OT: Including data files on DVDs

SeaJohn2 wrote on 6/8/2007, 10:21 PM
Several years ago I read that including anything other than VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS in the root directory of a data DVD would cause some DVD players to reject the disc, because the DVD spec required these and only these directories.

Is this still the case or are today's DVD players more tolerant? I want to include a directory of still pictures on a DVD , but don't want it to fail to play the video.

Comments

johnmeyer wrote on 6/8/2007, 11:13 PM
Every DVD I create has one or more data directories. I've shipped to hundreds of people. Not one complaint.

I burn with Nero.
rs170a wrote on 6/9/2007, 3:33 AM
I'll echo John's comment. I've been doing this for a few years now (one DVD had more "extras" content than actual video) and there were no complaints.

Mike
johnmeyer wrote on 6/9/2007, 8:28 AM
Two things to add:

1. Always include the AUDIO_TS folder, even though it is not used. Some players will complain if it is absent.

2. Do NOT put anything the VIDEO_TS or AUDIO_TS folders other than the video files created by DVDA (or whatever you use to author).

Finally, being superstitious -- but without any actual information to back this up -- I always use 8 character names for my extras folders, and I always type them in capitals. I also use only letters and numbers. No spaces. This avoids any issues a player might have with "illegal" length names or characters not accepted by all file systems.
farss wrote on 6/9/2007, 3:08 PM
From memory DVDA 4 takes care of all of this for you.

Bob.
GeorgeW wrote on 6/9/2007, 4:02 PM
It should be fine as long as you burn properly for DVD-VIDEO. So if your Burning software offers a DVD-DATA or DVD-VIDEO burning option, you should use the DVD-VIDEO option for better results. This should place the files within the VIDEO_TS folder properly on the disc (i.e. in the proper file order for DVD-VIDEO), and then "attach" the "extras" Folders at the end of it all. The DVD Player is simply looking for offsets, and if the files are not burned in their proper sequence, the player might not be able to properly locate the video files.
johnmeyer wrote on 6/9/2007, 7:12 PM
DVDA 4 can burn data on a DVD, but it is extremely limited in what it can do. First of all, it insists on copying all the data to a new location. This is a waste of space and time, and also makes it difficult to keep other related projects organized (e.g., if you later change an asset in its original location, you have to remember to copy it to the DVDA location). Also, you can only have one data directory. It is obviously MUCH nicer to be able to have a PICS folder and a DOCS folder and an EXTRAS folder etc.
GeorgeW wrote on 6/9/2007, 8:18 PM
Also, you can only have one data directory. It is obviously MUCH nicer to be able to have a PICS folder and a DOCS folder and an EXTRAS folder etc.

Try creating a "Parent" folder with embedded folders such as PICS/DOCS/OTHER. Then when you specify the EXTRAS folder, point it to the "Parent" folder...
Chienworks wrote on 6/9/2007, 9:24 PM
This is why i do the DVD preparation in DVDA, then burn in Nero. I can specify any folder stucture i like, grab files from all over my hard drives, put them where i want on the DVD, without having to create new folders or move/copy files.