Learning about layer breaks in dual layer DVDs

[zakman]

I am just learning about the layer break in dual layer DVDs:

1) In a commercial DVD, how do I find out where the layer break is?

2) I am using DvdReMake PRo to redo a DVD. I edit the movie using a video editor, then replace the old movie with the new movie using DvdReMake Pro. Is there anything special I should do to make sure the layer break works ok? Can I control where the break is?

3) I have read a lot of posts where users are having trouble with the layer break. Since Dual layer DVDs are expensive, I am worried that I will have to spend a lot of money on coasters. Anyone have any advice how to check out the VIDEO_TS files BEFORE I burn them so I know it will be ok?

4) I undertand there may be a place in the VOB file and in the IFO file which signals the layer break. I might be wrong. Where can I read some documentation on the specs of layer breaks?

[jimmalenko]

PGCEdit
https://www.videohelp.com/guides.php?guideid=807#807
https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=301143
https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=225001

[zakman]

Thanks. The first link helped. Anyone reading this post, be aware that there is an updated version of the PGCedit guide on their website.

[zakman]

I tried the PgcEdit/Imgburn combo method with limited success. It seemed to work ok with my very old DVD player (Sony), but not my newer Pioneer DVD player/recorder. The exact opposite of what one would expect. When I put it into my Pioneer, it just says it is an invalid disc. I tried both the agressive approach (seamless) and safe approach (with seam). The seamless one had a shorter pause in my Sony player than the one with the seam. Both failed in the Pioneer. Any suggestions?

[manono]

Hi-

I don't think I'd necessarily blame PGCEdit for the problem. Your Pioneer might not play dual layer discs at all, or may not like your brand. Maybe check the database on this site and see if there are any reports of your player and dual layered discs. Since Sony's are known to be finicky, and since it plays on your Sony, I'd think that whatever PGCEdit did was perfectly all right.

[pijetro]

Food for thought...
It is suggested that you use high quality Verbatim +DL disks for the time being....

[zakman]

Your Pioneer might not play dual layer discs at all, or may not like your brand. Maybe check the database on this site and see if there are any reports of your player and dual layered discs.

Yeah, you seem to be right. I just checked the database for my Pioneer DVR-225 and it does not seem to support reading of DVD+R DL discs, even though one person reported talking to a Pioneer support person who claimed it does.

Since Sony's are known to be finicky....

I might be in the market for a new DVD player in the next few months. Are even the new Sonys still finicky? What brand seems to be the least finicky? I really like my Sony because it seems to be one of the few players out there that lets you stop in the middle of playing a disc, watch another disc, and then put the first disc back in and it remembers where you left off. Most players only seem to remember the last disc you used.

It is suggested that you use high quality Verbatim +DL disks for the time being....

Yup, that is what I am using.

Here is some more info. When I tried seamless playback, the sony still worked, but it still paused (presumably because it could not keep up with the bitrate). The problem is that the pause happens about 1 second after the layer break. Since I put the layer break in a nice silent spot, this was not as nice as the case with the cell set to NOT seamless. At this point, I think I'll stick with using DVD Shrink or Nero Recode to make DVD-5s. It seems like the Dual-Layer thing is still too iffy.

[rvelez]

You could also change the booktype to dvd-rom and burn at 2.4x.

[lordsmurf]

Toshiba DVD player would be my suggestion. Or a JVC.

It's easy to copy a disc with a layer break already there. But if you want to edit (which is basically re-authoring), it gets much tougher.

[zakman]

Lordsmurf: I have always admired your opinions so I was glad to see you responded to my post. Thanks. If you have any more suggestions for reducing coasters when burning DL discs, please let me know. Regarding the choice of Toshiba or JVC, is this just a "gut feel" or is there more to it than that?

BTW, I did change the booktype to DVD-ROM and I still had the problem.

[lordsmurf]

I own several Toshibas and they don't give me problems due to format. Some of the newer Toshibas do PAL and SVCD/DVB too.

JVC is also decent in that area.

I speak from testing and experience. No guesses here.

[zakman]

I own several Toshibas and they don't give me problems due to format. Some of the newer Toshibas do PAL and SVCD/DVB too.

JVC is also decent in that area.

I speak from testing and experience. No guesses here.

That is great to hear. Have you recently tested (or have experience with) any bad DVD players?