Long time to 'create disk' with X4

[jparnold]

Tonight I created my first DVD disk (ie authored a DVD) using X4 which I purchased last year.
It seemed to take a much longer time to complete especially the creation of the title (menu?) than what I am used to using VS10.
Is this normal?
Is this a known 'problem' with X4?
What are others using to author a DVD?
Should I use VS10 to 'create disk'?
BTW I authored using the same characteristics as I used when I created my DVD file (create video file) so I don't think that it re-rendered.
Also I am creating a 'standard definition' DVD not high def.

[Ken Berry]

BTW I authored using the same characteristics as I used when I created my DVD file (create video file) so I don't think that it re-rendered.

John -- if this statement implies -- as it does to me -- that your first created a DVD-compatible mpeg-2 from your project, and you used that mpeg-2 in the burning module (and NOT the project file), then if -- by default -- the 'do not convert compliant mpeg files' box was ticked, it should not have been re-rendered during the burning process.

Normally, when I burn a DVD with a menu, I use a DVD blank which I can set to burn at either 4x or 8x speed. If I use 4x -- which is what I usually use -- then the whole burn process, including coversion of the menu and multiplexing, takes around 20 minutes max, sometimes less. And if I use 8x, then it takes 15 or 16 minutes.

So how long did yours take?

But your reference to 'creation of the title (menu?)' makes me wonder. That could sound as though a conversion was taking place, when it shouldn't if you had a DVD-compatible mpeg-2 in the burning timeline. Did you?

[jparnold]

Hi Ken,
I just repeated the 'create disk' and this time it did it in quite a respectable time so I have no idea why it took so long before.
I used the same (menu) project as I did before. It is strange that it took so long before.

So I guess I have wasted our time. Sorry.

Anyway the below is what I did (both times)

I always 'create video file' ie render the project to an mpeg file.
I then 'create disk' using the rendered file but I 'burn' to a hard disk folder not direct to (burn) a DVD.
I have 'do not convert compliant MPEG files ticked.
I use the same MPEG properties
I have Max 30MB menus for set-top DVD+VR recorder ticked
MY DVD menu has a still image as the background and a 30 second part of the rendered video as a thumbnail (I am using a thumbnail menu)
Create to disk is UNticked
Create DVD folder is ticked

Once again I noticed the first time I did a 'create disk' that the progress bar 'moved' very slowly when displaying something about 'title' which I assumed to be the rendering on the menu part of the dvd.


Thanks for your quick reply.

[skier-hughes]

Once you have made all the temp files VS will use these for future burns, unless you delete them

What was in the menu?
If you have several motion menu links it might take a while to compile.

[lata]

Hi John

When you press the burn button the progress bar indicates what is happening.
If you see Convert Title then your video files are being converted.
If you have added a compliant Mpeg2 file then this should not happen. As you say you have done this then Convert Title should not happen?

Providing all is set correctly then after hitting Burn you should first see Convert Menu
As is says it is rendering the menu structure.

The rendered files whether they be Convert Title or Convert Menu are saved to a temporary folder. Then used to burn the dvd.
If you repeat the burn process these files may be reused, the burning process being much shorter.

The temporary files are saved here:-
C:\Documents and Settings\USER NAME\My Documents\Corel VideoStudio Pro\14.0\DMF_TEMP
C:\Documents and Settings\USER NAME\My Documents\Ulead VideoStudio\10.0\DMF_TEMP

On the final window there is an icon (Lower Left) used do delete temporary files

Ken said --- “by default -- the 'do not convert compliant mpeg files' box was ticked.”
You should make sure this option is indeed selected.
Click the Cogwheel lower left to check this box.

[jparnold]

Thanks for your replies.

I am wondering if skier-hughes reply may be the answer (temp files created which are used for subsequent 'burns' as when I repeated the 'burn' it was a lot faster.
The 'title' convert was notably heaps faster. The main part was much the same.
In answer to a question - my menu is quite simple. AS stated before an image as the background and a selected part of the main video as a single thumbnail in the center and some large text as well. No chapter menu at all - just one menu.

[jparnold]

Another thing I just noticed
There is a maximum 'time limit' for motion menus.
I have a thumbnail of a section of the main menu as my thumbnail and also background music on the menu.
It only seems to run for around 20 seconds (of thumbnail motion and background music) before repeating. I am sure that with VS10 this used to run for 30 seconds (the way I know this is that I always use the same background music and I have a special sound file which is 30 seconds long.

Is this a limitation of X4?

I have tried un-ticking 'maximum 30MB menus for set top' and it made no difference.

[jparnold]

Please disregard my previous post - I have found where to extend the duration of the motion menu (about the same place as in VS10 - don't know how I missed it.

[lata]

Hi John

If you are indeed using a compliant Mpeg2 video file, then you should not see the Convert Title.

If you are seeing Convert Title then the main video is being converted.

Try this test

Open a new project, nothing in the timeline
Share Create disc-DVD
Add Video files—add your Mpeg2 file
No need to edit menu, this is just a test
Navigate to the last window.
De-select Create Disc
Select Create DVD Folders

Press burn
You may see several info windows, after pressing OK the process starts
The top process bar should indicate Convert Menu.

If it shows Convert title then something is wrong.

I have tested the workflow above and I see Convert Menu.

[jparnold]

Hi Trevor,
I think that the problem could have been caused by the 'create video file' rendering being done at 8000kbs LCPM constant and the original 'create disk' being done at 8000kbs variable LCPM - this would have forced a re-render I overlooked the fact that one was using constant and the other variable. I just noticed that and have now created a new 'template' for 8000kbs constant.
It has been nearly 12 months since I created my last video and with the change to X4 (and learning curve) I have overlooked a few things.
The reason why the second 'create disk' taking a shorter time I guess was the fact that it used 'temp' files from the first 'create disk'.
Thanks for your interest and replies.