Burning data-dvd

[btkuehn]

Ok I am new to burning dvds. When I burn a dvd, I just wanna drag my movie files onto the compilation, and hit burn (as a data dvd), and have a burnt dvd that I can put in a dvd player to read the files. Apparently its not that easy. The burn goes fine, but I pop the dvd in both my dvd players and get "disc error". Is it just because I have dvd players that wont read data dvds, or is the way I'm burning the dvd completely wrong?

[aedipuss]

you probably need to read up on the structure of a "dvd". the disc has to have all the video files in a folder called video_ts and they have to be a certain format. if you make compliant mpeg-2 video and then use an authoring program then you will have the correct files to burn.

[filmboss80]

Set-top, standalone DVD players are not PCs, you know. They need a specific DVD structure to read the discs. Do what aedipuss suggested.

[jman98]

Is it just because I have dvd players that wont read data dvds, or is the way I'm burning the dvd completely wrong?

Not enough information. What you have done is something like taking a car to a repair shop and demanding that they fix it but refusing to provide any information on what the problem is.

Yes, it is quite possible that your DVD player won't read data discs. Why did you think that it was good to not include the make and model of your player? It also possible that your burning process is completely wrong, but again, you provided no details. It's possible that your burning process is right and your DVD player will read data discs, but you burned a format that it won't play. It's possible that your player doesn't like the media you used, but again, we have no information other than the vague statements you made that you burned something and it won't play.

[tomlee59]

As jman98 said, you haven't given us enough information to be sure on how best to advise you. But going on what little you wrote, it might be inferred that you believe data DVDs ought to be playable on a standalone player. However, standalone players are only obligated to play DVDs (see "what is DVD" on the upper left). So, if you are just putting movie files on the disc and expecting them to play, the result you got is what is expected. A DVD must be authored properly to be playable on a standalone box.

Some DVD players will play certain movies on un-authored data discs, but that's not a universally adopted standard. Unless you know for a fact that your player supports playback of such non-standard discs, and you have files encoded in the particular format(s) known to be supported by that player, don't expect anything except a "disc error" or "wrong disc" message on the screen.

[btkuehn]

Is it just because I have dvd players that wont read data dvds, or is the way I'm burning the dvd completely wrong?

Not enough information. What you have done is something like taking a car to a repair shop and demanding that they fix it but refusing to provide any information on what the problem is.

Yes, it is quite possible that your DVD player won't read data discs. Why did you think that it was good to not include the make and model of your player? It also possible that your burning process is completely wrong, but again, you provided no details. It's possible that your burning process is right and your DVD player will read data discs, but you burned a format that it won't play. It's possible that your player doesn't like the media you used, but again, we have no information other than the vague statements you made that you burned something and it won't play.

Thanks for the sweet and original repair shop analogy, but yes I understand after that first reply that data dvds dont work like data cds do. So authoring is the solution to this, correct me if I'm wrong. First-timer here btw.

[guns1inger]

Again, it depends. What model DVD players do you have ? Do they have the Divx logo on them ?

Some players don't like folders
Some don't like mixed formats

What software are you burning with ? How do you have it set up ?

[tomlee59]

Thanks for the sweet and original repair shop analogy, but yes I understand after that first reply that data dvds dont work like data cds do. So authoring is the solution to this, correct me if I'm wrong. First-timer here btw.

Well, you're still not quite getting what we are saying, so sorry if I'm a little brusque: Stop asking questions that we can't possibly hope to answer without knowing more. Give us data first!

Ok, let's be mechanical and pedantic about this, because colloquial ain't workin'.

1) What format are your video files in? Divx? MPEG? What kind of MPEG (-1, -2, -4)?
2) What are the specs of those video files? Resolution, frame rate, e.g.
3) How is the audio encoded? MP3? MP2? PCM? AAC? AC3? Bitrate?
4) Are all the video clips encoded in the identical fashion?

Since you did not reference having read "What is DVD?" allow me to excerpt a few things: A compliant DVD can only have certain frame sizes (resolutions), and must be encoded in MPEG-2 or MPEG-1. If your source files are not already in DVD-compliant form, then you will have to perform a conversion first, and then -- and only then -- author. Your audio tracks must also be DVD-compliant (AC3 is compliant, and is the most common; some players will also accept MP2, particularly those made in Europe).

I know you just want to get "the answer" but we can't give you a correct answer unless you stop being so secretive about the problem details.

[btkuehn]

Alright, details. I'm burning with Nero, dvd players are Toshiba sd-2705 and ht-1056a (I realize neither will read data dvd) and I'm using TDK DVD-r discs. Files are divx and avi. Not sure with audio and video specs but should be standard stuff. Anyway I'm encountering a new problem. I'm using Nero and I learned to how to author and encode the files so I can burn them as a dvd correctly, but during the process my machine turns off or Nero just screws up and I get a message like "logitek (insert driver name) something something has encountered a problem and needs to close". Whats the deal with this? I feel like I'm so close.

[hech54]

So your main goal is to convert these AVI (Divx, Xvid) files to DVD format?
If it is....stop using Nero....plain and simple.
I'd give DVDFlick a try LONG before Nero....and DVDFlick is a freebie that I really haven't had much luck with....but what I normally ask it to do it difficult for the best of programs.

[btkuehn]

Ok but I started with dvdflick. And I had some problem using it, I think the computer shut down or something. So I started using Nero Vision in place of it, and that failed too. Btw my main goal is to be able to burn dvds of compilations of different videos, episodes and stuff. But my question is why is it bailing halfway through the process, and how to I put that to a stop?

[filmboss80]

Neither your Toshiba nor Digix DVD players will play Divx avi files. They must be converted to DVD-compliant, MPEG-2 based VOB files inside a VIDEO_TS folder prior to burning. (Again, read What Is DVD. By your responses, you still don't appear to fully grasp what we are all trying to tell you.) Hech54 mentioned DVDFlick, but in your case, you may be better off using ConvertXtoDVD. Author your completed DVD-compliant files to your harddrive before burning to disc. For DVD burning, Nero sucks and ImgBurn (freeware) rules. I'm not so sure about TDK media. You may want to go with Verbatims.

[Nelson37]

Try putting in the complete text of the error message, that might be helpful.

But then answering questions doesn't seem to be your thing.

You have a significant problem with your hardware, and it will not be solved by magic or wishful thinking. I would suggest you call a pro, as I would give extremely low odds that you will be able to answer simple questions or follow step-by-step instructions to solve it.

[btkuehn]

Ok, so what I have done is so: Took Nero Vision (and previously dvdflick) and opened my 700mb movie. Read through a tutorial, and adjusted it so it would burn as a nice dvd with all those VOB files for the Video TS folder. But, as it authors the video, it gives me the error thing. And I dont know exactly what it said, Ill post it after my next attempt.

[filmboss80]

Hech54 said: "Stop using Nero."
I was a bit more blunt in my second post. I said: "Nero sucks."
We both speak from experience, not opinion.
As long as you are using Nero, you can expect to go around and around in a circle with the same issues.

Honestly, we're really trying to help you.

[btkuehn]

Ok, just attempted with dvdflick. After 5 minutes of encoding, it said "ffmpeg.exe has stopped working" and just says there was a problem and its closing. What do I do!

[filmboss80]

Repeating what I suggested in an earlier post:

https://www.videohelp.com/tools/ConvertXtoDVD

[Nelson37]

Checked your profile, noticed ZERO information about your PC, also that you are a musician, from California, no less.

To continue the car analogy, there has been a large amount of smoke coming from under the hood on more than one occassion. Stop putting air in the tires and find out what is wrong with the PC.

Logitech drivers don't usually have errors, programs don't generally reboot the PC, nor do they simply stop working and error out for no reason.

You have a significant hardware or software problem. It is quite possible that the PC may be severely damaged by continuing to use it without addressing the error.

Solving the issue would require you to write down error messages EXACTLY, include error code numbers, click on More Information buttons, check temperatures, provide PC specifications, run anti-virus and informational programs, and in general follow some simple instructions. You need some professional help.

[tomlee59]

If, as seems likely, you have a problem with your computer, you should check the normal things. Run a disk check (such as Scandisk; you didn't specify what OS your computer is running, so you're on your own). How much HD free space is there? If you have too little free space (it has to be enough to hold the sum total of all the intermediate temp files that might be created, as well as the final file), all manner of badness can occur. This problem gets worse if you have insufficient ram (e.g., less than 512MB on XP, less than 1GB on Vista). If you think you have plenty of RAM and plenty of free space on your hard disk, then you should run some diagnostics on the drive and PC. You may find the true source of your trouble then.

And yes, Nero doth sucketh. To use it is to invite frustration. And it always seems "so close" to working. Don't be fooled!

[hech54]

Btw my main goal is to be able to burn dvds of compilations of different videos, episodes and stuff. But my question is why is it bailing halfway through the process, and how to I put that to a stop?

Start by converting just ONE Avi, Dixv, Xvid file to DVD first....see if you can get at least one under your belt. You don't even need to burn it to DVD and waste a disc....you can watch the finished product on your computer without even burning the DVD.

One 700MB Avi, Dixv, Xvid file....after conversion....is most likely ALL you can fit to DVD Video anyway. Don't be fooled by the size you have to start....it means nothing.

[btkuehn]

Checked your profile, noticed ZERO information about your PC, also that you are a musician, from California, no less.

To continue the car analogy, there has been a large amount of smoke coming from under the hood on more than one occassion. Stop putting air in the tires and find out what is wrong with the PC.

Logitech drivers don't usually have errors, programs don't generally reboot the PC, nor do they simply stop working and error out for no reason.

You have a significant hardware or software problem. It is quite possible that the PC may be severely damaged by continuing to use it without addressing the error.

Solving the issue would require you to write down error messages EXACTLY, include error code numbers, click on More Information buttons, check temperatures, provide PC specifications, run anti-virus and informational programs, and in general follow some simple instructions. You need some professional help.

Sorry, Nelson, just updated the specs in the profile. I made this account when I was thirteen 5 years ago which I will use to excuse my info on musicianship rather than needed specs haha. Anyway I am new to seeking help online, bear with me as I get the hang of posting all the exact info I need to display. So, I am still stuck with bsod after a few minutes of the process using ANY authoring program. And I am (attempting) authoring ONE 700 mb file. I have 2 gb of ram, should be plenty, and using Vista. By the way I tried convertxtodvd a few times, no success.

[filmboss80]

The update it helpful. Some of the software we've talked about is not Vista-friendly. Since I don't have Vista (too many horror stories to keep me from abandoning XP), I cannot help you there. You may want to search this forum further about issues people are having with Vista, and see if your troubles are similar.

[aedipuss]

is it a problem that happens with all source avi, or is it just one that won't convert? if just one, it's quite possibly a badly encoded video. if it's all then you may have a hardware problem, maybe overheating or a bad ram chip.

[btkuehn]

Ive only tried one file, Ill try another one now. But I have noticed when I try to upload a video to youtube it doesnt load at all. I dont know but that could be related, I have updated drivers for my video card though and that didnt help.

[btkuehn]

Ok, I tried authoring 2 11 minute 100 mb avi files with dvdflick, and it went through without crashing and burned the dvd. I just put the dvd in both dvd players and I get "disc error" on both. My dvd players are Toshiba SD-2705 and Digix HT-1056a.

[aedipuss]

it's possible the players don't like your brand of discs. the best quality are verbatim -r or taiyo yuden -r.

does the disc play in the computer with a dvd software player like powerdvd or windvd?

[filmboss80]

In addition to the advice of Aedipuss, I must ask if you are burning discs straight from dvdflick. If dvdflick worked okay without crashing until the burn phase, you've eliminated one part of the problem.

In a previous post, I offered this:

"Author your completed DVD-compliant files to your harddrive before burning to disc. For DVD burning, Nero sucks and ImgBurn (freeware) rules. I'm not so sure about TDK media. You may want to go with Verbatims."

Taiyo Yuden brand is even better than Verbatim IMO, but hard to get at retail stores.

I don't use dvdflick, but I assume it has an option to create a DVD folder on your harddrive, instead of burning directly to disc. You should go the harddrive way first. Afterward, you can select the VIDEO_TS folder from the harddrive and burn a DVD-compliant disc with ImgBurn.

[btkuehn]

Ok I installed imgburn and followed the tutorial "Burning DVD Video files directly to single layer media with ImgBurn" and burned another copy. I'm still getting disc error. Is the blank dvd type the only answer? I'm using TDK -R.

[tomlee59]

TDK has gone downhill. It's pretty crappy media, unfortunately.

Here's how to perform a definitive diagnosis: Using your favorite burning program, create a disc image (an ISO) of the DVD, rather than burning a physical disc. If the image is playable, but not the burned version, then the burning process is where things have gone awry. The burner could be at fault, but more often it's the media. As many folks have said on this thread alone, if you're not using Verbatim or Taiyo Yuden, then you are materially reducing your chances of success.

To get better (not necessarily good) results with dodgy media, you can try burning at below maximum speed. So, if the disc is allegedly rated at 16x, try burning at 8x instead. But the true solution is to get good media, and burn it with a good burner.

And since you sound like a bit of a newbie (that's not meant as a deprecation, simply an observation), allow me to remind you that fingerprints, dust and scratches of any kind are an absolute no-no for burning (reading is a much more tolerant operation than burning). Only handle the disc blank by the edges, don't set the disc down on anything on the way to the burner. Go straight from cakebox to drive. Failure to observe these fussy rules all but guarantees craptacular results, even with great media.

[guns1inger]

1. Can you play the DVD files back from your PC ? Do not load the VOBs, but use MPC and open the IFO files. If they don't play back you still have an authoring problem

2. Can you play the burned discs back in your PC using MPC (File->Open DVD Disc) ?

3. Are these PAL or NTSC ? If PAL, can your players play PAL ? Not all players give helpful messages when they refuse to play a disc