Burning DVDs with WinXP Media Center
Discussion
I've just got a PC with Windows Media Center and a digital TV tuner. I'm trying to burn recorded TV to DVD so that I can watch it on my normal DVD player/TV. However, the DVD is created with a file which is "media center recorded TV file" or something weird like that, which won't play on my DVD player. Am I missing something?
The important peice of text burried in the link Tycho sent (which is handy... I didn't know MCE could do that) is to paraphrase "If the Video CD option is not shown then the disc burning software is not installed or configured properly".
Basically you'll need some sort of compatible CD/DVD burning software installed on the system; my betting is that Nero Burning ROM will be compatible (it being the #1 peice of software for this task).
If those options aren't there at the momment then try installing a trial copy of Nero (www.ahead.de) and see if that makes MCE behave
Basically you'll need some sort of compatible CD/DVD burning software installed on the system; my betting is that Nero Burning ROM will be compatible (it being the #1 peice of software for this task).
If those options aren't there at the momment then try installing a trial copy of Nero (www.ahead.de) and see if that makes MCE behave
thepassenger said:
The important peice of text burried in the link Tycho sent (which is handy... I didn't know MCE could do that) is to paraphrase "If the Video CD option is not shown then the disc burning software is not installed or configured properly".
Basically you'll need some sort of compatible CD/DVD burning software installed on the system; my betting is that Nero Burning ROM will be compatible (it being the #1 peice of software for this task).
If those options aren't there at the momment then try installing a trial copy of Nero (www.ahead.de) and see if that makes MCE behave
Basically you'll need some sort of compatible CD/DVD burning software installed on the system; my betting is that Nero Burning ROM will be compatible (it being the #1 peice of software for this task).
If those options aren't there at the momment then try installing a trial copy of Nero (www.ahead.de) and see if that makes MCE behave
My PC came with Roxio pre-installed so maybe that's the problem, as I don't get the option to create a Video DVD.
gavstar said:
thepassenger said:
The important peice of text burried in the link Tycho sent (which is handy... I didn't know MCE could do that) is to paraphrase "If the Video CD option is not shown then the disc burning software is not installed or configured properly".
Basically you'll need some sort of compatible CD/DVD burning software installed on the system; my betting is that Nero Burning ROM will be compatible (it being the #1 peice of software for this task).
If those options aren't there at the momment then try installing a trial copy of Nero (www.ahead.de) and see if that makes MCE behave
Basically you'll need some sort of compatible CD/DVD burning software installed on the system; my betting is that Nero Burning ROM will be compatible (it being the #1 peice of software for this task).
If those options aren't there at the momment then try installing a trial copy of Nero (www.ahead.de) and see if that makes MCE behave
My PC came with Roxio pre-installed so maybe that's the problem, as I don't get the option to create a Video DVD.
Quick google doesn't seem to point to any weirdness with Roxio. I wonder if letting the machine run Windows Update and get the latest patches/service packs on to it might help? I'm not sure but Roxio themselves might have put out an update for their software as well... worth investigating.
Another interesting link http://tinyurl.com/c8mua indicates that this whole 'Create Video DVD' is part of a specific software package, not avaliable to consumers as a standalone nor via MCE retail sales... if Dell/HP/etc didn't install it in the factory your stuck... cheeky buggers.
It does however show you how to conver the .dvr-ms files in to a DVD in a few 3rd party program... including Nero.
gavstar said:
Gosh, you're doing all my research for me! Here's me at home with a beer posting my lazy questions, and you're providing some answers!
I'll check out Roxio upgrades. Failing that I'll call Evesham...after that, fancy coming round to fix it?
I'll check out Roxio upgrades. Failing that I'll call Evesham...after that, fancy coming round to fix it?
*holds up beer* me too
Kent's a bit far away for me to get to I'm affraid (check my profile for answer), but if it is this and we ever bump in to each other, first drinkie is on you
Right, fixed the problem of not having Video CD as an option - I had to install some bonus stuff from the Recovery CD. Next issue - everything I have recorded and then try to burn as a Video CD/DVD, gives me the error that the files aren't compatible! I know some content can be protected, but would this be the case for the majority of UK TV? I tried eg Holby City (just for testing!), a documentary about some children's first days at school, and another show, all from BBC1, 2, ITV or C4. What exactly can you burn?
Hmm, microsoft themselves don't reveal to much nor does Google. Most of the posts I've encountered are from the states and people complaining about various cable companies setting the broadcast flags and what not; but then again over in the states its, I belive, common to just screw an F connector in to the PC and let it decode... where as in this country we have to go cable box > PC.
Is it a 'Access Denied' type message or is MCE telling you that the content is protected?
Is it a 'Access Denied' type message or is MCE telling you that the content is protected?
I've tried to take a screen print but the bloomin thing won't allow it when the MC Window is at the front. So, the message is as follows:
"One or more of the files you have selected is not a supported file type and cannot be added to the list" This happens when trying to select a programme to add it to a DVD.
"One or more of the files you have selected is not a supported file type and cannot be added to the list" This happens when trying to select a programme to add it to a DVD.
Ok.
Pull up windows Explorer and go to whereever MCE stores it's recordings and movies. Make sure explorer is showing file extensions.
Are they all .dvr-ms files or are some of them in 'odd' formats? (mpg, divx, etc).
If they're all .dvr-ms files then find the annoying fecker that is refusing to burn and try playing it in Windows Media Player, does it play ok or is it corrupted?
Pull up windows Explorer and go to whereever MCE stores it's recordings and movies. Make sure explorer is showing file extensions.
Are they all .dvr-ms files or are some of them in 'odd' formats? (mpg, divx, etc).
If they're all .dvr-ms files then find the annoying fecker that is refusing to burn and try playing it in Windows Media Player, does it play ok or is it corrupted?
gavstar said:
I searched for the files it burnt, and this is an example of one:
Holby City_BBC ONE_29_08_2006_20_30_28.dvr-ms
This file played fine on Win Media Player....
Any ideas?
Holby City_BBC ONE_29_08_2006_20_30_28.dvr-ms
This file played fine on Win Media Player....
Any ideas?
Sorry missed your reply.
So it'll play back but not let you burn it though MCE's interface... GAH!
Ok... the bottom bit of this link might make some sense, I run stock XP Pro so don't have the MCE stuff to play with: www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/mce/expert/northrup_05february07.mspx
If that fails belive one of the links I put above had a guide to using the newer versions of nero to do a DVD-Video conversion from .dvr-ms. Give it a whirl and see what happens; if it works keep going
i'm half tempted to say you should use google and look for PlayFair PlayForSure cracked which will take you off to a thread on Doom9 about removing DRM protection... although I'm not sure this is totally a DRM issue here...
Podie said:
gavstar said:
Cheers guys, thought you might like to know that it was indeed Rollup 2 that i needed to install.
Thanks for your help.
Thanks for your help.
Buggar, I spoke too soon! Every disc has failed to burn! I get the useful error that "An error has occurred". I've got a log so will send that to Evesham (who have been very helpful so far to be fair to them, although I would expect all this to work from day one)
All that glisters is not gold i'm afraid. Whilst Microsoft and MCE particularly offer the earth, they rarely deliver. The best solution to your problem as mention previously is to get hold of a third party DVD burner like Nero or Ulead. They are compatible with just about any type of file you care to mention and can burn them all to DVD whilst creating your own menu's, backgrounds etc. I wouldnt personally keep struggling with MCE it will only go wrong again further down the line.
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