We have great teams here at CDFreaks that need your help supporting research into curing diseases like Cancer, AIDS, Alzheimer and many other critical diseases so please take a moment to read this announcement.

What is Distributed Computing?
DC is a scheme of multiple computers processing problems simultaneously over a network or internet. The goal is to solve problems using thousands to millions of computers around the world to achieve a boost in performance and solve more researches faster.

What are DC projects?
There have been many research projects running for many years where they still need our help. We can help them by using our extra processing/CPU power to help cure life threatening diseases like AIDS, Cancer, Alzheimer, Anthrax and many more.

How can we help?
Throughout the day, there is time when our CPU power is not fully used, eq when browsing the internet, checking e-mails, word processing, or when you leave your PC on for 24/7 and you are away, at work or sleep. During these times we can help these research projects by donating our CPU running their small program client in our PC and in turn will benefit humanity. The client program will run in your PC solving equations and simulating problems, and when it's done it will send the results back to the main server. The researchers will compile these results for their projects and you will get “points” in return.

These are some research projects from non-profit organizations that we currently support:

Folding at Home (Stanford University)
FAH goal is to understand protein folding, misfolding and related diseases. Proteins are biology’s workhorses and before they can carry out important functions, they assemble themselves, or "fold." The process of protein folding, while critical and fundamental to virtually all of biology, in many ways remains a mystery. Moreover, when proteins do not fold correctly (i.e. "misfold"), there can be serious consequences, including many well known diseases, such as Alzheimer's, Mad Cow (BSE), CJD, ALS, Huntington's, Parkinson's disease, and many Cancers and cancer-related syndromes.

World Community Grids
WCG mission is to create the largest public computing grid benefiting humanity. They are looking for research projects that can benefit from grid technology and have a positive impact on humanity. Their success depends on individuals, like you, collectively contributing your extra computer time to the non profit endeavour. Their works include researches on Muscular Dystrophy, Cancer, Human Proteome, AIDS and many others.

The client program can be set to idle or low priority so it will halt itself when you run a big application or start a game. You can also set your client to use only a percentage of your CPU power. A small disadvantage you might have from running these clients will be a slightly higher electricity cost but it depends on your system specifications and client settings.

You can find more information about our teams, guides and FAQs in the Distributed Computing forum (http://club.cdfreaks.com/forumdisplay.php?f=135)

Thanks for your time and we hope you have fun while helping to save other people's lives.

As there are quite a lot of similar questions asked here over & over as well as posts often made here that should be pleased elsewhere, this guide will either help answer your question or at least guide you how to go about asking a question that is more likely to get answered.

First of all, please note that this forum as well as sub-forums deal with home entertainment and standalone equipment. For PC drives such as DVD±RW, DVD-ROM, CD-RW drives, as well as external USB/Firewire drives, please use the Optical Drives forum to discuss about these.


Before you post an inquiry about an issue or other video based equipment:

Unlike the optical drives in PCs, standalone equipment can vary from country to country due to different TV standards, connections and so on. For example, most people in Europe use a Scart cable to chain devices, however as the US does not use Scart, most consumers chain their equipment using composite or SVHS cables.


To help get a better answer, we would suggest mentioning the following in your post:

• Device brand & model # - It is usually essential to mention this, particularly if you need help carrying out a particular task, since one model # can have a totally different On-screen display layout or setup compared with another model #.
• Equipment region or Country - This gives the reader an idea of what connections or TV standard it uses as well as what firmware it can take. For example, a German DVD recorder model may take different firmware than a UK DVD Recorder of the same model.
• Configuration - If you have issues tuning in channels, cannot get the picture from your device to show on your TV, etc., it is will worth mentioning your method of hooking up your equipment as this will help the reader. A typical example: VCR TV-out connects to DVD Recorder Aux-in by Scart and DVD Recorder TV-out connects to TV by SVHS and 2x Audio Phono (RCA) cables. The RF (coaxial) cable from aerial connects to VCR RF-in, then from the VCR RF-out to the DVD Recorder RF-in and finally from the DVD Recorder RF-out to the TV.

DVD Recorders - Frequently Asked Questions


DVDs recorded on my DVD recorder will not play on my DVD player, PC, etc. How do I solve this?

Unlike VHS tapes, DVD-R's and DVD+R's must be finalised before they can be played anywhere else. Have a look through the menu for an option to finalise the disc or check the user manual on how to carry out this operation. Please note that once you finalise a disc, it is no longer possible to add further recordings or make modifications to the disc. Depending on the DVD recorder and initialisation method, DVD-RW's may also need to be finalised before they can be played elsewhere. Note that once a DVD-RW is finalised, it is not possible to modify the disc's contents or make new recordings to the disc until the disc is formatted (erased).


How come my DVD player will no longer initialise or play certain recorded discs?

If the DVD recorder is fairly new such as just a couple of months old and has not gone through much use, then there is a good chance that it has a faulty optical pick-up or laser. In this case, it would be worth bringing the recorder back under warranty for replacement or repair.

When it comes to older players, while most consumers usually assume the recorder has reached the end of its life or that the firmware is suddenly the problem, in the majority of cases the cause is something as simple as a dusty/dirty lens. This is most likely the case if the player is operated in a bedroom or a room with a carpet, if there are any smokers in the home or if dust build-up on surfaces and TV screens is quite a common occurrence.

The simplest way to clean the laser lens is to run a laser lens cleaning disc. The wet/dry discs tend to have larger brushes and will usually do a better job. However, before using the included cleaning fluid, first do a test for residue by placing a drop of the fluid on the data surface of an unwanted CD/DVD and leave it to dry up. If any residue is left over, do not use this fluid as it will likely cause the problem to get worse. The best fluid to look out for is fluid with as high alcohol solution as you can find. Again, before using it in substitute for the original cleaning fluid, perform a residue test. If the test drops dries up without residue, apply it to one of the brushes and play the disc as instructed by the packaging.

If running a cleaning disc has no help or the drive is unable to even start playing the disc, the only alternative is to dismantle the drive to manually clean the laser lens. Use a cotton tipped bud (Q-tip is a common brand) and gently wipe off the surface of the lens. However, please be warned that any warranty on the drive will void if it is opened, so only do this is bringing it back under warranty is impractical or the warranty has already expired.


How come my DVD recorder does not tune in any digital cable, digital terrestrial (such as Freeview) or satellite TV channels (besides the one that I have turned on)?

The majority of DVD recorders have an analogue TV tuner, which means that these will only tune in analogue terrestrial or cable broadcasts. While there are a few DVD recorders that have a digital tuner, due to the nature of how satellite TV works, it is not possible to get a DVD recorder with an integrated satellite TV tuner, unless your satellite provider happens to offer such a device. As a result, you will need to connect your receiver up to the DVD recorder using AV cables. To make a recording, set your DVD recorder to record from the AV-in socket the receiver is connected to and put the receiver on the desired channel to record from.

When a digital cable, terrestrial or satellite receiver tunes in a channel, most modulate the channel on a broadcast frequency such that this can be tuned on early TV sets, VCRs, etc., which do not have AV inputs. As a result, if your RF cable is looped through the receiver and then your DVD recorder, when you do a scan for TV channels, it will pick up the tuned in receiver channel as a broadcast. However, for recording purposes, we strongly suggest using an AV cable (Scart, SVHS, Composite, etc.) to connect your receiver to the DVD recorder as most receivers only modulate the sound as mono via the RF cable.


Why will my DVD Recorder not erase or format my DVD+RW (or DVD-RW)?

Interestingly, this is quite a common question asked here and is usually an issue that occurs with a disc that already had content on it. First of all, check that the disc is free of scratches, fingerprints, dirt, etc. Rewritable discs (whether CD or DVD) or far more sensitive to this than write-once discs, particularly since these discs are used again & again, unlike write-once discs which are written to once and the put away until later playback. If this disc already had content written to it and its surface is definitely clean, try performing a full erase with a PC DVD writer. This will make the disc appear like new, which means that all the recorder has to do is initialise it as with a new DVD+/-RW disc.


Will my recorded disc be region-locked or encrypted (CSS protected)?

Unlike movie DVDs, which are generally CSS protected and region-located, DVD recorders do not put copy protection, encryption or region locks on recorded discs. As a result, these discs can be played on region-locked DVD players in other regions, their contents can be accessed on a PC and it is possible to rerecord the disc to VHS or another DVD recorder, since no Macrovision flag is added either.


If I finalise my DVD-RW or DVD+RW, can I still erase or format the disc?

Yes! Like DVD+/-R's, DVD-RW's generally need to be finalised in order to be able to play them back on another DVD player or on a PC. However, once a disc is finalised, it is no longer possible to edit its content or make further recordings to the disc, however it is still possible to erase or format the disc to reuse it for recordings. DVD+RW's do not need to be finalised in order to play them on other DVD players and even if your DVD recorder can finalise these, like DVD-RW's they can still be formatted or erased.


What type of disc should I go for?

One thing to watch out for is that many DVD recorders treat each type of disc differently. First of all, find out what type of discs your DVD recorder will accept. The following guide gives a few tips about each disc type common with most DVD recorders; however we strongly recommend having a look at the manual to find out what limitations are present with each type of disc:

• DVD+R & DVD-R - These discs are write-once media, which means that it is not possible to recover free space by deleting content. With most DVD recorders, it is possible to edit content, such as insert chapter points, delete titles and split titles. These discs must be finalised before the disc may be played on other DVD players. Note that finalising the disc will prevent the disc from being edited or further recordings from being be made.
• DVD-RW - These generally function the same as DVD-R, with the exception that the disc can be erased. On some DVD recorders, it is possible to recover space by deleting recordings, however most others simply treat these the same as a DVD-R with the exception of giving the option to erase the disc to reuse it. A few DVD recorder models give the option to perform a full initialisation, which means that the disc can be used in pretty much the same way as a DVD+RW, such as play it on another DVD player without finalisation. However, a full initialisation can take anywhere between 15 and 30 minutes depending on the speed of the disc and recorder.
• DVD+RW - This disc has the major advantage of not requiring finalisation in order to play it elsewhere. Most DVD+RW DVD recorders give the ability to edit the contents such as split/merge titles, delete titles to recover space, change the menu layout, etc. For example, it is possible to record a show on DVD+RW, play the disc back in a DVD player and later make another recording to the DVD+RW without erasing it first.
• CD-R - DVD recorders which can record Video CDs can be useful for recording documentaries, TV episodes, etc. where a long recording duration or a high picture quality is not required. These also have the advantage of being playable with Video CD players. Unfortunately, the CD format is less versatile than a DVD+/-R as they don't support chapters and most DVD recorders than can record to these don't give any ability to edit the contents, such as title the recordings, etc. Like DVD+/-R's, these must be finalised before they can be played on another player.
• CD-RW - These work just CD-R's if the DVD recorder can record to these, but with the advantage that they can be erased. Unfortunately, unlike DVD+RW's, it is generally not possible to edit or delete content, with the exception of erasing the disc.

Other FAQ's and Tips

For other useful information and tips, please check out the 'Read first' stickies present at the top of the forum or sub-forum relating to the equipment you are have an inquiry about or are interested in discussing. Finally, before starting a new thread don't forget to search these forums to make sure what you are about to inquire about is not already answered in another thread.

In order to make this forum an enjoyable place for everyone there are some things that might help us all to achieve this. There are several rules that must be taken into consideration and we like to give you a few tips to help you find the answer to your question quicker. The rules: We do not allow, nor condone any messages containing:

• Language that is obscene, vulgar, sexually orientated, hateful, threatening or violate any laws;
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• Requests for downloads of anything that is not freeware, shareware, trial versions or copyright-free material (hence, no ISOs, Warez or MP3s that are protected by copyright). Any references to such activities will also lead to deletion of the topic;
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We do not allow:

• Spam (Spam is unsolicited e-mail (or news postings and Private Messages) pushing a point);
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If you want to advertise your products or services, you can contact DoMiN8ToR or MP|3 for prices of banners and other sponsorship options, please do not use our forum to advertise this, this is considered spam and is not allowed. The tips:

• There is a search function available for you to search our forum. By searching this forum you can perhaps find the answer to your question sooner and you save others the time and energy to answer the question all over again (not mention save them the aggravation);
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Several questions are asked frequently and the answers are always the same. A list of frequently asked questions regarding this forum can be found here http://club.cdfreaks.com/faq.php?:

• What user levels are there and what do they mean? When you have posted a certain amount of posts your user status will automatically change. You will get no extras on this forum when you attain a new user status, it is in name only. However, a user status may indicate how involved you are. However, please be aware that, as the user titles are only linked to the number of posts, the user status gives little indication of the user's technical merits (people with a few posts may still be a technical expert, whereas people with many posts may simply be chatters in the Living Room forum). The more you have posted and participated in discussions on this forum, the more we expect of you to abide by the rules and guidelines of this forum. You can not edit your own user status, this option has been disabled. Certain users have been granted custom user titles on the basis of their contribution to CD Freaks (not by request).
  
  
• When can I become a moderator or an administrator? Becoming a moderator for a specific forum is usually rewarded to users who are particularly helpful and knowledgeable in the subject of the forum they are moderating. When the administrators need a new moderator they will contact the person of whom they feel would make a good moderator. You can not apply for this 'job'. Even more so applies to the 'job' of (senior) administrator. Certain members who have shown to be helpful to the forum and know how things work may be asked to join the administrative team. Again, you cannot apply for this, if the management needs a new administrator they will contact the person of whom they feel is up for the task.

To make this forum enjoyable for all of us there are some things you should consider:

• The use of images through the [img] tags should not be excessively used, not everyone has a high speed connection. Excessive use of images will result in long loading times which can be very annoying for modem users in particular. Instead of using the [img ] tags you can also link to an image using the [url ] tags, especially when you have several images or when the image(s) used are very big in size.
• Quoting other people's post(s) can be very convenient to reply to certain things said. Instead of using the entire post to be quoted, restrict yourself to that sentence or (part of) sentences that you want to reply to and reply outside the [quote ] tags. This way it is clear for everybody to what in particular you are replying and again saves unnecessary loading time;
• The use of caps (upper case typing) is considered shouting and very impolite, so please beware of this and make sure caps lock is disabled when typing your post;
• With smilies you can express emotions (http://club.cdfreaks.com/misc.php?action=showsmilies). This can help prevent people from misinterpreting your message (especially when irony/sarcasm is involved)

The administrative staff (moderators and administrators) reserves the right to edit, close, move or delete threads, edit signatures and remove avatars, when necessary. In case of repeatedly violating forum rules a member may be deleted or even banned from this forum. When you disagree with any decision taken by a member of the administrative team you can contact the administrator in question through Private Messaging or email to ask for an explanation. Do not start a new thread when you want to enquire about the reason for an action taken by the administrative staff, but contact the responsible forum moderator(s). CD Freaks has become a real community over the last few years. The administrators (including the moderators) spend a lot of spare time in maintaining this forum and don't get paid for this. We are trying to keep things running smooth and make this an enjoyable place on the internet for everyone. Respect is something you have to earn, so please respect our rules and we will respect your opinions. Thank you for being a member and we hope you enjoy your stay, may you find great use in our forum. Visit us on IRCNet at #cdfreaks-int as well, here you can chat live with many of our members and any question you may have. You can learn more about our chat through here or go to www.ircnet.info and click webchat, enter your nick and #cdfreaks-int as the channel. You can also read more here. CD Freaks