compatibility problem w Imac

[KeithWiggers]

A person who can play one of my video programs (Ecuador) cannot play another one (Indonesia). They are both an hour long. I sent her two more copies, one burned on the Solitaire, one on my laptop (copied from a SOL burned disc). I have sent many copies of the program that she cannot play to people in the U.S. and several other countries. I haven't heard of any other problems. This is a quote from the lady who is having the problem.

"It's about 4 or 5 years old, which isn't young for a computer, but it does have an Intel processor. That puts it in the more up-to-date group of iMacs. We use this machine to watch DVDs, so we don't have another player."

Does anyone have an opinion or suggestion on this problem?

I do have a Panasonic DVD player/recorder that I can firewire the program to from the SOL, then burn a disc in real time. Slow process, but it is a third option. One that I wouldn't want to have to use much anymore.

Thanks for any comments.

Keith

[jimmeeker]

Hello Keith,

You are burning DVD-Rs ? Right? I'm not sure if an IMAC can play the minus Rs. Maybe they are set up for a DVD + R recording. I don't use any MAC equipment so I don't have any experience with them, but this might be one thing to check out.

I played your Indonesia DVD a few days ago and am amazed at your beautiful close ups of nature. If you were going to be anywhere near Eldridge ( Keith's home town very near to Davenport, Iowa. ) next March, how about putting on a program at the MGT on your techniques of Nature Videos. It is indeed beautiful. We have never had anything like what you do, shown at the MGT. Your Nature scenes are indeed inspiring...... What do you think?

See ya,

[BobFoster]

If she is using "Leopard" version software, there is a problem playing back Cassie burned DVDs. My own Macbook Pro will not play or recognize the existence of a DVD-R burned on a Cassie with Arabesk 3.xx. Arabesk 4.xx addresses this problem and again allows Macs to play back Cassie DVDs. However, Arabesk 4.xx creates a problem with the OS 6.2c that I am using on my Reno+ and locks up the unit. No Problems with Bogart 2.xx and Arabesk 4.xx on my S4000 Pro. I don't think there would be an issue with your OS 8.xx and Arabesk 4.xx

[KeithWiggers]

Jim,

Thank you for the nice comments on the Indonesia video Jim. I appreciate it. I would be happy to discuss wildlife videography at the MGT, but I am not sure that I could teach anyone anything new. Lots of time, lots of patience, and lots of film – as well as lots of travel and lots of fun . It also helps to have a very observant wife, always helping to spot another good video opportunity, and willing to endure getting to some hard to get to places. She also has helped in the editing process.

So yes, if we are in the country next March, I would be glad to say a few words and show the equipment that I use. I envy those BBC and Discovery videographers and their equipment (AND budget!!), but I just use ordinary prosumer equipment.

Regarding the IMAC playback problem: I use T-Y water shield DVD blanks. The strange thing is that the lady can play the Ecuador DVD that was burned on the laptop. When I print on the DVDs, I (when I remember) print LTB (LapTop burned) in small letters or SOL (Solitaire burned) for future reference.

Bob,

I will ask her if she has the Leopard version software. Thank you for your input. The two videos were probably edited and burned with slightly different versions of SmartEdit and Arabesk. I still have them on the original hard drives, so I could go back and look.

Keith