For the intelligent only! DVD-RW camcorder difficulties!?

Question

Hi everyone, I borrowed a friend's mini-DVD camcorder and used a DVD-RW to record some video. The camera is a Hitachi DZ-BX35A (low-end model).

I finalized the disc and played it in the camcorder. It works just fine. When I take the disc out and insert it into the tray of my DVD player, I get nothing. I inserted it into my Windows PC, and I get a folder with unopenable files. Inserted it into my Mac- same as Windows. Tried another DVD player- nothing.

All of my machines are less than one year old, so I'm baffled at the compatibility issue with DVD-RW.

I read an online forum that instructed another user to change the file extension of the files to ".mpg", and that enabled me to play everything in Windows Media Player, however I want to edit the clips, and Roxio will only play video, but no audio. It doesn't seem to work well anyways.

I tried to copy the files and re-burn them onto DVD-R, but nothing changes. I know there is a way to do this!

Does any one have any ideas?

Answer 1

I think you are confusing intelligence with knowledge :)



These technical problems are always difficult...it is a weird one. My answer would be to try to convert the video into another format. If you have a Mac, download either HandBrake or MediaFork, insert the DVD, and see if these programs work at all.



You can also try VisualHub, which is a very robust video conversion program.



If you can convert it into a file you can play, Roxio should be able to edit it without problems.



All of these are available at macupdate.com



Lastly, try playing it in different players - RealPlayer, QuickTime, and probably best, VLC, another one you need to download.



I hope this helps somewhat, and if I think of any other solution I will update this answer.

Answer 2

I think you've got two problems. The first is that your DVD player does not like the disc for some reason - try another one, despite it being 'new' some lasers don't like some dyes used on some DVDs. Secondly, I expect the reason that Windows won't open the files on the DVD is there is no association with a program. Some software DVD players and Nero Player will associate with VOB files (I bet that's what you've got) and play them. But as DVDs are MPEG2, changing the extension will make Win player play them. Just copying the files onto DVD-R probably will not work as the DVD player is looking for a specific file structure. Now copying the entire disc in Nero or Roxio might do it. Also, to edit the material, Nero will let you edit VOB files in Nero Vision, then you make a proper DVD with it when finished.

Answer 3

DVD has always been a tricky format to edit, and software manufacturers have taken their time to support it.



One program that I KNOW imports DVD and converts it to an editable MPG format is Ulead VideoStudio. You can get a 30-day trial at http://www.ulead.com . They're not the only one out there, but this is one that I have actually used and can assure you that it works.

Answer 4

It is my understanding that you can't finalize a rewriteable DVD. See if you can get a copy of your friends manual or have him check under the finalizing section. This is exactly why I returned my DVD cam after 1 month.