Dual layer dvd freezes when played.

MikeB51 · Post by **MikeB51** » Mon May 05, 2008 1:46 am

Hi Team.
My single layer burns play perfectly but my dual layer's play fine up until what I assume is the layer change and there they freeze. I've tried playing them on serveral different DVD players and it makes no difference. Can anyone help please.

sjj1805 · Post by **sjj1805** » Mon May 05, 2008 1:57 am

Did you lower your burn speed to 4x or the lowest available?
I only use single layer discs but would suspect that the burn speed issue may be more critical when dealing with dual layer discs.

Devil · Post by **Devil** » Mon May 05, 2008 7:57 am

My experience with DL discs is very mixed. The first one I did actually worked. All the subsequent ones either would not do the transition between layers (on computer playback) or didn't play sensibly at all (on set-top boxes). I've tried 3 different well-known makes of blanks: no difference - I've also tried 2 different DL burners with latest firmware. I've given up wasting time and money on what I deem to be an imperfect technology.

DVDDoug · Post by **DVDDoug** » Mon May 05, 2008 5:59 pm

I've had mixed results too... I'd guess that 25% of my dual-layer discs turn-out to be bad. I suspect it's the blank discs...

I've started testing all of my burns with Nero CD/DVD Speed (FREE!!!). And, I avoid dual-layer discs whenever possible.

Some DVD players have trouble with "burned" dual-layer discs. My player can play them, but I know of two people who's DVD players cannot play dual layer discs at all. Some players can play -RDL, but not +RDL or vice-versa.

If the DVD won't play on your computer, then you have some sort of "physical" problem. You may have a bad blank disc (or a bad batch of blanks), or your burner just "doesn't like" that brand/batch. Or, you are burning at too-high of a speed. Or you may have a bad burner, etc.

MikeB51 · Post by **MikeB51** » Tue May 06, 2008 5:35 am

Stick to single layer seems to be the go. Thank you all.

hdspringer98 · Post by **hdspringer98** » Wed May 07, 2008 6:15 pm

I just posted the same issue, I have the xbox360 hd dvd and the dl disc plays great, looks great until the layer change and it freezes. I may try re-burning at the slowest speed and see if it makes a dif.

neonbob · Post by **neonbob** » Fri May 09, 2008 4:41 pm

I use DL disks all the time for dvd. avchd, and hd dvd. Today I have no problems... 100% of what I do works fine. What I found is that you can't use cheap disks. The 2 types I use are Verbatim or TY. The rest seem to pose problems at the layer break.

MikeB51 · Post by **MikeB51** » Sat May 10, 2008 2:04 am

I used Verbatim but I could try a slower speed burn.

Devil · Post by **Devil** » Sat May 10, 2008 8:48 am

I've used Verbatim (amongst other well-known makes) DLs at slow burn speeds without success, with 2 modern burners and latest firmware.

IMHO, DL is a waste of time and money for distribution, because few set-top players can cope with them (OK for pressed DL, but not photopolymer ones). From experience, you are better off with either 1 SL and a small drop in quality (often insignificant) or 2 SLs with the inconvenience of a coffee break in the middle of viewing.

Remember also, that most Hollywood blockbusters, although DL, are encoded at only 4000-5000 kbit/s average. This is because of all the "extras" they add, such as trailers, bloopers, the life history of the 3rd supporting actress, 28 sub title tracks, 8 sound tracks, fancy menus, Easter eggs and Goodness knows what else. It is a malady of our age that makes people think that bigger is better, where bitrates are concerned. Bigger is often a stick you break over your own back.