Page 1 of Ongoing puzzle - CDR as opposed to CDR-W on Toshiba 2109

Hi,

Does anyone have a definitive answer as to why VCD format movies recorded onto CDR discs refuse to play on my Toshiba SD 2109 but those recorded onto CDR-W work fine?

I`ve heard several explanations, most of which relate to laser frequency and / or ambient temperature of the writer`s sock drawer, but most of them simply made me go, "ermmm...I see", whilst not seeing at all.

This subject is close to my heart as movies on recordable media from are important for, um, backup purposes...

Regards

Ade

Generally speaking, a standard DVD lazer can`t read the majority of CDR`s due to yes, as you`ve heard before, the lazer frequency! CDRWs however have a different type of film which is why most players can read them.

One exception to this rule is dual lazer DVD players, which carry a seperate one for more accurate playback of CDs.

I think CDRWs have come down a lot in price recently, sure Ive seen them for 3-5 quid a pop in PC w***. And actually Im quite interested in seeing if I could burn a MiniDVD, which is a DVD format CD.

Thanks Rob - that`s a little clearer.

Yeah - I`ve actually got hold of a CDR-W now and it seems to work fine, I just wanted to know why. MiniDVD? Never heard of that - is it new? Will I like it?

Heh, MiniDVD is a phrase thats been coined by some dvd ripper sites. Just means a CDR(W) formatted using DVD specs. May or may not play on a domestic DVD player.

Ive got software that will create the audio and video tracks, and a DVD format image, but nothing to do menus or anything. So until now this experiment is in stasis.

CD-R are written with a standard ISO or Joliet filesystem, CD-RW use a UDF filesystem. DVD uses a UDF filesystem so that is most proberly why the CD-RW work and the CD-R don`t
You could try using a CD writer software like Nero that can create a UDF filesystem on a CD-R

I have software to create the UDF, I just have nothing that will make all the related menu files etc for my DVD player to read. Shame really, I have some short VOB files I`d like to burn to a CDRW and see if I can play them.

This item was edited on Sunday, 21st November 1999, 22:59

Righto...

AWOOGA!

Technology alarm triggered :-)

Thanks for the help, Gentlemen - I think I get it. So basically it`s easier for me to carry on burning to CDR-W I reckon.

Much appreciated.

Ade