I'm stumped for now- I did a successful burn onto a Dvd-RW disk from a region 4 dvd using decrypter first time around. I had set my Dvd-Rom drive region info to match the dvd. I then decided that since this was so easy, I'd "do it for real" and burn a dvd-r disc. Before doing so, I re-set my region info for the Dvd-Rom drive from 4 to 1. I thought that Decrypter would decrypt the dvd regardless of the region setting. I immediately got an error message " Failed to reserve track !" in the Decrypter log. I have solved this problem. I'm using a Sony Dvd rewritable drive and on their webpage they mention dvd-r, 2x discs produced a few years back (up to 2002) don't work in this drive. Ok- I breath a sigh of relief and buy some new dvd-r, 4x which this drive supports. I again use Decrypter to decrypt the region 4 dvd. I deleted the original ISO file which had worked sucessfully. Grrr I do a burn using the new dvd-r and it burned for about 20 minutes and then the sony drive door opens to eject the disk. I see in the Decrypter log that the burn was sucessful. This burn is my first coaster-nada...nothing-it doesn't play. Here is my question-observation-opinion : After my first sucessful burn, I switched the region setting of my dvd-rom drive from 4 to 1. I did this because I thought Decrypter decrypts regardless of the region. I also reasoned that since you can only change regions 5 times, very soon I would have to leave the region as is. I think that because I put the region 4 dvd into a drive set for region 1 and then used Decrypter to create an ISO file- the file was bad information-thus the coaster. Any opinions appreciated. By the way, if I'm right, how can you by-pass the region setting on the drive? I mean you need to put the dvd in the drive to play it right? Decrypter reads the drive info right ? Richard
Leave the Region setting of the drive set to the region in which you get most of your DVDs. If you're in region 1, leave the drive set to region 1. The setting isn't meant to be played with at every odd disc you get. You use the software to manipulate the region code info, not the hardware. There are guides all over the place. If you can't find a good guide here at AD, try Doom9, MrBass, or DVDShrink.info. Had you made the decrypted file region free, even changing region settings on the drive would have made no difference. In effect, what you did was create a region 4 file that wouldn't work on a region 1 drive. As I said, leave the hardware alone and use the software for changing the file's region settings. When in doubt, make your files region free. _X_X_X_X_X_[small][bold]'brobear'[/bold] I was an earth-rim walker, a lurker at the threshold of the abyss. - Grendel - [bold]Et tu, Brute![/bold][/small]
You might also try DVD Shrink to rip and process your DVD into a region free DVD backup. Here's the download and guide - Both FREE, ;-) http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_software/dvd_rippers/dvd_shrink.cfm cheers, Pete
Pete is correct, DVD Shrink will handle region setting information as well. I addressed DVD Decrypter because that was the question. When dealing with matters of Region setting and deCSS there are many options. One can even use a program like Region Free, which is a driver type decrypter. It's sort of pick your own flavor.
Thanks to Brobear and Scuba Pete for the lifeline. Sounds like good news, but I haven't a clue as to how this is done ie; "Had you made the decrypted file region free"- I have both the Decrypter and Shrink guides. I'll take another look. I downloaded VLC so at least I can play various region codes without problem. Thanks
Here is the location of a good DVD Decrypter guide to help you. This one goes into Region Settings. Some guides overlook it. You will be going to Doom9.org. http://www.doom9.org/ Click on Guides just to make sure you have the right screen up. Click on ripping on the right. Decrypter is a ripper. Then click on the DVD Decrypter selection. Read the whole guide, but you can skim to the part with Region settings. DVDShrink.info has an easy picture guide but isn't comprehensive enough. It is excellent for getting one going quickly.
The guide has the pictures, but here is the text from the Doom9 guide. If you are going to be dealing with a lot of out of region discs, I would advise getting a program like Region Free. _X_X_X_X_X_[small][bold]'brobear'[/bold] [bold]Et tu, Brute![/bold][/small]
Thanks again for the help. I went to the site of the complete guide and started reading. One thing that I found which dismays me is and I quote from the guide " if you want to test-burn also check Test Mode. In that mode the burning process is only simulated and no data will be written to the disc". Well Geez-No wonder I made a "coaster". The Decrypter guide that I've been using says "check test mode if you want", as if it doesn't affect anything. Mine was checked automatically when I used a dvd-r (not with dvd-rw) and I didn't think anything of it. I'm going to have to re-rip the dvd and try burning again with test mode off and see what happens. Richard
Sometimes it boils down to following the right instructions. Good luck and let us know what happens. It might be a good idea to print out the full guide for reference or copy it to file.
ROTFLMAO, Richard, I think you've got it - turning off the "Test Mode" will make a world of difference - Thanks for the chuckle, Reminds me of me a while back - those stupid goofs hurt when others find out about them - I've done it enough times to know - Peace my friend, Pete
Ha, well I guess in retrospect its all rather funny. Yup, my burn worked just fine when I unchecked test. My "coaster" wasn't a coaster afterall. Actually, getting back to the full-length guide, I'm getting really interested in the two other modes, not that I understood everything. I can think of instances where I might want to delete a particular file, but for now, I'm not focused enough to tell the files apart. I guess we can end this region code/decrypter thread. I really want to thank a great bunch of guys on this one. Richard
ricsalt Glad to get you pointed in the right direction. I found the other modes with decrypter useful. But first, get comfortable with what you're now doing and progress to the others later. Shrink is a good learning program and turns out some decent video. Learn to use it and you will be better able to make decisions in purchasing a better program. You can't beat it for freeware and it is better than some retail products. Be sure to get a comprehensive guide, as you did with the Decrypter. BTW, the guide here at AD and the one at DVDShrink.info are good starter guides. Check Doom9 and/or MrBass and see if they have a more comprehensive one that goes into all the controls and settings. You said you ripped with Decrypter, I never caught what you were using to burn the ripped files with. _X_X_X_X_X_[small][bold]'brobear'[/bold] [bold]Et tu, Brute![/bold][/small]
Hi Brobear, I'm burning with Nero. I thought the thread was over but there has been a new development. The dvd-r that I burned from a region 4 disc with a Sony 8.5 gb drive (set to region 1) plays fine on my Dell dvd-rom drive...set to region 1. I tried to play the dvd on a stand alone dvd player and I got an error message "cannot read this disc" I'm getting exhausted by these twists of fate. Have you any ideas as to why this is happening ? Richard
Some standalone players will not read the DVD R format. Others will read the pizza and ask how you want it sliced. On a serious note. I have a Samsung that plays my recorded discs well. One of my family members has a player that gives the same error as yours. Check the disc on a standalone that you know is capable of reading the R format discs. Some drives even read the RW, which mine won't. It may be time to run out and get one of those new cheapy DVD players that will play the different formats.
Let's start running your DVD's through DVD Shrink (region free) then when your fry that baby, it should play on anything because then there would be no region on the disc - Couldn't hurt to try - As bear says, it could be your standalone - I would have thought it was your media but in other posts brobear has shown that all media is essentially equal as it is all made by different manufacturers but they all make it the same - Hope that helps - Cheers -
Once again Pete goes behind me and gets the wrong impression. Seems we have a problem, we both speak English. There are differences in manufacturers of media. The problem arises from the brands buying from multiple sources; some good and some not so good. The odds are that if you buy Memorex, you get a CMC manufactured disc (low end of the pole). But they did have some Ricoh discs which were good. Then you have the Verbatim (One of Pete's favorites) that have some of the best discs around; made by Mitsubishi, Taiyo Yuden, and Ricoh. However, some of the branded -R Verbatim are produced by CMC, the company that many say is the poor Memorex. Which company will you probably get the best disc with? Probably Verbatim, because TY and MCC make the DataLifePlus and Ricoh makes some of the Datalife (One just has to be careful of the -R format). Memorex has CMC for +R and -R. So it is manufacturer and how the brands buy and distribute. The problem is that Pete doesn't seem to understand that I agree with a lot of what he says. I guess it's the language, English. [bold]Which doesn't appear to have much to do with the problem here.[/bold] Bad media would be more likely to cause a bad burn or poor reading. You're reading on your PC and there doesn't seem to be a problem. The problem is recognizing what's on the disk on the standalone. In this case I suspect the hardware. But it'll be interesting to see. Won't it Pete? _X_X_X_X_X_[small][bold]'brobear'[/bold] [bold]Et tu, Brute![/bold][/small]
ricsalt Guess you got a little media lesson there. Pete's on a rampage because I pointed out not all branded Verbatim are good. He was under the impression that the same company made Verbatim all the time and that they were always good (video quality grade). Many including Pete, say CMC is best for data and not video.
Sorry for the delay in my response. I've been having too many late nights studying these issues of late and took a day off. I read both of your insights which conforms with what I've concluded myself. I'm going to try dvd shrink- the media is ok-the burn is ok- It appears older dvd players are problematic. However Sylvania reads the disc fine. Rca reads it but very poorly. Panasonic doesn't read it at all. The wild card is of course if the "lens" is dirty on a dvd player then you get a false read. These are "public" machines in a library. It's an interesting problem I hope to learn more about. Richard
