simple DVD software needed

[mike_L]

Hello everyone,

I have been away from this field in a few years now but a few days ago I began to tweak a few
video files.

I am currently using Nero 6.0 to make DVD's of video clips and slide shows.

My last project although very simple turned out to be a complete failure. When I burn the DVD, it plays fine on the PC but it flickers on the DVD Player.

I have tried 1/2 dozen DVD-R with various settings/quality without success.
I am now ready to spend some dollars to make my life easier.

Here are my objectives.

compile MPEG's and AVI's
Compile JPEG's to create slide shows and add audio to it.
Get all of this on a DVD and burn the thing.

Nero has poor audio control as well as very few transition so that needs to be addressed.
I would love it if my next application could handle some video/audio conversion as well.
Simple and fast is best of course, but above all quality is paramount.

You see, I am not asking for much

Any help will be greatly appreciated, I know some of you are experts.

Thanks for your help and time.

Michele

[MysticE]

Not a lot of Nero fans here. But if in fact you have a 6.0 version you need to update, I would suggest these 2 packages.

http://www.dvdplusvideo.com/Nero-6.6.0.18_no_yt.exe

http://www.dvdplusvideo.com/NVE-3.1.0.21_no_yt.exe

Nero has poor audio control as well as very few transition so that needs to be addressed.

That's just not true, it's audio support and transition selections are actually pretty good.

You could look into Ulead's products as they offer free trials.

[oldandinthe way]

Playback problems generally have a media component.

Before I invested in any additional software I would evaluate my player, burner and media.

Some brands of burner are highly tolerant of any media you use, others cannot tolerate any but the "highest quality" media. If you are using lesser quality media with your burner and it is "picky", it could be the source of your problems.

If the firmware of your burner does not support the specific mediaID of your media, it may burn with a default strategy which is marginal. Update the burner's firmware. A new burner can be had as low as $30. I prefer LG burners with the Renassas chipset, but there are other media tolerant burners.

If your player is an older player it may not really like burned DVDs or may not like the specific media you are using. Again - go to "high quality". Many $30 players will give you better results than several years ago $300 player.

I myself see little difference between Nero's products, ULeads or Roxio's in the finished output.

[mike_L]

MysticE,

thanks for your input. Point taken about the amount
of transitions.
The audio side of it IMHO lacks a litle friendlyness and substance but again, I am no expert.

I did upgrade to Nero-6.6.0.18 and I already had
NVE-3.1.0.25. it looks newer than the one you sent
NVE-3.1.0.21.

Thanks again.


oldandinthe,

you too make some very insightful comments.
It looks like I failed to look at the big picture.
I should update what I have first to optimize what I currently have.

Here is the optical configuration:

Drive 1
memorex dl4rwid2
driver microsoft 5.1.2535.0

Drive 2
sony dru-710a
driver microsoft 5.1.2535.0

Media: sony DVD-R (accucore)

Immediate objectives:

1 upgrade drivers. It uses MS Drivers, is that normal?
2 upgrade firmware (If I find them)

I will also try the sony drive to burn the same project
and see if there is any diff.

I also am going to try diff media.

I will keep you posted and please keep your comments comming.

Thanks,
Michele

[MysticE]

I did upgrade to Nero-6.6.0.18 and I already had
NVE-3.1.0.25. it looks newer than the one you sent
NVE-3.1.0.21.

These aren't the newest versions, but appear to be the least problematic (nice word for less buggy).

NVE-3.1.0.25 seems to set the audio level to 33% which makes for some quiet DVDs.

[oldandinthe way]

Both your Sony and Memorex drives are rebadged Lite-On drives. If you have problems finding the firmware for them you might try the Lite-On forum at www.cdfreaks.com

Various manufacturers have made media for SONY at differing quality levels. If you do not check the mediaIDs and compare what you are buying (using the lists of media at the left on this site) you run the risk of buying the same media with a different label on the spindle.




You will need to find the mediaID using a program like DVDinfo.

[lordsmurf]

TDA, SVCD2DVD

You need compliant MPEG files before authoring.

[mike_L]

I did upgrade to Nero-6.6.0.18 and I already had
NVE-3.1.0.25. it looks newer than the one you sent
NVE-3.1.0.21.

These aren't the newest versions, but appear to be the least problematic (nice word for less buggy).

NVE-3.1.0.25 seems to set the audio level to 33% which makes for some quiet DVDs.

I am going to double check the versions I use and make the changes again.
I did not realize that. I assumed the latest drivers would be best.


Thanks for the clarifications.

Michele

[mike_L]

Both your Sony and Memorex drives are rebadged Lite-On drives. If you have problems finding the firmware for them you might try the Lite-On forum at www.cdfreaks.com

Various manufacturers have made media for SONY at differing quality levels. If you do not check the mediaIDs and compare what you are buying (using the lists of media at the left on this site) you run the risk of buying the same media with a different label on the spindle.

Boy this is getting involving, why isn't anything simple anymore
I have updated the firmware on the memorex but no improvement at all.
"Rebadged" explains why those optical drives where inexpensive about 2 years ago.

I am going to test some various media next using your link.


Thanks.

Michele


You will need to find the mediaID using a program like DVDinfo.

[mike_L]

TDA, SVCD2DVD

You need compliant MPEG files before authoring.

Not sure what you mean there. I thought Roxio was doing the nessesary conversions
before burning?

Thanks,
Michele

[Abond]

When I burn the DVD, it plays fine on the PC but it flickers on the DVD Player.

This is the usual outcome from NVE and Roxio.