What computer do you use?

[Astroganga]

A 4-year-old, cheapest in the range Dell desktop that was bought as a temporary measure, it hasn't held up well and has had various issues since the warranty expired. Hope to get something new soon.

 

[Meistersinger]

Yeah, that's how I look at it. I'm not as computer savvy as those that are younger than me, but I can make it do what I need it to. I'm sure it can do a lot more than what I'm using it for, as there are programs loaded on that I've not even tried.

The one thing I still cannot figure out is how to burn a DVD. There are some programs loaded on for that purpose, but I have yet manage to successfully burn one. One time I lost the sound and another all the color disappeared. I'm sure I'm doing something wrong, but thus far no one has been able to figure out what it is.

First, are you using a PC or Mac? Second, what software are you using to burn a DVDs? Third, regardless of what you are trying to burn, are you burning the right format? There are many different DVD disc formats, all of which are incompatible with each other. Finally, whatever you are trying to burn may be corrupted.

 

[Judge]

The one thing I still cannot figure out is how to burn a DVD. There are some programs loaded on for that purpose, but I have yet manage to successfully burn one. One time I lost the sound and another all the color disappeared. I'm sure I'm doing something wrong, but thus far no one has been able to figure out what it is.

With Windows 7 you're better off using Windows Explorer (File Manager) to burn DVDs. I just drag and drop the files I want burned. You don't need a third-party burner program like Nero, etc.. I usually use DVD-R discs in my ASUS DRW-24B1ST burner.

 

[Meistersinger]

With Windows 7 you're better off using Windows Explorer (File Manager) to burn DVDs. I just drag and drop the files I want burned. You don't need a third-party burner program like Nero, etc.. I usually use DVD-R discs in my ASUS DRW-24B1ST burner.

However, the OP was implying that he was trying to burn a DVD to be played in a stand-alone DVD player. If that's the case, you need a third party program like Nero in order to organize the video files into the appropriate sub folders, as well as author the menuing system that allows the selection of specific chapters on the disc.

 

[Judge]

However, the OP was implying that he was trying to burn a DVD to be played in a stand-alone DVD player. If that's the case, you need a third party program like Nero in order to organize the video files into the appropriate sub folders, as well as author the menuing system that allows the selection of specific chapters on the disc.

Could be....what say you Sportster? Nero is certainly more complex to use than Windows Explorer. I still use Nero on my legacy system with Windows XP.

Stand alone DVD players can be very picky about the formatting of DVD+/-r and rw format disks burned from your computer. Though I've had good luck with Sony players.

If this is the case, you can always look up the model number or manual of your stand alone DVD player and see if you can find in the specs if it accepts recordable DVD disks.

 

[Judge]

I have a PC using Windows 7. It's possible the file may be corrupted, as I was trying to burn a video I found on the internet to save to a disk. I even tried using different formats, as I have a program that will copy anything to whatever format needed.





The computer came with Nero and something called Cyberlink Power DVD 9, which I have never used. The DVD burner that came with the machine is an Optiarc DVD RW AD-7200A ATA. It works quite well and I have no problem burning CD's. I just can't figure out how to do DVD's. I have a nice stack of new Memorex DVD-R 16X 4.7 GB 120min disks. I'll try what you suggested to see if I have any luck doing it that way.

So you're NOT talking about simply running burned DVDs in a stand alone player?

Just understand that it's likely you'll have to delete Nero for Windows 7 to default to Windows Explorer as your burning software. I've used plenty of Memoriex DVD-R's before without incident.

But who knows? The problem might be Nero itself. Hopefully you have the original disks to reinstall if you want or need to. But as I said, with Windows 7 I only use Windows Explorer to burn CD's and DVD's. I find it less cumbersome than using Nero.

 

[Judge]

No, I'm trying to burn DVD's. DVD's will play okay in the burner and I have made a bunch of music CD's and data disks for back-up; I back up constantly since I've had so many computer crashes over the years.

The computer didn't come with any of the original disks, so removing programs isn't an option. Nevertheless, I'll try to burn something through Windows Explorer to see how that does. Frankly, that sounds a lot easier than using Nero or that other program. That other program looks rather complicated even though I've not used it.

To my knowledge Windows won't let you operate two burner programs at the same time.

You'll need to figure out how to disengage Nero first. Otherwise any burning functions will automatically default to Nero. I don't think merely changing file associations will work...although you could try I suppose.

When you do attempt to burn a DVD in Nero, can you cite the steps you use? What exactly are you burning? Data files....or media? Or both? When you say copy "video" files, exactly what format of file do you mean? You can't copy anything copyguarded and encoded with things like Macrovision...etc..- i.e. anything prerecorded.

 

[Meistersinger]

Generally, when you want a Video DVD that will play in any standalone DVD player, it has to be in VOBIS format. I don't think Windows Explorer burns that format, which is why you need either Nero or Roxio Easy DVD Creator. I never could figure out Nero, and it has been eons since I used Roxio's Windows products. Besides, I'm a Mac-head. When I need to do video, I'll use iMovie or Roxio's Toast. I can't even do that right now, because the monitor on my Mac Mini Server died, and I don't have money right now to replace it, since I can't find parts for the damn thing (the monitor is an Apex LE2412. The main board/internal power supply died. Unfortunately, they used several different boards over the life of this model, and unfortunately, there is no cross reference for parts substitution with other makes and models. For instance, Funai manufactures TVs for Sylvania, Emerson and Symphonic. Depending on the model number, what works in a Sylvania set might also be interchangeable with Funai, Emerson and Stmphonic, as well as a few other manufacturers.). It sucks to be me right now because I'm 2 weeks out from getting my next disability check, I still got repairs that need to be made to my car (namely, a front end alignment, oil and transmission change, and a tuneup.), I have an attorney on my arse right now tying to collect for carpal tunnel surgery I had 3 years ago that Medicaid would not pay off, as I'm now on Medicare, I have to get my iPad out of the pawn shop, I have an opthamologist, a psychologist and a psychiatrist appointments coming up (with a 45.00 copayment on each), in addition to paying the rent, my car payment, car insurance payment, and my phone bill. It's bad enough, that I had to beg and grovel for money from my brother so I could pay to refill my Levemir and Humalin-R prescriptions (with any of my brothers, you would think they were being murdered when I ask for anything from any of them. I got read the riot act after this brother loaned me the 30.00 to get my meds. It also didn't help that he and his wife were going on vacation.

 

[Meistersinger]

Ugh, it's obvious doing a DVD is a lot more complex than a CD. I believe the format of the file I'm trying to burn to a DVD is MP4. I know Nero will convert the files if burning a music/audio CD, but I don't know about a DVD. This is going to take me some time to figure out. It's almost amusing, because I can rebuild a heat pump, but this sort of thing befuddles me.

Just like an audio CD, if you're burning in VOBIS format, the burn application will convert the file To one or more .VOB files which will be placed into a Video_TS folder on the DVD

 

[Judge]

I believe the format of the file I'm trying to burn to a DVD is MP4.

Just investigating this I found links citing problems importing the MP4 format into various forms of video.

Simple question: Do you have audio software (like freeware app Audacity) that can convert an MP4 file to MP3 format?

That's what I'd try to see if you can skirt around the problem.

 

[EndSerenading]

I use a macbook pro from about 2009, it still works ok but I really need to get a new one soon.

 

[Meistersinger]

Just investigating this I found links citing problems importing the MP4 format into various forms of video.

Simple question: Do you have audio software (like Audacity) that can convert an MP4 file to MP3 format?

Yes. iTunes can do it, although it's aPITA.

On the Mac, there's Max, which is open source and will allow you to convert to almost any audio format (Mp 3/4, Ogg, FLAC, Monkey's Audio. The only one it doesn't do is WAV and WMV). I'm not sure about Windows. Linux/BSD/UNIX has a whole galaxy of tools, that I'm not going to mention because they're too numerous.

 

[Judge]

Yes. iTunes can do it, although it's aPITA.

On the Mac, there's Max, which is open source and will allow you to convert to almost any audio format (Mp 3/4, Ogg, FLAC, Monkey's Audio. The only one it doesn't do is WAV and WMV). I'm not sure about Windows. Linux/BSD/UNIX has a whole galaxy of tools, that I'm not going to mention because they're too numerous.

I use both Audacity and MP3 maker for such conversions on a Windows platform...although frankly I don't use MP4 format at all. From what I see, MP4 isn't particularly compatible on video. Maybe codec related.

 

[Butterfly88]

A special butterfly edition of HP Pavilion

 

[Judge]

I've been using Format Factory, which works quite well; I have not had any problems with it. It can convert the MP4 to .VOB if I like, so do you think that would be better? I didn't even know about .VOB until I read what Meistersinger posted about it.

Can you tell me more or less about the source file presently in MP4 format? Is this strictly audio ? Is the source material copy-guarded in any way?

Personally I'd be inclined to convert the files to MP3 myself. VOB is certainly an option as an offshoot of the MP format, although such files will likely play on fewer players...having more information to decode than the MP3 format, which plays on just about everything.

 

[Judge]

The file is a short video (11 minutes), so I don't believe it's copy-guarded; it's one someone made as an instructional and posted on YouTube.

I'll try MP3 instead of VOB. As I mentioned Format Factory will convert to anything, so I'll give it a try. I forgot to mention, but I do have Nero Vision Essentials, which is supposed to do DVD's. I didn't know it was on my computer . . . DUH!!!

Don't feel inadequate to such a task. I consider myself a major geek...and I can't say I've messed around much with actual video formats other than in the distant past. I don't think your problem is you- or your hardware and software. Sounds more likely it's just a compatibility issue with the MP4 format. Hope you find a solution though.

 

[Judge]

I'm self-taught where using a computer is concerned, so making a DVD is all quite new to me. It took me a while before I figured out how to make a CD. What I need to to do is find a first grader to help. Kids today seem to know more about this stuff.

That's how I learn everything. I never had a geek to go to. People came to me. I learned everything the hard way.

LOL...I still recall calling my mother up in complete frustration telling her. "I think I just destroyed my whole computer!"

But self taught....that's the best. Where your greatest successes are utlimately built on a foundation of failure.

 

[Judge]

Well, I burned a DVD and it worked. The quality isn't that great, so I don't know if that's because of me or if the original file was not good. It looked okay on the computer, but it might not translate well onto a larger screen.

It did work, though, and is watchable. I had to convert the file from MP4 to VOB and then burn it through Windows DVD Maker. The first attempt gave me an error message about a code or something, which is why I converted to VOB. I'm going to try again with a video I made just to see if the quality is any better.

I was shocked at how long the whole process took. It was a few hours from start to finish, which why I probably won't be burning a lot of DVD's.

Good to hear. Seems it's all relative to the MP4 format. That you must convert it before transferring it to DVD.

But that it isn't your mistake. Just a compatibility issue.

No telling how many different hardware issues under such circumstances create a bottleneck of sorts in terms of systems resources when you're burning DVDs. A faster hard drive, newer motherboard and chipset, more RAM...a quad core CPU...all those things are needed for shorter burn times. But hey...at least you got it working.

 

[Häxan]

An old HP laptop that has had the hard drive exchanged like 6 times, the battery is dead, the cord is broken and held together with duct tape.

 

[Meistersinger]

Maybe someone can help with my predicament. I have an Apex Digital mode LE 2412 LCD monitor that was attached to my i7 based Mac Mini server. Last Sunday, as I was attempting to back up my iTunes music library to DVD-RW, the monitor took a crap. When I tried to recycle power to the monitor, the power LED will turn on for 2 seconds, then power off. I'm not able to power this unit up again for at least 30 seconds. When it does allow me to power up, I get the same result I just listed.

After doing some research, I find a YouTube video stating it's a bad internal power supply board. The video shows how to remove the board. However, the company that built this display for Apex used several different power supply boards through the life of this model, and the are all incompatible with each other[emoji35].

Before any one tells me to contact Apex Digital, don't even bother. Apex digital went belly-up in 2010. I've tried all the major TV parts houses, and none have this part.

I do know that some tv core manufacturers, like Funai, rebrand their sets for Sylvania, Emerson, and Symphonic. A lot of times parts for these brands are interchangeable, just by looking at a cross reference list supplied by Funai. I have not seen any such list for Apex Digital, or who manufactured the set, which is the second largest TV manufacturer in mainland China. Does anyone here know of a cross-reference and replacement to Apex Digital part number1204H0559A/1, and know where I can find said part? I really don't want to spend another 100-300 dollars for a new monitor, if the part is less than 50 bucks, especially since I have an opthamologist, a psychologist and a psychiatrist appointment coming up, all with a 45 bucks copayment, and I have 2 live concert recordings with groups I perform with sitting on my iPhone that their respective directors would like to have posted to their respective groups websites, but I need to export them to my Mac Mini for processing.