Failure to burn DVD at very last hurdle

PrincessClairey · Post by **PrincessClairey** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 6:03 pm

This is only the second time I have used Ulead video studio to create a DVD. It's a great program, so easy to use and always has excellent results. What I hated about Windows Movie Maker was how limited it was and how it kept crashing all the time, so I got Ulead instead and have never regretted it.

However, although I successfully created a DVD early this year, it's failing to work this time. I've created a menu and titles and scene selection - just like I did the first time - and I have only used 4.38 GB of a 4.7GB DVD. However, at the last point of burning, just after the Finalizing VOB step, the burning stops and I get an error message which simply says "Failed to burn disc" or words to that effect.

I've tried it several times and used different DVDs (DVD-Rs, if that needs to be known). After the extensive rendering time it's extremely frustrating.

Does anyone know why I might be getting this error message and how I can resolve it? Thanks in advance.

Post by **Ron P.** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 6:18 pm

Welcome to the forums,

First not knowing your workflow, I must ask, are you using a highly recommended workflow, of Capture, Edit, Share > Create Video File, then starting a new project or clearing the time-line, opening the burning module (Share>Create Disc). Once the burn module is open, inserting your Created Video File (DVD MPEG2) and proceeding to build your menus and burn your disc?

Or are you going straight into the burn module (Share > Create Disc) using your project in the timeline?

Next your file size of 4.38 gig is actually a full DVD. The 4.7 is sort of a misnomer. There needs to be room on the disc for the necessary overhead files. However VS should have prompted you about fitting onto the disc.

Next the properties (video bitrates), audio formats make a difference on how much can fit on a disc. You could lower your Video Bitrates to something around 6000kbps, and use Dolby Digital audio (if in fact you're not doing this already).

You can right-click on a video clip (within VS) on the time-line or library, select properties, and type them back in here. We could then see what may or may not need to be adjusted..

PrincessClairey · Post by **PrincessClairey** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 6:38 pm

Thanks for your very quick reply!

I'm not using Ulead to capture the video files, I import them as AVI and MPEG format from another computer since my laptop lacks the necessary Firewire port. I edit them into several different project files, each of about 5 minutes or less, and then select 'Create Disc' in the Share option to start organising them and creating a menu and all that.

I don't know anything about bitrates, but this is actually the first time the project data has gone into the yellow. The DVD still refused to burn when it was in the green.

The properties of a typical AVI file are:
Frame rate: 33.784 frames/sec
Data rate: 4793.92 kbps
Video
Compression: DV Video Encoder Type 2
Attributes: 24 bits, 784 x 576, 4:3
Audio
Compression: PCM
Attributes: 22.050 kHz, 16 bit, Mono

And MPEG:
File format: PAL DVD
Video
Video type: MPEG-2 Video, Upper Field First
Attributes: 24 bits, 720 x 576, 16:9
Frame rate: 25.000 frames/sec
Date rate: Variable bit rate (max 9100 kbps)
Audio
Audio type: Dolby Digital Audio
Attributes: 48000 Hz
Layer: None
Bit rate: 256 kbps

MPEGs and AVIs didn't have the same properties options. I've left out stuff like file size and duration, cos that's specific to each clip of course.

Post by **Ron P.** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 6:51 pm

Ok,

I see a couple of possible problems...

1. Going straight into the burn module. That could be causing VS to fall over.

2. Using the different formats, possibly in the same time-line or project. No good at all. One reason is that you may have one video clip that uses Upper Field First (Field Order), another that uses Lower Field First, and yet another that may be Frame Based, also known as No Field Order. You can not mix the field orders. For a given project, the field order must match that of the video clip. No exceptions.

3. In a Project, I recommend not placing different video file formats. For example, an MPEG-2, DV (avi), MPEG-1. A single video file will need to be created meeting DVD specs, what we call a DVD Compatible MPEG-2. This is done irregardless of Share>Create Video File, or going straight to Share>Create Disc. The latter, however must do this along with all the menus, chapters, ect., you have built in the burn module. Quite a demand you're asking of your PC.

This entry could go on for a couple of pages, trying to clarify this. So what I'm doing is providing some links to articles, tutorials, all on this web board for you to read. They will better explain the whys, and hows..

A Recommended Workflow has been developed to help guide you through the mine-field of video editing, as it pertains to Ulead's VideoStudio Programs. They can be viewed here:
Recommened WorkFlow for VideoStudio

You might want to read through From Camcorder to DVD tutorial.

For a brief summary of AVI and MPEG-2 please read the article at this link:
Summary of AVI and MPEG-2

To better understand Field Orders, and Frame Based, please read the following article:
Explanation of Field Orders

Hope those help you out..

Post by **Ken Berry** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 9:03 pm

Personally, I think your problem is both a mixing of Upper and Lower Field in the one project, then seeking to burn the project straight to disc.

However, there is another possibility that needs to be ruled out. Do you happen to have packet writing software like Nero's InCD or a similar module in the Roxio Easy Media Creator suite? That is software which allows you to drag and drop files onto the burner icon, where they simply accumulate until the 'packet' of files is big enough to write to disc. You may not ever use it, and your may not even know it is installed. But such sofware has a nasty habit of taking over a burner and denying access to it by other programs like Video Studio. InCD will show up as a separate entry in Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs to the other parts of the Nero suite, and if you have it, uninstall it. The Roxio equivalent can be internall disabled without uninstalling it.

PrincessClairey · Post by **PrincessClairey** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 1:02 am

Okay.... so I need to convert all my MPEGs to AVI or vice versa, then do my projects all over again?

Or can I save my projects as video files (AVI or MPEG, or does it matter? - if it does matter, please let me know which one to use, as I want to get maximum quality with minimal fuss!) and then just make my chapters from them rather than individual projects? Then I wouldn't be mixing video types, because I would have saved them as the same type in a new file.

EDIT: I've never heard of the Roxio Easy Media Creator suite you mention, but I have heard of Nero. I have it on my PC, but not on my laptop, which I use for my video editing.

Post by **Ron P.** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 1:12 am

With these questions, it appears that you have not at least skimmed through the articles I provided links to. Please do so, and you will be able to answer those questions, especially converting files..

PrincessClairey · Post by **PrincessClairey** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 1:17 am

I did have a look but I'm not used to all this stuff, it doesn't make a lot of sense to me! it seemed simpler just to ask which would be the best way to proceed, especially since I'm on a time limit. Thank you for providing the info and helping me out.

Post by **Ron P.** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 1:46 am

I'll try to do a short summary of what may get you through your project...

If you are using DVD Compatible MPEG-2 in your project, then convert any additional video clips to that format first. Converting an MPEG-2 to DV (avi) or any other form will result in quality loss. They will in the end need to be recoded back to MPEG-2.

Once you have the "other" file formats converted to DVD Compatile MPEG-2, then start a new project and insert your video clips, and continue with your project. When you are finished editing, Go to Share>Create Video File, and provided that your Project Setting is DVD Compatible MPEG-2, and Smart Render enabled, choose either Same as Project Settings, or Same as First Video Clip. This will speed up your render time.

Once that is complete, click on New Project. This will give you a clean time-line. Do not add anything to your time-line, and go to Share>Create Disc. Once the burn module is open.....
Open up the Preferences (Gear looking icon, lower left) in the Burn Module, make sure your Project Properties Match (DVD-MPEG2), and that Do Not Convert DVD Compliant...", and "Treat MPEG audio as non-DVD compliant". That way it will convert the MPEG audio to compliant DVD, and it will not re-render your Compliant DVD video.

Click on Add Video Files (not VSP), and insert your DVD Compatible MPEG-2 files you just created. Continue on, building your menus, adding Chapters, ect., until you reach the final (burn) page. When you arrive there, you might want to make sure everything is going to workout. So you can opt to not burn a DVD at this time, by unticking the Create Disc option, and if it is not visible, press the drop-down arrow located to the Right of Recording Format drop-down, to reveal Create DVD folders, and Create Disc Image. Most of us Create DVD Folders first, so we may test play the DVD using software DVD players. If everything works out, then you can use the DVD folders to burn to disc. The Disc Image is an ISO file, that can be used to burn multiple copies of DVDs.

Or if you choose you can proceed to burn a DVD...

Does that help a bit more..

PrincessClairey · Post by **PrincessClairey** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 12:12 pm

That helps a lot, thanks!

PrincessClairey · Post by **PrincessClairey** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 9:05 am

Do you know of a good free AVI to MPEG-2 converter? I tried a link from these forums but it doesn't seem to work any more.

Also, are the MPEGs I am already using suitable?

Sorry to bother!

Post by **Ken Berry** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 9:29 am

Frankly, both your DV/AVI and mpeg-2 files look fine and *should* not be giving the trouble they are.

Anyway, Google for a program called SUPER (its name always in capital letters, for some reason). It is a good converter.

PrincessClairey · Post by **PrincessClairey** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 10:10 am

I tried saving my project files as MPEG-2s first before I tried burning them to DVD, but no joy. So I'm going to try converting all my AVIs to MPEG-2. Is it worth it? Or do you think there's another problem somewhere?

PrincessClairey · Post by **PrincessClairey** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 3:02 pm

This is so confusing!

Just for testing purposes, I tried burning a single MPEG file to disc. This file has the same properties as what I detailed above, and came straight from the camcorder as an MPEG file. Upon trying to burn, when it got to 99%, I got the error message "could not open file". Windows Media Player, Windows Movie Maker, Real Player and even Ulead Video Studio play these files with no problem, so I don't see why it wouldn't be able to open it.

Then I tried to burn a single AVI file. It came from a different camcorder, and when I captured it onto my laptop I chose to make it an AVI to save space. This time I got the message "Failed to burn the data to disc".

Then I tried a AVI file that I downloaded from the internet, a clip from a computer game, just to test it, and I got: "There is an internal error in the DVD engine."

I don't really know what's going on.

Trevor Andrew · Post by **Trevor Andrew** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 3:57 pm

Hi

Have a read at My Quick Guide
Just a list of things I do when capturing to Dv-Avi
Creating Video Files, and the burning process.

Your own properties look strange.
The Avi has Attributes: 24 bits, 784 x 576, 4:3
The 784 is not standard
The Encoder type should be 1

Your Mpeg Shows Upper Field indicating an Analogue capture source.
If the source is a digital camera then this should be Lower.

And last the avi uses 4:3 where as the mpeg is 16:9 widescreen

A right mismatch.

As a test
Start a new project and create a slide show using still images
Share create video file --- use the DVD option
Use the mpeg in a new project, share create disc¡Xadd video.

Create a TS folder from the last page

Does this work