>> New to dvd authoring, please help <<

[Geoff.VSP]

I have a finished project ready to be burned to a standard dvd-R disc. The video file is in mpg format.

I've tried burning my file to a disc twice. Once with my project setting to NTSC dvd, and then Pal dvd.

The first time it burned to the disc, but didn't play on my dvd player. I then put it into my computer and the disc had Video and audio Ts folders in it. The second time, I chose the Pal dvd compression setting by going to project settings, added a new movie manager template, and set these project settings:

MPEG files
24 Bits, 720 x 576, 25 fps
Compression is at: (DVD-PAL), 4:3
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 6000 kbps)
Audio data rate: 224 kbps
MPEG audio layer, Stereo

I set these project settings in the video editor, put my clips onto the timeline, went to the Share tab and create disc. I created my disc menus, and started the burn process, but when it gets to 99%, it says that it can't write it to disc or something.

So can someone please explain to me how I can burn my mpg files to a dvd disc in standard quality? I just want to be able to watch my videos on my dvd player. I don't know what project setting to use. I've never burned my video files to disc before, so any info you could give me, such as basic knowledge on file formats, and dvd authoring will be appreciated,
Thank you so much for taking the time to help me.

[Ron P.]

Welcome to the forums,

First we need to know what program you're using, VideoStudio (and what version), DVD MovieFactory (version?), or some other?

Then the source video clips properties, that you used in your project. Right-click on one of the video clips and select Properties, then post that information back here.

NTSC is the television standard in the U.S. and Japan, PAL is the standard for the several other countries such as the UK, and Australia. So you would select the appropriate standard for where you live. U.S.=NTSC DVD, U.K.=PAL DVD. The MPEG-2 properties you provided look fine for a PAL DVD.

The workflow you chose going directly to the burn module from the editor, does work for many, however for others it does not. One suggested workflow is once you are finished editing, go to the Share tab and select Create Video File. Once that is completed, then clear the timeline by either deleting all clips in all timelines, or the easiest method is to (first save your project if you have not already done so), then go to File menu, New Project. Now without placing anything in the timelines, go to Share>Create Disc, to open the burn module.

The above paragraph applies to VideoStudio not DVD MovieFactory.

The burn module has it's own project settings. You access it by pressing the gear icon in the lower left. Make sure that the project settings match (especially the field order) that of your video clips. There's also a couple of options that should be checked, Do not convert compliant MPEG files and Treat MPEG audio as Non-DVD compliant.

Insert the DVD Compliant MPEG-2 video file created in the Share>Create Video File step. Then continue on building your menus, adding chapters and so on...

[Geoff.VSP]

I'm using VideoStudio11.5Plus. I live in the US so, I'll be using NTSC DVD then.

Video clip properties are:
mpeg-2 video, upper field first
24 bits, 720x480, 4:3
Variable, max 4100 kbps

audio type: dolby digital
48000Hz
224kbps

Ok, so all I have to do is match my burn mod properties to my video clip properties, and make the video clips and audio, dvd compliant? Are there any other formats than mpeg-2 that I can burn my files to, that will play on dvd players? For now, I'll try burning a small clip to dvd since rendering takes so much time.

[Ron P.]

The bitrate of Variable 4100 is a little puzzling, why the low bitrate? Did you capture video from a VCR? Where did the video clips originate from?

DVD specs are that the video clips must be MPEG-2 for Standard Def DVDs. This is unless you want to create a DivX DVD, which you would either burn a data DVD using the DivX codec, or would need to purchase DivX author. The DVD player would need to be DivX certified to play a DivX DVD.

If you're original source clips are MPEG-2 (DVD Compatible), and if you have Smart Render enabled, VS should only render the parts that have been changed, not the entire video clip. This should make rendering faster. However with MPEG-2, there are some problems that may arise, such as OOS (Out of Sync) audio. Recently it appears that this issue is not as common as it used to be. Then you risk loosing quality every time the clip is re-coded (rendered). This may not be noticeable if it is just rendered 1 or 2 times...