We've had problems, too. It is incredibly frustrating, but I've found
very few patterns although I can offer a few observations after 5+ years
of trying to sort it out.
* Not all DVD-R's are created equally. Some distributor's films seem to
have more problems than others. If the DVD-R's are professionally
replicated, there are fewer problems. If the DVD-R is from a smaller
distributor / independent filmmaker who duplicates via a cd-burner on
their home computer or whatever, playback is much rougher / more
inconsistent.
* Generally newer DVD players play DVD-R's more smoothly than old. When
working in an environment where there is no uniform set-up for users'
home machines or classroom machines, this can be a pain. (Distributors
who tell us to 'try the disc on a newer machine' are not being helpful
from a user perspective -- we have very little control of the end-user's
playback options.)
We have coped with this by placing neon green labels on the DVD-R's in
our collection which read:
NOTICE: This is a DVD-R and may not play on all DVD players. Please
test on classroom equipment before screening.
... Not that instructors tend to do that, but it does give a head's up
and helps 'insure' us a bit.
Good luck,
*************************
Meghann Matwichuk, M.S.
Associate Librarian
Instructional Media Collection Department
Morris Library, University of Delaware
181 S. College Ave.
Newark, DE 19717
(302) 831-1475
http://www.lib.udel.edu/ud/instructionalmedia/
Rosen, Rhonda J. wrote:
We often have problems viewing dvd-r titles. Does anyone else have
this problem, and if so, what is the solution? We have players in the
library as well as in all the classrooms and we get this problem too
often....is it old dvd players vs new ones?
Rhonda
Rhonda Rosen| Head, Media & Access Services
William H. Hannon Library | Loyola Marymount University
One LMU Drive, MS 8200 | Los Angeles, CA 90045-2659
rhonda.ro...@lmu.edu| 310/338-4584|
http://library.lmu.edu <http://library.lmu.edu/>
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VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues
relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control,
preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and
related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective
working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication
between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and
distributors.
VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues
relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control,
preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and
related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective
working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication
between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and
distributors.