DVD hangs using chapter/forward/time on Pioneer DV-444

[mate]

I have transferred an old VHS recording to a DVD (using TMPGEnc as encoder and DVD Architect as author). When just played on my Pioneer DV-444 everything works just fine. But if I fast forward, or use search mode to go to a specified time, or use the menu to select a certain chapter, it will play for about 2 seconds then slow down and finally hang.

I have tried the DVD on Centrum Gemini (220 and 340) and there is no problem there. Though there was a problem on a LG RH-7500.

What could have gone wrong here?
What should I do about it?

[nick1977]

I have the Pioneer 444, and have had no real problems with DVD-R, DVD+R, and DVD-RW. From the symptoms you describe, it sounds like the machine is having trouble reading the disc, or the MPEG stream isn't DVD compliant.
I would try using a different media, and lowering your burn speed to rule out the former.

[mate]

Well this is my first real problem with the 444 (apart from SVCDs on old CD-RWs hanging).

I have tried this movie on many different +R and +RW discs (though addmittedly same brand) and different speeds. I also tried putting it through DVD Shrink.

I have never experienced TMPGEnc producing non-compliant streams before. (Possibly I used some stupid setting?) Is there anyway to test if that is the case? And if so, what could I do about it?

[nick1977]

Well TMPGenc is what I use. I read somewhere to make sure that you have the GOP sequence set correctly, but I have had no problems with any files / discs not working. Maybe try a differnet authoring package with the same source files and see if the problem still exists.
I guess it's just a process of elimination unfortunately.

[mate]

The reason seems to have been that the total bitrate of maximum video quality and 2 PCM tracks was too high. When re-encoding audio to AC-3 the problem dissappeared!