Engine can't reuse playlist/vob/img and do pre-check action

[wguru]

Tried burning DVD from SUPER converted mpg file (cropped and AC3 to vob dvd compliant).

While MF4SE failed to burn (the usual no error prompt afforded, grrr), I did find this in the burn log...

Enter Normal_Pre_test_in_run_burn_action()
CheckAPRelativeLimit succeed
CheckDiscMedia succeed
CheckSpecRestriction succeed
Menu space 59776
CheckMenuSpace Succeed
CheckHDSpace Success
CheckDiscSpace Succeed
Engine can't reuse playlist/vob/img and do pre-check action
CheckEditDiscArchiveImg Succeed
Engine CheckDevAdvance Succeed

As my MF4SE's 'backup' AUDIO folder's TS files play back, but no audio, it seems as MF4SE doesn't support Dolby AC3, therein lies the issue.

But two questions, is all AC3 actually Dolby and I read that upgrading MF can be very difficult to do as it can bunk one's burner's. True/False?

[sjj1805]

You are using a "Simple Edition" or to phrase it another way a "Stripped down Edition"

While MF4SE failed to burn........

These SE versions are not FULL versions and normally come "Free" with something such as a scanner, digital camera or camcorder. These versions are considered as never ending 'free trial' versions. In fact the 30 day free trial is more functional than the SE versions.

[DVDDoug]

Engine can't reuse playlist/vob/img and do pre-check action

DISCLAIMER - I don't know what that "message" means.

(cropped and AC3 to vob dvd compliant).

You don't normally feed Movie Factory a VOB file. It might work... I've never tried it. If you are starting-out with an MPG file, I wouldn't convert it to VOB with SUPER.

Normally a VOB file is part of a DVD's file structure. You can use Movie Factory's Import DVD feature to convert the series of VOB files into one big MPEG-2 file, while keeping the MPEG-2 data-structure intact. Movie Factory will then create a new set of VOB files for you.

You could try simply changing the filename extension from VOB to MPG. ...Sometimes this works. (You probably know that VOB files are MPEG-2 encoded.)

Or, try creating an MPEG-2 file instead of a VOB file. Take a look at the Movie Factory Project Settings to make sure you've chosen DVD compatible resolution, aspect ratio, and framerate. With SUPER, I can choose "DVD compatible VOB" and I can still select "illegal" settings! So, don't trust SUPER when it says "compliant".

As my MF4SE's 'backup' AUDIO folder's TS files play back

Plays back with what software? (i.e. Windows Media Player can play all kinds of files that are not DVD compliant.) I assume you mean VIDEO_TS. The AUDIO_TS folder is normally empty. The audio and video are multiplexed together in the VOB files in the VIDEO_TS folder.

it seems as MF4SE doesn't support Dolby AC3, therein lies the issue.

True. But, if you check the box that says Do not convert compliant MPEG files, Movie Factory may allow your MPEG-2/AC3 files to "pass thru" to the DVD... If Movie Factory agrees they are DVD-compliant. (It will not play the audio during preview, and, you cannot edit a file with AC3 with an SE version.) Sometimes I think the my files are compliant, but Ulead/Corel does not agree! If your version of Movie Factory doesn't have an AC3 COCEC, you will loose the audio with a re-code.

...is all AC3 actually Dolby.

Well, you can make a non-DVD-compliant AC3 file. For example, SUPER will allow you to make a 44.1kHz AC3 file, but it has to be 48kHz for a DVD. Yes, all AC3 is Dolby. Dolby owns the patents/rights to AC3.

Which means - SUPER uses unauthorized, unlicensed, illegal, CODECS!!!! Dolby does not allow anyone to use their technology for free! That's why the SE version doesn't come with an AC3 CODEC. MPEG-2 and MP3 also require licenses. (The popular LAME MP3 encoder is also unlicensed.)

I use sometimes use SUPER because it can do all kinds of conversions, and it sometimes works when my other "tools" fail. ...And, it's FREE!!! But, I've never actually tried using it's AC3 encoder.

I read that upgrading MF can be very difficult to do as it can bunk one's burner's. True/False?

Anything can happen, but I'd say that's unlikely. It's more likely that your "drag & drop" burning software will take-over your burner and prevent Movie Factory from burning!

[wguru]

Thanks for the kind reply.

Just now finishing up my 26th hour of trying to get the file burnt.

I hope I guessed right (I'd tried everything else) by ticking do not convert mpeg compliant files, that and for the vob/mpg file, I used MF's customize and got switched it to MPEG2 audio as last failed try at burning it'd defaulted to LPCM. After 8 hrs now, MF's converting motion menu which I don't recall seeing it set for (grrr) and if I'd noticed it, I'd have disabled that. But we'll see in another few hours (or days).

As for DragnDrop, I uninstalled it long ago. Likely that's what bunked my onboard burner so badly anyway (long before I discovered MF4SE).

I'm avoiding any upgrades to MF as all I've got left is a pricey external burner and will not risk damaging it.

So unless there's a safe means to get a better/more fully functioning MF version (besides formatting, etc.), it looks like I'll be waiting until I buy a new pc, but holding off there too as it seems Vista is yet just another bunky piece of MS (so called) software.

Despite the agony of earning Linux, pretty sure my next pc will be just that. At least I'll be free of MS, not to mention 10,000% more secure.

App's for the rant (bad few days battling over what should've been a simply VHS to DVD copy/burn).