Saving MPGs As Data On A DVD-RW... Problems After 2 GB

[Richard Challen]

Hey all,
I posted a problem on here a week back. I was attempting to save DVD-compatible MPEG2 files on a DVD-RW so I could remove them from my HD for now, but later put them back on to reauthor or edit as needed for future projects. I'm using Nero 6.0 with the setting DVD-ROM (ISO), then just dragging and dropping MPEG2 files as normal.
My problem was certain files were "corrupted" after being burned to DVD-RW... either they would hang midway through or not play at all. Most of the suggestions I got centered around using different media, but Maxell, Memorex, and Imation all do the same thing.
Now I may have narrowed down the problem: I burned a DVD-RW just now, using the DVD-ROM (ISO) option on Nero. A total of 8 MPEG2 files at around 4 GB total. The first three were roughly 750MB each, then two 400MB files, then 1000MB, then two short ones (40 and 35 MB). When I go back to check, the first two files play fine. The third plays about 3/4 of the way through and hangs. By my rough estimate, this is right around 2 GB on the DVD-RW. The remaining files (which consume the last 2 GB) won't play at all and can't be accessed in Windows Explorer.
[BTW this is consistent with another DVD-RW I tried to make, as it was also unable to read anything after 2.0 GB, even though the total data on the disc was only 2.3 GB.]
SO... I believe Nero is only allowing me to burn 2 GB of a 4.7GB DVD-RW without problems. After that cutoff point, no more data is usable (even though Nero never gives me an error message). Any ideas? I can "verify" the data using Nero and, again, no error. All the MPEGs play perfectly from my HD, so I know they're not corrupted already.
My settings are below, PLEASE let me know if I'm doing something incorrectly.

INFO
user data to be written: 4080 MB
file system overheadL 342 KB (1 MB)
files/folders: 8 files

MULTISESSION
no multisession

ISO
file name length: max of 11 = 8 + 3 chars
character set: ISO 9660 (standard)
"Joliet" is checked.

MISC
cache files from disk and network
cache files smaller than 64 KB


Thanks,
Rich
rchallen@discjocks.com

[RabidDog]

what OS are you using? what file system fat32 fat 16 or ntfs ..If Xp.. is it patched with sp1 sp2 ??
Have you tried creating an disc image and burning with other software (trial versions even) ..
write/email ahead evn tho they are german they reply quite quickly

(even if their software refuses to acknowledge that 99min CDr exist)... personal gripe

[Richard Challen]

what OS are you using? what file system fat32 fat 16 or ntfs ..If Xp.. is it patched with sp1 sp2 ??
Have you tried creating an disc image and burning with other software (trial versions even) ..
write/email ahead evn tho they are german they reply quite quickly

(even if their software refuses to acknowledge that 99min CDr exist)... personal gripe

I'm using Windows2000. Unsure about the file system... How would I check?
I've created a disc image for a DVD before, and that's fine. Not sure how I would do this with MPEG files already on my HD though. The problem isn't creating a DVD, as that's no problem... but saving the original files *before* they become rendered into VOB files and such.

--Rich

[jimmalenko]

Are you using the same DVD-RW disc each time ?

The disc itself could be damaged.

[Richard Challen]

Are you using the same DVD-RW disc each time ?

The disc itself could be damaged.

No, I've used multiple DVD-RWs. Mostly Memorex, also Maxell and Imation. I've also used ordinary DVD-Rs.

--Rich

[RabidDog]

Hmm if you dont know the filesystem you are using the default (NTFS). These files are burnt as Data files on a DATA disc to be read and used only on computer?? or does your dvd player play "raw" mpegs fromn disc.. WHAT BURner what firmware.. what does work ? fully authored DVD? data discs? is INCD running? does the dvd burner run HOT, is it above a Hard drive in your case.. send me your DVD burner and I willl test it for you.

r Defrag your hard drive, reboot then burn with a cold compute

[Richard Challen]

The disc does not automatically "play" when I put it in my DVD burner drive. I have to manually access the files and play them through Windows Media Player, for example.
Fully authored discs work fine. Normal data discs that DON'T contain MPEGs work fine too.
It's an NEC DVD-RW drive, ND 1300-A. Microsoft driver 5.0. Internal drive.

Is there an alternate to Nero for burning data? I suspect it's a problem with the way I'm using that program. Pretty sure it's not my drive's fault.

--Rich

[bugster]

I'm using Nero 6.0 with the setting DVD-ROM (ISO),

I may well be wrong on this, but I think DVD-ROM (ISO) generates a UDF/ISO file system which has a 2Gb file size limit.

Are your problems with large (>2Gb) files or are you storing several smaller files.?

[Richard Challen]

I'm using Nero 6.0 with the setting DVD-ROM (ISO),

I may well be wrong on this, but I think DVD-ROM (ISO) generates a UDF/ISO file system which has a 2Gb file size limit.

Are your problems with large (>2Gb) files or are you storing several smaller files.?

Both. Storing a large (>2GB) file is impossible, as it will not play or copy completely through afterwards, it "hangs" around the 2GB limit.
I've gotten around the problem by slicing up my large files into smaller files under 2GB. I have to be sure not to exceed that total limit on the disc (actually it's around 1950MB I think, not even 2 whole GB!), as even the smallest files will hang and/or not play past the 2GB cutoff.
Now that I *know* the exact nature of the problem, I can avoid it fairly easily, though it seems a waste to use less than 1/2 of a 4.7GB DVD-RW each time. Small price to pay though, compared to returning to your data discs from months ago only to discover you can't use half of the video files that are on 'em!!

--Rich

[ulapines]

Give this a try it's unlimited for 15 days
http://www.vso-software.fr/download.htm

[junkmalle]

I use Nero all the time to make (same procedure as you described) ISO disks full of MPG and AVI files. Most of my disks have about 4 GB on them. I'm currently using version 6.3.1.6 but have used earlier releases in the past.

It's been a long time since I've used Windows 2000 but I think you can check which file system you are using as follows: Open My Computer, right click on a drive and select Properties. The drive properties dialog should (?) show the file system.

In case you are using two drives, say a C: drive with FAT32 and a D: drive with NTFS, make sure that Nero is configured to use the NTFS drive as the "cache" drive. It first builds an image of the the DVD (one big file) then burns that image to disk. If that image is over 2GB and on a FAT32 partition you could have problems.

[Richard Challen]

I use Nero all the time to make (same procedure as you described) ISO disks full of MPG and AVI files. Most of my disks have about 4 GB on them. I'm currently using version 6.3.1.6 but have used earlier releases in the past.

It's been a long time since I've used Windows 2000 but I think you can check which file system you are using as follows: Open My Computer, right click on a drive and select Properties. The drive properties dialog should (?) show the file system.

In case you are using two drives, say a C: drive with FAT32 and a D: drive with NTFS, make sure that Nero is configured to use the NTFS drive as the "cache" drive. It first builds an image of the the DVD (one big file) then burns that image to disk. If that image is over 2GB and on a FAT32 partition you could have problems.

All my drives are NTFS drives... conflict??...

--Rich

[ferreter]

Have you tried burning at a slower speed?

[junkmalle]

All my drives are NTFS drives...

Well, that rules out a FAT32 problem! Some other things:

Have you tried updating Nero? It's always possible that release had problems.

Different DVD writing programs can conflict with each other. For instance, some versions of Easy CD Creator and Nero have conflicts.

You can try updating the DVD drivers via Device Manager. Or removing and reinstalling them.

[junkmalle]

Someone mentioned this free DVD burning software:

http://www.cdburnerxp.se/

I don't know anything about it though...

[RabidDog]

My thoughts were around the 2gb file limit. Def try other software for burning. MAybe install Xp?? that has native burning in it (with your data on it). Maybe create a 4.2gb partition then use a backup program to burn that part to disc. Do try the best media.. also re-install nero just so all the defaults are reset to standard. Nec 1300 is a good drive AFAIK.