Pixelation while Burning recorded TV shows to DVD+RW

[chazperx]

I use Sage TV to record my TV shows, and later watch them on my DVD player. I have been noticing that if I burn 2 shows, which is all I can ususally get on the disk, the first 20-30 minutes of the show is flawless, and then after then, things start to skip and pixelate.

At first I thought the quality of the disk I was using was affecting it but I plan to test that out later this week.

The DVD players I am using specifically say that they read DVD+RW, so it's not the machine, and it does it on the three DVD+RW units I have anyway. I use DVD+RW so when I'm done, I can use it over again.

I have tried just about everything. Is anyone experiancing this?

Thanks in advanced for your assistance....

Chaz

[salsbst]

I've been struggling with the same issue with non-Sage recordings.... it's your burner. At least that's what I've discovered.

After burning 10 discs, all of whic have more and more pxelation/macroblocking and skipping as the video progresses (not PCs don't have a problem with these discs, only STBs), I upgraded the firmware on my burner.

Restarted, burned another one, and whammo.... the entire video was flawless.

Great, he says to himself.... and then he tries to burn a different video.... and he gets I/O errors from his burner software....and nothing seems to work. This was official firmware, not a hack job (well, it was official anyway ).

And now I'm planning a big ritual sacrifice of this burner. Thank goodness they no longer cost $400!

Anyway, I highly doubt SageTV is at fault here. 95% likely it is the burner, 4% that it is the media, 1% that I'm off my rocker.

Actually, I am off my rocker, but I still think it's your burner.

[chazperx]

Do you find that the problem exist with DVD+RW only or on DVD+R too. I burned a DVD+R and it was flawless, from what I could see.

Thanks

[justme]

I don't remember all the details, and they change from burner to burner anyway, but... I'd bet this is occuring right where your burning is shifting rotational speeds. This shift and the amount of shift varies according to DVD-+R/RW media. If your buring at max speed you could try a lower speed to see it it helps.

If you're desperate/adventurous...
If you do some searching there are some "good" unofficial BIOS's out there for many burners, but do this at your own risk. Make sure the site providing the BIOS has a long history and always be sure to get exactly the correct BIOS for your model.