Anyway to test DVD folders before burning?

[jfharper]

I'm using DVDDecripter, VOBBlanker, and PgcEdit for splitting a DVD-9 to two DVD-Rs. I'd like to be able to test my two disc's folders before I burn so I can fix anything I did wrong with the VobBlanker or PgcEdit...anyone know how to test a DVD folder before burning...I want to test the entire folder, just like the stand alone player would read it, before burning...thanks.
JH

[waheed]

Just use a software pplayer like PowerDVD. Choose the "Open DVD from hard drive" option.

[MysticE]

Or Nero Showtime, 'Play from folder'.

[jimmalenko]

Or IFOEdit's inbuilt player.

[SaSi]

All the above are correct, however you need to play the entire DVD before you assume it is ok.

Even better will be to burn to a DVDRW and try that on your player.

I have seen cases where the disk plays ok with s/w players because they tolerate minor errors in the DVD structure, but not on a standalone.

[dipstick]

MPC.

Just drag the folder in and it plays it. It will also play an ISO file the same way.

[DereX888]

Sasi is right.
Best and only 100% sure way to make sure your authoring is good - is to burn it and test it (DVD-RW is my format of choice as well).

If by mistake you'll make your discs at higher than standard-allowed bitrate, none of the software players will warn you, while almost all standalone dvd players will crap out when encountering above-standard bitrates.
Not long ago I encoded by mistake video only 0.5Mbps too high (total mplexed stream bitrate) and guess what - all standalones were freezing every time when bitrate got too high, while on a PC it all looked and played pretty normal (or so it seemed).

[SaSi]

For the absolute in testing a DVD structure (or both structure and recording result) one can use DVD+RW Video Verifier from Philips. This program can test the VIDEO_TS folder on the hard disk or an actual recorded DVD and report results.

Judging from the 233 page manual and the extent of reported errors, this must be the most comprehensive solution available.

On the minus side, the $500 price makes this not an amateurs tool. But for this price, it should be a must for serious authoring business or duplication services.