I've used DVD FAB & DVD Shrink for a long time with much success. Lateley I've been experiencing the movie freezing up for a couple seconds at a time once I am half or 3 quarter way through the movie. It doesn't happen on every movie but it becoming more frequent. I've tried re-installing Shrink but doesn't seem to help. Is there anything else I might try?
The media source is 99% from the origanal movies. Would you say there are better DVDR's out there to look for? I also make sure I'm up to date on all my software too. I could back off on the burn speed a bit more I guess. I already have it dumbed down but I will try that even more.
I'm pretty sure that there are only a handful of companies that make blanks. They might have different name on them but I'm pretty sure they come from the same place. Do you have a recommendation of what brand to use?
Check some older backups out,that played ok before those issues started.
There's huge differences between all the manufacturers of dvd media. Look at certain brand names like Maxell:
They've used Ricohjpn/Ritek/Cmags/Taiyo yuden/Hitachi-all using the maxell name. Memorex/TDK/Philips/Maxell/sony/fuji-they all have multiple manufacturers. You may get a good batch-like hitachi maxells,or a crap batch-like the cmag maxells. Huge quality difference and the stand alone players will pick out the crappy media with poor playback.
Low quality media: Has to be burned slower/reduced backup target of 4300 mbs,and still may cause issues.The longevity of low quality media is also shorter.
Make sure your DVD-RW drive-the drive that burned those backups-plays them perfect using the pc. Watch those areas where your issues pop up from your stand alone player-watch that area on the pc.Test them in other players as well. If both pc and stand alone player/s show those issues,something major wrong.
If they only show up on stand alone player,then your stand alone player is telling you something is wrong. Media quality is always the first thing to check,it'll prevent a slew of issues:
1) Quality media-Get some Taiyo yuden or verbatim.
2) 4x-8x burn speed.
3) No paper/sticker labels-major no no
4) No multi-tasking
5) Keep compression to a minimum
6) Don't burn outer edge of disc-keep under 4360 mbs.
7) Burn engine-switch to another burn program.
Those are the usual culprits of poor playback. There's a slew of others.Some stand alones will pick out any of those culprits. Rule out each of those 7. After ruling them out,the DVD-RW drive plays them perfect,and other stand alones played them ok:
Then a laser lens cleaning is in order.If using a hard cleaning disc,then it's a last resort-before replacement. After a lot of use,those lens will get dirty on stand alone players.The issues are minor at first,then get worse.
You can even open up the tray of that player and spray some compressed air into it to see if it helps.
Using quality media/standard 4x-8x burn/4360 mb backup target: 95% of those playback issues are stand alone player's fault.That's why you want to make sure your burner plays it's own backups to near perfection.
