Making DVD's which plays on all DVD players?

[GeorgeW]

@ Trevor

I don't believe we have enough information to rule out bitrate. Consider the OP said this:

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?

Wow, VBR encode with 8000kbps plus 1536kbps audio = 9,536kbps (Video + Audio). Some machines will have a problem with that on home made dvd's (others might not). Now throw in the potential for VBR bitrate spikes, and your bitrate can all of a sudden jump over 10,000kbps (yikes).

But we do not know exactly what the OP means by "only plays on some dvd players" (which is why I asked for clarification).

It might turn out to be a burner/disc issue as you say, it might be a bitrate issue as well - or a combination of both, plus how the stars are aligned today

Regards,
George

[sjj1805]

.... I have had no problem doing that with PIONEER Burn it Now software but NERO6 didn't like it

Just to add to the comment Heinz made about the quality of a video produced by different burning software.
I have always found that burning re-writeable DVD discs provides the greatest challenge. Never have a problem with DVD R's

So going by the lessons I learned with Re-writeables.
I found that the first use of a re-writeable disc produces a DVD as good as any DVD R (+ or -) that I have created. However..... upon writing to the disc for a second or subsequent time the discs would get the odd blockiness every now and again - I get the impression that they don't fully erase.

I found that I achieved far better results with these second or subsequent burns when using CopyToDVD compared to second or subsequent burns using Nero

It is as though 'CopyToDVD' burns a stronger signal to the disc.

[GeorgeW]

Steve,

The point he was addressing with that comment was regarding what "mode" to use for burning. I suggested to burn in DVD-VIDEO mode (instead of just a plain DVD-DATA disc). I still think burning as a plain DVD-DATA disc is risky, as the files might not be in the proper order on the disc.

Perhaps some burning software will automatically switch to the proper mode and burn as a DVD-VIDEO (by recognizing the names of the folders and files)

But I would still recommend burning in DVD-VIDEO mode instead of in DVD-DATA mode (just in case your software does not make the automatic switch).

By the way, what happens with CopyToDVD if you select to burn a Data CD/DVD, and just add the AUDIO_TS and VIDEO_TS folders to disc

Also, CopyToDVD 3.x versions currently have a burning issue with the BUP files on the second layer (when burning Dual Layer DVD's). Of course, this would only affect you if your IFO files were damaged, and you happen to be burning Dual Layer DVD's (single layer DVD's seem to be fine). Just something to consider if you are using CopyToDVD for burning Dual Layer...

Regards,
George

[sjj1805]

George,

Just to clarify I am only highlighting that different burning programs produce better/worse results in relation to the quality of the burn. CopyToDVD behaves like all other burning software where you can burn a DVD Video disk - the correct format for something created with VideoStudio.

If you used the DVD DATA mode and copied the Video_TS folder it would be unlikely to work in a standalone DVD player because of the reasons you have pointed out. DATA DVD should be used for saving your day to day stuff on like back ups, photographs, music and so on.

Regarding versions, I have stuck to version 2. I didn't like the interface changes in Version 3.

[GeorgeW]

Steve,

"Quality" of the burn between different software was never mentioned or even in question. Heinz was stating that he can burn as DVD-DATA (instead of DVD-VIDEO) using Pioneer Burn it Now (but not in Nero).

I don't use either of those, so if the Pioneer software burns a video DVD properly using DVD-DATA mode, then so be it...

I still recommend as a "general" rule, burn your video DVD's using DVD-VIDEO mode instead of in DVD-DATA mode (i.e. if your software gives you a choice, use the DVD-VIDEO option).

Regards,
George

[ruggy1]

Getting back to the original question, after producing thousands of analogue to DVD jobs for customers, I have found through experience that:
1) old DVD players often cannot accept burn rates above 2x
2) bitrate, CBR, VBR does not matter as long as bitrate it is below 8000
3) DVD-R is universally accepted by DVD players (well almost!)
4) only the best quality DVD blanks must be used, for me it's TDK.
5) never use Ulead to burn the DVD, create an ISO and use Nero to burn the ISO.

Hope this helps

[Trevor Andrew]

@ Trevor

I don't believe we have enough information to rule out bitrate. Consider the OP said this:

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?

Wow, VBR encode with 8000kbps plus 1536kbps audio = 9,536kbps (Video + Audio). Some machines will have a problem with that on home made dvd's (others might not). Now throw in the potential for VBR bitrate spikes, and your bitrate can all of a sudden jump over 10,000kbps (yikes).
Regards,
George

Hi George

My personal preference is 6000 kbps CBR. If I have to use a lower rate I will do so but using CBR.
In fact I use CBR for all my videos.

I cannot understand anyone using 8000Vbr, there is no reason not to use CBR at this rate.
Saying that you should not have a problem.
If you are correct re:- the spike problem with VBR then why on earth use it.

The default template from VS 10 uses 8000 VBR and LPMC audio

The Recommended Procedure also uses 8000 VBR

Are we saying these settings are incorrect.
Well, I think they are wrong.

If they are misleading then they need updating.

Trevor

[GeorgeW]

@ Trevor

I don't believe we have enough information to rule out bitrate. Consider the OP said this:

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?

Wow, VBR encode with 8000kbps plus 1536kbps audio = 9,536kbps (Video + Audio). Some machines will have a problem with that on home made dvd's (others might not). Now throw in the potential for VBR bitrate spikes, and your bitrate can all of a sudden jump over 10,000kbps (yikes).
Regards,
George

Hi George

My personal preference is 6000 kbps CBR. If I have to use a lower rate I will do so but using CBR.
In fact I use CBR for all my videos.

I cannot understand anyone using 8000Vbr, there is no reason not to use CBR at this rate.
Saying that you should not have a problem.
If you are correct re:- the spike problem with VBR then why on earth use it.

The default template from VS 10 uses 8000 VBR and LPMC audio

The Recommended Procedure also uses 8000 VBR

Are we saying these settings are incorrect.
Well, I think they are wrong.

If they are misleading then they need updating.

Trevor

Trevor,

I am only saying that it "might" be a bitrate issue (imho, not enough info from the OP on the type of playback issues). But 8000kbps VBR with LPCM audio would send up a red flag to me (others might be fine with it).

You were ruling bitrate out as a possible problem -- I just didn't think there was enough info about the playback problem to rule it out yet...

Regards,
George