Dual Layer Burning Help

[MMP]

Me and my friend have been working on creating a home movie for a while and wanted to burn it to a DVD. The file is too large to fit on a regular DVD so we wanted to use a dual layer DVD. We are using a DVD +R DL. When we tried to burn it to a dual layer using Adobe Premiere Elements 4.0, it seemed to work and it was successful until when we tried to play it on a dvd player, we got to about the middle of our movie and it just froze the DVD and didnt play. When we tried to just fit it onto a regular DVD the video quality was not to our liking. We would prefer not to split it onto 2 disks unless there is a good way to still use the menu on the first disk. We are unsure if its a problem of the DVD player not being able to handle a dual layer DVD or its a problem through the software we are using. Premiere Elements had an option to use the dual layer disk and would compress our file to fit to that exact size which leads us to believe that its a problem with the DVD player and not our software. Any help would be appreciated thanks.

[MOVIEGEEK]

It sounds like a bad layer break.
Output to DVD files and use PGCEdit to split a cell then use ImgBurn in Build Mode.
There is a chance that the player doesn't like DL or your burner isn't set to DVD-ROM booktype.
Use Nero DiscSpeed to see if the DVD has a DVD-ROM booktype and run a test for errors.

[redwudz]

I would also recommend using only Verbatim + DL discs. They still seem to be the only really dependable media for DL burning. Together with ImgBurn, and a decent burner, you should have minimal problems.

And welcome to our forums.

[MMP]

Thanks for the quick replies! We'll try out your suggestions and post back later.

[MMP]

Ok tried Nero DiscSpeed and got a L-EC Uncorrectable Error (031105). Also checked the booktype and it is indeed DVD-ROM. So that's not the problem I guess. PGCEdit is a little technical so if you could explain real quick how to split a cell I would appreciate it thanks!

[pepegot1]

If it's not over 6 gig, try fitting it on a DVD 5 disc. Less problems with DVD 5 and better reliability too. Quality is not as good, but you probably would not notice it. Try it and see how it is.

[MOVIEGEEK]

Here's a guide how to set the layer break:
http://www.digital-digest.com/~blutach/dl_burn_guide2/dl_burning_with_pgcedit_v2.htm

This may also help:
http://forum.imgburn.com/index.php?showtopic=6376

[MMP]

Thanks for the link for the help about the layer break, it was very helpful. We follwed the steps to set the break, burned the disk, and everything seemed to work without any problems, except for the fact when it was finished and was verifying the disc it said "Medium not found" on the bottom. We played the DVD on a regular DVD player and we got to the layer break (we knew where it was because of the preview option in PGCEdit) and it played perfectly. But after a couple more scenes of goodness, the picture started to get extremly choppy and then eventually froze. All of the scenes toward the end of the movie were like this except the last 2 which we found to be weird because they played perfectly. We are willing to buy Verbatim discs if this seems to be the problem, but we are unsure what the problem is and any input would be greatly appreciated.

[MOVIEGEEK]

It definately sounds like bad media,use Verbatim and burn at 4x.

[MMP]

Ok, used Verbatim DL DVD+R at 2.4x and it got to the end. Unfortunately, at the final moments it came up with the error:

Finalise Disc Failed!

Device[4:0:0] LITE-ON DVDRW SOHW-1633S BGS4 (I (ATA)

Reason: Session Fixation Error Writing Lead Out

I've read about updating drivers and updating blah and blah and blah, but what should be the first thing we should try? Could it possibly be a one time thing or will it happen every time?

[MOVIEGEEK]

Update the firmware here:
http://codeguys.rpc1.org/firmwares.html
Just click on the .EXE file and it will update.

You might download DVDShrink and use it to open up the DVD files on your HDD,if there are any authoring errors it will tell you and you can preview the DVD at the trouble spots.If there are no errors and the firmware update doesn't help then my guess is you need a new burner.
Pepegot1's idea about using a SL isn't bad,Lite-On's aren't the best for burning DL.

[MMP]

So, let me get this right as firmware is a risky business. I should download the "BSOY - stock" under Lite-On SOHW-1633S? Or should I get the patched one?

[jman98]

I just want to point out that some DVD players, usually older ones, simply will not play consumer burnable DL discs, period. You can use Verbatim and burn correctly with ImgBurn and they will just stop at the layer break with nothing you can do about it. I have seen this happen. Based on the other posts it does appear to be a burning issue, but until MMP can verify that his DVD player actually will play DL discs, we can't completely rule this out.

Updating firmware is usually OK, but you could always be the one a million guy for whom it just doesn't work and instead toasts your system. However with reasonable care it should not be risky. You typically don't need patched firmware unless there is a very specific reason you think you need the patch. If you don't know which you need, just get the standard one. It's less likely to screw up.

[MMP]

Ok, updated the firmware but I got the same error about not being able to finalize the disc. I'm going to transfer the DVD folder to my labtop and see if it will be able to burn it.

[tomlee59]

It sounds as if your burner is indeed the main problem. If the thing is a bit marginal, errors will be most noticeable when trying to read/write tracks near the outer edge. You'll get skips, halts, macroblocks, chirps, etc. before it stops working altogether. The inability to finalize is consistent with this problem.

Reducing speed sometimes helps enough to get this to work, but if your drive has poor mechanicals, then there's only so much improvement possible.

You're smart to try a different burner. If that laptop (not labtop, unless that computer sits on your lab ) has a better burner, my guess is that you'll have a successful burn.

Good luck!

[MMP]

Haha, yes, well my laPtop burned it successfully, first try. Thanks all for the help. It was kinda a pain transferring the 7 or so 1GB VOB files on my flash drive to my laptop but it was all worth it. My friends and I watched the movie yesterday and it was great. Thanks again!

[tomlee59]

Glad to hear that you finally succeeded -- congratulations! Now toss out that balky Lite-On and replace it with a modern bad-boy burner!