Problem authoring with Nero: assistance needed ! (read inside)

[power2084]

Hello !

I've been having a very serious problem authoring with Nero Vision 4.
I'm trying to create a DVD that has 3 AVI files:

#1 is 733 megs and has a runtime of 1:30:00
#2 and #3 are 366 megs and have a runtine of 45:30

Ok so after opening Nero Vision, I dropped all 3 files in the content window. The DVD
"fill bar" at the bottom was at 100%, no matter how many files I dropped in the content window (which is normal). The "Target video definition" for each file is 720 x 480.
I then edited the menu to my taste (keeping it very simple). The "DVD type" I selected in the lower right corner is "DVD", as it should, not "DVD-1" or "DVD-9".

On the next step, I previewed the videos, and everything worked fine. Then
came the moment to burn my project...

#1: On the first attempt, the job progress bar was at 95% done, transcoding was
finished, and with only 5% left to do, there was only the burning left to do.
At that point, an error window appeared, telling me:
"There is not enough space on that disk to burn the compilation".
Which was kinda special, because I'm sure the DVD is blank.
All I could do at that point was click "Cancel", which aborted the whole job.
The blank DVD had not been touched (it was still blank).

#2: On the 2nd attempt, I did the same thing, except I used a different blank DVD
(just to make sure). Same results.

#3: On the 3rd attempt, on the "Burn Options" screen, I decided to select
"Burn to Image Recorder", which only produce a file that you can burn later using
Nero Burning Rom. The transcoding took 3.5 hours and worked just fine. But when
I checked the file that had been produced, it took 10.9 gigs ! That's not normal.
I then proceeded to burn the file on DVD using Nero Burning Rom, and as soon
as I hit the "Burn" button, I got the same message, :
"There is not enough space on that disk to burn the compilation".

#4: On the 4th and final attempt, I asked advice from a friend, and he told me to change one video option; that option is located by clicking "More", then "Video options", then the "DVD-Video" tab. I changed the "Quality setting" from the default "Automatic (fit to disc)"
to "Extended play". After doing this, I realized that the DVD fill bar was dynamic, it now filled up depending on how many files I dropped in the Content window (instead of being always at 100%). But I used the same 3 files as before, and the fill bar was at about 85%. I then proceded to produce an IMAGE using the Image recorder option, but... I again got a 10.9 gigs file (not burnable).


What am I doing wrong ? Why am I getting a file that won't fit on a DVD ?
Help !!

Thanks for your replies.

[guns1inger]

At reasonable - good quality tou can get around 2 hours to a disc, if you have good source. You are trying to get around 3 hours using a low grade authoring tool. If you want to make it fit, you ned to use a bitrate calculator to work out what bitrate to encode at for the running time you have, then you need ti use an encoder that will allow you to set the bitrate, and an authoring tool that doesn't re-encode compliant material. Nero is none of these tools.

There is plenty to read in the guide section to set you on the right path.

[power2084]

I just find it incredibly lame that Nero works on my computer for 3.5 hours before finally telling me "There is not enough space on disk". Why can't it know that from the start ?

And about choosing a different tool than Nero: I've already read the User Manual for
DVD Composer. Is that a good one ? Or suggest a different one...

Thanks again for your replies.

[guns1inger]

Best results come from using the right tool for each stage of the process. There is no such thing as a high-quality one-click solution. That said, if all you are doing is converting downloaded avis to dvd, quality isn't top of the list. We've heard it all before - mine are perfect quality, DVD quality etc. trust me, they aren't. They look OK on the computer, but any conversioon will show up all the many flaws these files have.

The simplest solution with the best quality outcome is to buy a DVD player that is Divx certified. They are relatively cheap, will play back pretty much anything you download that has an avi extension, and you can fit 5 - 6 movies to a disc.

If that isn't possible, for around the same price you can buy ConvertXtoDVD, the closest to a one-click solution that is worth considering.

Otherwise, start learning virtualdub or avisynth, tmpgenc, and TDA.