Creating a playable DVD from an MPEG

[RGL]

I'm really new at this and I don't have a solid grasp on all of the terminology. I read some of the info in the "How To" but either did not find what I was looking for or did not understand what I found, which is most likely the case.

Here's my question, I have an MPEG I burned onto a Sony DVD+R disc. When I put it in my DVD player I get a disc error message however it plays fine on my computer.

I have a Toshiba Satalite laptop running Windows XP. I tried to produce the DVD using Windows Media Player and Tosiba Sonic 7. Same disc error with both.

Do you need a different program to make a stand alone DVD player playable disc? I'm really lost. Any help would be greatly appriciated.

[thecoalman]

You need a program capable of authoring, you can't just simply burn as a data disc (ie the file).

Movie Maker doesn't do DVD, it will make a VCD (mpeg1* as long as it meets the VCD specs, look to the left) playable in a standalone but at a lower quality that a standard DVD.

To create higher quality DVD material look to the left under tools/all-in-ones, or you may even have some software on your computer to do this. Most DVD burners come with enough to author a disc.

Note that if your video is already in VCD format converting it to a higher quality DVD format will noty improve the quality but in most cases will make it worse. Also note that VCD spec video can be burned to DVD giving you many hours of video on a single DVD but at a lower quality. Look to to the left under "what is" for specs.

There 's all kinds of goodies to the left.

[RGL]

How would I know if I have a program for authoring and what does it do to make it play on my DVD player?

I thought doing a simple copy through Windows and/or Sonic would give me what I wanted. I see that is not the case.

Could you reccomend a good easy to use authoring program and, if possible, give me some idea how to do it.

And how can I tell what's what between all the MPEG, DVD, VCD and all the other three and four character monagrams used to describe these files?

I'm so lost.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[junkmalle]

How would I know if I have a program for authoring and what does it do to make it play on my DVD player?

I thought doing a simple copy through Windows and/or Sonic would give me what I wanted. I see that is not the case.

Could you reccomend a good easy to use authoring program and, if possible, give me some idea how to do it.

And how can I tell what's what between all the MPEG, DVD, VCD and all the other three and four character monagrams used to describe these files?

I'm so lost.

Thanks in advance for your help.

If you want to simplify matters get a DVD player that can play MPEG files on data DVDs (they can be had for less than US$35). You can use the DVD Player list to find players that support this. Look for the MPEGISO and DVD-MPEGISO features. If you get something like the Philips DVP 642 you can play Divx files too. You won't get fancy menus and stuff though.

[Abond]

On the left top side of the page there is WHAT IS -> DVD SVCD VCD GLOSSARY. You can read there what is what.
About authoring program also there LISTS -> Tools. Click Search Section and select DVD Author. Pick one.

[thecoalman]

How would I know if I have a program for authoring and what does it do to make it play on my DVD player?

You can create menus to go to specific videos or specific points in a video, just like a regular movie. They also create the correct structure for the video to be playable on a DVD player. The video file itself is a mpeg2 that meets the DVD specs, if it doesn't such as having a AVI they will usually convert to a compliant format, it's a little complicated at first but the best thing to do is jump in. Get some RW's for testing because you will make mistakes. As far as software you should look for something with the word's DVD in it, it will be simialr to Movie Maker but capable of creating DVD's.

I thought doing a simple copy through Windows and/or Sonic would give me what I wanted. I see that is not the case.

Again the files have to meet DVD spec, as mentioned above you can get a DVD player that supports just playing a regular file

Could you reccomend a good easy to use authoring program and, if possible, give me some idea how to do it.

Any of the all in ones are sufficient for getting your feet wet and understanding the basics. From there you can move on to something better, try the tools section if you don't find anything on your system.

And how can I tell what's what between all the MPEG, DVD, VCD and all the other three and four character monagrams used to describe these files?

MPEG is a type of file, DVD spec and VCD spec are specific types of mpeg. Usually right clicking a file in an authoring program will provide the properties for it. Keep in mind most will convert the file if it doesn't meet the specs or you choose another spec.

I'm so lost.

I think that quote can be attibuted to anyone the first time they delved into the DVD world. As I said fget some RW's and start experimenting, doesn't take long to figure it out. Use short clips for testing to speed things up.

[INFRATOM]

Yes as mentioned players like Phillips play everything, if you want to create dvd disc that play like regular dvd's with menu and all you have to use a or several programs to do that. My suggestion is go with somthing like Ulead products you can start from capture to creating menu and dvd using one software. Those free software are lots of fun but you have to use a different program for each different task and getting all of them to work needs lots of reading, patience and consulting forums

[RGL]

At this time, until I learn what's required, I simply wanted to be able to put a disc in my Toshiba (If this helps) DVD player and play it.

Does this require the creation of a menu? If so then I will need to learn about that. I looked at the DVD compatability section but my model is not listed and I don't have enough knowledge about making playable DVD's to say if the machine is compatable or not.

Simply put, I have a movie. It's currently an mpeg. When I click on it Windows Media Player starts to play the movie, no menu. That is the movie I've been using in my attemps to train myself and each attempt so far has yeilded a disc error when I tried to play it in my player.

I tried to copy another DVD I have with a menu on it to see how that would work but it's copy protected so that aint happening.

Thanks for the advice. I'll keep reading.

[junkmalle]

At this time, until I learn what's required, I simply wanted to be able to put a disc in my Toshiba (If this helps) DVD player and play it.

Does this require the creation of a menu?

Not a menu per se but you you will still need to use some movie DVD mastering software. Most DVD writers come with mastering software, Nero Express, Roxio Easy DVD Creator, Ulead DVD Movie Factory, etc.

[RGL]

Well I found that my DVD player does not support DVD+R so problem one found. As for the other things all the help has given me alot of info and I know have an idea what to do.

Thanks again.