Playback problem with DVD created by VS

[qtranva]

I've been having this problem and I hope someone can help me out. I made 7 individual mpegs with the same project setting:
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

Then I open a new blank project, choose creat disc under Sharing, add my movies and then burn them on a dvd disc. Every disc comes out with at least one movie unplayable on both computer and standalone player. And always it's the last one or two movie on the menu list (like number 6 and 7) that are messed up. I don't really know what to do. Please help! Thanks.

[GeorgeW]

It could be a number of different things. How much of the disc are you burning (filling all the way, or is there spare room). The reason I ask is that you seem to be having problems with the videos at the end (which would be on the outer edges of a dvd5 disc -- considering they burn from the center towards the outer edges).

I posted this a few days ago in response to someone having choppy playback (I'm just cut/pasting it, so some things might not apply to you)

The bitrates you posted are quite high for home made dvd's. And since you are using VBR encoding, there is a chance that bitrates spike above the bitrate you specified.

Try CBR 6500kbps for your video. And if your dvd player can playback mpeg audio, use that format instead of lpcm audio (not all ntsc dvd players can play mpeg audio). Or, if you happen to have the AC3 plugin for VS8, then use that format over lpcm and mpeg audio.

Some items that can help (bitrates already mentioned)
-total bitrate (video plus all audio tracks) under 7500kbps
-for lower overall bitrates, go with Dolby Digital audio (or mpeg audio for PAL discs -- mpeg audio is not fully compatible with NTSC DVD Players)
-don't fill up entire 4.37gb disc -- keep it around 4gb
-no sticky labels
-burn slower (instead of 8x or above, try 4x and below)
-use quality discs (try different brands)
-turn off virus scan and don't use computer during burn process
-check for burner firmware updates
-check for software burning patches

[qtranva]

The disc isn't full. I think it's about 4.3. Last night I tried 2 things that you suggested: use different brand disc and change the video bit rate to a constant 7500. The movie is now playable throughout the whole disc. No more stalling like before. Howerever there are still occassional choppiness and pixelation, but very subtle. I think my iomega dvd writer likes the Memorex brand discs better. I'll also try to bring the bit rate down to 6000 to see if that will completely cure the choppiness.
BTW, does anyone here use Iomega DVD burner and what disc brand will work best with it? I have the SuperDVD 16x. Thanks.

[GeorgeW]

The disc isn't full. I think it's about 4.3.

If it's taking up 4.3gb on a dvd5 disc, then that's considered pretty full (as the max would be about 4.37gb).

[DVDDoug]

qtranva,

If the exact same project (same settings too) results in different problems, or problems in a different spot each time you burn, you have a disc burning problem... most likely a bad batch of discs. I'm surprised you still had problems when you switched brands. You might have better luck with a slightly slower burning speed.

I've burned over 100 DVDs (mostly generic) and I've only had 2 or 3 bad discs. From what I've read, 2 or 3 percent "defective" seems to be normal.

I did have a bad batch of CDs recently. About half of them were turning-out bad, So, I ended-up tossing-out the remaining 90 or so.


I believe the following is true... but I'm not 100% sure:
- All DVD blanks have defects.
- Most of the data-errors are corrected or masked by the player.
- There are usually more defects near the end (outer edge) of the DVD.

[qtranva]

Hi DVDDoug. I believe I'm having the disc burning problem. It is also such a pain having to waste the money on different brand discs until I can find one that works well with the burner. Oh well, I guess nothing's perfect

[THoff]

VideoHelp has a database of DVD Media and DVD Burners that you can consult for compatibility information.

[sjj1805]

Another thing you can try is don't burn at 16X
I have a 12x DVD writer but I have found if I have burned at 12X they dont play back very well (or not at all) in some DVD players , but play back OK in others.
When I lower the burning speed to 4X, the Discs play perfectly in all our DVD players.