Truncation problem when burning DVD using Ulead VideoStudio 8

[goodneit]

Hello and thanks for stopping by. (btw - I'm a newbie here).

I have been using Ulead VideoStudio 8 for the last couple of years for capturing video clips from my camcorder, authoring projects, and burning DVDs. Even though my hardware and software are outdated by today's standards (I'm still running Windows ME), I've never had a problem (except for now) and the DVDs have always looked and sounded great when played back over my home entertainment system. VideoStudio 8 is a component of the Ulead MovieFactory 3.5 Deluxe suite that came bundled with a DVD burner I had purchased.

The problem I'm experiencing pertains to my attempt to burn a 2-hour project to DVD. Upon playback, the DVD abruptly ended at 1 hour and 37 minutes. Initially I thought I had exceeded the storage capacity of the recordable disk. For the capture settings I used, the raw MPEG files total around 4.3 GB, which I realized was a borderline fit for a 4.7 GB DVD. So when my first attempt at this failed, I tried upgrading to a dual-layer 8.5 GB, but to my dismay the disk still ended abruptly and prematurely.

Here are the clues I've been able to gather up. I noticed that both disks (4.7 GB and 8.5 GB) stored only 4.0 GB worth of data, so DVD disc capacity doesn't appear to be the issue. Moreover, I noticed the presence of a subfolder within the Ulead working directory called Convert; this contained two MPEG files named ~CONVERT000.MPG and ~CONVERT001.MPG, and a single file (apparently some sort of index) named ~CONVERT000.UPD. ~CONVERT000.MPG is a 4 GB file, and ~CONVERT001.MPG is a 1 GB file. So apparently a split took place, probably due to the 4 GB file size limitation of the Windows FAT32 file system. And no coincidence here -- ~CONVERT000.MPG contains exactly the same 1:37 of material as was burned to DVD, and ~CONVERT001.MPG contains the missing material. It's as if when VideoStudio did it's own (automatic) conversion of the project in preparation for burning to DVD, it internally split the project into two files due to size constraints, but then promptly forgot about the second file.

I checked all settings in Preferences and Advanced Options, but I don't see anything that looks relevant (maybe I'm missing something).

I greatly appreciate any help, insights, or suggestions.

[GeorgeW]

What type of AUDIO are you using in your DVD Project (mpeg, LPCM, or AC3)

When you create your disc, are you using MovieFactory, or VideoStudio?

Regards,
George

[goodneit]

The following information is displayed under Project Settings:

MPEG files
24 Bits, 720 x 480, 29.97 fps
Lower Field First
(DVD-NTSC), 4:3
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 8000 kbps)
LPCM Audio, 48 KHz, Stereo

The program/version is VideoStudio 8.00.0100 SE.

Thanks.[/b]

[GeorgeW]

That version of VideoStudio probably does not have AC3 audio (I'm not 100% on that). If this is for your own use, and if your NTSC DVD Player can play mpeg audio, try these settings for your 2-hour video:

Video bitrate: VBR ~4700kbps (you can only input one bitrate in the standard interface, it is the MAX bitrate for a VBR encode).

Audio: mpeg audio - 224 or 256kbps

This should get it to fit on one DVD5 disc (but check if the quality is up to your standards).

NOTE 1: mpeg audio is not fully supported by all NTSC DVD Players (if it's just for you, and your DVD Player supports it, then it can work).

NOTE 2: check if your version of MovieFactory has an AC3 audio option...

Regards,
George