Testing DVDs for Errors (1 Viewer)

[Todd B]

There is an interesting thread going on over in the TV Software Forum that is discussing the problems many are having with Universals DVD-18 titles. This post suggested that one can use computer software (in this case, Nero) to pre-test a DVD for errors:



I thought that, given the problems many are having getting DVDs to play on their equipment from time, I would spin off a separate thread on the topic. I also hope that some who are knowledgable about the the gremlins involved when DVDs skip or freeze might be able to comment.

So, is it possible to run DVD scanning software to catch problems on a DVD that might result in a freeze or skip? Can such software catch problems that another player might have even if the computer running the test itself doesn't exhibit such problems?

Todd

 

[Max Leung]

I think the best you can do with a PC is determine there aren't any obvious errors on the disc. In my experience, I find that DVD writer drives and DVD-ROMs can handle disc errors better than standard set top box DVD players in real-time. In other words, if a disc won't play in your DVD player, chances are good it will work on a PC with no problems. However, if a PC can't read all the sectors properly, then there is probably something seriously wrong with the disc and 90% chance it won't play on a standalone DVD player.

However, using a tool such as Nero test can give you a graphical representation of how many errors on a disc the drive had to correct for - that can come in handy!