Stuttering DVD-R Playback on Set Top, No Playback on PC

[kionel]

Hey everyone --

Okay, I'm stumped.

I'm in the process of burning out my latest movie project to DVD. In
the past I've burned out my projects as VCDs, but now that I have a
fancy DVR-104, I thought I should make the leap into burning a DVD-R
for everyone who worked on the project. Of course, since the road to
hell is paved with such good intentions, I think it goes without
saying that I'm currently getting my ass burned trying to make this
happpen.

Here are the specifics:

PC:

VPR-Matrix 240R
(DVR-104 DVD-RW Drive)

Software:

Ulead Movie Factory 2 (full version)
Uleade DVD Workshop (30 Day Trial)
Nero 5.9.9 (Full version)

Film Project:

16:9 Movie, edited in Premiere 6.5, output as .avi files. converted
to MPEG2 by both Ulead Movie Factory 2 and DVD Workshop.

Here are the symptons: DVD's that I've created will actually be
recognized in my Apex set-top player, but the menu is pixelated and
garbled, and the sound stutters. Playback of the actual chapters
stutters and spits, pixelates, and is completely unwatchable.

When I attempt to play back the DVD on the PC that burned the disk, I
get either a "Do not have the proper CODEC" message from the ATI DVD
player (version 8.5), or "This disc appears to be damaged) from
PowerDVD.

In order to troubleshoot I created the DVD image on the hard drive.
Playback works perfectly with PowerDVD, so the image should work. The
problem comes when attempting to watch the DVD from the actual media.

I initially used all defaults, but have attempted various iterations,
to include lowering the bitrate to as low as 1775, lowering the
bitrate on the audio (it defaulted at 256, IIRC -- at work now), and
trying both MPEG2 and LPCM (? forget this option) for the audio. So
far, nothing has worked.

I called my manufacturer today and was told "Since the drive burns VCDs it's working, so we can't help you." I then spoke to another enthusiast and was told to ensure that I had NO anti-virus software running at the time of render. (I didn't.) In short, this makes no sense, and I need help.

Any input would be helpful. If the DVD-RW wasn't burning at all I'd
suspect a hardware problem. As it is, it writes other data just fine,
and even erase my DVD-RWs without a hitch during testing. I've even
burned a VCD of the project and watched it to help ensure the drive's
operation. In short, I'm stumped.

Thanks in advance for all of your help!

Tony Bruno

http://www.stonesoupfilms.com/
nadalsomfar@yahoo.com

[rvl123]

This is definitely a DVD media issue.

Which media are you using?

There are some TDK DVD-Rs on sale at Target (US$30 for 20 pcs.) which is the best deal to quality ratio out there.

If you need further assistance, look up media in the left sidebar under "DVD Media."

Tell us how it turns out!

[kionel]

Thanks for the response.

I've actually tried two different kinds of media (Fuji for sure, can't recall the other) and have had ZERO luck.

I've ensured that the drive can burn VCDs, SVCDs, and can read and write DVD-RW files.

I've turned off anti-virus software while burning, as well as any screensavers or power management.

After the burn the disc can't be read in the computer's DVD-RW or DVD-ROM drive as a DVD. The files are visble, but don't get called up properly.

Will media make THAT much of a difference?

Thanks!

Tony

[rvl123]

I dont think your drive is faulty...

Maybe you are not making discs that are full compliant...

Try this:

1. Download and install the newest ASPI layer(http://www.adaptec.com/worldwide/support/driverdetail.html?filekey=aspi32.exe)

2. Download and install CopyToDVD(http://www.vso-software.fr/download.htm)

3. Make ULead output files rather than do a direct burn.

4. Select "Burn DVD Video" option when you open CopyToDVD

5. Burn the files and try it out.

I've had a lot of compatability issues with Nero so I just gave up. Also, try using PowerDVD instead of ATI DVD player.

Hope this is helpful

[disturbed1]

DVD-RW

Don't use DVD-RW, your player has a problem with the DVD-RW, try a write once disc.

Media makes every bit of difference. But so does your set up, and authoring method.

This is evident by the media reports, for every person that says Princo media works fine, 3 or 4 say it doesn't. For every one person that says Ritek isn't that good, 4-5 say it is.

Your method doesn't show any errors, so it would lead to media. The first key is the fact your using RW media, and it isn't read in your drive. This indicates a bad disc/burn.

I've had Memerox RW's go belly up as soon as I open the package. Optodisc RW, and Ritek RW seem to work best for me.

To rule out your disc, start with a full format. Then make sure your closing the disc, no mulitsession. After that, if it's still unreadable, put it in the trash, and try another brand.

Make sure you have the latest firmware for your 104 also.

[kionel]

Thanks for all of the replies

Downloaded and installed the ASPI drivers for XP. Also installed CopytoDVD. Tried two burns. No luck so far.

Worried about installing the firmware updates to the 104, as I understand those can really munge up the drives.

COMPLETELY flabbergasted here.

Tony

[Nelson37]

OK, problem is somewhat isolated but not completely.

Can you burn a large MPEG file to the DVD, and then attempt to play that on the PC? No authoring, but the same size file. If PC plays this, then something is wrong with the authoring setup, or media is incompatible with your DVD.

Your computer should play almost anything. If PC fails on more than one brand of media, with a plain, non-authored large file, then the burner is almost certainly defective. You should also try another burning prog. This should be good enough for an RMA from tech support.

Are you playing these back on the burner or do you have a seperate DVD-ROM? Try both.

[kionel]

Well, I think I have a bum drive.

I just verified that, even copying an MPEG file from the HD to a DVD-RW causes the copy to fail. In short, my DVD-RW is nothing more than an expensive CD-RW.

Unfortunately, I also just got off the phone with VPR Matrix support and was told that, since the drive DOES burn data, it's not considered defective. I am NONE to happy.

Thanks for everyone's support. I'm off to sulk.

Tony

[rvl123]

Hmm...Strange

VPR Matrixes support sucks that much?

Try contacting Pioneer support and see what they say.

Also, try upgrading the firmware for the hell of it, not like you have anything to lose.

[Nelson37]

Emphasize to Tech Support that you ARE burning data, a large MPG is just that, data. If it will not play on a PC that can play the original file of the HD, the burner is mangling the DATA file.

There is the off chance that it is a playback issue. See if you can copy the MPG from the DVD back to the HD and get an invalid file. This will PROVE the DATA file is being corrupted during burn. Also do same test on another PC's DVD drive. Emphasize to Tech Support that this file is NOT being authored, and playback is NOT on a settop DVD. Ask to escalate the call or speak to a supervisor. DEMAND a replacement drive if it fails these tests.