Can´t Format RAM discs on Samsung DVD

[artielon]

I´ve had three DVD-recorders - all RAM compatible. Panasonic DMR-ES15, JVC DRM-H20 (which both broke down) and presently Samsung DVD-R121. The JVC was able to both read and add recordings to the RAM-discs recorded on the Panasonic. Now the Samsung only reads them, but gives a message telling me these are read-only discs. When I attempt to format them it tells me: "unable to format because of disc error". The discs are FUJI-RAMs. Any similar experiences or, and better yet, fixes?

[Gavtech]

Originally Posted by artielon

I´ve had three DVD-recorders - all RAM compatible. Panasonic DMR-ES15, JVC DRM-H20 (which both broke down) and presently Samsung DVD-R121. The JVC was able to both read and add recordings to the RAM-discs recorded on the Panasonic. Now the Samsung only reads them, but gives a message telling me these are read-only discs. When I attempt to format them it tells me: "unable to format because of disc error". The discs are FUJI-RAMs. Any similar experiences or, and better yet, fixes?

Welcome to the forum.

I don't understand the problem here? ... unless you can get no further than the message?

Formatting requires writing to the disc - which as you say this unit cannot do... so you will not be able to format them , albeit it should not be necessary.

[artielon]

Originally Posted by Gavtech

Welcome to the forum.

I don't understand the problem here? ... unless you can get no further than the message?

Formatting requires writing to the disc - which as you say this unit cannot do... so you will not be able to format them , albeit it should not be necessary.

Thanks for your reply! Simply, the Samsung won´t write to the discs: it will not record, delete any previous recordings (or edit them) - and worst of all - is not able to format them.

[artielon]

Now the rascal (Samsung) was able to record on an old PANASONIC ram, but when I tried to edit an old recording (which it seem to do succesfully),the edited track playback showed disc error again! Also it it showed disc error on a perfectly clean partially recorded new TDK -RW! It was ably to finalize it, though. Is there wichcraft involved here?!

[Archie Fax]

You don't leave unprotected discs lying around on carpets and shelves by any chance?

[artielon]

Originally Posted by Archie Fax

You don't leave unprotected discs lying around on carpets and shelves by any chance?

No sir, I´m VERY CAREFUL abot cleanliness! That´s why this puzzles me so!

[Gavtech]

It took some navigating through the Finnish Samsung site given that the Finnish language is not one of my strengths... but from the English manual I was able to get there I see the machine DOES support the burning of RAMS.

There are these notes:

DVD-RAM Disc Playback and Recording

Ensure that the recording mode is set to VR mode.
Otherwise, this product will not be able to play the
recording.
You cannot play a DVD-RAM in most DVD components
due to compatibility issues.
Only DVD-RAM standard Version 2.0. discs can be
played in this unit.
DVD-RAM recorded on this unit may not work with other
DVD components. To determine compatibility with these
DVD-RAM discs, refer to the user’s manual for the
player.

[artielon]

Now there´s another twist to this saga: When I went through ALL my RAM-discs, I noticed that it was able to record, edit and delete previous recordins on DOUBLE-SIDED Fujifilm RAMs with no error messages. All the normal single-sided ones result in this message: "Since the disc has invalid information no more title list can be recorded. Please format the disc beforehand" Does "beforehand" mean before the disc is inserted into this machine?! With what do I format them?!? Once more: it plays all my RAMs beautifully, as it does -RWs, which it also formats and edits, and the quality is excellent. Maybe you just can´t win them all...

[Gavtech]

Originally Posted by artielon

Now there´s another twist to this saga: When I went through ALL my RAM-discs, I noticed that it was able to record, edit and delete previous recordins on DOUBLE-SIDED Fujifilm RAMs with no error messages. All the normal single-sided ones result in this message: "Since the disc has invalid information no more title list can be recorded. Please format the disc beforehand" Does "beforehand" mean before the disc is inserted into this machine?! With what do I format them?!? Once more: it plays all my RAMs beautifully, as it does -RWs, which it also formats and edits, and the quality is excellent. Maybe you just can´t win them all...

Each manufacturer has there own detailed formatting of video files.

The finalising process for 'normal' discs does away with these differences and renders discs as the universal DVD-Video standard... but finalising is not relevant or required for these RAM discs, which are using VR Mode, so presumably some of these proprietary difference remain and are the cause of the problems you are having.

The formatting message is meaning that you should format the discs on the machine you are using ..which will make them totally compatible with your current machine.. but does mean losing any existing data on them of course.