VS9 advice

[Mahja]

Hi...
I've burned a lot of DVD's in VS9, usually only 1 copy but occassionally,
3 copies at a time. On the multiples there is always a problem when they are viewed on DVD players. At times they play only to a certain place & stop. Other DVD's I've burned play fine. I did change from dolby digital to LCPM in the mpeg settings. That did help, however I had to burn a new copy one at a time. Can anyone help?
I've read on someone else's post that it's best to convert the mpeg audio files to wav. I've not done that but will now.
Is it best to create a video & audio file as well as creating just the disc?
I never do the separate video/audio files. What is your advice?

Thanx

[daniel]

I'm inclined to think playback problems are unrelated to audio except if tottal bitrate exceeds the player's capability, what we can't decide since you don't share the properties of your output.

You don't need to mess with audio settings and anyway LPCM is higher bitrate and would increase the problem vs Dolby/MPEG audio, not reduce it. Separating audio and video has no effect when the VOB file is composed.

Without further info it looks like you have bad DVD's or you are burning too fast, either for the used DVDs or for your computer.
What speed do you use for disc burning? Don't go over 4x.

[Mahja]

Thanx so much for responding..
I do believe you may be right about the DVD brand. They are from Staples and are their generic brand.
I reburned the DVD at a slower rate; 4000 as opposed to 7000. My DVD burner is only 3X. I'm working with 1.5gb RAM, 200gb hard drive and 2.2gb processor.
I'm going to purchase top of the line blank discs and see if that changes the outcome.

I will post the result.

Thanx again

[DVDDoug]

It's not always a matter of a "cheap" brand vs. a name brand.... Sometimes you just need to try a different brand with your set-up. Sometimes it's just a bad batch. (I read an article once where they had tested various brands. In that particular test, the cheap brands worked best!)

Some stand alone players can't play "burned" DVDs at all! Some players prefer DVD+R, and some prefer DVD-R. Your odds are generally better with -R if you don't know anything about the player.

[daniel]

.
I reburned the DVD at a slower rate; 4000 as opposed to 7000. My DVD burner is only 3X.

The bitrate has nothing to do in this (up to a point, anyway 7000 is safe).
If you burn at 2.4x and you have problems then it's the disc.
If you have several, it's a bad manufacturing lot. You may try for a refund.
Especially if it is the store's brand, they want to avoid bad image for their name.

[Mahja]

Daniel
Thanx for responding. I wanted to wait until I reburned the DVD and see what happened. Here is the story:
I changed audio back to mpg and burned a 2 1/2 hour show at 2500. It played fine on my Sony DVD stand alone player and also on my computer. I gave it to my niece and it hung on her player. Others I've burned for her with the same disc brand played fine. It's also happened on other friends players. At times it just stops & other times pixels fill the screen. I don't know if I can burn -R with my burner. I'm still looking for the paperwork. I hope I've explained well enough.

Thanx Mahja

[Ron P.]

I don't know if this has much to do with the DVDs not playing. However since your in Jersey, you should be using either LPCM or Dolby audio. MPEG audio is not a supported DVD format for NTSC.

[sjj1805]

Try looking at the surface of the burned disc, move it about in the light.
A faulty disc can often be seen to have blemishes in the surface.