I have CloneDVD version 2.8.9.2 and I am using DVD Region and CSS free. I've had great use with both programs until recently. I've noticed that many of the DVD's that have been backed up aren't recognized on my Sony Progressive Scan DVD player or my Computer's DVD Rom. Yet, these same discs will be read on the computer's external DVD burner which is Sony DRX-700UL. Keep in mind I've had my cpu and DVD player for almost 2 years with this software using the same blank discs and have not had a problem until now. I'm wondering if the new version of CloneDVD is causing the problem? Any ideas on what else it could be? Thanks!

@ dhm37md,

The usual reason backup copy copies are unable to be viewed is do to the poor cheap quality of the DVD media used to make the backup copy.

You failed to mention the Manufacture ID and Media Code of the DVD Media you used to make these backup copies. Using a software utility to similar to DVD Identifier (http://dvd.identifier.cdfreaks.com) or DVDInfo (http://www.dvdinfopro.com) provide the MID (Manufacture ID and Media Code) (Example: TYG02) for the DVD media your are experiencing problems with. It is not unusual that data recorded on poor cheap quality DVD Media to be readable after recording but become unreadable after a period of time. This is the hazard of using poor cheap quality DVD media.

Best Regards,
bjkg

Thanks for the quick reply. I downloaded dvdinfopro. My discs are: PRODISC R04. I've been using these discs for a year and a half without problems. I know they're not the most expensive or brand name, but I haven't had any problems with them until now. I wonder if the manufacturing standards have changed for the company? I've also tried uninstalling my new CloneDVD version and will try the 2.8.8.2 version to see if there is any difference in the same movie that wouldn't play when burned with the 2.8.9.2 version. I should know in about 15 minutes if it works. I'll let you know.

Well, I tried an older version of CloneDVD without any change. I'm trying a different type of disc. If this doesn't do the trick, I'll be at a loss.

@ dhm37md,

PRODISC is noted for poor quality control and the quality of their media is extremely inconsistent. In general their media is consider suspect and knowledgeable individuals avoid.

The CloneDVD software program is one of the most reliable Commercial DVD Movie Title backup software programs available. Your current problem is NOT cause by the use of the CloneDVD software program but related to the quality of the blank DVD media used to record the backup copies.

Suggest doing yourself a favor and purchase top of the line high quality DVD Media. I personally suggest acquiring Taiyo Yuden (TY) media. Rima.Com (http://www.rima.com) is a reliable source of Taiyo Yuden (TY) media and the media is reasonably priced.

Another thing to investigate is your DVD Burner’s Firmware. It is important to ensure your DVD Burner has the newest up to date Firmware available installed. Below is a PC World article concerning the importance of current up to date Firmware.

http://www.pcworld.com/howto/article...,115672,00.asp

Best Regards,
bjkg

I think I may have found the problem. This discs that don't work are all PRODISC R04. I opened up a new batch of Prodiscs and analyzed them and they say: PRODISC R03. All of the discs that work without problems are PRODISC R03 and the ones that aren't working are the R04 type. Now my questions are: Why does one work and the other doesn't when they come from the same manufacturer? Has anyone else had this problem with Prodisc? Any other recommendations on good recordable media at a reasonable price or is this just a fluke with Prodisc? Like I said, I've had excellent success with Prodisc for over a year and a half until now, so I find it strange I suddenly have a problem. Anyway, here is copy of what the media information on one of the discs that don't play:

Media Information
Region information N/A not a DVD-VIDEO
Media code/Manufacturer ID PRODISC R04
Media Product Revision Number 04h
UDF Format Type V1.02
UDF Volume Name DOMINO
UDF Application id ELBY CLONEDVD
UDF Implementation id ELABORATE BYTES
UDF Recording Date/Time (mm/dd/yyyy) 2/21/2006 22:55:30
Format Capacity 4.37GB(4.69GB)
Book Type DVD+R
Media Type DVD+R
Manufacturer Rated Speed 16.0x 22160KBp
Available Write Descriptor CLV 2.4x 3324KBps
Data area starting sector 30000h
Data area end sector 22EF7Fh
Linear Density 0.267um/bit
Track Density 0.74um/track
Number of Layers 1

Complete Media Code
00000000 08 02 00 00 A1 0F 02 00 00 03 00 00 00 25 EF 7F .............%..
00000010 00 00 00 00 00 00 07 50 52 4F 44 49 53 43 00 52 .......PRODISC.R
00000020 30 34 04 38 23 54 37 0F 02 54 6B 02 94 63 15 15 04.8#T7..Tk..c..
00000030 0B 0A 08 08 01 1C 1E 0B 0C 12 12 01 00 00 00 00 ................

Versus the media information on the disc that does play:

Media Information
Region information N/A not a DVD-VIDEO
Media code/Manufacturer ID PRODISC R03
Media Product Revision Number 03h
UDF Format Type V1.02
UDF Volume Name APOCALYPSE
UDF Application id ELBY CLONEDVD
UDF Implementation id ELABORATE BYTES
UDF Recording Date/Time (mm/dd/yyyy) 10/14/2005 11:16:08
Format Capacity 4.37GB(4.69GB)
Book Type DVD+R
Media Type DVD+R
Manufacturer Rated Speed 8.0x 11080KBps
Available Write Descriptor CLV 8.0x 11080KBps
Available Write Descriptor CLV 6.0x 8310KBps
Available Write Descriptor CLV 4.0x 5540KBps
Available Write Descriptor CLV 2.4x 3324KBps
Data area starting sector 30000h
Data area end sector 22EF3Fh
Linear Density 0.267um/bit
Track Density 0.74um/track
Number of Layers 1

Complete Media Code
00000000 08 02 00 00 A1 0F 02 00 00 03 00 00 00 25 EF 3F .............%.?
00000010 00 00 00 00 00 00 03 50 52 4F 44 49 53 43 00 52 .......PRODISC.R
00000020 30 33 03 38 23 54 37 0F 02 54 6B 02 94 63 15 15 03.8#T7..Tk..c..
00000030 0B 0A 08 08 01 1C 1E 0B 0C 12 12 01 00 00 00 00 ................


Thanks again for any help or ideas!

Most likely the variable quality of your media and/or burn speed. IMO it is most likely not the burning software.

bjkg,
Great info, thanks again!

In this case, IMO, the media and the burner do not match. Try burning the same media in a different burner and it might work. Some burners are more picky about certain medias than others. However, It always help to pay a little bit more and buy better medias which work better with your particular burner to avoid this kind of problems.

Fairplay,
You're right the media and the burner are not compatible. Sony doesn't list Prodisc as compatible for my particular burner. Interestingly, I've burned probably 300 discs successfully with the 8X speed Prodiscs. I think what happened is that I ordered from supermediastore.com 400 Prodiscs at 8X speed. They sent me half 8X and the other half were 16X. Interestingly, supermediastore.com took off the 16X labels and I assumed they were all 8X. Thankfully, bjkg pointed me in the right direction for a disc analyzer and I figured out the problem. Unfortunately, it's been months since I ordered from there and I threw away the receipt and boxes, so I imagine the odds of getting any refund are slim. I've never had problems with them in the past until now. I guess I'm going to try those Taiyo Yuden discs in the future. Anybody have any favorite media stores on the net they like to buy from?

"suggested media" for a burner doesn't really mean a whole lot. I guess it's indicative of what the firmware has and will continue to support, but brands tell you nothing about media, media ID codes do.

keeping your firmware up to date will ensure that you have the widest compatibility with media ID codes that the manufacturer has offered you. if the manufacturer has not provided support for media ID codes that you are using that is where the "incompatibility" comes in. This does not, however, mean that your burner will never be compatible with this media...it may come in a later firmware update.

also, you'll have to give your location if you're asking for retailers. www.rima.com is a great place for taiyo yuden media.

supplemental comments . . .
The advice to look for firmware updates is a good one. Frequently, that enables the use of newer media.
However, Sony doesn't demonstrate much interest in extending the life of their products via firmware updates, in my experience. I had a 510a burner, that absolutely loved Ritek G04 (4x) media, even though it wasn't listed by Sony as ok media. Then I picked up some Ritek G05 (8x) media - and the 510A went into coaster making mode. I pestered Sony to release a firmware update to provide writing startegies in this drive for newer 8x media before the 4x media disappeared. Nothing productive came of that.
Before folks start trashing Ritek G05 media in response to my comments, I subsequently bought a Benq 1620 burner - and burned the G05 media with no problems. So save your unused media - it will probably work just fine in your next burner.

@ dhm37md,

Evidently you are located in a place were you can purchase DVD Media from SuperMediaStore (http://www.supermediastore.com). Suggest visiting their Web Site and research their Taiyo Yuden DVD Media. You might be surprised to see that their Taiyo Yuden DVD Media is virtually the same price as their Prodisc DVD Media.

I cannot over stress the importance on installing the most current up to date Firmware for your DVD Burner.

Best Regards,
bjkg

Thanks for all the repllies. yes, I did update my firmware last night as well. Excellent advice as I hadn't really thought of it until now.