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I've completed my project (21 minutes long) and am ready to create a DVD, but when I try I get the message"VS timeline project includes unlinked or unreadable files, therefore it cannot be inserted"

I've gotten a "relink" message at times when opening up my project that says "Original file (.......My Pictures\people on top of boat.jpg) doesn't exist"

Then a second pop-up says "Some clips have not been relinked successfully"

I've tried clicking on relink but is says files can not be found

The file in question is a still image that I deleted. I have no idea how to proceed. The project plays great in previews. I used my Sony digital for all of the stills and 5 or 6 video clips.

Properties:
NTSC non-drop frame (30fps)
MPEG files
24 bits, 640x480, 30 fps
frame based
MPEG - 1

I have Windows XP 2 Home edition

Sure hope I haven't totally messed up this project - it's taken me days to get the audio right and all the music where I wanted it!

Joyce

First, are you absolutely certain that the photo has been deleted completely from the project? And have you re-saved the project (you might even give it a new name)?

Next, given that the video (640 x 480) is not in a frame format which is part of the international DVD standard, it is all going to have to be converted at some point. We generally recommend that before you actually burn a DVD, you first convert your project to a new video file (Share > Create Video File > DVD). In your case, given that the video is frame based, you would want to preserve this, so you should probably choose Share > Create Video File > Same as first clip (if one of your mpeg-1 clips is at the start of the project) or Custom, and change the field order to Frame Based.

Your then convert the project into a new file. Note also that after you produce your new mpeg-2, you go to File > New Project. Don't worry about giving your new project a name. The objective is just to clear the timeline of your current project.

Once that is done, you select Share > Create Disc > DVD. The burning module will open. Use the Add Media button at the top to insert your new mpeg-2 in the burning timeline. Then go to the middle of the three icons in the bottom left of the burning screen. There is a little box beside the words 'Do not convert compliant mpeg files'. Make sure that box is ticked (it usually is by default). That way, your already compliant mpeg file will not be re-encoded. Then build your menus and burn.

Ken, thanks so much for your wonderfully detailed response. It's exactly what I need.
Before I checked back for this response, I actually did create a video file>dvd and rendered it. I chose 4:3 ratio, hope that's right. We don't have any wide-screen TV's in the family, so I was thinking this was what I should use.
Then I rendered it, and just finished watching the playback. I was so excited until it got to the last 10 or 15 seconds when it started jerking, sound was slurred, just awful. I'm SO disappointed. Oh, one more wierd thing - the picture that kept coming up as "missing" showed up in the last frame of my project on the playback. Where did that come from?!
However, I didn't click on "same as first clip" or "Custom, change field order to frame-based". Should I try again and do those? It's 2 AM here and I need to get to bed, so it will have to wait until later this AM.
I'll be sure to check here for a response before I try it again. And believe me, the more step-by-step the directions are, the better I'll do. This is all pretty much Greek to me!

Thanks ever so much for your help.

Regarding the not-so-missing photo, you might need to expand your timeline out to a frame by frame view, and you will probably find that there is the photo still there, possibly set to play for a second or a few frames...

As for the rest, when you select Share > Create Video File > Custom, in the bottom of the dialogue box which appears there will probably be properties something like this:
MPEG files
24 bits, 720 x 576, 25 fps (or 720 x 480, 29.97 fps if you are in NTSC land)
Lower Field First
(DVD-PAL)(or DVD-NTSC), 4:3
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 8000 kbps)
LPCM Audio, 48000 Hz, Stereo

It's not clear where in the world you are, but I am assuming your video came in fact from a digital still camera. At any rate it is using 30 fps speed which is close to the 29.97 of NTSC video, and the frame size of 640 x 480 indicates that it is probably NTSC also (from the width of 480 pixels.)

Anyway, in that dialogue box, give your new file a name, then press the Options button. A new box will appear with three tabs across the top. Click on the General tab. Then make sure that the frame rate says 29.97. Then in the frame size, I would choose 704 x 480 (as the 704 is closer to the original 640 so the program will not have to invent so many pixels to bring the frame size up to DVD standard...) Change the Frame Type to 'Frame Based'. And make sure the 'Display Aspect Ratio' is showing 4:3.

Then click on the Compression tab. Since your original video is low quality mpeg-1, there is no point in using a high bitrate. So I would change the Video Data Rate to, say, 6000 kbps. Some people would say even that is too high and that you should use only around 4000 kbps. But given that your project is short (21 minutes), there is nothing to be lost by using a slightly higher bitrate. I would leave everything else on that tab alone, including the audio format, though you could, if you want, change it from LPCM to MPEG Audio. But again, since your project is short, you might as well use the higher quality LPCM. Then click OK to close that dialogue box, then Save on the remaining dialogue box to start the conversion process.

Incidentally, you don't say what format of audio you used for your music background, but VS has problems with some formats of mp3, and that might be what caused the blip at the end of your conversion. You might want to consider using an audio editor to convert the audio format you used to .wav, which is standard and is in effect what the LPCM is all about.

Good luck!

This probably will not help much with your current project but is worth reading to prevent it from happening again.
What is a project file?

Have you checked your recycle bin for the deleted picture?

Well, guys, I just can't send enough thanks and kudos your way!

Ken, your step-by-step instructions to go "custom" produced a DVD that I'm thrilled with. I had imported a few images from the internet that turned out a little fuzzy (pictures from places that didn't allow photography so I googled them, right-clicked and saved them to help save the memory of the visit).
But overall a wonderful end product that our granddaughter will be thrilled with. We had taken her to London for her college graduation gift and wanted her to have something to remember it forever. You're certainly a great asset to this board and if I lived in your hemisphere (I'm in Florida) I'd give you a big thank-you hug!
And Steve, I love your "recipe" analogy for lost files - that's just the sort of education I need. I hope there's a "Video Editing for Dummies" because I'll read it cover to cover!
By the way, I've printed out your instructions, Ken, and will safeguard them for my next project. It will be somewhat different, though as it will be mostly videos from my mini-DVD Sony camcorder with a few stills . A WEDDING video for our niece - oh boy! You may be hearing from me again next month.

Thanks again,
Joyce

With your next project, though, you will have to use Upper Field First instead of Frame Based, as your mini-DVD camera uses Upper Field First. And your still photos can use Upper Field First too.

Thanks Ken, I'm printing this out so I'll remember your instructions. Yes, it's a wedding video for our niece. For some strange reason, our brother and sister-in-law were so impressed with my one and only movie project of 2 years ago (a 45 minute movie of our trip to Rome and Paris with eldest grandsons) that they have requested it in lieu of a wedding present. Talk about pressure!
Your kind advice is most appreciated.