Burning Files to BD from Handycam HDR-XR500

[Rich]

Hello. Thanks for all your work with this site. I have another newbie question.

I'm about to run out of room on the drive on my Sony video camera. I've transferred all the files from the camera to my hard drive and they're all .m2ts. I would like to Burn them to dual layer BDs with menus etc for sharing with family. All I need to know is do I need to change any default settings for burning using X5?

It looks like I might be able to shave a bit of resolution to save disc space, but I defer to your judgement.
Default (as you probably know) are 24 bit, 1920 x 1080, 29.97 fps with max variable rate 35,000 kbps.

The .m2ts files are the following: video type H.264 Video, upper Field first, 24 bit, 1440 x 1080, 16:9, 29.970 fps with max variable rate 16,000 kbps.

The logical other question is do I need change any of the default burning audio settings? Can I burn 5.1 audio?
Default: Dolby Digital Audio, 48,000 hz, 2/0 (L,R)

My .m2ts files: Dolby Digital Audio, 48,000 hz, 5.1 Channels, no layer, 448 kbps

Thanks,
Rich

[lata]

Hi Rich

Simple answer is Yes to that……..

You should render your project using the same settings as your video file.

First create a new profile using Settings – Make Movie Profile Manager.
Add function allows you to choose/browse for one of your video files, Give the template a suitable name.

From Share Create Video File the new template will be available at the bottom of the list.

Render the project to a new video file, this will be used to burn the disc.
Start a new project (nothing in the timeline)
Share Create Disc – Bluray

Top left --Add Media Add video file, choose your new video
Create a menu
When you finally hit Burn the process should start with Create Menu.

[Ken Berry]

I have taken the liberty of adding an extra line to Trevor's instructions -- though I think it is an important addition...

Render the project to a new video file, this will be used to burn the disc.
Start a new project (nothing in the timeline)
Share Create Disc – Bluray
Click on the Options cogwheel icon in the bottom left of the burning screen and make sure the box beside "Do not convert compliant MPEG files" is ticked.
Top left --Add Media Add video file, choose your new video
Create a menu
When you finally hit Burn the process should start with Create Menu.

[lata]

Thanks Ken

I usually forget that as it should be selected by default, but you are indeed correct the option should be selected to stop that render.

I was a bit concerned burning 1440 x 1080 video to bluray but a quick test showed it worked ok, I usually work with 1920 x 1080.

[Ken Berry]

Yes, 1440 x 1080 is part of the international Blu-Ray standard...

[Rich]

Thank you both for your input. I have to admit I missed the last three posts, but all had been going well until recently. I burned 5 dual layer BD discs. The fifth took two tries. I have tried 3 times with this most recent project and have been getting a 5:0:0 Error. I've been browsing your forum and tried a few other things. I checked the drivers for the BD drive. I checked that DirectX was up to date. I turned off the default motion setting on the menu options. I have been using an Aker USB 3 7 port hub with multiple drives (most with raw video files on them), including my BD burner. I unplugged the BD burner from the hub and plugged it back into a port on the back of the desktop (that I had installed in 2013). I then tried to share the project again, but instead of choosing Create To Disc I chose Create Blu-ray Folders. I still have had no luck. Any ideas? Thanks again.

[lata]

Hi

Can you tell us what workflow you are using?
We can:-
1 / burn the project to disc, this renders the project within the burner module and can / may cause problems, if yes ……

2 / first convert the project to Bluray compliant video file, then burn that file to disc

I always convert the project to a video file, using the original video files properties for the render, that will create a compliant video file. Play to check quality.
If there is a problem with the project it will show whilst rendering.

I start a new project, nothing in the timeline, Share Create disc.
Now I add my video file
When I press Burn the process should start with Convert Menu.

What order are you taking to burn the disc?

[Rich]

OK. Here's my work flow:
1. Drop .m2ts files into my project. These were downloaded from the Handycam using Sony's software that came with camera. I do very little editing. It's usually about 99 files unless they are really short.
2. Share -> Create Disc -> Blu-ray
3. Add Media Page: Project settings ->Change MPEG settings -> choose Blu-ray h.264 (1440x1080)
4. Add/Edit Chapter -> Auto Add Chapters. Usually, my goal is simply to have 99 chapters.
5. Menu and Preview Page: Edit -> Background Music -> Delete Music Track for all Menus
6. I choose the same default menu for the Main Menu and the Chapter Menu. I make small changes in Names, like changing the project name and labeling the Chapter Menu as Chapters. I choose Show highlight button.
7. I usually preview to make sure it looks like I want it to.
8. On the Output page: I choose the BD burning drive, then click Burn. Every time I insert a disc (Verbatim BD-R), I get a windows prompt asking how I want to use the disc. I cancel/ignore this.

As stated above, I changed this last step with the last try by unchecking the Create to Disc and instead checking Create Blu-Ray Folders and got a similar error.

I realize I could do more, but my goal is to simply get as many files to Disc as fast as possible to share with family. I've already done something similar with VHS tapes with the added step of capturing. Aside from capturing those, choosing a different file quality, and more work making chapters, the process was similar. There were about 60 partial VHS tapes placed on 6 BDs plus copies. I've not run into this error until just now.

I planning on capturing digital 8 and recording those too. I've also got some old super8 films to copy. I figure the easiest way to copy those is to use a little 90 degree converter box and record them from an old projector with the Handycam.

Incidentally, I think one of my external drives may be failing. It's an old 500 gb drive that I used for years for Windows backups. It started making noises recently. In fact, windows would not start without disconnecting it. I've not tried to reconnect it. Hopefully, I'll be able to salvage those files onto a new drive. It currently has some of my in laws captured Video 8 files on it. Aside from capturing videos on to it, I have not used it for anything related to burning or Video Studio. All the .m2ts files (downloaded from the Handycam that I've been using for this project) are on the C drive. I'm not sure if any of this matters, but I thought I'd mention it. It may simply be coincidence.

[Ken Berry]

All I can suggest is what Trevor and I have already suggested. Instead of going straight from editing to the burning module, first convert your project to a BD-compatible mpeg by selecting Share > Same As First Clip or Same As Project Settings if you have received a message asking if you want the Project Properties to match those of the first video inserted into the timeline. This should produce an AVCHD file with exactly the same properties as your original clips. You then close that project and go to Share > Blu-Ray. When the burning module opens its timeline should be empty. If not, delete whatever is there and instead use the Add Video button in the top left of screen to navigate to your new AVCHD file and insert that. Then proceed as normal.

This workflow is at least worth trying. Your existing workflow should work, but sometimes it doesn't and our recommended workflow usually works without problem. Moreover, you are not really taking much more time as the project will need converting whether in the editing module or during the burning process. All you are in effect doing is a few extra keystrokes to convert the project in the editing module, then in the burning module navigating to insert the new AVCHD. In addition you are removing a complicated process (conversion) from an already complicated process (burning).

[canuck]

Why would you have 99 chapter for one movie? Is each of the m2ts files going to be a "chapter"? If yes then those are Titles and not Chapters. Chapters are a sub-division of Titles (movies).
You realize that with that many Titles/Chapters you have to navigate through several layers of menus to get to a particular title/chapter?

BTW, how long in total time is that project?

[lata]

Hi Rich

With your comment regarding not seeing our replies I have updated your preferences to show notifications by setting “Notify me upon replies by default:” to yes. Please confirm this is ok…..
You should now get an e-mail for this post/reply……

Just a comment on chapters…. When we select and play any chapter the disc will continue to play to the end, playing all remaining chapters.
Here the disc will either repeat play or return to menu depending on the navigation settings.

Using individual titles will play each title, again depending on the navigation control settings, but having 99 is quite a lot?

There are some text menu templates having 30 links, these available from our download section, that may help. I have not used them and not sure if the layout is suitable for you.

[Rich]

Hello.
Thanks Trevor and Ken for the advice. The change in workflow has fixed the problem. I'm not sure why my workflow suddenly stopped working, but I guess it makes sense that separating burning and rendering steps would simplify the process and could reduce errors.

Trevor, it is ok that you changed my settings.

In terms of the chapter issue, I can understand your concerns. These are long discs and there are several pages of menus to work through. However, my initial goal has been to digitize and archive the various formats (VHS, HD, Super 8, Digital 8, etc) in chronological order into one format that I can share. Also part of this project, but not mentioned thus far, is an index. I have been keeping track of the location of each file, the date it was taken, the location, and what is recorded. Obviously, this is already a time consuming process. In the future, I will probably go back and make projects like all birthdays for a particular child, Christmases, gatherings of certain friends, etc for distribution/viewing. I currently use the chapters as place holders for each of the recordings so that anyone with a copy of the index can look at whatever they like.

Can you direct me to the download section?

Thanks again for all your help and the work you put into this forum.

Rich

[lata]

Hi

The download link to One Drive is within the General Discussions section, it was a guy called Ken Kokay, thanks again….
http://forum.corel.com/EN/viewtopic.php ... 96#p243646

You should be able to copy the UFO files to your Favourites folder.

The favourites folder does not exist until you Customise any menu, and save, “add to menu template” shows below preview screen – eventually -- that will generate the Favourites folder here:-

C:\Users\Trevor\Documents\Corel VideoStudio Pro\18.0
If using X8 that is.

[Rich]

Hello again.

After burning a few discs, I have once again started getting the 5:0:0 error. I replaced the ailing drive. The following workflow was successful for a while:
1. Drop and edit files into project and save.
2. Share>create video file>Custom>save as .m2t>options tab>Compression tab>change to MPEG-2 10mbps
3. Empty timeline/restart program
4. Share>create disc>blu ray
5. Add video files>choose the .m2t file I just made.
6. Change MPEG settings>Customize>Compression>MPET 10mbps
7. Add chapters
8. Edit menus
9. Burn

Usually it starts burning without difficulty. These are 8-9 hr discs so they can take hours to burn. I usually come back hours later to find the error message.

I have found that I can save chapters if I save the project as .vsp after I have burned the discs. I had burned 3/5 discs when I started getting problems. I tried repeating the process starting over at #4 above. I tried starting over with a new set of videos from step #1. Neither seem to have made a difference. I also tried burning only one disc at a time to no avail. Any ideas? Would updating my version of VideoStudio fix this problem?

Thanks again,
Rich

[lata]

Hi Rich

I am away from the forum so may not be able to reply for a few days.

From 6 make sure Do Not Convert Compliant Mpeg is selected
when you hit Burn the process should start with Convert Menu, if Create Title shows then the video file is being converted, we do not want that.
That would indicate you are not using a Compliant Bluray file, made in "2" above

As a test for the above try creating an image or folder rather than a disc, at least will save on coasters.
You can then check that Create Menu starts first?