Wide World of Women

Well, it comes and it goes. I mean the problem. Sometimes there isn't a problem. Anyway, the problem is that when I record(just of late, it happened once or twice in the past but then it just stopped) it will pause while I record. So I get all kinds of funny looks on people's faces. I also get a jittery picture too. Wish I knew what the problem was. I used a cleaner but it may be through its rounds. I guess I'll have to get a new one. Any ideas?

Is it your tape head may be showing signs of wear and tear (finally)?

If that doesn't solve your problem, call the company who manufactured your DVD/VCR unit and explain to them the problem and what you did to try to solve it. See what you come up with.

If all else fails, time to invest in getting a new machine.
Just my two cents.

Matt

O, not tape heads. This is with the dvd. It's funny. It dubs perfectly without any problems. I mean from tape to disc. I hope not. The player is only about 2 years old.

Check your manual and see if it is working properly then.
I was only trying to give out some general tips, if they helped you at all--great.

Yeah, I'll have to look for that. I know. You're just trying to help. I was thinking out loud. I had heard that DVD- and DVD+ may react differently sometimes. It works fine when I use the timer and when I dub. It's very strange.

Now that you have provided more info, I hope the following helps.

Need to check the manual with which disk you need to use. I have a Panasonic VCR/DVD burner that is 5 years old and I have used exclusively DVD-R because that is what the manual said to use. Also, the brand of DVD you use can be a factor. I use Memorex 16x DVD-R.

Another thought, you may need to update the firmware on the unit. Go to your manufacturer's website to see if there is an update to install and follow the instructions exactly.

Finally, I have lost some live recordings mid way through just because the disc crapped out. Nothing I can do about that since it happens depending upon the batch of discs I buy. Not all discs will work smoothly 100% of the time.

You know what. That just may be it. I can't find the manual. I haven't really looked yet but I have no idea. Anyway, I was all fine until 2 weeks ago(Well, once or twice months ago but worked fine afterwards) right before I was out of discs and got two new 50 disc packs. Two because I scrimped on the first one and I thought "o, why didn't you get Memorex or Sony? This is what happens when you scrimp, you dumbo." I was reminded of what I tell my mother about the dollar store and caviar. Sometimes a good deal is not a good idea. Anyway, so I got Verbatim. And I had problems. Of course, I blamed the discs. So maybe I'll seek out an old disc that was dvd+ then. Won't have much space left on it but I'll try it out.

I had an old Cyberhome DVD recorder that did the same thing. I found that it was usually Imation DVD+/-R's that I bought at Wal-Mart that was the problem, so I buy blank DVDs from Best Buy now. The RCA I still have doesn't do this, but some discs crap out. Now that I have a DVR, l can record to the DVR first and then to DVD.

Yeah, the Verbatim was from Target and now the Sony is from Best Buy. I previously got all of mine from Best Buy. I used to buy all of my tapes from Target. I would get the 12 pack. Ahh, the memories...

With Memorex DVD-R, I buy them whenever they are on sale at Staples, Office Depot and Best Buy and occasionally I have a disc hiccup which I can live with.


I got my DVR back in October and I love it. If the recording to DVD goes bad, no problem! Just do it again. I always finalize my discs before I delete the recording.

So far it would appear to be a disc problem. I tried an old disc and that worked easily. It might just be a lucky break. I'll know tomorrow when I get more discs. Gosh, 40 dollars on discs in the last week is too much. So apparently, I hadn't used Sony before this week. My memory was worked. I used Memorex and Maxell. They worked fine. I've also used Imation for audio though. They seemed to do well.

Once you find a good brand, stick with it. I've been using Memorex DVD+R's with my Panasonic DVD/VCR unit and I've never had any problems... although I have only used the VHS to DVD option only once (surprisingly). It's just over a year old, and no issues yet.

As far as the price of discs go, always look in the ads that come with the Sunday papers. Virtually every single week, some store somewhere always has their optical media on sale, be it an office or electronics store. Better to pay twenty-some dollars for a 100-pack spindle than two or three times that.

I usually buy Verbatim or Memorex from Best Buy unless there's a sale on Sony. I also have Reward Zone which sends me discount coupons every once in a while. I have tried Dynex (BBY brand) DVD's and their quality is inconsistent. I had one 50-pack that was most successful and then another 50-pack which had about 25 toaster coasters.

Yeah, I'll see which brand works the best and which one is on sale. I had another problem the other day where I had one disc which I hadn't finalize yet. Well, I said "Finalize" and it didn't seem to go the whole way. The disc just ejected after "processing" for a couple of minutes. Well, then I tried to play it afterwards and it said that it couldn't be played or recorded on. Boo boo.

Yeah, this problem is still happening. I can't seem to finalize some discs. I have no idea why. It either says "processing" and stops after a few minutes or it just stops right away. I use both R- and R+ discs. Anyway, this is making it quite hard to record.

Have you tried looking up the manual online? It could very well still be a disc issue and not the player. These dvd recorders are so picky about recording in -R/RW and +R/RW. If you cant find any info online about your recorder, the only options you have are...

Start buying different brand DVD discs and experiment until you find a brand of discs that works best. If you find a brand that works, you need to stick with that specific disc. Whether it be + or -, and the speed needs to be the same as well. Dont get an x8 speed one time then get x4 the next time. It really need to stay consistant for the best success rate.

Buy a new recorder. They are not nearly as expensive as they used to be.

Whats your success/failure rate on recording?

I think the brand and the type is it. I now have Memorex R- and I used that mostly up to January. I haven't had a problem in the last couple of days. Also during that time I used Maxell and they seemed to work fine. Now with the other kinds that I have now(Memorex+, Verbatim, Sony, TDX) I'm having problems finalizing. Maybe I can find the manual online. But anyway the Memorex- works just fine. However, sometimes with the others when they don't finish finalizing, I get this very loud whirring sound. Doesn't sound good. Also the machine gets hot.

Yeah thats your burner trying to finalize to a disc it doesnt like. I wouldnt try those discs anymore. Stick with what works.

Well, how do I get to finalize them? Find another machine?

I dont think they can be "finalized" in another machine. You will pretty much have to record them again on discs that are working on that machine. Have you tried putting the discs in a computer to see if it can read anything off it (probably wont read it but never hurts to check).