Things are working... kind of

rjburns · Post by **rjburns** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 4:16 pm

Hi,

I'm currently using the trial version MF4.

Here is the issue:

The software runs OK through the render and burn process of my approx. 6 minute video. However, with both progress bars at 100%, the lower bar says it is "fixating DVD". It never ends this action and the software hangs. Even after I kill the program from task manager, I can't restart Ulead until I reboot. The good news is that the resulting DVD works on various players flawlessly.

So I guess the question is what is "fixating DVD"? And what might make it hang? Is it something I can bypass, as the DVD seems done at that point?

I like this software in general and wouldn't mind purchasing the license if I can resolve these crashes. I have a feeling it's something simple, but I just can't seem to figure it out.

Any suggestions appreciated.

System vitals:

Windows XP Pro
2.6ghz Intel processor
1 gig ram
ATI 9800 video (128meg ram)
Sony DRU-800A DVD burner
Disk: +RW

BQ

GeorgeW · Post by **GeorgeW** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 5:22 pm

That step is like finalizing or closing the disc.

Did you install the "Data-Add" module? If so, you might be better off NOT installing it (especially if you have some other form of packet-writing software already installed on your computer.

I would create a DVD Image file, then in a separate step burn the DVD Image to disc.

hth,
George

rjburns · Post by **rjburns** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 5:46 pm

Did you install the "Data-Add" module? If so, you might be better off NOT installing it (especially if you have some other form of packet-writing software already installed on your computer.

GeorgeW,

Thanks for the reply. I don't know what the "Data-Add" module is so I don't think it's installed (Not on purpose, anyway). I will look into it however.

I will try to create the image file first then burn and see how that goes.
I'll report back with the result.

Thanks again,

BQ

rjburns · Post by **rjburns** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 10:02 pm

OK, so here is where I'm at. Burning from image had the same issue. Actually things started to get worse as the disc would not even burn. I just had a frozen screen. After about an hour, I tried shutting down the computer. I noticed that windows was trying to end the "data-add" program referred to by GeorgeW.

So I was able to uninstall it (it must have installed automatically with everything else).

I'd tried my burn again. The disc burned completely, said it was complete, and popped the tray out. For a moment I thought all was right with the world.

But...

When I played this DVD, the picture quality was crap, much grainier than the DVD I burned earlier today (same project). Also, the sound disappeared on the DVD. Although the background music is still on the menu. I don't understand this because the sound is there on the DVD preview. And the preview video quality is good.

Does the "data add" module have anything to do with picture quality or sound?

---

Vent section

So this is the second program I've tried now. The other was Pinnacle. And all I'm trying to do author several AVI files that I created in Adobe Premiere. I just want to add a simple menu and burn the DVD.

With all the Pinnacle problems, I replaced the DVD burner that came with the PC. Loaded the latest and greatest f/w. But with all that, it never, ever finishes formatting and I never, ever got a working DVD out of it.

Now with Ulead, first I was able to burn a decent DVD at the expense of crashing my computer every time. Now I can burn without crashing after removing "data-add" but the DVD looks like crap and has no sound!

Done venting

If someone has some ideas about the lack of sound and video quality issue, I would be gratefull.

BQ

heinz-oz · Post by **heinz-oz** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 10:55 pm

Personally, I dislike the work around of creating a disk image first and then burn, so often suggested here. I never had to do that.

Now, after you uninstalled the likely culprit, did you try the 'normal' approach once more? The one that did not finalize but gave you a good result.

I don't use MF4 yet but the procedures are similar with MF4 offering more advanced sound capabilities among other things.

GeorgeW · Post by **GeorgeW** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 10:57 pm

The quality of your resulting dvd will depend on a few things (I don't think the Data-Add module plays into the quality -- but it probably did have something to do with your computer hanging).

1) what are your source videos (how do you get them onto your computer)

2) what are the attributes of those source videos?

3) what are you project settings when you go to make the dvd image? mpeg-1 or mpeg-2, resolution, bitrate, audio type, etc...?

rjburns · Post by **rjburns** » Thu Sep 29, 2005 12:01 am

The quality of your resulting dvd will depend on a few things (I don't think the Data-Add module plays into the quality -- but it probably did have something to do with your computer hanging).

1) what are your source videos (how do you get them onto your computer)

Panasonic 3CCD mini-dv. Captured(1394 firewire) by Adobe Premiere 6. DV quality AVI.

So I edit my projects in Premiere and then just bring the resulting AVI file into Ulead. Set up my chapter points and menu with Ulead and then burn.

2) what are the attributes of those source videos?

above

3) what are you project settings when you go to make the dvd image? mpeg-1 or mpeg-2, resolution, bitrate, audio type, etc...?

Here is a cut and paste from Ulead project settings:

MPEG files
24 Bits, 720 x 480, 29.97 fps
(DVD-NTSC), 4:3
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 7000 kbps)
Audio data rate: 256 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio, 48 KHz, 2/0(L,R)

I've had enough with DVD burning today. Tomorrow I think I'll start the project over.

Any suggestions on the best settings would be great.

I'm going to read the PDF manual this evening to get a little more up to speed.

Thanks for trying to help me figure this out!

BQ