Like a lot of folks, I'm having a terrible time getting my burned DVDs to play on my standalone DVD player. It appears that with the current level of technology and standardization, the stars have to be aligned just so and I need some mystical right combination of DVD burner, software, media and DVD player to make things work. My concern with all this is that DVD players wear out fairly quickly, burners break, and media and software change. Even if I get the right combination now, how can I be sure it will be right in the future? My burned DVDs could be worthless if my DVD player breaks and I have to replace it. I'm wondering if I should back up the really important stuff as .iso files or something so I can re-burn in 10 years if needed. What do you think?
Excellent question, the fear of backing up 500 Dvd's then player goes to the standalone yard for early retirement, then Buzz Lightyears brother is purchased and NO PLAY.......arrrrrrgh..... It does seem though incompatibilities, seem to be more bug related in software AND media quality..... To this day I am still unaware that software developers produce burning software in line with the dvd forum standards, but they must surely follow them very closely or else nothing would work..... Your right it is a dilemma, but may vote would always be with Sony/Philips or Pioneer for a solid standalone...... Although some of the lower end of the market do produce solid machines..... I do like the Cyberhomes aswell, as they generally use DVDROM's that are used in PC's, and that is their actual purpose - for reading the +r and -r formats as data etc...... I have a Philips standalone recorder, and I have NOT experienced ANY standalone that will not play the +r produced by it....except when crap media has been used..... Be interesting to see what others think for sure....
