Dvd Recording

[Schwarz Baron]

Help,
I have a Dell Dimension 4600 series. I have had this about a year, and I was under the impression that I was getting a DVD R/CD R rewriter combi as standard. My intention all along to purchase a Sony handy- cam mini dv recorder, which I have now done. However when it comes to converting my movies from the Hard drive, to dvd disc, the computer refuses to recognise either DVD-R or DVD+R discs. The straight copy option will copy onto CD-R with no audio sound and dubious quality. Anybody any ideas, as I am at the end of my tether. My knowledge is, as you can probably tell limited. But I'm starting to wonder, did Dell understand my requirements as several of their call centre staff I spoke to could barely understand me (Foreigners). I really don't want to have to buy an external DVD/R. Help someone, I'm starting to feel a bit duped.....

 

[themadprofessor]

We can find out what is fitted to your PC if you don't mind posting or PMing me the service tag details. I can then look up the exact spec of your machine when it was delivered to you.

Chris

 

[Fanum]

Or open up control panel from the start button, go to system, hardware, device manager.

click the DVD/CD-rom drives box to expand it and tell us what it says is there.....

For example

Freecom DVD+/-RW 16b9 USB device
LG DVD-Rom drd8160b
TEAC cd-w540e

then we can tell straight away what you have in the machine.

FWIW though, the lack of sound thing and quality sounds like a software thing- how are you importing the video into the machine??

If i transfer mine by USB, I get crap quality sound too, but via Firewire I get full DV Quailty video and sound.

Lack of a DVD writer wouldn't affect the sound or video quality- it'd save onto CD just as well, albeit obviously far less footage could be saved.

PS I use Pinnacle Studio 9, running into a firewire card.......excellent bit of software and very easy to use.

 

[Schwarz Baron]

Thanks guys, for your swift replies. checked out the device manager, and it says:
HL-DT-ST RW/DVD GCC-4481B
So even I, of little IT brain, can assume I have indeed got a DVD/RW.
On the question of importing the video, I know I haven't got firewire, I have to use USB, it runs perfectly well when imported onto the Hardrive, and replayed, absolutely no probs. It's only when I try to copy it to disc, it keeps telling me to insert a blank cd into the device, even though I have placed a brand new DVD disc into the system, both -R and +R, it will only accept CD-R, and thats were the recording problems creep in. the videos themselves are no more than say 10 mins long for example. I have a 40GB system so there really shouldn't be a problem wtih memory. I have still 28Gb left even with what programs \I have installed on the system.

cheers,

 

[Mucky Helmet]

HL-DT-ST RW/DVD GCC-4481B
So even I, of little IT brain, can assume I have indeed got a DVD/RW

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but....no you don't, you have a CD RW and a DVD player only. It's the typical combo drive shipped with most Dell systems. That's why you can record onto CD but the system doesn't recognise your blank DVDs.

Check you initial order docs or pop the service tag in on the website to confirm what it was shipped with.

Dell support will be little help and yes, home system support is now based in Bangalore unless you subscribe to the gold or silver queue.

HTH

 

[adamski49]

Ditto what Mucky H said. I have a Dell 8xxx (something or other) and that has a CD-RW / DVD R (NO W) combo... and yes it is bloody confusing when you place the order but, fortunately, I wasn't that fussed about a DVD writer.

Adam

 

[Jimb]

Tekheads

Go get a DVD writer from www.tekheads.co.uk either a Pioneer or Sony, about £45, and it does dual layer DVD's as well just replace the DVD-Rom that you have and keep it for spare.

For what they cost its not worth the hassle of arguing, then get DVDshrink and DVDdecrypter and you can copy movies as well as make your own.

For DV import you will need a firewire ( IEEE 1394 ) card also from the same place about £16. Firewire imports the video and sound simultaneously, USB doesn't.

HTH

 

[Schwarz Baron]

Cheers guys,
advice greatfully accepted, and noted. Can't help still feeling a bit miffed tho'