Reducing DVD coasters.

[pharries]

A large number of the DVDs I produce play great on my PC using WinDVD but will not play on either of my 2 DVD players (pioneer and Apex).
Generally I save the DVD folders to the hard disk before burning to a DVD. Are there any programs that will check the integrity of the folders to ensure DVD compliance to set top standards before I burn a coaster and more importantly tell me what is wrong if there is a problem.
Thanks

[Bob W]

What are the DVD players make and model numbers?
What program did you use to make the DVD's?

[pharries]

APEX AD-1500
Pioneer DV-525

I have had the same problem with the 3 programs below
DVDit
Spruce Up (the best of them generally)
DVDlab I am excited about this!

I have made enough coasters to open a coffee shop!

[Bob W]

Ok well looking at your players they should play all DVD media formats so that's not the problem. I assume you are putting all the DVD files into a VIDEO_TS folder then burning that folder. Also I assume you have tried different brand media.

I'm not familiar at all with the programs you're using except for DVDLab so I will let others comment on that issue. The only program I use these days for authoring is NeoDVD Plus mostly because I know it works every time. It's not one of those industrial grade programs but for the price it's good enough for what I want to do. http://www.mediostream.com/products/neodvdplus/index.html

DVDLab looks to be a good program but the demo or beta I have doesn't seem to be able to work with VOB files however I understand the final version will and that will be a real plus for those wanting a good low cost authoring program IMO.

[racer-x]

It could also be the media. Did you try your costers on somebody elses players? There's so many variables that effect compatability. When ever I try something new I always burn to a rewritable first. You have to find the software that burns corectly on the media that will play on the dvd players you have.

[pharries]

same problem with memorex and princo media

The files are in the correct folders and as I stated they do play on the PC ok

[txpharoah]

DVDit! would have rejected non-compliant files, so look at it being cheap media.

[RoopeT]

Have you tried creating a DVD image with Spruce Up and then burning the image with DVDDecrypter? Making an image first is supposed to make the DVD more compatible.

[pharries]

1)Burning from an ISO using SpruceUp has given me fewest coasters.
2)I never thought of memorex as being cheap media, what is the best compatability media for DVD-rw?
3) I think the problem is in the menu structure. I find that I I make changes as I construct the menus it is far less likely to result in a working DVD.

[sassafras]

I had some problems burning the files with copytoDVD. So my fail-proof method is to use infoedit to create an image (.img) and then burn it with dvd decrypter. So, far I haven't had any coasters and all the ones I created play on my toshiba dvd.

[pharries]

I can find no linnks to the infoedit software you mentioned on this web site. I could not find it on Doom either. A link too a site would be appreciated. This is NOT a request for Warez.

[Doggiedaddy]

Sassafras
More than likely means IfoEdit RE: .ifo file/edit?? May be why you did not find a link??

http://mpucoder.kewlhair.com/Derrow/

[tjtoed]

When you burn your DVDs, are you only burning a VIDEO_TS folder to the DVD?
If so, this might be your problem. I would suggest creating an image file, and then burning that out as this will create a VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS file and should make the DVD more playable on standalone players.

[Bob W]

When you burn your DVDs, are you only burning a VIDEO_TS folder to the DVD?
If so, this might be your problem. I would suggest creating an image file, and then burning that out as this will create a VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS file and should make the DVD more playable on standalone players.

In the 300 or so DVd's I have none of them have an AUDIO_TS folder. Also I have seen many original DVD's that don't have that folder. Still give it a try.

[tjtoed]

I am not saying this is the case, but I thought I read that somewhere about the AUDIO_TS and VIDEO_TS folders. This could have been for the writers though and not tha players...

It might not fix this problem, but it might be worth a shot.

Also when you create an Image file and then burn that out is has both folders on it.

[Evil Twin]

Could be the media.
I just went through a bit where I was about to pull out the hair on my head cause I couldn't figure out what was wrong.
I tried different encoding and burning programs/methods but still had a poor return rate. About one good disc out of four !! That is the worst that I have ever encountered!
I was using Princo discs.
I switched to Ritek and have about 20 done now, (same movies, same methods that I had tried before) and not one of them have gone bad on me yet. (Still keep my fingers crossed though!! -- now of course just because I praised Ritek discs, they will go bad on me !! )

Hope this helps, at least it is yet another thing to consider.

[Doggiedaddy]

I have seen studies estimating [and these numbers can be argued] that somewhere between 1% to 2% of all DVD players ever sold need an AUDIO_TS folder. If you have one of these it is very important, if you do not like pretty coasters.

Dd

[Faustus]

I author with DVd Maestro then run that through Ifoedit to Get VTS sectors on the ifos. (strangely sometimes it finds and fixes problems) Last I burn with the latest Nero. Zero problems with my apex doing that.