DVD-R help

[86 911]

Hey guys,
I'm trying to burn a video from my computer (the video file has a .wmv extension) onto a DVD-R so I can play it in the DVD player. I went to the store and bought a few DVD-R CDs but when I put one into the CD/DVD writer drive, the computer gives me a message saying it cannot read the DVD-R format. What can I do to burn my video onto the DVD-R? Do I need another type of CD to burn my video on?
TIA

BTW my computer is a HP with XP Media Center Edition.

[gprsh924]

there are two types of blank dvd formats: DVD-R and DVD+R. Look at the specs of your drive and make sure you have the right format of disc

[id10t]

Most computer drives are both + and - R, but many dvd players are not.

You're gonna want something like Nero or Roxio EZ CD/DVD Creator - eihter allows you to drag whatever kind of video file you can play onto a dvd layout and it will re-encode/format if needed and then burn for you. Works great.

[86 911]

Thanks for the info guys. I just bought some DVD+RWs so I will try them in the DVD player first. One more thing: How do I burn the video on the CD? I tried Windows Media Player last time on my CD-Rs but it only burned the audio files and no video appeared when I inserted the disc into my DVD player. What is the proper way to burn my video on the DVD+RW?

[slodave]

You have to use a program that will convert the file to DVD format. id10t mentioned Nero or Roxio. Both will do this. BTW, if the DVD player is an older model, it may not read RW's. These discs actually use a different material to burn to and the older players can't read from them.

Dave

[86 911]

Thanks slodave. I think I'll just burn the CD to make it compatible with Windows Media Player. The problem I'm having now is:
A) Every time I put a blank DVD-RW in the CD drive and try to burn something, an error always appears saying it cannot burn the .wmv file
B) When I try burning the video onto the CD-R, it will burn, but when I insert the disc into my computer it will think the disc is empty.
Grrrrr WTF is going on? It's taking me 9 hours+ to complete a 10 min. task.

[slodave]

Is anything actually being burned? Simple check, take the CD turn it over and see if you can see the "grooves". What are you using to burn the CD/DVD?

P.S. You have not really been around, I think. How are things going?

[86 911]

Haha I've been doing fine. I've been really busy with school/work/friends/getting ready for college so I haven't had hardly any time on the computer like I used to. How have you been Dave?

As for the CD, I've tried using a "CD-R Music" disc. I could be wrong, but I think the "CD-R Music" and a plain "CD-R" should allow a video to be burned. If I use a DVD-RW, an error message pops up right after I paste the video I want to burn into the DVD-RW folder and press "burn".

[slodave]

Originally posted by 86 911
Haha I've been doing fine. I've been really busy with school/work/friends/getting ready for college so I haven't had hardly any time on the computer like I used to. How have you been Dave?

Check the recent OT threads

As for the CD, I've tried using a "CD-R Music" disc. I could be wrong, but I think the "CD-R Music" and a plain "CD-R" should allow a video to be burned. If I use a DVD-RW, an error message pops up right after I paste the video I want to burn into the DVD-RW folder and press "burn".

Doesn't really matter if the media is for music or audio. There really is not that much difference. I was actually asking about the software you are using to burn the CD. I don't think the embedded Roxio software in Window XP can actually burn anything but data CD's.

Dave

[86 911]

At first I tried burning the CD with Windows Media Player, but after I took the CD out and wanted to play it, only audio would play and no video would show. I've also just tried opening the CD-R folder and copying the video file, pasting the file into the folder, and then clicking "burn these items". After it burns the video file, I insert the disc and the computer only recognizes it as a blank disc with nothing on it.

[slodave]

Yeah, you really need a third party program. Xp's built in stuff won't work. Only allows data/audio. Hope this project doesn't need to be done by tomorrow.

Dave

[86 911]

Grrrr. Alright, thanks. I won't grapple with it any longer then. Thankfully this project is due Wednesday. I just transferred the project from Windows Movie Maker onto my camcorder (successfully I may add LOL) so I'll just hook the camcorder up to the DVD player and play it that way. Thanks for bearing with me on this!

[slodave]

If the project is small enough, you can make a VCD that should be able to play in most players or do as you did.

Good luck,

Dave

[Joeaksa]

Just got screwed by Roxio. Installed the "upgrade" of their CD Creator and it messed with the settings on my CD/DVD drive on my laptop so that it was not even visable on the computer. Had to reg-edit the puppy and delete the program.

Been also using Nero for along time and no hassles. Guess which one is installed on the computer now?

[Hoots]

Buy a MacBook. This will end your Windows problems!!!