I've been doing video for a LONG time now. I've run across an interesting issue. I burn my backups with DVD Shrink + Nero, and I use Ridata DVD-R Inkjet printable discs. This is GREAT media. However, I have been experiencing an interesting problem. I use an NEC burner and backup my DVDs at maximum speed. When backing up, DVD Shrink is the only app open. All backups play flawlessly on my Samsung DVD player, but I have an older JVC (7 years old) 3 tray player that I use in my living room. It was top of the line a the time, and even has component video out on it. It reads all burned discs, even DVD+R. However, sometimes a movie will get pixelated or choppy in parts. This happened tonight while watching my backup of Wedding Crashers. I have watched this same backup on this same player two other times this week, and it played flawlessly. I'm trying to figure out if this could be a dirty laser or heat problem with the player, as the movie has played great two other times on the same device. Any ideas? If it was a problem with the burn speed, I would be experiencing the choppiness all along, correct? Any suggestions? I'm thinking of getting one of those laser lens cleaner discs and trying it out. This has only occurred on two of my burns, and the other burn also plays flawlessly on my Samsung player. Thanks for any tips.
I've had similar problems as well. Cleaning the laser is a fantastic idea and won't hurt anything. Another thing is oil from your finger tips. Believe it or not, a single finger print can be the downfall of a perfect disc. I would suggest using a soft cotton cloth and isopropyl rubbing alcohol to clean the disc. Always go from the inner surface working your way directly straight out, not in circular motions. If this doesn't work, there are a few other things. It could very well be a bad disc. All of my discs work perfectly on my three $30 panasonic pieces of junk players. However, they all scatter, freeze and pixelate on my laptops [all of them, brand new or not]. They do this sometimes on my top of the line pioneer dvd player. I don't get it either. Seems like the crappier the player, the better results for me. I make tons of movies and send to family members who say they have problems with it playing. Problem is, I don't have the problem with my players on my TV's. Only on the laptops. I don't know if speed has anything to do with it or not but I use ritek, and sony dvd-r and as you can see in my signature, I have a pretty decent media center workstation. I would definitely recommend burning at lowest 2x to maybe 4x. I stay permanently at 2x and stil have complete burns within 10-15 mins. Good luck my friend.
