questions about IFO's and BUP's

[penglar]

I am not sure if this is where I ask a question, but here goes: I have been having difficulty (and I can see thousdands of others are as well) trying to successfully burn a DVD. I have used several different software applications (currently using Pinnacle) for the editing process. I am able to do everything up to actually getting it to burn and be READABLE. I am making a lot of coasters, and I am ready to buy a MAC.
Actually, If I can't get the answers soon, I WILL be getting rid of the PC in favor of the IMac. Anyway, I have tried to use different software programs to author and burn as well (Dazzle DVD Complete, Sonic My DVD, Pinnacle, and Nero). All give me error messages of some type. the latest, using Nero, mentions missing video_TS.IFO, or BUP's. Can someone tell me what these are, and what do I need to do with them? Actually, a user-friendly manual expaling about every type of extension/file, etc., and how to use them whould be great. Any suggestions on where to get this type of info? I can provide more details if necessary. Thank you.

[musher70]

WELL IF U REALLY WANT BUY A CRAPPY MAC JUST GO AHEAD
AND DO IT AND STOP TALKING BOUT IT......or just go to best
buy and get a phillips

[ClarkJeff]

Paul/penglar,
What exactly are you trying to do? Is this original material or existing ripped? What are the source file formats? What burner? I'm new at this also, but was successfully able to rip an existing DVD, add menus, and burn without many problems.

[penglar]

Actually, i have spoken to many regarding the mac, and it is a great machine for graphics and multi-media. I know of people that have burned successfully right out of the box! I have had nothing but one headache after another trying to get one software program to accept another...or driver's to all work corrctly. It's just frustrating. I something that will work for what it is designed for. Now, in the meantime, if I can get the PC to work (it could be my HP200i...It could be the Pinnacle...It could be the settings are wrong??? nobody tells you step by step what to do. Anyway, why do you suggest a Phillips?? Who can guarantee that IT will work on my system?? Thanks for the reply, though.

WELL IF U REALLY WANT BUY A CRAPPY MAC JUST GO AHEAD
AND DO IT AND STOP TALKING BOUT IT......or just go to best
buy and get a phillips

[wulf109]

ifo and bup files are what makes a DVD playable,without them it won't play. If you vob files from some authoring program I would suggest you download Ifoedit. Place your vob's in a directory named VIDEO_TS. Make sure the vob's are numbered from vts_01_1.vob,use Ifoedit's create ifo option to make the required ifo and bup files. Use Nero to as a UDF\ISO project. Just drag the VIDEO_TS folder into Nero.
Your authoring software should be creating the proper files for you so I will assume there's some important facts your leaving out of your rather confused explaination of your problem. I suspect that like most people your not reading the help files in your program's.
A Mac is no solution for DVD conversion,just read the posts in these forums.

[leebo]

penglar,

There are many problems with your original post.

First of all, you didn't do a very good job of describing your problem.
Second, you didn't tell us EXACTLY what you are doing and what programs you are using.
Pinnacle makes SEVERAL DVD authoring programs. Are we supposed to guess which one you're using (if I could do that, I'd simply guess the lottery numbers and have someone else burn my DVD's)???

I have used several different software applications (currently using Pinnacle) for the editing process.

Did you mean to say, "the authoring process"?

I am able to do everything up to actually getting it to burn and be READABLE.

Really? Then what is the problem? Did you want to make it so it's NOT READABLE?

using Nero, mentions missing video_TS.IFO, or BUP's.

This leads me to believe that you simply tried to burn mpeg2 files to a DVD disc without authoring. Is that true?

Actually, a user-friendly manual expaling about every type of extension/file, etc., and how to use them whould be great.

Yes, that would be great. Unfortunatly, authoring DVD's isn't user friendly.

The less expensive DVD authoring programs have done a pretty good job of authoring DVd's simple, but you do have to read the manuals and/or help files that come with the programs.

The advantage of getting an Imac would be that the computer will already be configured to work with the hardware and software that comes installed.

BUT YOU WILL STILL NEED TO READ THE MANUAL!!!

To answer one of your questions, IFO files tell the DVD player what to do and how to play back the video and audio files contained on the DVD. These IFO files are created automatically by the DVD authoring program.

BUP files are just backup copies of the IFO files.

My suggestion:

Try AUTHORING with either the latest version of Nero (select "create a DVD with menus") or one of the two Ulead DVD authoring programs.

I have found these to be the easiest.

Sonic's programs are buggy and DVDit is not as simple as the one's I mentioned.

Read the "What is" and "How to" sections of this site (located at the left).

When you go to burn your DVD, have the program create the files in a folder located on the ROOT of your hard drive (deselect burn to disc).
The programs will create a folder called VIDEO_TS which, if located in the root of your HD, will play as though it were a DVD (using a software DVD player).

If you continue to have problems, please post DETAILS i.e. name and version of programs used, how the mpeg files were created, your settings, file sizes, and any other details you can think of.