DVD Burning results in black screens

[tonyassist]

After successfully converting a number of videos to DVD's using Interactive WinDVD Creator 2 I now have a problem where some of the clips/segments go black on the final DVD. I am using WinXP with 1028MB RAM and a separate 120GB harddrive for my videos. I have tried everything I know to correct: disc cleanup, defrag, deleting almost all uneeded data on the drive, close all virus programs, increase virtual memory, reinstall software and nothing seems to correct the problem. Problem is usually toward end of the burn.
Appreciate any help and ideas[/list]

[redwudz]

I would try different media first, then maybe a different program to create and burn the DVDs. Some programs give you an error log that may help isolate what went wrong. That doesn't sound like a computer problem.

Last would be a problem with the burner.

You could also load the DVD and see what's on it. Are the VOBs blank or is there something burned there?

Look at the disc surface also, you may be able to see areas that have problems related to a bad burn.

[tonyassist]

I would try different media first, then maybe a different program to create and burn the DVDs. Some programs give you an error log that may help isolate what went wrong. That doesn't sound like a computer problem.

Last would be a problem with the burner.

You could also load the DVD and see what's on it. Are the VOBs blank or is there something burned there?

Look at the disc surface also, you may be able to see areas that have problems related to a bad burn.

Thanks for the input. I've tried different media and burned them a number of times with no help. No error log that I can see. What is a VOB? I've played the disks I've burned and error is always toward the end (of an hour and forty minute burn) and not always in exact same spot although in close proximity which would lead me to believe it is not the burner

[redwudz]

VOBs are the parts of a DVD disc structure that contain the video. The long explanation: https://www.videohelp.com/glossary?V#VOB

But I would just look to the upper left for 'WHAT IS' DVD and see the DVD specifications and structure as it's a little easier reading than the GLOSSARY definition. VOBS can be played from a DVD directly with a player like VLC or others. And have you previewed the DVD before you actually burned it, or does that software not give you a temporary copy before burning?

I suspect your 'hour and forty minute burn' is mostly encoding and maybe 15-20 minutes or less of burning. If it actually took that long to burn, you have a problem. If your disc problems are toward the very end of the video, then media is suspect. That is near the outer edge of the disc and where most media problems happen. But if they are further in, I would suspect your software.

Have you tried using a program like DVD Shrink to back up one of your own DVDs as a test of your burner and media? You can use Nero for the final burn and it does generate a error log. If it's successful, then your encoding or authoring software may be doing something it shouldn't to the file.