can't find dvd r/rw discs

15 years ago

I have been trying to make a copy of a video made with a camcorder. The program I'm using is Nero Smart Start. It keeps telling me that the discs I am using won't work, that I have to have DVD R/RW discs. I can't find them anywhere and no one seems to have heard of these. I've done a Google search, but all it seems to turn up are burners. I've tried both DVD R and DVD RW, but neither work. Any suggestions?

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Comments (10)

ravencajun Zone 8b TX
15 years ago
Have you tried different brands? some players are very picky.

Here is a link that might be useful: media formats
DA_Mccoy
15 years ago
I have never heard of a format as you describe. Is your burner compatible with both -DVD and +DVD? If not, are you using the format the drive is compatible with?

I know this is off the wall, but is there a chance you put a CD in the tray instead oif a DVD by mistake? I've never done that. However, I can tell you I have absentmindedly done just about everything else.

DA
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leslie77
Original Author
15 years ago
I absolutely was using a DVD, and I've tried it multiple times. I went to the site that ravencajun linked, and am copying this sentence from it:
a DVD+R/RW drive can't write a DVD-R or DVD-RW disc
so DVD R/RW must exist somewhere, I just can't find it. My discs don't have the "+" on them, so is it possible those will work? I just hate buying yet another pack of DVDs that I'll never be able to use.
Pooh Bear
15 years ago
You need to know whether your burner
uses the "plus R" or "dash R" format, or both.
Those are the only two choices, + or -
Some DVD Burners can use either format.
The disks can be R or RW.
Buy quality disks. I use Maxell.

Could you be putting the disks in upside down?
I have done that accidently before.

Can you post the brand/model of your DVD burner?
We could look up what kind of disks it needs.

I have never used Nero Smart Start before. Could it
require the disks be formatted before using?

Let us know as much as you can about your DVD burner.
That would be the best way to find out what you need.

Pooh Bear
DA_Mccoy
15 years ago
An R and a RW are two completely different media. One, for the point of conversation, is permanent and one is rewritable. The two never combined.

I'm with Pooh Bear on this it might be the +/- issue.

Also you never reported, have you burned a DVD with this burner before? With this media before? Is there a chance you could borrow an alternative brand to test?

DA
leslie77
Original Author
15 years ago
My DVD burner is Nero StartSmart. I didn't put the discs in upside down. I have never burned a DVD on it, but I have burned CDs. I'm using Memorex discs. I found a place that listed Supported Read Features, and Supported Write Features.
I'm guessing that the Write Features are what would apply to me. They list: DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW and DVD+R DL, among others. I have tried both DVD-R and DVD+RW and both times I get the message that the disc it needs to complete the job is DVD-R/RW.
Pooh Bear
15 years ago
Nero StartSmart is a computer program (software).
Your DVD burner is a computer component (hardware).

From reading the Supported Formats you posted it looks like
you can use either format (+/-, R/RW, and double layer disks).

So I would say the problem is not with the disks you are using.
I would start looking at program settings.

Pooh Bear
Mo
15 years ago
Click Start > My Computer

Right click on your DVD Drive, then click Properties. Click the Hardware tab and you should see your DVD drive in the list. What is the name and type of your drive that's listed?
leslie77
Original Author
15 years ago
This is what I found:
DVDRW IDE 16X
klaa2
15 years ago
If you have a 16x DVDRW it must have the capability to write to both +/- formats. Only very old models had compatibility problems with the two formats.

Can your DVD drive recognize any disk at all? Try any movie or software application. If the drive recognizes the disk then it's either a software setting (is smartstart looking for the correct drive, it could be set to 'virtual' drive, which you don't want) or the problem is with the media. Is the disk already used? What brand is it?

Have you ever successfully copied files onto a dvd with this drive? If so, was it using this brand of blank media?

What format are the files from your camcorder in? Do they need to be converted? How big are they?

I suggest you get the full Nero Burning Rom over the free Smartstart.

You might want to include the full specs of your computer with your reply. It may make diagnosing the problem easier if we know what your are working with.

Klaa2