How can I get my DVD to play the disks I make?

[LloydE]

I was finally able to create a DVD disk from an MPEG2 file of a public domain movie I downloaded from the Internet Archive. When I tried to play it on my DVD it wouldn't work. In fact, I tried it on two DVDs and couldn't get it to work on either one. I can play it on my computer, but not on my DVD. What am I doing wrong?

[filmboss80]

Sounds like you are not authoring a DVD-compliant file. What did you do -- burn the mpeg2 file straight to disc?

In the left column of this web page, you'll see a link to "What Is > DVD." Scroll down to see the file structure. (Essentially a VIDEO_TS folder containing VOB, IFO, and BUP files.)

If you already authored it with the proper structures, another problem might be with the source MPEG2 file. It could be PAL (European) instead of NTSC. Or it might be encoded in other ways that make it difficult to play on DVD units. The free utility GSpot can help you identify more about the MPEG2 file.

[JimJohnD]

Possible causes:
1. Video_TS and Audio_TS folder names must be in upper case. Some players will not play them if they are in lower case.
2. You have to burn them with software specializing in burning DVD video. The files must be placed on the disc in specific locations for the DVD player to 'boot' the disc. Computers don't care, so it will play on a computer but not a DVD player.

[Noahtuck]

I was finally able to create a DVD disk from an MPEG2 file of a public domain movie I downloaded from the Internet Archive. When I tried to play it on my DVD it wouldn't work. In fact, I tried it on two DVDs and couldn't get it to work on either one. I can play it on my computer, but not on my DVD. What am I doing wrong?

Well, seeing as you did not say how or what you are doing, who knows

[LloydE]

[quote="filmboss80"]Sounds like you are not authoring a DVD-compliant file. What did you do -- burn the mpeg2 file straight to disc?

I did burn the file straight to the disc.

[LloydE]

Possible causes:
1. Video_TS and Audio_TS folder names must be in upper case. Some players will not play them if they are in lower case.
2. You have to burn them with software specializing in burning DVD video. The files must be placed on the disc in specific locations for the DVD player to 'boot' the disc. Computers don't care, so it will play on a computer but not a DVD player.

I burned the file with Imgburn.

[JimJohnD]

If you can confirm that the folder names are in upper case then I would look at what kind of disc you are using. Some players don't like DVD+R and others like them better than DVD-R. You might check http://www.videohelp.com/dvdplayers to see what your players have done for others.

[Nelson37]

Lloyde, you need to supply more information.

Did you use an authoring program, if so, WHICH ONE? If not, this is your problem.

WHAT FILE did you burn straight to disk using ImgBurn?

[stiltman]

Sounds like you are not authoring a DVD-compliant file. What did you do -- burn the mpeg2 file straight to disc?

I did burn the file straight to the disc.

Click Here for help creating DVDs from MPEG2 files

[LloydE]

Lloyde, you need to supply more information.

Did you use an authoring program, if so, WHICH ONE? If not, this is your problem.

WHAT FILE did you burn straight to disk using ImgBurn?

I burned an MPEG-2 file of the movie.

[jman98]

LloydE - I am familiar with the Internet Archive. For those who don't know, it has the internet's largest archive of truly public domain (even in the USA) films. Many of their downloads are not available in MPEG-2 format. Those that are in MPEG-2 format are meant to be used as input to a DVD authoring program. So all you have done is made a data disc with MPEG-2 video(s) on it. Stiltman's link is a good place to start. We also have guides. If I remember correctly the audio they use is MPEG-1 layer II audio, which technically is not valid for DVDs in the USA. If an authoring program wants to convert the audio to AC3, you should let it do that.

[filmboss80]

Yep. You have to AUTHOR a compliant DVD. Just burning an MPEG2 file to disc does not cut it. Fortunately, there are some free and simple tools, like DVD Flick, that will get the job done for you. Check the Tools section of this site.

[LloydE]

Thanks to everyone who responded to my problem. With the information provided I was able to resolve the problem. I am now able to make DVDs from the public domain movie files I enjoy most.

[PuzZLeR]

Glad to see you got it working. Keep in mind though, that not all MPEG-2 files are DvD compliant, even at SD resolutions. If so, your authoring program should squawk at it.