Proceedure that works for writing DVD-R disks
on a Pioneer 104/A04 Recorder

that has been tested in a Cyberhome ADL-528 player
which has 10.01 firmware
and a DM126D loader with 1.7B firmware
and plays correctly

Thanks to marvel2020 for his help.

OK for this test I used 'Big Mommas house' as it was only 3.8GB
and therefore no conversion required to get it on a 4.7Gb thus preventing complicating the tests.
I used smartripper 2.41 - which can be found on the vcdhelp tools section

http://www.vcdhelp.com/tools

following the instructions here. also get into the habit
of taking a note of the size of the film (mins) as you use it
when converting DVD's larger than 4.7GB (all guides available on vcdhelp.com site)

Guides on vcdhelp

You will save all the files in a directory remember the directory.(Better using an empty directory)

I then used prassi primo dvd2.0 (english) version 2.0.749 available here.

http://www.cdrsoft.cc/

You may need an update for your recorder drive.
If so use this here

Alternatively they are zipped together and are in a easy to download link here


(My recorder was a Pioneer with firmware 1.32 which is a RPC-2 type)
(I'll try reburning version 1.31 firmware into it (RPC-1) and let you know)

Word of warning - DONT BURN Version 1.32 or greater into a pioneer A04/104.
There's a downgrade problem.Does this sound familiar to you.
Stick with either 1.20 or 1.31 which ever you feel happiest with.
It will probably work ok.There is a RPC-1 version of 1.31 (i.e. region free).

Launch prassi

Click DATA disk icon

select your recorder

click - goto full application

Now using windows explorer find the directory you saved
the vob files etc. to and drag and drop the folder into the prassi program

You will now get a line in the centre column

with \video_ts\*.*

right click on this and 'modify folders on disc' option
(this is important the 528 can only recognise upper case letters for DVD-R's)

so it says \VIDEO_TS\*.*

Click ok

Right click again and select recording options

Both CD and DVD options should read for file system type

UDF with Joliet - upto 106 in length,any char,plus joliet,plus 8+3 tree (bridge)

for cd recording type should read Track at once (TAO) closed.

leave everything else as it is.

click ok to take you back to main/full application

In volume label add a volume label i stuck in here Big_mommas_house

In Multisession box scroll up until you see New Session and select this

Insert your blank dvd-r disk

click the big red button near the top

You are now rocking.

Program will check the integrity of the VIDEO_TS folder you are writting.
If it finds a problem it won't write and apparently gives an obscure message.

Once programming complete should now play in your ADL-528 player.

The blank I used was made by Techno.

I will try the 5 disks in the sample pack.

I did try a DVD-RW goldish - 'white label brand' disk written
in the same manner.The DM126D couldn't see it.Panel said no disc.
I tried a LG drive as DVD loader in the 528 but had trouble reading it
(jumping and skipping - may not be spec'd to read DVD-RW disks anyway)
A pioneer 117 may have better results.

I've tried 3 other makes of blank they all play properly as well

Datasafe Classic - wrote at 2 speed - not marked that it can.
FWS - wrote at single speed - rated to write at double speed.
"White Label" brand - Greeny blue label - wrote at single speed.

Just a word on the upper/lower case thing.
To check a disk after it is written on windows 98 goto the dos prompt.
If your DVD is drive D: then type

D:
DIR /S/P

The names in the right hand side are as written on the DVD (upper/lower case).

Windows explorer mucks about with the case of the names
for display purposes to make them look nice - so can't be relied upon.

Again thanks to Marvel2020 for all his help with endless pm's from me.

Bullfrog