miniDVD on a standard CD writer?

[robert.berghammer]

Is it possible to write a miniDVD on a standard CD writer.
I have the required DVD files but how do I get them on a standard CD-R in DVD format (miniDVD).

Or do I need a DVD writer to do this ?

thanks,


Robert

[Thorn]

Burning a mini-dvd is easy, and by definition it uses CD (or CDR). Of course you can only fit 800MB on it. The big problem is that with a few exceptions only your computer will play it back, since it's not an officially supported option for settop dvd players. Check links to the left for info on mini-dvd and what players will support it.

If you were asking: dvd material has to be 'authored' to create a DVD image to burn (in the form of audio_ts and video_ts folders with the data). It's an entirely different game than VCD 'authoring'.

[gll99]

mini DVD play on my Apex 600ad and 700 ad stanalone players.

[wulf109]

Nero will burn miniDVD as a UDF/ISO file. You limited to 700MB however because it's a mode 1 burn. Ifoedit will create the necessary ifo files for your vob file. It will play on a computer,you don't even need a DVD drive,miniDVD wil play on standard CDrom. The only standalone players that reliably play miniDVD are Sampo.

[craz]

The only standalone players that reliably play miniDVD are Sampo.

You can add Mintek DV1600 $56 at Best Buy. No hacks yet for regions and Macro but it won't be long.

[gll99]

Correction to what I said earlier:

I said that my Apex 600ad and 700ad both play them but...

My Apex 700AD opens the root dir and then will play them but not directly.
I have to select the video file in the root.

The 600AD is a trade since my other Apex player ( I don't remember the model) broke and they had none in stock and they gave me the Apex 600ad as warranty exchange. The old one played them great but I never tested the 600AD until today when I pulled out my old test CDRW minidvd and it did not play on the 600AD.

I forgot that I had traded my original player. I wish I could remember the model.

[bpjenn]

Get Ulead DVD MovieFactory to author and write your MPEG2s to miniDVD using your CD-R/RW drive. It's a simple and cheap software that will do the job! I bought mine on eBay for $15.

[omega_weapon]

I dont see the point of burning a mini dvd if it doesnt play in most dvd players. better make a vcd or svcd with high bitrate.

[vitualis]

My Apex 700AD opens the root dir and then will play them but not directly.
I have to select the video file in the root.

This isn't (I'm sure you've realised) miniDVD playback. This is "video file on a data disc" playback.

I was pretty sure that then 600AD didn't play miniDVDs either.

A player is only considered to be able to play a miniDVD if it can play it as if it were a DVD (i.e., menus, selections, multi-angle/seamless branching, subs, etc.).

Regards.

[craz]

My Apex 700AD opens the root dir and then will play them but not directly.
I have to select the video file in the root.

This isn't (I'm sure you've realised) miniDVD playback. This is "video file on a data disc" playback.

I was pretty sure that then 600AD didn't play miniDVDs either.

A player is only considered to be able to play a miniDVD if it can play it as if it were a DVD (i.e., menus, selections, multi-angle/seamless branching, subs, etc.).

Regards.

gl99 has the option to install Sampo 631cf modified for the Apex AD600 or the AD700 with full functionality and he be able to play true MiniDVD, 26 char Mp3 files add a hard drive and many other goodies.
Visit the OneFirmwareForAll Yahoo group to obtain the mod firmware.

[vitualis]

Cool tip.

However, I don't consider installing a hacked firmware into a player as meaning that player supports miniDVD...

I only consider that a player supports miniDVD if it can play them out of the box, or after an official firmware upgrade.

Regards.

[gll99]

craz:

Appreciate the info.
I already updated the firmware of the 700ad after I got it almost 2 years ago and it turned on some options but not that one.
The 600ad it seems comes in a couple of versions. Unfortunately there seems to be no way to upgrade mine. There are hidden menu options for some 600ad players but they don't work with mine.

The busted one that I traded for the 600ad did play them properly but I don't remember the model number and it is possible that I had upgraded the firmware too.

I'll see if a more recent patch for the 700ad would improve the player.

Thanks for the post.


(reserved for great tips)