what format was it recorded in? VOB?
Typically DVDRs record in the DVD VR format -- it's also used by Nero for their Record to Disc function if/when using video capture for example. It's similar to but not quite the same as a regular video DVD -- I normally convert to a regular DVD with subs made by stripping the CC out of the recorded mpg2. Why bother? In my case it was a matter of wanting better compatibility -- DVDR's will play back their own recordings, but regular DVD players, not so much. I took a quick look for more/better info but didn't see anything on the 1st few pages & Wikipedia says almost nothing.
My problem is everything seems to insist on the finalizing being done in the same "operation" as the burning. Most PC software does a "close session" or "close track" and Microsoft seems to think that's the same as a finalize - it's NOT.
I just want to finalize a DVD that has already been burned. The "session" was closed but the disk was not finalized and now I can't do it.
DVDRs sometimes use a slightly different format for their discs, & what they call Finalizing is indeed different than the normal closing of a data disc you'd burn using whatever software in Windows. While I can only speak from experience with my Panasonic, it records the captured video to mpg2/AC3 files, at the same time recording data files referencing those mpg2 files. Those data files include pointers to the video every 3-5 minutes [I don't remember the exact times] -- if I choose to edit a recording in the DVDR it assembles a list of those times or cells to include in the final DVD, e.g. it might list all cells up to a commercial, skip that cell, then carry on with the remainder, adding them to the list. Once I select to finalize the disc, the DVDR writes the permanent IFO files, including the cell playlists, creating a simple menu etc. Once it completes all that it goes on to normally close the disc, pretty much the same as Nero or any other burning app.
Assuming the recorded disc is defective [or else the DVDR would have finished finalizing the disc], you might try to make an exact copy & try finalizing that, either like the original in your DVDR, or using software that works with the DVD VR format -- searching on "finalize DVD VR" brought up enough hits on Google to show this isn't the 1st time this sort of thing has happened.
I don't have to re-extract the data. I've still got a copy of that on the hard drive and will move it to an external hard drive later (when I have it set up) as a backup in case I decide to try this again.
FWIW suggest/suggested creating a new DVD re-using your recording because it's fast & easy -- if the files on your hdd are complete it should take .5-.75 hr. from beginning to end, when you pick up the newly burned DVD from the drive tray. If you're successful finishing off the DVD VR it might be less work, but if it takes hours worth of searching/figuring out what's the advantage? :)
I'm not sure PgcDemux will work with what you have or not, or if the data's exactly the same on you hdd as it is on the disc etc., but it's a small, free app that takes very little time to do its thing, simplifying getting the mpg2 video out of the DVD VR's structure. At any rate it'll either work or not, & if it doesn't work on the files on your hdd maybe it'll work on the disc etc.? If not, if the IFO files are incomplete [if the process of finalizing the disc died before they were completely written], an app like DGIndex [also small & free] should work on the VOB files directly & can do the same thing, extract the video & audio to 2 files.
