Dear reader,
I am just transitioning from Windows to Linux (Mint 17.3) and am new to the UNIX world.
I wanted to rip a video DVD from mp4 files, had problems with the available Brasero and installed K3b.
When selecting the project 'New Video DVD', the programme insists on receiving an RW DVD, although it recognises that an empty DVD+R is inserted. It will not continue thereafter, awaiting an RW medium.
I then was about to submit a bug as offered by K3b, and when filling out the form in 'KDE Bugtracking System – Enter Bug: k3b' on https://bugs.kde.org/enter_bug.cgi, one is requested to indicate the version of K3b.
I somehow installed 2.0.2, but that is not offered in the drop down menu, only 2.0.3.
So obviously there is a newer version than the one I installed, and before submitting a bug clarification request, I wanted to update to the newer (newest) K3b version.
That is how I landed on this thread and, although it is inactive since more than 10 years, its title is exactly related to my situation, so I decided not to start a new one.
I would appreciate any advice leading to the resolution of K3b requesting an RW DVD, and not just accepting a +R DVD.
Greetings from Germany

Hi onlyequity and welcome to LQ,

First, please tell us how did you install the k3b?

Hi aragorn2101,

I followed the instructions provided on https://help.ubuntu.com/community/K3b.
Specifically, I entered the following command in the terminal window:
sudo apt-get install k3b

The synaptic tells me that both the installed and newest versions are 2.0.2-7ubuntu1.

That was the first part. When trying to use K3b, I received a message that I needed to install FFMpeg or AVConv, so I installed FFMpeg as recommended on https://www.aptgetlife.co.uk/?s=installing+ffmpeg, with the following 3 commands:

1 sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mc3man/trusty-media
2 sudo apt-get update
3 sudo apt-get install ffmpeg

Thank you for looking into this situation.

Welcome to the forums!

The simple answer is that you are using Linux Mint 17, which is based on the 2014 release of Ubuntu. This is why your version of k3b is a few years out of date.

Linux Mint 18 is based on the 2016 release of Ubuntu. If you upgrade to Mint 18, then all of your applications (including k3b) will magically become 2 years newer.

Next year there will be a Mint 19 based on the 2018 release of Ubuntu, and so on. It is kind of like getting a new car every 2 years through a lease program. You don't upgrade the engine, steering wheel, cupholders, radio, etc. individually; you just swap out the entire car. All of the parts are designed and tested to work together as a whole.

If there is a specific reason to stay with Mint 17, it might be possible to upgrade individual applications without breaking your system. However, k3b has major "dependencies" on the KDE desktop environment, so maybe not the best idea. If I were in your shoes, I would create a Live USB of Mint 18, try it in "live" mode (without installing) and test whether I can burn my DVD from Mint 18. If you can't burn from Mint 18 either, that suggests to me your problem is something other than outdated k3b. Or if it magically works in Mint 18, that is also useful information.

Hi snowpine,
Thank you for identifying the interdependancy of the SW versions in my case.
One of the advantages claimed about Linux is that your system is either always at the newest version of OS and application SW, or you simply have it look for newer versions and install them.
That does not correlate to what you explained. Is that Linux claim not correct?
What does it entail to upgrade from Mint 17 to 18? Is it a complete new installation like going from Windows XP to Win7/10?
Do users generally upgrade onto every new Mint release?
I only use the computer to access the internet, watch and downloads videos, use the e-mail functions and office applications. Is there any reason for such users to upgrade Mint?

Great questions!

Linux Mint is an example of a "Long Term Support" or "LTS" distro, for people who want a stable and consistent operating system they can use for years with no hassle.

Linux Mint 17 is like a 5 year lease on a 2014 automobile. You can drive the car every day from 2014-2019, then your lease ends, and you have to give it back to the dealer. During those 5 years, it is the same car. It doesn't magically update itself into a new car each year; even though the calendar year is 2017, your car is still a 2014 model. The only "updates" during the 5 years are minor safety/maintenance updates such as changing the oil, filters, pads, etc.

Linux Mint 18 is like a 5 year lease on a 2016 automobile. You can "drive" Linux Mint 18 from 2016-2021 and be confident there won't be any major changes (only safety/maintenance updates). For example, you don't have to worry one morning you go out to the garage and the steering wheel has mysteriously moved from the left to the right side. That would be weird!

Next year there is scheduled to be a Linux Mint 19 release that will be good for 5 years from 2018-2023. And so on.

If you are happy with Linux Mint 17 then you may continue to use it happily until 2019. If on the other hand you choose to upgrade to Linux Mint 18, here are instructions: https://community.linuxmint.com/tutorial/view/2316

Not all Linux distributions fall into the category of "Long Term Support." There are distros such as Arch and Debian Unstable that give the users frequent updates to the latest and greatest software (sometimes referred to as "rolling release" or "bleeding edge"). These are good for users who always want the latest "stuff" and don't mind major changes (for example the steering wheel moves to the other side).

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Thank you for those explanations, snowpine!

I now have a sense of the concept behind Linux and understand why someone recommended I should try to use the applications that are already integrated, and not try to find solutions suited for other releases.