DVDA 4 Dual Layer problem...yeah another one!

D Coblentz wrote on 10/27/2006, 4:24 PM

Yes, another dual layer problem. I've read the numerous posts regarding this topic, but I can't see what I'm doing wrong...unless the media is the problem (better not be...some spensive stuff). Basically, the 4½ hour project burned successfully but freezes at layer transition on my Sony set top player (actually it freezes a few minutes after the chapter point I specified). Also, if you select any of the chapters after the transition, the player will not act.

* NEC DVD_RW Drive ND-3540A 1.04 (latest firmware)
* Ritek Ridata White Inkjet Printable DVD-R DL (burned at 4x)
* DVDA 4a (latest version)
* Settings include: target media size = 8.5, DVD type = DVD-9, number of layers = 2, direction of translation = opposite track path, output format = DDP 2.10 (have no idea what that means).
* Layer break point is 2 hrs 21 mins 26 secs (at offset 2058920 according to DVDA) out of 4 hrs 30 mins runtime
* I believe the MPEG2 stream was rendered using 3750 kbps VBR
* Project size as a whole is 8.2GB

I would like not to burn another $2.00 coaster. Anyone with ideas?

Comments

bevross wrote on 10/30/2006, 9:29 AM

Does it play o.k. on the computer you burned it on (using DVD player software such as Nero Showtime)? I'm coming to the conclusion that set-top player compatibility with dual layer burns is very low (50% is one figure I've seen). I tried burning one dual layer and it worked o.k. on 2 computers with dual layer burners and not o.k. on a Pioneer set-top DVR (the player wouldn't load it at all). I've decided to wait a while on dual layer burns (maybe use the disks I bought for backup instead).

statistics from Ralph LaBarge, big name in the field --

"... of 246 consumer DVD-Video players we tested ... there was a 71 percent chance that a consumer DVD-Video player couldn't read and play back content stored on both layer 0 and layer 1 of a DVD+R DL test disc."

Article link

elvindeath wrote on 10/31/2006, 6:25 AM

I have absolutely no statistics to back it up, but I have burnt 4 "family video" dual layer projects and circulated them amongst a group of friends and family. 3 of the projects were rendered using Studio 10 and created using Nero 6 (since Studio blows and couldn't successfully burn a disc to save its life). 1 project was done all in Vegas 6.0 and burnt using Video Architect.

All 4 projects worked flawlessly on the 2 Hitachi set top DVD players in the group, as well as in 2 later model Toshibas (not a 3 year old model though). All DVDs worked fine in my cheap Mintek portable DVD player. All 4 DVDs hung at transition and had menu freezes on the 3 Sony DVD players in the group. For all discs, they worked fine when played in computers.

As far as I can tell, the odds are the problem is in something on the Sony set top DVD player - not in the software used or the dual layer discs.

D Coblentz wrote on 11/8/2006, 9:25 AM

I apologize for not responding back sooner. To answer an earlier question, the DVD I burned does play in my NEC DVD burner. The transition is seamless and I can even choose the chapters in the chapter menu which access the movie after the layer break. So, after the information given in these posts, I will conclude that my set top Sony 5 disc changer does not know how to play it.

What I really want to know is if I were to create a dual layer DLT Master with DVD Architect 4 for replication, will the replicated dual layer discs play in all players?