mixed (VCD + data) CD's

[Lelie]

I have been making VCD's and SVCD's for a few years now. I can do it pretty well. Recently, I have had to make some VCD's of a test in progress. VCD is fine for the application, and the file size for each test is only about 500 Mb. It occured to me that I should be able to store the data files (less than 100 Mb) on the same CD. The question is where to put the data in the directory structure so that it is still a VCD, but the data is also acessable. Secondly, how do I burn such a beast; as a mixed CD from Nero, or as something else again. Suggestions are welcome.

Larry Elie

[AntnyMD]

I recommend using VCDEasy and its GNU VCDImager back-end programs to author the VCD. Put your non-VCD files in a folder called WIN or something like that.

You can also do this in Nero by adding additional folders to the folder structure. Nero will not allow you to delete folders required by the VCD spec, so theres less chance of messing up your disc.

Just in case you do (if you read these forums regularly you know EVERYTHING is possible), burn it to an RW first.

[Baldrick]

In nero you just select videocd as usual and then create a folder and drag the data files there or drag the data files in the root folder, do no put the data files in any standard vcd folders.

[vitualis]

As above.

You don't need to do anything strange like a mixed-mode CD to put data files on a VCD. VCDs support additional files in the filesystem!

If you use Nero to make your VCDs, it is a simple matter of drag and drop.

If you use VCDImager, you can add files to the filesystem as well (by editing the XML file). The GUIs (e.g., VCD Easy) may have ways of doing this for you. VCDImager is limited to ISO Level 1 naming contraints for files at present (v0.7.12).

As other have stated, don't put additional files into the required directories (though it probably wouldn't affect anything) and don't delete any of the required files (the authoring proggy probably won't let you anyway).

Regards.