Salvaging a DVD recording

[Amethyst_Isle]

I have some DVDs that over time have been scratched (or just will not play at all ) and was wondering how to salvage the recordings off them if possible that is.



I recorded some tv programme's and because they are broadcasted over a long period of time I did not finalize them (otherwise I would not be able to record the next episode etc.) now because I did not finalize them they will not play in the PC at all because of it.



I have done all the cleaning neccessary and they will not work or should I not bother and just throw them in the bin ?



Anyone know how to get the info of them at all ? then maybe I could transfer them onto a decent DVD.



Thanks.

[SirOllyBolly]

Have you tried rubbing Toothpaste (a mild abrasive) on the scratches? Its worked on CDs for me before.

[Amethyst_Isle]

Yeah tried all sorts SirOllyBolly but to no avail.

[Lord Brett]

Will it play on a computer? If so it may be possible to copy the DVD, and the copy will then play OK. I've just done this for someone.

[ollie]

Do some googling and have a look at isobuster

[Amethyst_Isle]

name='Lord Brett']Will it play on a computer? If so it may be possible to copy the DVD, and the copy will then play OK. I've just done this for someone.

That is what I was thinking before but I did not finalize them so they will not play in the PC at all because of it.

[Lord Brett]

Presumably it's on a DVD-R and not and RW then. Shame. I finalise everything, as if my DVD recorder suddenly fails I wouldn't be able to play any of my discs.

[DB7]

Take it to your local Blockbuster and ask them to run it through their machine.

[Amethyst_Isle]

name='Lord Brett']. I finalise everything, as if my DVD recorder suddenly fails I wouldn't be able to play any of my discs.

Yeah I see what you mean but pretty pointless when it only has say one episode on there and kind of wasted space elsewhere on the disc don't you think ?

[rjd0309]

Check Amazon for disc cleaning/repair kits. I like the one made by Scotch.



The cleaners are for removing fingerprints and other smudges. These consist of isopropyl alcohol and a neat little hand-cranked circular buffing/wiping device.



Repairing scratches bascially involves using a fluid not unlike car wax, with a similar refractive index as the polycarbonate plastic disc, to temporarily fill in scratches. Buff away the haze, then insert into your computer's DVD drive and try to copy the data over to your hard disk.



If the disc has not been finalized, you still might be able to copy the VOB (video object) files from the disc, which contain the multiplexed video and audio data. But you may need specialized DVD software. DVDFab might be able to do it, or DVD Decrypter.



Once on your hard disk, there are various programs that could help you convert the VOB files into a standard DVD. But it's a lot of info to digest. Send me a PM if you want to discuss.

[jaycad]

name='Lord Brett']Presumably it's on a DVD-R and not and RW then. Shame. I finalise everything, as if my DVD recorder suddenly fails I wouldn't be able to play any of my discs.

i finalised everything on my last dvd recorder but when i had to replace the recorder the discs appeared blank when i attempted to play them on the new one! oh how i bit my fists!!!

[ollie]

name='ollie']Do some googling and have a look at isobuster

At the risk of repeating you need to recover the info that is there isobuster and software like it can help you achieve this

[Amethyst_Isle]

The big dilemma is because the dvd is not finalized the PC will not read it (PCs only recognise discs that are finalized ) and therefore I can not use those programs mentioned.

[Lord Brett]

name='Amethyst_Isle']Yeah I see what you mean but pretty pointless when it only has say one episode on there and kind of wasted space elsewhere on the disc don't you think ?

This won't be of much use to you right now, but next time you're replacing your home video equipment, I'd recommend getting a hard drive recorder with built in DVD recorder. These allow you to burn discs from files on the machine's hard drive. This allows me to save shorter recordings until I can pair them up with something appropriate.



If you fancy, drop me a PM and if you want to send the discs up to me I can have a try with them.

[rjd0309]

name='Amethyst_Isle']The big dilemma is because the dvd is not finalized the PC will not read it (PCs only recognise discs that are finalized ) and therefore I can not use those programs mentioned.

Ah, yes, if the disc isn't finalized then your computer would see the disc as empty or with an unsupported format.



Would it work to re-insert the disc into your DVD Recorder and try to finalize the disc?



Or perhaps set the Disc Mode of your DVD Recorder to 'VR mode' and try to read the data back from the unfinalized disc and onto your recorder's internal hard disk? (If your recorder hopefully HAS an internal HDD...)

[Amethyst_Isle]

name='rjd0309']Ah, yes, if the disc isn't finalized then your computer would see the disc as empty or with an unsupported format.



Would it work to re-insert the disc into your DVD Recorder and try to finalize the disc?



Or perhaps set the Disc Mode of your DVD Recorder to 'VR mode' and try to read the data back from the unfinalized disc and onto your recorder's internal hard disk? (If your recorder hopefully HAS an internal HDD...)

1.When inserting the DVD into the recorder it rejects it due to the scratch.



2.No internal HDD.

[rjd0309]

name='Amethyst_Isle']1.When inserting the DVD into the recorder it rejects it due to the scratch.



2.No internal HDD.

Rats. If the programme material is really valuable, it would seem that you'll need to send the disc to someone who can try to temporarily repair the scratches with a repair kit, then see if their recorder can read the disc's files in VR mode onto the internal HDD.



I'd be willing to give it a go. Send me a PM.

[Lord Brett]

Do you know what should be on the discs? The only remaining solution I can think of is to put an appeal out on Britmovies for the lost material.

[Amethyst_Isle]

name='Lord Brett'] The only remaining solution I can think of is to put an appeal out on Britmovies for the lost material.

I did do that but because they were both U.S movies it was deleted from the wants section and caused me to receive an infraction.

[DocRobertPepper]

A Friend told me that a shop called Game where doing repairs to scratched discs

the one he saw is in Putney , London