Stand alone DVD playback freezes on first frame

[Mike West]

2. Describe your problem:
On my stand alone DVD player, I can navigate the titles and chapters
on the DVD I created, but when I select anything, the first frame shows
but does not play. All I can do is press menu to return.

3. What devices are involved and their mode of connection?:
Daewoo DVD-5800 connected to my TV with s-video. Not connected
to my PC.

4. The Version of program is being used e.g. VS11+ VS11.5+ VSX2:
VS X2 Pro.

5. Please list all patches/updates that have been installed relating to that
version of the program: None.

6. Details of the source files.

Where did they originate (camcorder, internet, TV card etc): Sanyo
Xacti C5 digital camcorder.

How did they get onto your hard drive (download, firewire, USB cable
etc.): USB cable, file transfer.

Type of video e.g. MPEG2, DV, DivX, MPEG4 etc: MPEG-4 .mp4 files.

Video data rate: 3000kbps.

Type of audio e.g. LPCM, AC3, MP3 etc: MPEG AAC.

Audio data rate: 128kbps.

7. Project Settings (current project, but see comments below)
NTSC drop frame (29.97 fps)
MPEG files
24 bits, 720 x 480, 29.97 fps
Lower Field First
(DVD-NTSC), 4:3
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 8000 kbps)
LPCM Audio, 48000 Hz, Stereo

8. PAL or NTSC: NTSC.

9. Did this error occur at the SHARE - Create Video Step
OR have you gone directly to the SHARE - Create Disc Step
(In other words you have a VSP file in the Create Disc Step): I tried
both ways, ie firstly adding .vsp files for each title to Share-Create
Disc and secondly using Share-Create Video for each title, then adding
the resulting .mpg files to Share-Create Disc.

10. Error Codes (if any): None.

Other Info:

I have previously used a free (but not so sophisticated) program, DVD Flick, and Nero to burn a .iso file. This worked successfully using files from the same source, same PC, same DVD writer (Sony DRU-800A), same media and same stand alone player. So I know my set up works.

I have burned 5 discs using VS X2 Pro, none of which work on my stand alone DVD player. All work on the PC.

The first project with VS had 9 titles, some with multiple chapters, totalling 1h 24m. I accepted the default parameters for disc creation except for reducing the video data rate to 6799kbps to get the size below 4.3gb. I created files/folders and used ImgBurn with default settings.

After reading posts on this forum and the Corel/Ulead knowledge base I tried the following:-
- reducing the burn speed to 4x.
- reduced the data rates to v: 5950kbps, a:192kbps.
- reduced the project to 2 titles totalling 1m 14s, data rate v:6000kbps
CBR, a:192kbps, using pre-rendered streams as per point 9. above.
- after updating the DVD writer firmware from KY01-KY06, I used the
small project to create a .iso from VS and burned it with Nero.
- I uninstalled Nero InCd.

I have also checked my player/media compatability. I am using Verbatim 16x DVD-R MCC 03RG20.

As you can see I have tried to find a solution without success. Perhaps someone with more experience can spot where I have gone wrong. Many thanks for looking and any help offered.

[Mike West]

Just in case anyone reads my previous post. I decided to use the 30 day money back guarantee.

I spent a lot of time trying to make VS work without success.

I liked the product other than it would not do what I had bought it for, ie to create DVDs of video taken with my digital camcorder that I could watch on my DVD player/TV.

If I find another product that works, I'll let you know.

[Black Lab]

What I would suggest is that you burn the disc with Nero, since that has been successful in the past. That is, in fact, what I do. I edit my project in VS, then in the Share stage output to DVD folders. I then open that in Nero and burn.

[2Dogs]

Just in case anyone reads my previous post. I decided to use the 30 day money back guarantee.

Whilst I realise you're no longer trying to use VS, you may find a similar problem with the next software you try.

I liked the product other than it would not do what I had bought it for, ie to create DVDs of video taken with my digital camcorder that I could watch on my DVD player/TV.

Except that you mention the use of a range of different source video files, downloaded from the net in various formats. That can be a recipe for trouble with any video editor.

It sounds to me like a burning quality issue. Whilst Verbatim 16 x DVD-R discs are pretty good quality, I've always got lousy results with them. Some of my burners completely fail to burn a disc successfully.

You didn't mention if using Nero to burn an iso made from your small project worked - and indeed if this was the same project that was giving you problems with VS.

My advice would be the same as Black Lab's. For various reasons, I prefer to use VS to create an ISO file, which I can test using a virtual drive utility such as Clone CD, Magic ISO, Power ISO etc, and then burn to disc using Nero CD DVD speed. (freeware!) Others commonly use Imgburn, which I think you already tried, and it has the advantage of enabling you to change the disc label. (handy for multiple copies if you want to keep track of them)

It's insignificantly slower using a third party program to burn the disc as opposed to using VS.

[Accolades]

Have you tried any other standalone DVD Player?

You seemed to have covered everything else.