Making DVD's which plays on all DVD players?

[ozalet]

Im trying to make a DVD on VideoStudio 8. I created a DVD which only plays on some DVD players.

I believe this is due to the incorrect write speed or disc I used.

I created the DVD using an x8 write speed disc.

Can anyone help?

[daniel]

Yes you may have a marginal disk where 8x was too fast.
Over here they usually advise 4x burning speed.
But we also often get cases where the selected bitrate for encoding was too high.

You'll get lots of answers as soon as you give us more data.

The first being was is your data rate?
8000 Kb/s is generally seen as a border speed, below looks safe, over is sometimes too much.
Depending also on the audio type (PCM or Dolby/MPG)

The overall bitrate (audio + video) should stay definitely well below 9000
for safety.

[ozalet]

Hi the rate is variable up to 8000 kbps and the audio is LPCM. I am going to give it a try dropping the rate to 6000 and speed to 4x. Do you reckon this will do the trick?

[Black Lab]

Not all -R or +R discs will play in all DVD players. That is just fact.

Visit these links for more info:
Video Help
DVD Help

[sjj1805]

ozelet

Please view This Link

also......

This link

[ozalet]

thanks for that - i'm trying 4x at 6000kbps - hopefully that will sort it - otherwise it looks like I am going to have to dig deeper but at least I have got a bit of info to be going on with.

Cheers again

[Ken Berry]

You could probably also try keeping the 8000 kbps bitrate and burning at 4x. That is what I do *all* the time and the results are good.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi

I do not think changing the bit rate from 8000 to 6000 will make any difference.

I think you need to look at the type and make of disc you are using.

Trevor

[heinz-oz]

I agree with Trevor and Ken, keep the bit rate and reduce the burn speed, that should do for some players. You will never get it right for all players, that is just the nature of the beast. If you come accross a problematic player, use +R or different brand.

[GeorgeW]

Im trying to make a DVD on VideoStudio 8. I created a DVD which only plays on some DVD players.

I believe this is due to the incorrect write speed or disc I used.

I created the DVD using an x8 write speed disc.

Can anyone help?

When you say "only plays on some DVD players", which of the following best describes the problem players

1) they do not recognize or play the disc at all
-this could be an issue with burn speed and/or brand/type of dvd disc being used in conjunction with non compatibility with the dvd player -- i.e. the dvd player just doesn't like that type/brand of disc

2) they start playing, but at some point during playback they will stutter or freeze
-this could be an issue with overall bitrate -- your 8000kbps VBR encode with lpcm audio might cause this problem on some players. VBR encodes can have bitrate "spikes", which might be enough to put you over the top when considering your audio is lpcm

3) other...

There are many possible reasons that might cause home made dvd's to have playback issues on some players. I personally try to remember the following tips (not all will apply to everyone, and some might think the suggested bitrate is too conservative...)

-keep video+audio bitrate <= ~7.5mbps
-keep the total size <= ~4gb (on dvd5)
-use Dolby Digital (AC3) audio for a good mix of "global" compatibility, and a lower audio bitrate to allow for higher video bitrate (mpeg audio can use the same low bitrates as DD audio, but not all NTSC DVD Players will play mpeg audio)
-don't use sticky labels on your dvd's
-Burn as DVD-VIDEO (not just a data dvd)
-keep burner firmware up-to-date (follow instructions carefully when updating firmware)
-keep burning software up-to-date
-if space for your video allows a high bitrate (say >= 7mbps), then try CBR instead of VBR (VBR encodes can cause bitrate "spikes", and depending on how high the "spike" is, it might be enough to cause a hiccup during playback
-don't always burn at the max speed of your burner/media combo (I've had great success burning at 4x, but others have had better results burning at max speeds like 8x or 16x -- it could depend on your dvd disc quality and how well they work with your burner)
-try different media (brands and types) Not all DVD±R/RW will work with every player, or some will work better in some players than others...
-disable any non essential background programs (i.e. virus scan, anti spyware, etc...)
-don't do anything else on the machine during the burn (or keep activity at a minimum - especially disc-
-uninstall any "packet writing" software (the kind that lets you drag-and-drop files to a dvd RW disc as if the disc was just another storage drive)

Regards,
George

[heinz-oz]

....
1. -Burn as DVD-VIDEO (not just a data dvd)
....
2. -if space for your video allows a high bitrate (say >= 7mbps), then try CBR instead of VBR (VBR encodes can cause bitrate "spikes", and depending on how high the "spike" is, it might be enough to cause a hiccup during playback....
3. -disable any non essential background programs (i.e. virus scan, anti spyware, etc...)
4. -don't do anything else on the machine during the burn (or keep activity at a minimum - especially disc-
....
George

I fully agree with what George said, except for the points I left standing above to which I would like to add my personal findings. There is absolutely nothing wrong, IMHO, with anyone wanting to stick to what George said, I just want to point out where other factors might also play a role.

• 1. - that may depend on the burning software used. I have had no problem doing that with PIONEER Burn it Now software but NERO6 didn't like it
  2. - if your video contains a lot of quiet sections but has the ocasional fast action also, VBR (dual pass) is better suited since the program will analyse first where a higher bit rate may be neccessary and where you can get away with a lower one. This only applies if you are filling the disk to the hilt and need to shrink it a bit. If you have ample space, a high enough CBR will give you the best result but may waste disk space where such a high bitrate may not be needed. Of course, it will also avoid spikes where some players may falter. It's horses for courses, as far as I'm concerned. I usually use VBR (dual pass) because my videos are a mix of fast and slow action.
  3. - that of course also implies that you are not connected to the internet and that there are no programs wanting to auto save/auto update in the background either. You would be surprised how many programs actually check for available updates without being active.
  4. - I don't agree with the second part of George's statement, I strongly advice (so do most hardware/burning software manufacturers, absolutely NO other activity, full stop. Unless you are prepared to accept some hickups.
  
  That was my two pennies worth.

[daniel]

about the same bitrate subject, another halt eurocent.

VBR as seen by Ulead are specified as maximum rate.

The average is only a little lower, so if you didn't play with the advanced settings, VBR is only intended to spare space, not to improve quality and I don't think spikes of high bit-rate are alllowed.
Dual pass shrinks it even further.

In other words it looks to me useless to use VBR if you have the space for CBR. Only use VBR if your project size exceeds the disk.
( I DO use VBR regularly for slide shows because stills really melt like ice in the July sun, and I can fit a lot more, just adapting the project to the technique)

Still 8Mb will choke some players at the start of the disk.
Especially from the two original designers of the format.

Remember 0.001% of irrecoverable errors on 4.4GB is about 44000 errors on a DVD....

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Boys

I do not believe that the bit-rate is causing the OP’S problem.
I use CBR 6000 for all my video work, I see no advantage other than disc space in using VBR.
I don’t have a problem with disc space.
But the discussion re VBR and CBR has been well and truly……………..
Changing from one to the other, I do not think will help.

It may be the burner that needs replacing, there could be many reasons for the failures.
I still think the type of disc used should be investigated.

I have used the same type of disc for many years and have had no failures.
Hundreds of discs.
Oh maybe I have and nobody has complained.

It’s a difficult problem, and one I fear will never go away.

Trevor

[heinz-oz]

Amen to that Trevor.

[GeorgeW]

....
1. -Burn as DVD-VIDEO (not just a data dvd)
....
2. -if space for your video allows a high bitrate (say >= 7mbps), then try CBR instead of VBR (VBR encodes can cause bitrate "spikes", and depending on how high the "spike" is, it might be enough to cause a hiccup during playback....
3. -disable any non essential background programs (i.e. virus scan, anti spyware, etc...)
4. -don't do anything else on the machine during the burn (or keep activity at a minimum - especially disc-
....
George

I fully agree with what George said, except for the points I left standing above to which I would like to add my personal findings. There is absolutely nothing wrong, IMHO, with anyone wanting to stick to what George said, I just want to point out where other factors might also play a role.

• 1. - that may depend on the burning software used. I have had no problem doing that with PIONEER Burn it Now software but NERO6 didn't like it
  2. - if your video contains a lot of quiet sections but has the ocasional fast action also, VBR (dual pass) is better suited since the program will analyse first where a higher bit rate may be neccessary and where you can get away with a lower one. This only applies if you are filling the disk to the hilt and need to shrink it a bit. If you have ample space, a high enough CBR will give you the best result but may waste disk space where such a high bitrate may not be needed. Of course, it will also avoid spikes where some players may falter. It's horses for courses, as far as I'm concerned. I usually use VBR (dual pass) because my videos are a mix of fast and slow action.
  3. - that of course also implies that you are not connected to the internet and that there are no programs wanting to auto save/auto update in the background either. You would be surprised how many programs actually check for available updates without being active.
  4. - I don't agree with the second part of George's statement, I strongly advice (so do most hardware/burning software manufacturers, absolutely NO other activity, full stop. Unless you are prepared to accept some hickups.
  
  That was my two pennies worth.

Heinz, like I said, they are general tips, and not all of them apply to everyone's situation. They are just tips that have personally worked for me.

On your two pennies worth...

1) like you said, you appear to have software/burner/player that are ok with burning a dvd-video as a DATA-DVD (and some software that does not). That's great, my point was "in general" because if the files are not written properly on the DVD (for DVD-VIDEO), then you run the risk of faulty playback on some machines. The DVD-VIDEO files should be written in the proper order/sequence on disc (written as a DATA-DVD might not guarantee the proper order of the files) . But again, some players might not care what order the files are in (I say if your dvd is for distribution, why take a chance???)

2) if space for your video allows for a higher bitrate, and you are going to encode at >= ~7mbps, then try CBR over VBR. For a 7mbps encode (either CBR or AVG VBR), your resulting file size will be about the same. So there shouldn't be any need for VBR (and 2-pass VBR at 7mbps is overkill, imho). I would only use VBR (and perhaps 2-pass VBR) if I were forced to use a lower bitrate to fit on my disc. But personally, 7mbps is a high enough bitrate that I don't even think about VBR. But that is my personal preference, and if you feel 2-pass VBR for 7mbps is better, then that's fine...

3) point take I agree that if your machine is connected to the internet, you might not want to turn those applications off. The point being though is to minimize any non-essential applications -- so if those are essential, then certainly you should not disable them...

4) Well, it depends on the user's machine/software/configuration. In general, I would recommend not doing anything else on the machine during the burn. But there are folks who can successfully do other activity without a problem -- especially with machines that are getting faster and more powerful...

Regards,
George