Take pity on a video challenged old guy. I burned VHS family movies onto DVD-R discs using a Samsung R-120 DVD player/burner. It was a simple VIDEO OUT from the VHS player to VIDEO IN on the Samsung, press PLAY & RECORD, etc. Worked great. I can play these DVDs on my Samsung, but not anyone else's machine. There is no signal. I was asked by a friend if I "finalized" the DVD when I finished the recording. It was 3 years ago when I did this and don't recall if there was a finalize step. I no longer have the owner's manual for the Samsung. My concern is that if the Samsung dies before I get this fixed, I will loose a lot of rereplaceable video. How do I resolve this? Thanks.
If you can view the DVDs on your player then you dont have a problem, it could be that your friends player does not play the -R format on which you burned your video.....some players are a little picky when it comes to the +R and -R format...older players dont like the -R format.
Thanks for the response. My laptop is vintage 1998 and doesn't play DVDs. Ya,I know - it's time to upgrade. My daughter is home from college. I'll have her check out one of the DVDs on her machine. Will let you know.
At Gwendolin's suggestion, I tried a DVD on a laptop - didn't play. Tried it on two other brands of DVD players with same results. Talked with a techie at a photo shop that produces video for various functions. He confirmed that until I finalize the DVD, it remains open and will not play on any machine but mine. I played around with remote menu and worked my way through to Disc Manager and finalize. All is well. My DVDs now play on any machine. Thanks for your help.