'Maximum number of media files is 99' message

[Ray Deacon]

VideoStudio X4 on a Windows 7 PC

I am having a very frustrating time trying to create a DVD from my project and would appreciate some advice as to what may help resolve a couple of problems.

I am not using chapters or menus at all so they can be ignored. I am simply trying to create a DVD-R from a project that contains 137 video clips (downloaded from my AVCHD camcorder) and a couple of titles. As VideoStudio goes through its compilation of the clips it stops when it reaches the 99th clip and throws up a message stating that ‘a maximum of 99 video media files is allowed’. Which is a crazy imposition to place in an otherwise excellent product! Once that message appears, I can only hit OK to exit and nothing more happens. I cannot add the remaining 38 clips and on closing the program, it does an automatic save and drops out of the DVD creation process.

In an attempt to get round the problem I created a video file (2.5GB) and used Windows Explorer to burn the MPG file to a Phillips DVD-R. No problem there, it even ran automatically on the PC with no trouble, but when trying to play it on my 3-year old Sony DVD Player/Recorder (HXD870) a message displayed on the TV (a Sony Bravia) to the effect that it could not read this type on disc.

Thank you very much for your time.

Ray

[Ken Berry]

Welcome to the forums!

I'm afraid, though, we will require a little more information. As to your first problem, where exactly have you placed the 138 clips? Are they in the Editing module timeline or have you placed them individually in the burning timeline? Since you have received the 99 limit message, I am assuming the latter, but could you please confirm.

As for your second problem, what format was the new video file (2.5 GB) you created? I suspect that it is AVCHD like the originals, and by using Windows Explorer to burn it, you have simply created a data/archive DVD with an AVCHD file stored on it. These can play on computers, but stand-alone DVD players cannot recognise such video. And if somehow you managed to burn an AVCHD hybrid disc (with a Blu-Ray structure on it containing the AVCH), then it is impossible for a stand-alone DVD player to play such discs. You would need not only a Blu-Ray player, but one rated to play AVCHD discs.

[DVDDoug]

The DVD spec says you can have up to 99 titles (movies/programs), and each title can have up to 99 chapters.

A menu button can point to a title (chapter 1 of the title) or to a chapter in a title.

If you restructure your DVD by merging some of your clips together to have fewer titles, you should be able to make it work.

In an attempt to get round the problem I created a video file (2.5GB) and used Windows Explorer to burn the MPG file to a Phillips DVD-R. No problem there, it even ran automatically on the PC with no trouble, but when trying to play it on my 3-year old Sony DVD Player/Recorder (HXD870) a message displayed on the TV (a Sony Bravia) to the effect that it could not read this type on disc.

Simply burning an MPEG file onto a disc does not create a proper video-DVD, although some players might play it. If you look at the files on a commercial DVD, you will see an AUDIO-TS folder (empty) and a VIDEO_TS folder that contains a series of 1GB VOB files (and some other files). The audio/video is contained in the VOB files. The VOB files are MPEG-2 encoded and there are very specific requirements for the MPEG encoding (resolution, framerate, audio format, etc.).

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Ray

And welcome to the forums.

First I think there is some confusion here, between the edit timelines and the burning stage.

So hoping not to confuse I’m going to answer your last comments first.

When you used Windows Explorer to burn the disc, did you burn a data disc or a normal DVD disc.
A data disc holds the raw files, a DVD is prepared with the video being saved to a Video_TS folder,

So explore the disc to see what is actually saved there, as I say for a DVD it should have a Video _TS folder.
------------------------------
Editing with Video Studio.
As a test try the following…….

Open video studio, right click the timeline and select Insert Video, browse the hard drive for your 137 files.
Are you able to add these to the timelines?
Edit the timelines removing the unwanted portions, add text etc
When complete you can either Create a Video File or Create a Disc

If you choose Share Create Disc-DVD the burner module will open, your project will show as a single file. You can continue to create the menu and burn a disc.
----------------------------

Ok
From the edit timelines, start a new project, no clips in timeline
Share Create Disc will open the burner module, ADD Video File, add the 2.5Gb file you created earlier.
You can continue to create the menu and burn a disc. Just a test so no need to burn a disc.
---------------------------

[Ray Deacon]

Hi Ray

And welcome to the forums.

First I think there is some confusion here, between the edit timelines and the burning stage.

So hoping not to confuse I’m going to answer your last comments first.

When you used Windows Explorer to burn the disc, did you burn a data disc or a normal DVD disc.
A data disc holds the raw files, a DVD is prepared with the video being saved to a Video_TS folder,

So explore the disc to see what is actually saved there, as I say for a DVD it should have a Video _TS folder.
------------------------------
Editing with Video Studio.
As a test try the following…….

Open video studio, right click the timeline and select Insert Video, browse the hard drive for your 137 files.
Are you able to add these to the timelines?
Edit the timelines removing the unwanted portions, add text etc
When complete you can either Create a Video File or Create a Disc

If you choose Share Create Disc-DVD the burner module will open, your project will show as a single file. You can continue to create the menu and burn a disc.
----------------------------

Ok
From the edit timelines, start a new project, no clips in timeline
Share Create Disc will open the burner module, ADD Video File, add the 2.5Gb file you created earlier.
You can continue to create the menu and burn a disc. Just a test so no need to burn a disc.
---------------------------

Hi Trevor,

Many thanks for your prompt reply and for your comments and suggestions.

In answer to your questions, yes I can right-click the time line and add all my 137 files. On completing my editing, I then tried to create a disc and when the burner module opened, I selected all 137 files again. It is at this point that the message limiting the number of media files to 99 appears. I can do nothing except hit the OK button to clear the message, the disc module closes and another message stating that my project is being saved briefly appears. And that is that. The question here is to which folder did it save it and how can I find it?

Prior to this, I had created a couple of DVDs comprising fewer than 99 files (clips), using the same procedure, with no trouble. They played back automatically on both the PC and DVD player.

As an alternative, I created an mpg video file from the same 137 files and imported it into the Library panel, before dragging it into the Time line. It was the only file in the Time line. I then selected the create disc option and when the burner module appeared, selected the mpg video file which then appeared in the Media Clip List. On clicking Next and completing the relevant boxes on the Output display, the DVD burnt with no problem.

Interestingly, when trying to run the disc on the PC the DVD player it did not automatically open (as previously created DVDs had done) but it did open OK when double clicking the DVD drive. However, not only did the DVD player recognise it but it opened automatically when inserted into the DVD player's drive.

So, using this method the problem can be bypassed but surely there must be a design issue with the product as to why it prevents the burning of more than 99 files onto a DVD.

Once again, thank you for your time and guidance.

Ray

[Ray Deacon]

Welcome to the forums!

I'm afraid, though, we will require a little more information. As to your first problem, where exactly have you placed the 138 clips? Are they in the Editing module timeline or have you placed them individually in the burning timeline? Since you have received the 99 limit message, I am assuming the latter, but could you please confirm.

As for your second problem, what format was the new video file (2.5 GB) you created? I suspect that it is AVCHD like the originals, and by using Windows Explorer to burn it, you have simply created a data/archive DVD with an AVCHD file stored on it. These can play on computers, but stand-alone DVD players cannot recognise such video. And if somehow you managed to burn an AVCHD hybrid disc (with a Blu-Ray structure on it containing the AVCH), then it is impossible for a stand-alone DVD player to play such discs. You would need not only a Blu-Ray player, but one rated to play AVCHD discs.

Hi Ken,

Many thanks for your prompt reply and your comments. I have produced a full update as to subsequent developments to Trevor Andrews only in the hope that you can see it and as I am sure you don't want multiple identical responses on the forum.

Kind regards,

Ray

[Ray Deacon]

The DVD spec says you can have up to 99 titles (movies/programs), and each title can have up to 99 chapters.

A menu button can point to a title (chapter 1 of the title) or to a chapter in a title.

If you restructure your DVD by merging some of your clips together to have fewer titles, you should be able to make it work.

In an attempt to get round the problem I created a video file (2.5GB) and used Windows Explorer to burn the MPG file to a Phillips DVD-R. No problem there, it even ran automatically on the PC with no trouble, but when trying to play it on my 3-year old Sony DVD Player/Recorder (HXD870) a message displayed on the TV (a Sony Bravia) to the effect that it could not read this type on disc.

Simply burning an MPEG file onto a disc does not create a proper video-DVD, although some players might play it. If you look at the files on a commercial DVD, you will see an AUDIO-TS folder (empty) and a VIDEO_TS folder that contains a series of 1GB VOB files (and some other files). The audio/video is contained in the VOB files. The VOB files are MPEG-2 encoded and there are very specific requirements for the MPEG encoding (resolution, framerate, audio format, etc.).

Hi Doug,

Many thanks for your prompt reply and your comments. I have produced a full update as to subsequent developments to Trevor Andrews only in the hope that you can see it and as I am sure you don't want multiple identical responses on the forum.

Kind regards,

Ray

[skier-hughes]

So, using this method the problem can be bypassed but surely there must be a design issue with the product as to why it prevents the burning of more than 99 files onto a DVD.

Once again, thank you for your time and guidance.

Ray

This, as has been said previously, is the "dvd standard". WHoever thought up the idea of dvd's decided on this figure and it is the same figure for all software. It is not a design issue with the software.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Ray

I am sure we will all answer with the same reply.
There is no design issue, you are using the program incorrectly………

Do not add your 137 video clips to the burner module.
The burner module is where you add completed project files or video files like the single Mpeg file you created

There are two workflows you can follow……
-----------------------------
Option one
When you add 137 files to the editing timeline after completing the editing, with the clips still in the timeline, Share Create Disc _DVD ( I assume you are burning a standard DVD) here you are using the project file containing the 137 clips.

This opens the Burner Module, the first window shows your project as a single thumbnail, this is representing the 137 clips into one.
Do not add any other clips.
Using the controls under the preview screen , Play the video, now you should recognise the video as containing all clips.
Continue to create the menu and finally burn the disc.

Ok
Option two (I would recommend this option)
This process is what you describe as “an alternative”, however it is the correct way to work.

After editing.
You can as you have found out create a single Mpeg video file of the 137 clips by using Share Create Video File-DVD

Once created.

Start a new project, nothing in the timeline, do not drag the clip from the library.
Share Create Disc-DVD
From the first window Add Video File, (top left icon) add the single Mpeg file you created earlier.
Do NOT add any other files.
Play the video , create a menu
Burn the disc.
-----------------------------------------
The Burner Module, authoring stage, is for burning discs from pre-prepared video files or project files.
It is not the place to edit the individual video files. You should not be adding multiple files 137 etc.