Tech Help Needed On DVD Video File Recovery

[PCValue]

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To the techies here who are familiar with DVD camcorders and/or File Recovery.

I recently borrowed and used a Hitachi (mini DVD) camcorder and was a able to record on 3 disks. I am 100% certain that the footages were recorded successfully on the disks as we were able to watch (repeatedly) the videos on the camcorder. I have since returned the camcorder to my friend who already left overseas.

My concern now is when I loaded the disks on my PC's DVD drive, it only sees a 44kb audio file and nothing else. I tried another PC and got the same results. I googled and found 2 applications which were able to detect and confirm that the disks indeed have video files on it. Sadly, that was all that it was able to do, confirm that my disks have video files, it can't play it.

I learned however that the DVDs still needs to be finalized by the camcorder. The DVD drive assumes that the disks still needs to be recorded upon because it has not been closed yet (not finalized). The problem is, according to online DVD help forums, only the camcorder used can finalize the disk, but the Hitachi DVD camcorder is no longer with me now.

I would appreciate it very much if anyone of you here could tell me any application / software that would enable me to get the much needed video files from the un-finalized DVDs.

Thanks.

[markyap]

try nero...naa man na finalize disc feature...
but then you could risk ruining the disc altogether...

best option is to borrow the camcorder from ur friend again...
or go to the appliance center and "test" out a similar model camcorder (bring ur 3 minidvds with you) hehe
goodluck...

[PCValue]

I just installed Nero 8, played with it and learned that it's a suite that has about 15 applications. I wonder if you could tell me and guide me which among its numerous features do I need to use. Hehe.

It won't be possible for me to borrow the camcorder again since my friend already left for overseas.

I also went around malling, visiting a number of shops but can't find any that has a Hitachi camcorder.

Anyway, I really appreciate your feedback Mark. Thanks.

[markyap]

i think other brand mini dvd cam corder should work fine to finalize the disc...

nero burning rom app...action "finalize disc"

again these are all untested by me...i take no responsibility if it doesnt work or ruin the disc...

let your fingers do the walking...check the yellowpages make some calls...find out which shops sells hitachi...
try to find a hitachi show room...
check with google...

[PCValue]

Just confirmed it, other brand mini DVD camcorder can't finalize discs recorded by other camcorders. I was assisted by a personnel of a Sony shop who was kind enough to try it with their several DVD camcorder models. Can't find any Hitachi shop too.

Anyway, thanks again for the tip on Nero Burning ROM. I'll give this a shot and will let you know by then.