Fellows, I need some help.
My computer is a Dell 8200 with a Samsung 616T player. The software is Cyberlink Power DVD.
Any ideas???
Thanks, REX
Since your computer DVD player has no problems with other DVDs, you may want to call Dell and have them do some trouble-shooting with you (or you may need a technician to look at it). If not, perhaps there is a format conflict. I’m not a computer expert, so I’m just guessing.
Rex, it could be a copy!!? CDR and CDR-W won’t play in my DVD player (computer) either, but they are as good as gold in the home theatre.
Ken.
If it is a copy then you need to “CLOSE” or “FINISH” the DVD. I have a Sony DVD recorder and a DVD burner in my computer and if I don’t do this then it won’t play on anything.
Rex…the DVD may have been created with a DVD format that is not compatible with your computer DVD software and/or device. If that’s the case, I don’t think you can view it on your PC.
You could upgrade your DVD device, or just view it in your entertainment center.
Rex:
Hollywood DVDs sell tens of thousands of copies even in small runs, so they are pressed from glass masters, not “burned” in the way we normally think of it.
Small DVD runs (1000 or less) are typically burned on gang duplicators, and I suspect the MR DVD is a burned DVD+R or burned DVD-R.
Unless the DVD player in your PC is very new, it probably won’t read both +R and -R DVDs. Whichever kind it is that your player won’t do (+R or -R), the MR DVD is probably the other kind, and so you are just plain out of luck.
Or you can go buy a new DVD player for your PC … new ones cost around $50 and they’ll read just about anything. Or if you want a DVD burner, new ones of those are about $100, and again, they read/write just about anything.
Have you tried using the DVD software in Microsoft XP if that’s your operating system.
Go to: start, programs, accessories, entertainment, windows media player.
Good luck
One thing I forgot to add was after many insert disk, insert disk, insert disk, it started 1 time only and played. I stopped it, then tried to restart and it was back to the insert disk.
I have tried to start it in both Windows Media Player and the PowerDVD software. All give the “insert Disc”.
The following is from the DVD player’s manual:
Types of disc formats supported
DVD-ROM :
I don’t know one from the other, but it does include DVD-R, DVD-RW and DVD+RW, but does not have DVD+R listed. The computer is 3.5 years old.
Could it be a quirk of the DVD disc itself??
REX
I had this happen with an AVP dvd. Wouldn’t play with the software that came with my player. I went to Download.com and tried about 4 other DVD player programs till I found one that would play it. But like Joe said, If it doesn’t even recognize it, your probably out of luck.
If MR is burning DVDs on +R, they may want to rethink doing so. -R is more compatible.
Sounds like the MR disk is a DVD+R.
That’s not surprising, because ironically, the most compatible type of burned DVD format today for standalone DVD players (the kind that hook to your TV) is DVD+R. But DVD-R has the widest compatibility with PC DVD players. Sheesh … nothing’s ever simple, is it?
Only within the last couple of years has DVD+R compatibility been added to multi-format DVD players on PCs.
So you make your choice: most compatible with standalone DVD players, or with PCs?
Sounds like MR elected to go with non-PC DVD player compatiblity … hence the DVD+R format.
Oh well …
A basket full of thanks to all. I think I will call Model Railroad and see what they have to say. With the exception that I can’t download the .pdf files they have on the disk, it wouldn’t be too great of a problem other than the inconvenience.
Gads! I hate to spend money on something that I don’t use that much. If anyone else would like to add something, please do.
REX [sigh]
Rex
What I found was that Real Player had hijacked the default player setting. What you need to do is open your DVD playing software (PowerDVD or similar) and then hit play. You will have to dig through the settings ont the various players (Real, Quick Time, Windows Media Player) and remove them as default players.
Tom
Thanks Tom. I will check that out and let you know. I got no help from MR customer service. They sounded like they were in Taiwan or the P.I. and didn’t know anything except how to normally play a DVD. What is scary is they said no one else has had a problem. ???
REX
Dukey! I contacted my computer shop Garu and he agreed that my problem probably is related to the DVD format not being compatible. He said that it is not an uncommon problem. I will take it in to him Monday and let you know. Thanks again!
[banghead]
REX
Hi, Rex,
Sorry to hear about the DVD not working on your machine. I’m not the techy on this project, but I didn’t want the day to end without an answer. It’s my understanding that our DVD should work on all players, but I know some older PC’s may not run all DVD’s produced these days. I thought our format would be compatible with all DVD players, but clearly it’s not with yours.
Since you can watch it on your other system, the PC use would be to access the PDF files included. If you want to keep the DVD, contact me and I’ll send you print-outs of the PDF’s. Otherwise, you are under no obligation to pay for the DVD and can send it back in the postpaid carton in came in.
Thanks for letting us know about this. I am going to talk to our duplication firm and see if there’s anything we can do to remedy this on future DVD’s.
Michael Stephens
VP, Marketing
Kalmbach Publishing
mstephens@kalmbach.com
I must say, that looks a lot like customer service! MR get whacked now and then, this one deserves an attaboy!
Thank you Michael for the kind response. I will go ahead and have the computer shop check out my system to help isolate the problem. If indeed the problem is that my player is not compatible, then I will upgrade to one that is. If it is the disc itself, I will send you an email and hopefully you can advise me on what to do. I really like the Dream-Plan-Build DVD and I am looking forward to the next one. I will get a better use of them by being able to open it on my PC (I won’t have to beg the wife for the TV time[;)] )
Please let me know if anything else comes up about it.
Thanks again, REX
Rex,
Why not just have your computer Guru burn a copy of the disc on DVD-R for you? Apparently that would be compatible with your player.
Jeff
Jeff,
I thought about that, but I want to subscribe to the Dream-Plan-Series and I would have to do this to every one of them. If I end up needing an upgrade, I guess that I need to go ahead and do it. The darn PC is only 3.5 years old, but I guess that’s a century in human terms.
REX