I did enable Medibuntu and that other codec you mentioned, doesn't work.
Since I have a 2 HD dual boot, I checked the DVD in XP also. Usually windows
will show some kind of information, even if it can't open the file. XP saw the
disc, but no file info.

I might have to check out video cards if that's the problem.

The Toshiba does have formats for recording from a camera, but that doesn't mean
you will always get the format you want.

I have read only and read/write DVD drives internally on the computer. If Ubuntu
sees the floppy, why don't these show up?
They only show up if there's a DVD in them. XP shows them as drives whether or
not there is a disc in there - Grub sees them on boot (2 boot from cd commands)