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A question about burned CD's and their compatability with (or lack of) DVD players (1 Viewer)

Derek J

Grip
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
22
Can anyone tell me why I can play a CD on my DVD player but I can't play a burned or copied CD? I am not a electronic wizard so please explain as simply as you can and in layman's terms.
Thanks
 

RoyGBiv

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Apr 10, 2000
Messages
229
Real Name
Steven Kempner
It has to do with the reflectivity of the CD versus a CD-R or CD-RW and the wavelength of light the DVD player uses. Because DVDs have smaller pits than CDs, DVD players use a laser with smaller wavelength. For pre-made CDs where there are physical "pits" in the surface of the CD, this laser will provide an acceptable wavelength to read the information from the surface. With recordable CDs, there are no physical pits. The recording process changes the reflectivity of the surface. The DVDs laser can't adequately read this reflectivity information. Newer DVD players have more than one laser to provide this compatibility.
SMK
 

John Garcia

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"Oh, you're a layman. Let me explain it in technical terms..."
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-Stimpy
Not all DVD players have this problem.
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[Edited last by John Garcia on August 02, 2001 at 04:00 PM]
 
Joined
May 28, 2000
Messages
40
You'll want to try different CD-R and CD-RWs on your DVD player. Different colors and brands may make a difference based your DVD player.
Using trial and error with my old Sony DVD player, I've found that these generic "silver" colored CD-RWs worked best but had problems with green CD-Rs.
[Edited last by Michael Knieriemen on August 02, 2001 at 04:42 PM]
 

Eugene Hsieh

Supporting Actor
Joined
Jun 30, 1997
Messages
550
Hmmm... That's interesting. That linked website claims the silver CD-RW and light blue CD-R work with my RCA 5200p. I have tried about 10 different types of discs and they have all failed, including many shades of blue CD-R. I have never tried silver CD-RW though. Hmmmm...
Kinda moot though, since both my other DVD players can read most media, including one that reads DVD-RAM.
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