problems you had capturing or editing. Double-check the material in the timeline. Gaps in audio or video are bad- fill with slugs if nothing else.
Use good quality blank media. The flavor of choice right now are Verbatims but in the end, you need to find one that works best for you.
NEVER put a label on a DVD. Kiss of Death. Enocurage your competition to label their DVDs!!!! As mentioned, DVDs have alot of information on them, labeling them will throw them off balance in many DVD players. Not good.
Use something like an Epson R200 if you want to put a pretty face on the DVD.
Also mentioned was using a slower burn. Your computer will cache information better than a tabletop DVD player. If the tabletop doesn't have what it needs when it needs it... it will choke.
Try to keep all content under 90-minutes. The longer the content, the lower the bit-rate used to encode and the more chances for problems.
Finally, if you have examined all your options and you still aren't happy- move on to a new tool for Authoring your DVDs. iDVD is part of iLife for for $79. DVDSP is $499.
Good Luck,
Mike

Audio off on some DVD players?

Ok, so here is an odd problem. I edited footage in FCP and exported it into a quicktime file. I then burned it onto a dvd using iDVD. However, on some dvd players (PC and regular) the audio is out of sync at times when you play it. So, you can play the dvd and it will be out of sync, turn off the player, try again and it works. But this is happening like every other time it is played, I don't know what is going on.

I also have the video on the internet and one person said they had the same audio issue there.
The movie info on that file says it's 32,000, not 48,000 which would be 16-bit. But maybe you changed it for the site.
Did you play the disk image with DVD Player software? You should expect the burned DVD to be a replica of the disk image.
Burn 4X or slower. Memorex and TDK brands can be poor.
I recommend a disk image burned to Verbatim DVD-R at 4X or slower using Toast or Disk Utility.
David Pogue also recommends Verbatim on page 356 of his latest book:
iMovie HD & iDVD 6: The Missing Manual
Quoting David: "Cheaper brands don't use the same amount of organic dyes and are more likely to suffer premature deaths."
G4 DP 1.25 GHz 2GB RAM 4 Drives 770GB Mac OS X (10.4.6) 2 SuperDrives (SL 8X & DL 16X)

Will recording in HD mean it can only play in hd dvd players?

im looking into getting a sony hdr-hc7 and i was wondering if i record my video in hd then make it into a DVD using iDVD if it would only be able to play in HD dvd players and if you had to burn the video to HD dvd discs? does the HD mean itll be better quality than regular minidv but u can still play it only a regular tv. or will you have to have an hd tv if u want to see what you recorded in HD. so i guess im asking 2questions. one about the HD DVD and then the other by just hooking up the camera to a tv. thanks

Well, most HDV cameras out there have the ability to convert to SD (standard definition) as you capture to your hard drive. I have a Sony FX1 and it has this. Not sure about the HC7, but probably. You can look in the manual under downconvert or something of the like. Its a setting in the menu system of the camera.
Usually what I do is shoot everything in HDV and then use the downconvert system to edit as I rarely have anyone requesting HD for the final piece. You could skip capturing SD and capture HD and then edit and export your piece back to tape (for viewing on an HDTV) or out to an HD version of quicktime (for web or computer viewing).
To put something out to HD DVD, you need an HD DVD recorder and blank media (both extremely expensive whether you go with Blu-Ray or HD DVD). Oh, and you will also need some High Def DVD mastering software.
Anyway, there's my 2 cents.

My iPhone4 docks correctly with some devices but not others, please help!

Hi,
Firstly spologies if this is old news but sometimes its easier to 're-ask' than trawl thousands of pages!.....
I have a 3-year old iPhone 4 that has developed a problem which i'm trying hard to solve;
*Phone used to dock fine with anything and everything - this was about 1 year ago.
*for no apparent reason it ceased docking with my Bose Soundock and a Logic3 accessory dock (connected to a hi-fi) at home
*symptoms were; it would charge and operate as normal whilst docked but would not play music through either (the Logic3 dock did not acknowledge it was docked). Otherwise it would sync and connect normally with iTunes, etc. and connected fine when plugged into my car.
*I reset it, restored it from back-up, updated/reinstalled iOS (this has since updated at least twice) with no other effects. Also checked and reset all settings.
*I subsequently bought a Pure Contour dock as I was able to try it in the shop and my phone worked with it, plus it has Airplay anyway. I have since, in an attempt to find a bedside DAB radio/alarm dock that works with it, found that it works fine with some devices but not others with no rhyme or reason as to which.
*2 days ago I changed out the docking port myself using a cheap replacement bought from Amazon, to see if it would cure.
* now the problem is reversed! The Bose and Logic3 docks I have, that it wouldn't work on before, it now DOES....and the Pure dock and my car, which it DID work with before now fail to connect with it!
*just to reiterate this, my wife's gen3 and gen5 iPods dock and work faultlessly with all devices mentioned....and mine had done previously.
to my knowledge it is NOT;
- a compatibility issue. The phone used to work fine on everything I had. Then it stopped. How's that?!
- a connector issue. The male connectors on all docks haven't changed.......and the female connector in my phone has changed from liking selected devices to then liking the others!! (it is female after all ;-) !)
-a software issue. iOS has been updated and the phone wiped and restored and all sorts so many times I can;t see how it can be!
could it be a problem with the data exchange between phone and device when it is docked??
or do I really need to try changing the port for an 'official' one??
or is it just broken and that's that?!

It's either a problem with the connector on your phone (dirt, lint, bent pin, corrosion) or with its connection to the motherboard inside. Cleaning the connector is a good place to start; either a dry toothbrush, air blast can or wood toothpick. Next inspect it carefully with a good magnifying glass or jeweler's loupe. If nothing turns up it is probably damage inside, which will be difficult to fix. Aren't you due for an upgrade about now? Your iPhone 4 is 3 generations out of date!

Is There A Way To Make It Play On All DVD Players?

Hey my friend told me with DVD Studio Pro that you can make it so it plays on all dvd players now so that even ones before who wouldnt be able to play a burnt dvd will play them. Is this true or will it only be for players that have that feature for DVD R-?

If you go to Replication you have a chance your disc will play on all players as it will be DVD-Video but if you burn the disc and send it out to whoever is going to see it, it'll be DVD±R (DL) therefore the disc will be recordable media.
The basic concept to understand is that the discs you buy from a store (a la a feature film) are not the same as the discs you burn. The discs you burn are not 100% compatible but can be easily made more or less compatible if you don't know what you're doing.
Of course, as mentioned, if only 100 users will see your disc the chances are your disc will play fine for all 100 people are much higher than they used to be...
-Jake

I have downloaded a film and want to burn it onto a dvd disc, how do i do this so that it will play in most DVD players?

I have downloaded a film and want to burn it onto a dvd disc, how do i do this so that it will play in most DVD players?
I am just inserting blank dvd and going into finder and trying to burn disc, it looks as if it burns however does not play on a dvd player!!
please advise!
thanks

Buy iDVD.
Yes, there are other programs that will put a movie on a DVD. I have tried most of the substitutes. None of them come anywhere near the ease-of-use and power of iDVD.
http://www.apple.com/findouthow/movies/idvd.html
With iDVD you can easily and quickly create DVDs with menus and graphics almost on the level of what Hollywood can do.
IDVD is easy to get. It is available on disk as part of iLife 11.
IDVD is a wonderful piece of software and well worth the low cost of $40. (works with all Mac OS 10.5 and newer.)
http://www.amazon.com/Apple-MC623Z-A-iLife-VERSION/dp/B003XKRZES/ref=sr_1_1?ie=U
http://dealmac.com/lw/artclick.html?1,527850,1872219

I'm running Mavericks 10.9.3, updated iTunes earlier today, but although I can play audio CDs, DVDs will not play, any suggestions?

I'm running Mavericks 10.9.3, updated iTunes earlier today, but although I can play audio CDs, DVDs will not play, any suggestions?

Hello there, tomazdes.
The following Knowledge Base article written for the USB SuperDrive, offers some practical steps to try when issues present themselves with particular content playback (feel free to skip Step 3 when working with an iMac or MacBook with built-in drives):
Apple Computers: Troubleshooting the slot-loading SuperDrive
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2801
Particularly:
Accepts discs but they don't mount or are automatically ejected
Make sure the drive is not placed upside down. The aluminum enclosure should be facing up as shown in section 1.
Check the disc's surface for scratches and dirt, since these things can prevent the disc from appearing on the desktop.
Connect the MacBook Air SuperDrive directly to the computer's USB port instead a USB hub.
Reset the System Management Controller (SMC).
Ensure your drive can read the specific type of disc being used. The System Profiler or System Information may provide additional information regarding what media your computer supports.
OS X Snow Leopard v10.6 or earlier: Open Apple System Profiler by choosing "About this Mac" from the Apple () menu. Then, click More Info.
OS X Lion v10.7 and later: Click the Apple () menu and then hold down the Option key. Choose System Information from the menu.
If the disc continues to not be recognized, contact Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider, or make an appointment with an Apple Retail Store.
Thanks for reaching out to Apple Support Communities.
Cheers,
Pedro.

Plays sometimes? some dvd players, not others

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