Hi all,
here is my problem:
I use VSO (release 2.0.13.128) to convert my AVI DiVX files to DVD format (IFO, BUP, and VOB files), then I burn the final VIDEO_TS folder to DVD using a burning software.
I usually do this on different PCs (desktops and laptops, at home and at work), using different burning softwares (Nero, Roxio EasyCDCreator, NTI CD/DVD Maker), different DVD brands (HP, Verbatim, Philips, TDK) and different formats (+R and -R) AND I NEVER HAD PROBLEMS.....all DVds can be played on different DVD players at home.

Now I have 2 PCs at home (the first one is an old PII I self made 6 yers ago, the second one is Pentium D I bought some months ago) and both of them have a Samsung SH-S182D DVD writer.
Well, when I use VSO to generate the VIDEO_TS folder and then burn it on DVD using the Samsung SH-S182D, I cannot play the DVD on DVD players at home... anyway I can perfectly play it on PCs at home and at work.
I tried using different home DVD players (5 different players), different burnig softwares, using different DVd brands (both +R and -R), using different burning speeds (from 2X to 16X)... but the problem still remains: burned DVD can be played on PCs only.

But the story is not ended yet: if I copy (simply drag'n dropping) the VIDEO_TS folder from this DVD to my hard disk, and then I burn this copied VIDEO_TS folder from hard disk to a new DVD, the second DVD can be played on home DVd players (and on PCs too) !!!!

If I use DVDSanta instead of VSO, the problem disappears and the DVD is perfect on home players (and Pcs too).

So, my questions are:
1) do You have experiences about incompatibilities of VSO together with Samsung SH-S182D ?
2) why should a DVD play good on all PCs, but not to play on any home DVD player?
3) why, if I copy back to hard disk (drag'n drop) the "bad" DVD and then burn again this copied VIDEO_TS folder from hard disk to a new DVd (same DVD brand and format, same burning software, same burning speed, same PC, same Samsung DVD writer) this new DVd plays perfect on all home players?


Thanx a lot to everybody.

Carlo (Italy)

There are numerous possibilities for this - without logs it is impossible to say anything for sure.

Some most common problems are caused by bad writers when using -R and packet writing. Disks are not burning with constant beam power, and that can be seen from burned side of DVD. If there is visible rings and more than one constant area, then this the cause here.

I have seen a few of these disks, but my equipment plays them just fine so I never noticed this before a friend sent me a disk that did not work with his DVD player.
It worked here fine, so I checked it a bit more and found these symptoms.

So - if you use -R, force SAO burning.
If you use +R and still see these "rings" - get better burner.

it is incredible what you know JJ!

love reading you,

Hi JJ,
thank you for your comments..
Well, I checked all "unplayable" DVDs and i see no visible "spaced rings" (I also used a magnifying lens).
In my trials I both used -R and +R media and also tried leaving session open, closing session bur leaving disc open and closing both session and disc....
I burned both using "Session At Once" and "Disc at Once" methods, but nothing worked!
Every time I use VSO and then burn DVDs with Samsung SH-S182D my DVDs cannot be played on home players (tried 5 different players) even if playing very good on any PC I've been able to put my hands on.
If I change DVD Writer (for example LiteOn or HP) and still using VSO, the DVDs play good at home.... same story when I use a different software ( DVDSanta or CuCuSoft) and I burn via SH-S182D: everithing works fine on home players.

I think my Samsung SH-S182D burners are working fine, since my MP3 and/or AVI DiVX compilations play good on all my home DVD players (both using -R and +R media).


Bye.
Carlo (Italy)

Hi carlog,

I also own the Samsung SH182D and Samsung182M and use all the VSO products with great results. In fact when using CopytoDVD I get some of the best results. Maybe it is something in your configuration that is conflicting with the software. Just a guess. I wish I could help you more. Maybe you could post the VSO log file and we could see something in it?