Difference between iso file and contents of Video_TS folder?

[tfrazier]

Hi All,

I use Ulead MovieFactory 2 to Author/convert my home movies. MF@ does not like burning to my DVD writer (sony 500A, USB) and has made many coasters. So now I am just outputting my project to Video_TS folder and "iso" file and plan to burn them with another app.

My question is - what is the difference between an iso file vs the contents of the folders Video_TS and Audio_TS?
I am interested in a finished project that can play in as many different stand alone DVD players as possible. I notice when I burn the iso file to a DVD, it looks great in my DVD player/TV, but did I just create a SVCD or something and not a compliant DVD? My DVD player is new and plays all sorts of formats - but I'd like to make sure my final DVD can be played as a DVD compliant so I can use it on many different DVD players that may not be as new as mine.

Is burning the folders to the root of the DVD a better way than burning the iso file.

Thanks much in advance,
Tim

[BJ_M]

if there is a VIDEO_TS folder .. its not a svcd ...

[bottle-necked]

My question is - what is the difference between an iso file vs the contents of the folders Video_TS and Audio_TS?

An ISO file is an exact replica of a disk in file form. If I were going to email you a movie I'd create an ISO file, use the program WinRAR to 'break up' the file into several smaller pieces, and send you one piece a day. You could use WinRAR to reassemble all the pieces, then burn the ISO file and create an exact copy of my disk. Pretty fool proof idea.

A VIDEO_TS folder, on the other had, is a playable DVD on hdd. If I were to email that to you in the same fashion outlined above, I would have no control over how you burned the disk and if not done properly it might not work. Understand?

The ISO idea is great if you were to have a folder on hdd of all the DVD projects you've ever done (in ISO form). If you ever wanted to created another copy you would just load the ISO and burn. A real no brainer!

As far as quality is concerned... There is no difference. Their still the same files, just in different forms.

Hope this helps ya,
Good luck

[lordsmurf]

ISO is the file system (storage language)

VIDEO_TS is data on the disc. It is also the folder holding DVD data

[tfrazier]

Ahhhhhhhh....I get it, thanks guys!

I used to consider myself pretty bright. Nothing like this DVD project to humble myself

Thanks again!!
Tim