VT

My buddy used his Sony RDR-VX560 DVD Recorder/VCR combo to record a 2hr:30min movie from his cable tv onto a DVD disc in EP mode. The disc says, "maxell DVD + R 4.7GB up to 16x 2 Hrs SP mode RW" on it. I put the disc into my Sony SLV-D281P DVD Player/ VCR, in DVD mode, but the disc will only spin indefinitely (it sounds as though the read head is moving around for a while, stopping, then moving again in a repetitive pattern) while my tv screen just says, "Loading." The disc plays fine in his DVR in play mode, and store-bought DVDs play fine in my player. We are both in the USA. Why can't I play his disc in my player?

The person who came to me for help: $40K income, healthy, in debt US$140K (yes, one hundred forty thousand dollars) ($60K student loans in forbearance, $7K auto loan, the rest unsecured debt: $50K is maxed out credit card debt, mostly at default 30+% rates and the rest is loans from friends. About $1K in tax liability.). Some debts are freshly (30 - 60 days) delinquent, but none has gone to collections yet. No previous BK, charge-offs, collections or judgments. All 3 Credit reports have no serious errors, FICO scores unknown. Person is motivated, has already shown me recent credit reports and bills, cut up credit cards, developed detailed list of assets (car + $3K in illiquid assets + $1K cash) and liabilities, and is writing a monthly budget.

What do you advise?

Is the Consumer Credit Counseling Service Debt Management Program the best solution? What are your successes or failures with the CCCS DMP? Costs and benefits? Please answer the questions I've asked. Thanks.