Dual Layer DVDs

Martin C wrote on 3/10/2008, 5:23 PM
Has anyone out there tried creating dual layer DVDs in DVDA and had problems, please?

I've now got two films on release on dual layer discs and unfortunately more than half of the issued copies are being returned as failed discs.

The users complain of stop/start effect on the video stream, general failure to read the disc on Play, DVD players claiming 'no disc present', etc.

I've tried different brands of discs... One brand won't even play on my home (test) kit but will play in the PCs drive. Another brand plays on my home kit but suffers the above effects when sent out to users.

I've also tried using DVDA and an alternative download called 'ImgBurn' to create and write the disc image... Same effects!

I've even added another dual-layer drive (have two now) - yet neither produces reliable results.

Has anyone any ideas on how to improve disc reliablility, please?

Cheers

Martin C

Comments

Terje wrote on 3/10/2008, 5:42 PM
In order to help we need a little bit more information. You say that you have used multiple brands of DVDs. Which? Most DVDs out there are re-branding of a limited number of real brands. Ritek and Verbatim probably the majority. So, if you buy two different brands in the store, there is still a good chance they are the same brand.

The general consensus is that Taiyo Yuden gives the most reliable results, have you tried TY? I also have reasonable success with Verbatim.

Go to http://www.videohelp.com/ and check the DVD media section to see test results of various brands. You can also download DVD identification software from there to identify what brand your DVDs really are.

Finally, several manufacturers of sub-standard DVDs now brand their DVDs (on the DVD it self) as TY or other good brands. Get your DVDs from a reputable source. I get mine from meritline.com, but I also hear good things about supermediastore.com.
Smiling_Dan wrote on 3/11/2008, 8:52 PM
I have had the same experience as you describe. The situation improved when I started writing on my 16X DVD-R DL disks at only 4X.
fordie wrote on 3/17/2008, 11:39 AM
only use verbatim +r and set book type to rom.
check layer break is set correctly.
keep bit rate well below 7000 cbr ,including audio.
use ac3 audio.
Never had a problem yet ...yet..yet..haha
Leopardman wrote on 4/4/2008, 1:05 PM
Hahaha.

There is no doubt a major bug in Architect's component that writes the actual DVD.

I have not burned DL's since the last 2 Architect updates, however I have experienced a lot of problems this last week working on a project that I am producing on DL discs. I only use Verbatim -R dvds as the majority of problems I've encountered with people/companies having "cheap" dvd players are with +R dvds.

The error specifically occurs when one has more than one video object linked to the same menu where one of the video objects are larger than 4.7Gb. Architect, when creating the VOB files correctly "breaks up" the large video object into 1GB chunks and places the the other video objects at the end irrespective what the sequence of the video objects were within the project. After burning the disc the "large video object" , menus and chapters plays perfectly, however selecting one of the other video objects on the menu returns an error from the dvd player.

I've tested this by reading the VIDEO_TS folder after it was created by Architect directly with Nero, and it "plays" perfectly. This suggests that the compilation by Architect is perfect, the problem lies in the actual burning. I then burned the dvd with Nero using the VIDEO_TS folder created by Architect and the dvd plays perfectly.

Two things I have noticed with Architect are:
1) Any DVD I burn with Architect, if I play it on stand-alone dvd player there appears to be a "disconnect" between the dvd player and the display device, be it an overhead projector, receiver to tv etc. I do not have this problem using Nero.
2) When burning the DVD with Nero, Nero takes twice as long to write the lead-out as does Architect, coeuld it be that Architect does not write the lead-out correctly??

In any case, if one wants to produce high quality dvds, why go for a bit rate less than 9.000. It is the standard that I use and have never encountered problems with it to date.
fordie wrote on 4/6/2008, 11:21 AM
"In any case, if one wants to produce high quality dvds, why go for a bit rate less than 9.000. It is the standard that I use and have never encountered problems with it to date.."
well personal experience shows that 9000 bit rate can cause some players to stutter.
If you read alot of forums a large percentage of people will advocate max of 7000 or so and i have to agree, but again personal experience.(can you tell difference between 9000 and 7000 when watching i honestly cant)
Img burn is also a very reliable program for burning in fact very good at dual layer..worth a look.