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Need Some Advice
Thinking of ordering an 8400, I was wondering what kind of drives to order. I want to be able to write to both CD and DVD and be able to play both. Not sure how to read all the choices on the equipment list. Can anyone help. Don't know what kind burner program I'll have, not happy with the Roxio that came with my 4600. Thanks for your help.
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Posted December 23rd, 2004 21:00
Hi Jeff: What you're saying is that what comes with the computer might not be all that good! :smileywink: I'll do some more research before I order, (and study all your tips first), but I'm unclear on one point. If I order the DVD drives, will they work just as well with CD's. I have some aviation course materials on CD's and lots of personal stuff stored on CD's. Thanks again and have a Happy Christmas and holiday.324
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Posted December 23rd, 2004 21:00
A DVD burner, in addition to reading and writing DVD media, does
everything and CDRW drives does; i.e. read and write CDs and CDRWs.
A single DVD burner does it all.324
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Posted December 24th, 2004 02:00
Jeff (Predator) is offline at the moment. It could be the
brand of media. Not all DVD media are equal. You can also
try the latest firmware update here ..........324
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Posted December 24th, 2004 02:00
"You will save yourself a headache if you ended up with a Philip drive."
I have an 8400 just 3 days old. All is fine except my single Philips DVD+-RW DVD8631 (dual layer) will read okay when copying a DVD but then rejects my blank DVD-R disc immediately and does not begin the burning process.Message appears "Please insert a blank or rewriteable DVD". I've tried at least 6 times with brand new blank DVD-R discs but get the same result each time. I've written to Dell Support but their stock automated reply does not help in my situation.I'm very happy to hear the Philips DVD is a winner which leads me to believe I must be the problem. Wonder if you have any suggestions. Many thanks!324
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Posted December 24th, 2004 02:00
I'm using the SONIC RecordNow software that came with the Dell. The Philips plays movies great and also copies/plays music/data CDs beautifully. Yep, I have a feeling I'm doing something wrong when attempting to copy DVDs.
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Posted December 24th, 2004 10:00
Hi ArmyWW2Vet,
Mike covered your question very well and I agree with him 100%.
There is something I need to mention, you stated copying DVD`s, if you referring to home DVD`s, then the media and firmware will more than likely take care of your problem, if the DVD`s are commercial DVD movies, such as Harry Potter, Return of the King, etc... then the problem you are seeing is due to the embedded Copy Protection on the disc. Sonic`s software is not designed to circumvent the copy protection, can it be done with another software, yes, can we tell you how on the public board, no, nor can we provide links, against Dell`s Policy.
I can say though, A Google Search on the subject will provide you with a good hour or two of reading.
Either way, I would however install the firmware update for the drive.
Merry Christmas !
God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway,
the good fortune to run into the ones I do and the eyesight to tell the
difference.
CD/RW Link
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Posted December 25th, 2004 02:00
Jeff,
Many thanks for your comments. I will update the firmware as you suggested. I also appreciate the ideas from the others and all responses. The DVD in question is not commercial but was borrowed from my grandson who is home on Christmas leave. It was a video filmed during some of his Army training exercises and one of his buddies father edited it and put it on a CD. I just wanted to make a copy for myself as I'm really not into movies copying. At my age I have more important things to do. I see no copyright on this and hardly believe there would be copy protection embedded.
It was my first attempt and didn't know what to expect. I am newbie at best and just wanted to make a copy so he could take the original back with him in a few days. He is a Regular Army Combat Medic and will be heading to Iraq in a few weeks. Something like this gives his family a great memory while he's away.
As an aside, yesterday I put in the specifics of my Philips DVD on Google and found a forum were they just happened to be discussing the identical problem that I was having. Their conclusion was the Philips would not copy to a minus (-) blank disc, only a plus. Don't really understand as the Philips is supposed to do both. Coincidently, I was using a minus blank also. Monday I will pick up a few of the plus discs and give that a try. I did checked the Dell data base but could find nothing to substaintiate these guys findings.
Anyway, I'll keep at it and investigate further and sooner or later it will all work out. Appreciate your assistance.
Merry Christmas to you also. Thanks,
John
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Posted December 25th, 2004 03:00
John,
First and foremost, I owe you and your son my deepest gratitude for supporting, serving and maintaining the freedoms of this Country.
I wish him well and pray for his safe return.
Hopefully the firmware update will correct the problem, I would suggest you try a DVD+R first just in case it is an issue with the DVD-R media so at least you will have a copy before having to return it and also if the firmware does not work, you will need to contact Dell and request a replacement, which will take a little time, especially due to the Holidays!
Seasons Greetings!
God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway,
the good fortune to run into the ones I do and the eyesight to tell the
difference.
CD/RW Link
Message Edited by Predator on 12-25-2004 12:12 AM
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Posted December 26th, 2004 01:00
Many thanks for your kind sentiments with regard to my family.
I will install the firmware recommended by Skybird (my personal thanks to him) then pick up a few DVD+R discs and check it out. You both mentioned that DVDs are not equal so I will be aware of that and only purchase small quantities until I find the right one for my purposes.
If all else fails, I will contact DELL, but in any event, I shall notify you of any positive outcome.
Your courtesies on my behalf are appreciated.
John
Predator
2 Intern
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15286 Posts
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Posted December 23rd, 2004 20:00
Hi Dalem,
Do not want to come across as Bah-humbug but, if the DVD/RW drive is free or a second drive is free, then get a DVD-ROM drive, sell the DVD/RW to some poor soul and purchase a Retail DVD/RW drive, Plextor would be an excellent choice. You will save yourself a headache if you ended up with a Philip drive.
Merry Christmas !!
God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway,
the good fortune to run into the ones I do and the eyesight to tell the
difference.
CD/RW Link