burning error--please help

[vinandmel]

I am using VS10+ with Windows XP, but haven't used it in several months. (I last successfully burned a project in Feb or March of last year.) I installed the latest update (bad move?) before I began working on the current project. I am attempting to burn a relatively short project (15min) that I do have in MPEG format (per instructions from forum). When I get to the burning phase, I am following the instuctions for the "Create New Disc" and am getting entirely through the process and the burning process. At the time when it should be ejecting my completed disc I am getting a message that says "failed to burn data on disc". Any suggestions to remedy this issue would be greatly appreciated.

[Black Lab]

I installed the latest update (bad move?)

I'm in the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" camp.

I am not clear on your workflow. This is the suggested workflow:
1. Edit
2. When finished editing choose Share>Create Video File and render your project to a DVD-compatible MPEG-2 file
3. Clear the timeline (File>New Project)
4. With an empty timeline choose Share>Create Disc.
5. Click the Add Media Files to insert your MPEG-2

Is that what you are doing?

[vinandmel]

yes--that's what I did. . .

[Ken Berry]

You might want to test the process by choosing 'DVD Folders' on the final burning page, instead of an actual disc. Click on the downward pointing double arrow on that page if the choice is not shown. Untick the Create Disc box. Note where the folder will be created and press Burn.

When the process is completed (if it completes! ) you can open a software DVD player like WinDVD or PowerDVD and point it at the folder. If it plays, then it shows that VS can actually 'burn' a disc. The implication might be, however, that it does not like the brand or type of blank disc that you used for the actual burn.

The other test would be to use your completed mpeg-2, but burn it to a DVD in another program like Nero Burning ROM. If it burns in that using the same blank discs, then either you just had a bum disc or indeed something may be wrong with the final stage of VS.

[2Dogs]

I am getting a message that says "failed to burn data on disc". Any suggestions to remedy this issue would be greatly appreciated.

I'd agree with Ken and suggest you try "burning" to DVD folders, or even an ISO file.

Also, check that you can burn discs with other programs, such as Nero or Roxio, or whatever other burning software you have, in order to rule out a problem with your DVD burner.

If you have two optical drives installed on your pc, it could be something as trivial as Video Studio being pointed to the wrong drive - eg a CD-RW drive, or even another DVD burner with no blank media in it - so check that the right drive is selected in the VS burning module.

If you can successfully create the DVD folders or ISO file, you could burn a disc using third party software. Many people like to use the very compact freeware IMGBurn to burn ISO files. For my own particular reasons, I always use CD-DVD Speed, part of the Nero "toolkit" but also available as a freeware download from the Nero website.

[vinandmel]

Thank you for the suggestions.

Ok, I tried several things and restarted my computer in between each one just to try to eliminate any extra issues. I did burn to the "DVD Folders" with success. I also tried to burn on two different brands of DVDs from VS10+(both packages I have used before successfully, but a several months ago) with no luck on either brand of disc--got the same error message at the very end. I have a lousy Roxio burning program on my computer so I tried that just to see if it was the VS10+. At first, it kept telling me that my DVD drive was empty, although I had put a disc in it. It finally recognized the disc and went through the burning process. When I took my disc over to a separate DVD player it said that it could not read the DVD. Oh, and I also went into my Device Manager and it indicated that the DVD drive was ok and that it didn't need a driver update. So . . . do you think my burner has gone bad or do you have any other troubleshooting ideas to try?

[2Dogs]

Hi, vinandmel

at least you've made some progress! You could help us to help you by filling in the pc related stuff in your forum user profile. Who knows, you may make some other posts, and it'll be less work for you if you don't have to put details of your system in your post each time!

That being said, I wonder if you might let us know the make and model of your DVD burner. You can get the info from the listing under "DVD/CD-ROM drives" in Windows Device Manager. It is possible that it's playing up - they sometimes do, especially in smoking households where nicotine can accumulate everywhere - but it might not be the cause of your troubles.

You should make sure that you have the latest firmware installed in your burner. If you have a Tier One pc, such as a Dell or HP, you can usually get notification of any driver updates, but if you fitted the burner yourself, you need to check the manufacturer's website. Revised firmware generally adds support for newer DVD media.

The principal factor affecting DVD burn quality, however, is the media used. You need to find media that your burner writes well too, and that will differ according to the burner. For example, I have a Samsung that writes well to TDK DVD+R discs that are made in Malaysia, and LG that writes well to Verbatim DVD+R, and a Pioneer that writes really well to quite a wide range of media. I would suggest you do not bother with cheap media, such as some of the big box stores might sell with their own branding. Instead, I generally get good results with Sony 16x DVD+R, the aforementioned TDK 16x DVD+R with a made in Malaysia label (avoid others like the plague!) and Imation 16x DVD+R with the same made in Malasia label.

If your burner is an older model, perhaps even an 8x unit, you might consider buying a replacement. Not sure where you are, but here in the US you can pick up a new 18x or 20x burner, even a SATA one for less cable clutter, for around $35 shipped.

[Black Lab]

I agree with 2Dogs. Since the burn to DVD Folders worked you can rule out a VS problem. You now have to look at your media or, more likely, your burner.

[vinandmel]

My DVD burner is a HL-DT-ST DVD+-RW GWA4164B. The machine was put together by Dell just under two years ago, and has several brand name components that I recognize, but I don't know what this one is. Our household is a smokefree one, so I don't think that that could be the issue. I was trying Sony and Memorex DVD blanks and have been able to burn on them before--any idea which would be the best for this burner (if I dont' end up replaceing it)? I am in the process right now of doing some troubleshooting with Dell to see if I can figure out if it is the burner itself. . .

[Ken Berry]

The other possibility is that your Roxio suite includes its packet-writing module (whose name I persistently can never remember!) where you can drag and drop files (not from VS) onto the burner icon and they sit there until there are enough to warrant burning to a disc. Nero has a similar module called InCD. The trouble is that they take control of the burner and deny access to it by other programs like Video Studio.

The good news is that if indeed you have that pesky Roxio module installed -- if someone could help with its name!! -- it can be internally disabled. You certainly don't have to uninstall the whole Roxio suite. If it were InCD, on the other hand, you have to uninstall it.

Some -- though I admit, not all -- your described problem(s) sound as though they might fit this profile...

[2Dogs]

My DVD burner is a HL-DT-ST DVD+-RW GWA4164B. The machine was put together by Dell just under two years ago, and has several brand name components that I recognize, but I don't know what this one is.

It's an LG O.E.M. unit. It's a 16x burner, and is considered to be not bad. LG won't support it with firmware updates, but these are available from Dell. The latest update is dated 7/19/2006 and is listed here (though you may not have a Dimension 9150, it uses the same drive)

http://support.dell.com/support/downloa ... slist.aspx?
c=us&l=en&s=gen&ServiceTag=&SystemID=XPS/DIMENSION%20400/
9150&os=WW1&osl=en&catid=&impid=

(I need to learn how to use alternate text for links! I just split the link into 3 lines, so you'll need to rebuild it into a single line or just navigate thru the Dell "downloads" site for your particular model)

You could use a Region-free version of the firmware from here:

http://tdb.rpc1.org/#GWA4164B

Although that is an "unofficial" firmware by TDB, I have successfully used their region-free firmware versions for several of my burners (I have seven) since I commonly play European discs on my pc.

Our household is a smokefree one, so I don't think that could be the issue.

I am so glad to hear it! On a couple of pc's I've re-furbished recently, I've been horrified by the amount of brown sticky stuff that coats every surface!

I was trying Sony and Memorex DVD blanks and have been able to burn on them before--any idea which would be the best for this burner (if I dont' end up replaceing it)?

The Sony discs are usually pretty good, but Memorex commonly use different media codes (types). The ones using media code RicohJpn R03 are not bad, but the CMC Mag M01 ones are pretty dire. You might have been lucky to have had some of the better Memorex discs previously. If you ever find Sony discs with a made in Japan label, you've struck gold! My LG 22N does good burns to Verbatim 16x DVD+R, so you might try some of those if you see them on offer.

I am in the process right now of doing some troubleshooting with Dell to see if I can figure out if it is the burner itself. . .

Dell pc's usually have a system diagnostics partition, which you access by hitting F12 when you boot up - so perhaps you're doing that. That could be helpful.

I did read of some problems with this burner and Nero 6, with regard to burning DL discs - although I believe your problem is with single layer discs. If you do entertain the idea of burning DL discs, only use Verbatim DVD+R DL media.

If everything checks out OK with the Dell diagnostics, and you still have trouble burning from the Ulead burning engine, I suggest you "burn" to an ISO file instead, and burn that to disc using IMGBurn or similar. The overall process will take no longer than burning from Video Studio - the only additional time and slight inconvenience is in having to open IMGBurn, which is more or less instantaneous since it's such a compact program.

Good luck!

[vinandmel]

I chatted for two hours with Dell and we're pretty sure it's a burner issue, but are no closer to figuring out what exactly the issue is. . .

[Black Lab]

How old is it? May just be time for a new one.

[vinandmel]

It's just under two years old--and still under warranty (just barely). If I can get them to replace it for me, that would be great, but I guess I will have to endure hours of tech support torture for them to do so.

[2Dogs]

It's just under two years old--and still under warranty (just barely). If I can get them to replace it for me, that would be great, but I guess I will have to endure hours of tech support torture for them to do so.

and unfortunately, it may well not fix your problem!

I recall an issue I had with a CD writer on my HP pc - although it was a 48x unit, it would not read anything faster than 33x. I had the latest firmware. I found however that I could get the unit to read at 48x speed when installed in a friend's Dell pc. When I contacted HP support, I spoke with a very pleasant bloke in India, and explained that I believed the problem was a slight incompatibility with that particular burner and my dual channel motherboard. He told me that HP would be more than happy to replace it, to which I replied that what was needed was a different burner, and not an identical one - since my unit was not malfunctioning - just incompatible (to a certain extent) with my motherboard. The next day, a brand new identical CD burner was delivered to my door. On the one hand, it was great to know that HP gave such good customer service - but on the other, I felt bad that HP had wasted the shipping (I returned my original unit) Shortly afterwards, I bought a 52x CD writer for $15, actually an HP too, that performed up to it's specified maximum speed.

On DVD burners in the past, I experienced odd glitches where they suddenly decided that they could not recognise media. On the couple of times that's happened, I managed to restore them by shutting down, removing the burner, going thru a boot cycle and then re-installing them.

Might be worth you trying that. I have a 4 1/2 year old BenQ burner which I've used to burn at least a couple of hundred DVD's, which is still going strong and gives great results. I only retired it since it writes at a maximum of 8x.