you sound like you know what you're talking about! i will try what you suggested but first this: i plan to burn a CD of the film, because it is a present. i guess if i have a codec problem, then a DVD machine will not encounter the same problem. (pirate films are rife here, and my laptop always asks for code, but my DVD player has no problems) final problem, i gave my DVD player to charity last week coz i am moving! what do you think? if i burn the film, will it be a dud?