OK, good news and bad news time. Good news: The Emprex drive ripped the first 4 VOB files. DVD Decrypter crapped out with an I/O error on VTS_01_5 every time I tried (and in fact, I couldn't get it to rip VTS_01_4 without an I/O error after the first time). Perhaps it's not DL compatible and can only get the first layer.

Also, VTS_01_1 will only play in MPC and SMPlayer. Trying to open in VLC, it doesn't load. Trying to open in VirtualDub, it just shows the disc menu and says "99% free". Trying to open in AviDemux, it says "Cannot find a muxer" or something. Windows doesn't have any bitrate/framerate/time info on that file either. The next three VOB files all work everywhere.

I have no idea if this is a bad burn - it will play to completion on both of my set tops (though it doesn't always detect on my bedroom one). Maybe it's just the combination of it being Memorex, DVD+R (instead of -R) and DL?

Time compressed, compression artifacting, picky disc, and what I can rip doesn't work everywhere. Not to mention that when I put the disc back in the Emprex, it never detected it again. Maybe this is just fruitless.

Maybe suntech can just burn his version from his DVR - I don't want to make my friend do this a second time, at 9:30 at night on a Monday, having to switch discs twice. Especially if it won't yield better results (due to being, you know, time compressed...)