cannot get computer to read my mini DVDs

Discussion in 'Digital camcorders' started by eddieterr, Sep 5, 2008.

  1. eddieterr

    eddieterr Member

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    I need help urgently please
    I am a bit of an amateur but I have learnt how to use my Canon MVX250i with no problems, recording on the cassette and then downloading through a IEEE1393DV cable to either my hard drive or straight to my Pinnacle DV programme or Windows movie maker for editing and producing a movie
    The camera broke down (only 3 years old) with the cassette loading mechanism not working, Canon told me the repair cost was $350 so I bought a new one.
    I bought another Canon DC310 which uses mini CDs and that’s where my problem is.
    I used a DVD-RW and took a short video to test it, now the video plays back on the camera and also on my TV using the AV terminal BUT when I put the CD in my computer DVD drive it will not read it and shows the disc as empty
    I used a DVD-R disc, filmed short movie, had to finalize the CD (which means I cannot use it any more).
    The computer reads it and plays in Windows media but Windows movie maker does not recognize the video format and wont’ load it neither in my Pinnacle DV programme.
    Where am I going wrong, there is no DV cable socket on the camera only an AV terminal
    I am not a computer expert and am 74 years old not too much technical jargon please
     
  2. attar

    attar Senior member

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    If you examine the files on the DVD with Windows Explorer, what does it show - a folder?the name and contents of the folder??
     
  3. PFloyd

    PFloyd Regular member

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    Did you finalize the disk as it probably tells you that in the manual.
     
  4. eddieterr

    eddieterr Member

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    On the DVD-RW disc it shows no files but in the camera it shows the 1 file I filmed.
    on the DVD-R disc I finalized it and it shows the1 file I filmed in windows explorer but Windows movie maker will not open it and says it's the wrong format
    I did not finalze the DVD-WR disc as I could not find any provision to do this.
    Thanks for replying
     
  5. attar

    attar Senior member

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    What's on the disk?
    Is it a 'VIDEO_TS' folder containing .IFO and .VOB files.
     
  6. eddieterr

    eddieterr Member

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    this is on my DVD-R disc
    Yes that is the folder name, it has 6 files in it
    VIDEO TS 12KB IFO FILE
    VIDEO TS 64KB MPEG FILE
    VIDEO TS.BU 12KB BUP FILE
    VTS 01 0
    VTS 01 0.BUP 16KB IFO FILE
    VTS 01 0 218MG MPEG FILE
    The last one is the one that plays in windows media player and my tv
    it wont open in windows movie maker but will in power director 4 but out of sequence and very jerky when trying to play it.
    what worries me is that on my DVD-WR disc no files show up in explorer and this disc is said to be empty but when I check the disc content when the disc is in the camera the file shows up
    I have initialised the disc in video mode and then in VR mode but no success .
    Thanks I hope you can help me
    Eddie
     
  7. attar

    attar Senior member

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    Drag the folder onto the desktop.
    Rename VTS_01_1.VOB to VTS_01_1.VOB.MPG and see if Movie Maker will accept it.

     
  8. eddieterr

    eddieterr Member

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    That does not work I get the message from movie maker
    "this is not a supported file,cannot be imported"
    What wories me is that I had to finalize the DVD-R disc for it to be read, it was only a small test file but now I cannot record anything more on that disc as it was a dual layer that's a complete waste of money now.
    I want to get my DVD-WR disc working then I can at least use it again,
    Thanks for your help
     
  9. attar

    attar Senior member

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  10. GrandpaBW

    GrandpaBW Active member

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    You need to find out how to finalize the disc. It should tell you, in your owner's manual.

    Also, make sure that you are recording in video mode, and not VR mode.
     
  11. eddieterr

    eddieterr Member

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    Hi Bruce, I initiated the DVD-RW in video mode,took a short video but when I go into the disc operations menu there is no "finalize CD only the initiate CD.
    when I record on the DVD-R disc there is a "finalize CD in the menu
    Another thing I have just noticed is when I am in the camera mode ready for recording there is an open hand symbol on the screen
    I have read the manual and there is no reference to this at all
    What does this mean. It is in the top right hand corner of the screen
    Eddie
     
  12. attar

    attar Senior member

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    Try using the plugin power pack, some cams will not initialize or finalize a disk if the battery is low.
     
  13. PFloyd

    PFloyd Regular member

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    DVD-RW's do not need to be finalized. Just hook the USB cable and transfer the file to the pc.
     
  14. PFloyd

    PFloyd Regular member

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    On my cameras, and open hand means that the image stabilization feature is turned off.
     
  15. eddieterr

    eddieterr Member

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    Thanks for the info about image stabiliser icon that problem solved but this camera has only an AV outlet
    No USB or DV outlet and that is my problem.
    And I still cannot get my DVD drive on my computer to read the disc
     
  16. eddieterr

    eddieterr Member

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    I am getting to the stage now to sell this brand new camera half price and buy one that uses mini DV cassettes and has a DV outlet or even one with a hard drive
     
  17. digitaldd

    digitaldd Member

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    thanks for help
     

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