adding files to VCD

[martintd]

I am new to VCD authoring and would like to know if anyone has, or is it possible, to add extra data files to a VCD. for example, I would like to add the original *.mpg file on the cd for someone to play in windows media player (or equiv). The only option I know of now is to have them locate the .dat file wich seems to be playable, but is a little bit of work for techno-phobes. (sorry if that was insulting).

Can the extra file be in the root of the CD?

I am also sorry if this question has an obvious answer I have overlooked, or if it was previously answered. (I did search through this forum but did not see one)

Thanks,
Todd

[RabidDog]

would you have enough space to put two copies of the same thing on one disc?? look for autoplay discs ones that incorporate a small player on the disc that fires up and plays (warn the recipient this will happen)
something like this https://www.videohelp.com/tools?tool=391#comments
or search autoplay automatic playing

[martintd]

I deal with smaller video files :30 sec to a few minutes. So I can usually fit multiple copies. I am not looking for the autoplay version, as I want these to play in DVD players also, and you can easily put an autorun file on the disk to have it play in win media player. So...

thanks for the reply, any more ideas would be appreciated.

Todd

[iThinkYouBrokeIt]

If you are using Nero to author the disc, you can see the file browser usually on the top left, of the files to be burned onto the disc.
just create a new folder here by right-clicking and clicking new folder. then simply drag+drop whatever files you want to add.
i usually add a "gold release" of WinDVD or some kinda extra documents related to the videos, or, like you, the original files. if there is enough disc space.

If you do not use Nero, i highly reccomend it as it is a very good program, especially for newbies. it was the first program i used, and i have learned a lot since then...

[RabidDog]

wHY NOT DO AS YOU SUGGESTED but add a small program to copy and rename the dat files to xxx.mpg as they are exactly the same thing.

[vitualis]

To answer the original question, yes, you can put additional files in the filesystem of a VCD. I do it for all my VCDs.

Nero can do it. Just drag the files you want onto the VCD filesystem window. It is usually recommended to not touch any of the "native" VCD folders and only add files to either the root directory or a user made sub-folder (e.g., one named "EXTRA" or "FILES" or "WIN").

VCDImager can do it too -- though I suggest that you use VCDEasy for that unless you want to pull out a text editor and edit the XML yourself. If you use the lkVCDImager fork of VCDImager, you can use ISO Level 2 long filenames which is cool.

Regards.