VIDEO_TS Player

[jahill17]

Whats the best video player that will play the VIDEO_TS format as well as other formats? Basicaly I want to watch the finalized version right before I burn it, so Im not waisting DVDRs.
Thanks-

[guns1inger]

MPC (Media Player Classic), although if you got a free copy of PowerDVD or WinDVD, I would use these to test instead. Many drives come with a copy of these programs.

[daamon]

Buy a re-writeable DVD.

That way you can not only test the arrangement of the material on the DVD, but also how it looks and sounds on your TV as opposed to your PC monitor - as they can display colours differently.

[redwudz]

I use VLC and just select the VIDEO_TS folder under 'Open Directory'. VLC has the advantage of using it's own codecs and plays about anything you can throw at it. It's also freeware.

[TBoneit]

As was said Power DVD or WinDVD both allowing opening a DVD on a Hard Drive.

OTOH playing it on the computer does not guarantee that it will play in a DVD player.

[jahill17]

But it does let me know that the subtitles are working and lined up correctly...
Thanks-

[guns1inger]

I wouldn't use VLC, simply because while it is a great video player, it isn't a DVD player. Media Player Classic, is slightly better, but still struggles with some menu structures. PowerDVD or WinDVD are even better again, as they come closer to a hardware player for testing features.

If you are intesting to test your authoring, always load the files as a DVD, not just open a VOB. And never use the mouse for navigation of menus, as it doesn't show you any linking or order problems.