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Post by manlyman on Feb 26, 2008 13:21:38 GMT -5
Question for the Q & A board experts:
I have a friend who likes to rent movies and when he is done watching it, if he thinks I will like it he burns a copy of the movie (gasp) using some kind of computer software to crack the anti-piracy codes. He recently copied me a movie that will not play in my DVD player at home. It sometimes gives me the message "check disk for scratches or smudges", other times it gives the message "cannot play this type of disk". The disk type used by my friend is a double layer DVD. On the one occasion I did get the DVD to play, about halfway through it froze up and stopped. The DVD will also not play on my PC at home, but it will play on my PC at work. Anyone have any thoughts on why this is happening?
p.s. , don't start with the "poor, pitiful artists that are getting cheated out of their hard earned royalties". I don't want to hear it!
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Post by 502blue on Feb 26, 2008 15:06:07 GMT -5
ahh, manly, I love electronics, does it show? To your problem. FIRST, on your computer you need to download the latest firmware for you DVD player. Go to the model of DVD burner/player, to their website, and download any updates to the firmware. Most have all the updates for playing a DL disc. You can also do the same with the DVD player attached to your TV. If it was made in the past year or so, it probably has the newest firmware. If not, go to Sony, or whoever made it, website for instructions on how to download. (yes, there are even tricks and tips to making your DVD player do things, like easter eggs on video games) Did you know, most manufacturers have codes you can input and make your DVD player universally compatible with all country codes My best guesstimate is that the "copier" used probably some expensive, needless high priced DL disc. If you are copying onto DL discs, just use Verbatim, or the like. DON'T pay for memorex for this. It has been proven over and over, most "cheap" discs will play, most "expensive" ones won't. The reason for the update on the firmware is, DL discs can hold 1.5 more MB on a disc using 2 layers. Hence, the reason on some DVD players with the hesitation between scenes on a movie. Going from one layer to the next. The reason DL discs were created to begin with, was because Movie Companies were tired of their movies being copied, add more to a disc, harder for someone to copy using basic DVD's. Thus the birth of DL............all crap I tell ya! Hope it helped! next time tell him their is "newer" software out there which can help condense the "copy" so he won't have to use a DL disc.
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Post by manlyman on Feb 26, 2008 15:31:57 GMT -5
Thanks 502, this sounds like it will fix the problem with my computer based DVD player. But, is there anything I can do fix this or to prevent this from from happening in the future on my TV based "el cheapo" DVD/VCR combo unit?
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Post by 502blue on Feb 26, 2008 15:54:14 GMT -5
Actually manly, if the "copier" goes to the "el cheapo" DL discs, that will more than likely solve the problem of playing in your el cheapo DVD/VCR combo. If it doesn't, alas, not much you can do.
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Post by manlyman on Feb 26, 2008 16:37:25 GMT -5
I checked the brand on the DL disk the "copier" used and guess which brand it is? Yep, you guessed it: memorex
Thanks for all your help
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Post by manlyman on Feb 27, 2008 16:46:35 GMT -5
I'm back with another question from the gaget challenged guy to the Master. Help me Master for I am ignorant.
Could you please explain to me what "progressive scan" on a DVD player means / does?
And remember, use small words and s-p-e-a-k-----s-l-o-w-l-y. ;D
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Post by 502blue on Feb 27, 2008 17:09:28 GMT -5
Not a problem, the easiest way to tell you this is to demonstrate. Lace your fingers together, and then spread them as open as possible. That is how a regular transmit to a TV is received. Now, with your fingers laced together, put them as close as possible, even touching. That is how progressive scan receives the signal.
It is technically called a deinterlacer. Cool huh? Most up to date TVs have them built in,which is why HDTV and Digital are so clear. Progressive scan is almost standard now.
It is really built in DVD players to keep you from seeing glitches when you watch a movie.
Simple enough?
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Post by manlyman on Feb 28, 2008 8:11:30 GMT -5
One more question:
What is the difference between DVD+R and DVD-R?
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Post by 502blue on Feb 28, 2008 8:40:46 GMT -5
ahhh, young grasshopper, you will be a master in no time!
DVD-R............most compatible with ANY computer or DVD player. It is also a write once and it is done disc (if you want to write over, you have to have the RW discs) Think of it as a "just" burn it disc.
DVD+R.........compatible with MOST computers or DVD players now a days. The "write" speed is faster , but it is also a burn once disc. On these, you also have the option of not just burning, but also drag and drop.
-R was created first, therefore that is why it is compatible with anything. +R was created later, thus if your computer or DVD player doesn't state "DVD+-R.....it usually won't play a +R disc without problems or play it at all.
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Post by cvhs67 on Mar 11, 2008 19:54:15 GMT -5
ahh, manly, I love electronics, does it show? To your problem. FIRST, on your computer you need to download the latest firmware for you DVD player. Go to the model of DVD burner/player, to their website, and download any updates to the firmware. Most have all the updates for playing a DL disc. You can also do the same with the DVD player attached to your TV. If it was made in the past year or so, it probably has the newest firmware. If not, go to Sony, or whoever made it, website for instructions on how to download. (yes, there are even tricks and tips to making your DVD player do things, like easter eggs on video games) Did you know, most manufacturers have codes you can input and make your DVD player universally compatible with all country codes My best guesstimate is that the "copier" used probably some expensive, needless high priced DL disc. If you are copying onto DL discs, just use Verbatim, or the like. DON'T pay for memorex for this. It has been proven over and over, most "cheap" discs will play, most "expensive" ones won't. The reason for the update on the firmware is, DL discs can hold 1.5 more MB on a disc using 2 layers. Hence, the reason on some DVD players with the hesitation between scenes on a movie. Going from one layer to the next. The reason DL discs were created to begin with, was because Movie Companies were tired of their movies being copied, add more to a disc, harder for someone to copy using basic DVD's. Thus the birth of DL............all crap I tell ya! Hope it helped! next time tell him their is "newer" software out there which can help condense the "copy" so he won't have to use a DL disc. I've had good luck with DVD Shrink and DVD2One.
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