Unreadable DVDs?
-
LoveFilmMuch
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2025 11:01 pm
Unreadable DVDs?
I’ve recently run into a bunch of DVDs that have these ‘tracks’ in them that kinda resemble records (see attached picture).. having no joy whatsoever getting them to read on any of my drives, what are they called and is there any way to read them?
- Attachments
-
- IMG_1435.jpeg (633.94 KiB) Viewed 425 times
-
MartyMcNuts
- Posts: 4202
- Joined: Wed Nov 22, 2017 11:45 pm
Re: Unreadable DVDs?
They are circular scratches. Probably can't be read. I've heard of some folks trying a bit of toothpaste, smoothing it out to fill in the grooves/scratches.LoveFilmMuch wrote: ↑Wed Nov 26, 2025 11:15 pmI’ve recently run into a bunch of DVDs that have these ‘tracks’ in them that kinda resemble records (see attached picture).. having no joy whatsoever getting them to read on any of my drives, what are they called and is there any way to read them?
I'd just forget about it. They are likely no good.
Cheers
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For UHD enabled drives (AU/NZ/SG + Others) & DIY Single Drive Flasher (WW): https://uhdenableddrives.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For UHD enabled drives (AU/NZ/SG + Others) & DIY Single Drive Flasher (WW): https://uhdenableddrives.com
-
LoveFilmMuch
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2025 11:01 pm
Re: Unreadable DVDs?
These are not scratches, the discs play normally in my blu-ray player, one is even brand new, these patterns are from factory and are instantly ‘failed’ when trying to open on PC/MakeMKV, you may never have seen them before, they are pretty rare.. I have 3in1500 discs,
The Firm - DVD
The BFG - DVD
Mr Holmes - DVD
I may have to give up on them but it is most certainly not damage
The Firm - DVD
The BFG - DVD
Mr Holmes - DVD
I may have to give up on them but it is most certainly not damage
Re: Unreadable DVDs?
You mention that they're DVDs... I've had (long ago!) some disks that were DVD/CD combos, where the outer portion was a CD, the inner portion a DVD. These wouldn't happen to be versions of these, would they?
Can't say that I ever tried ripping them for video; they could be played/ripped as CDs, though.
Can't say that I ever tried ripping them for video; they could be played/ripped as CDs, though.
MakeMKV Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ about BETA and PERMANENT keys.
How to aid in finding the answer to your problem: Activating Debug Logging
FAQ about BETA and PERMANENT keys.
How to aid in finding the answer to your problem: Activating Debug Logging
-
LoveFilmMuch
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2025 11:01 pm
Re: Unreadable DVDs?
Further follow up, these disc play fine using VLC without enabling any MakeMKV decryption etc.
When trying to open with MKV it fails instantly with a ‘IFO file for VTS #0 is corrupt, VOB file must be scanned…’
Followed again instantly with ‘Failed to open disc’
When trying to open with MKV it fails instantly with a ‘IFO file for VTS #0 is corrupt, VOB file must be scanned…’
Followed again instantly with ‘Failed to open disc’
-
LoveFilmMuch
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2025 11:01 pm
Re: Unreadable DVDs?
Possible but they show as DVDs in my Blu-ray player, I don’t have a CD player I could test the theory properly withWoodstock wrote: ↑Thu Nov 27, 2025 2:08 amYou mention that they're DVDs... I've had (long ago!) some disks that were DVD/CD combos, where the outer portion was a CD, the inner portion a DVD. These wouldn't happen to be versions of these, would they?
Can't say that I ever tried ripping them for video; they could be played/ripped as CDs, though.
-
MartyMcNuts
- Posts: 4202
- Joined: Wed Nov 22, 2017 11:45 pm
Re: Unreadable DVDs?
Wow, they look like scratches! Never seen a DVD looking like that before then. Then again I haven't even touched a DVD in 18 years! Only BD and UHD for me!LoveFilmMuch wrote: ↑Thu Nov 27, 2025 1:50 amThese are not scratches, the discs play normally in my blu-ray player, one is even brand new, these patterns are from factory and are instantly ‘failed’ when trying to open on PC/MakeMKV, you may never have seen them before, they are pretty rare.. I have 3in1500 discs,
The Firm - DVD
The BFG - DVD
Mr Holmes - DVD
I may have to give up on them but it is most certainly not damage
Cheers
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For UHD enabled drives (AU/NZ/SG + Others) & DIY Single Drive Flasher (WW): https://uhdenableddrives.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For UHD enabled drives (AU/NZ/SG + Others) & DIY Single Drive Flasher (WW): https://uhdenableddrives.com
-
jackwilliam11
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Thu Nov 27, 2025 6:42 am
- Location: Norway
Re: Unreadable DVDs?
It’s interesting you mention that—those factory-pressed patterns do show up once in a while, and they can definitely confuse PC drives even if standalone players read them fine. MakeMKV can be picky with certain mastering quirks. If your Blu-ray player handles them but multiple PC drives fail instantly, it’s likely a manufacturing anomaly rather than actual damage. Frustrating, but it makes sense why those specific discs won’t rip properly.LoveFilmMuch wrote: ↑Thu Nov 27, 2025 1:50 amThese are not scratches, the discs play normally in my blu-ray player, one is even brand new, these patterns are from factory and are instantly ‘failed’ when trying to open on PC/MakeMKV, you may never have seen them before, they are pretty rare.. I have 3in1500 discs,
The Firm - DVD
The BFG - DVD
Mr Holmes - DVD
I may have to give up on them but it is most certainly not damage
-
LoveFilmMuch
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2025 11:01 pm
Re: Unreadable DVDs?
Yes, I have tried all of them,Ezatoka wrote: ↑Thu Nov 27, 2025 7:14 amDid you try another DVD opening mode?
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=28541
I will post the log(s) in a bit when I’m back at the PC
-
LoveFilmMuch
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2025 11:01 pm
Re: Unreadable DVDs?
A charity shop chain near me is doing 10 dvds for £1, their main (super) store stock gets 200-300 dvd donations a week so I’ve been taking advantage, while I will upgrade some of these to DB/UHD I can boost my collection massively for cheap.. the biggest drawback is drive wear, thankfully they have all broken within the warranty period as I’m backing up so many discs.MartyMcNuts wrote: ↑Thu Nov 27, 2025 3:03 amWow, they look like scratches! Never seen a DVD looking like that before then. Then again I haven't even touched a DVD in 18 years! Only BD and UHD for me!
Do you think, if there isn’t a simple solution to this I can get one of these unusual discs to the person who makes MakeMKV for a look?
Re: Unreadable DVDs?
Looking at http://www.wiki.redump.org/index.php?ti ... ping_Guide their example image looks kinda like that, doesn't it?
-
LoveFilmMuch
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2025 11:01 pm
Re: Unreadable DVDs?
That is the closest thing I've seen thus far, thank you!Ezatoka wrote: ↑Thu Nov 27, 2025 12:15 pmLooking at http://www.wiki.redump.org/index.php?ti ... ping_Guide their example image looks kinda like that, doesn't it?
I will see if this guide works for me
-
LoveFilmMuch
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2025 11:01 pm
Re: Unreadable DVDs?
For reference;
Log - (All read modes generate the same log when attempting to open the disc)
001011:0000 Using LibreDrive mode (v06.3 id=866A98CB9C4E)
003007:0000 Using direct disc access mode
003002:0000 Calculated BUP offset for VTS #0 does not match one in IFO header.
001003:0020 DEBUG: Code 0 at J,>KF1g5~|FZ:':29400071
003042:0000 IFO file for VTS #0 is corrupt, VOB file must be scanned. This may take very long time, please be patient.
001003:0020 DEBUG: Code 0 at J,>KF1g5~|FZ:':29400071
001003:0020 DEBUG: Code 0 at +|jyCzW.`>:eX>@n&:121262854
005010:0000 Failed to open disc
Log - (All read modes generate the same log when attempting to open the disc)
001011:0000 Using LibreDrive mode (v06.3 id=866A98CB9C4E)
003007:0000 Using direct disc access mode
003002:0000 Calculated BUP offset for VTS #0 does not match one in IFO header.
001003:0020 DEBUG: Code 0 at J,>KF1g5~|FZ:':29400071
003042:0000 IFO file for VTS #0 is corrupt, VOB file must be scanned. This may take very long time, please be patient.
001003:0020 DEBUG: Code 0 at J,>KF1g5~|FZ:':29400071
001003:0020 DEBUG: Code 0 at +|jyCzW.`>:eX>@n&:121262854
005010:0000 Failed to open disc