DVD Too Short?

Steve Mann wrote on 7/31/2014, 10:07 AM
I made an iso file for a client who wants to burn his own discs. The client says that he gets a read error from the duplicator tower at the end of the duplication (I assume during the validation phase), but the duplicates play fine.

The video is only 4 minutes long. Do I recall that there was a lower size limit for DVD's?

I have no problem duplicating them in my tower here, but I am curious if the short DVD video is the problem with his duplicator?

Comments

Former user wrote on 7/31/2014, 1:21 PM
I would guess it is something wonky with his duplicator. Good DVD software will pad the data to make the DVD meet specficiations.
videoITguy wrote on 7/31/2014, 2:19 PM
as commented good authoring software will pad the short DVD program into a compatible disk for the most part. I don't think I would issue any program shorter than 4 minutes (note even using mini-DVDs for that purpose). The error reading is taking you down a different path - test the burned copies against a number of set-top players.
Steve Mann wrote on 7/31/2014, 9:05 PM
The client says the duped discs play fine for him.
But my question was, is there a lower limit (by spec) to the size of the video on a DVD?
Former user wrote on 7/31/2014, 9:53 PM
From what I know, a DVD needs at least 1 gig of data written to it. That is why, if you use a DVD recorder, it will continue to record after you hit stop.

Most good DVD software will write this additional data if the files do not reach the 1 gig mark. Some software doesn't, and that will sometimes work well. The best way to find out is try on various brands and models of DVD players. Even then, there will be that odd one that won't play a burned DVD.
Steve Mann wrote on 8/1/2014, 6:45 PM
Do you know if that is a Red Book spec?