I recently started using DVD-lab Pro again after a long dry spell, having used it previously a couple years ago with no problems. But now I think there's an issue with the compiling feature. A lot of the time, the burned result will skip or freeze at specific points, and the image will start breaking up. The only way I've found to circumvent this on my computer for now is to use DVD Shrink with CopytoDVD at 2X with a very specific DVD-R brand, Memorex -- it's funny because I know Memorex is supposed to be cheap while Verbatim is a better brand…but the latter gives me a lot of problems with any DVDs that have been authored by DVD-lab (but it has no problems with, say, ConvertXtoDVD). The same goes for other brands, too…Memorex is the only one that doesn't give me problems, and ONLY if I use DVD Shrink with CopytoDVD. I have no idea why this is, but as you can imagine it gets very restricting. I just found a good deal on a Verbatim 100-pack, and I'd like to actually be able to use it! Does anybody have any idea why this is happening? Or, maybe, could you recommend a similar authoring program? I like DVD-lab because it gives so much freedom to design -- it just gives you a "blank canvas" and lets you go wild…I enjoy tinkering around, seeing what works and what doesn't (trial and error). Plus, I enjoy their "render motion" feature and the newer "perspective" tool. *grin* I mean, I'm still a beginner when it comes to DVD design, but I don't like other beginner programs that lay out every step for you, it's too rigid. Are there any other programs out there that have the same freedom as DVD-lab and similar features (like Render Motion and Perspective)? If I can't fix the compiling issues on my computer I guess I'll have to switch programs.
What is the total combined bitrate of your files? This sounds as if your player is choking on the rate - with written media you should try to stay under 7000 to 7500 kbps total if this is the case. I use DLP all the time, and do not have this problem so it is not the compiler. One additional thought. What are you using to actually write the discs? The burn module in DLP leaves a lot to be desired, so it is better to export/compile as a folder, and use something like IMGburn to make the actual disc. You will not find better than DLP unless you spring for Scenarist.
I do export as a folder, and then I open DVD Shrink and do the whole process from there. I tried using ImgBurn and sometimes the Memorex discs would come out okay, and sometimes they wouldn't. And the Verbatim discs would pretty much always be bad. Thanks for the advice on the bitrate. I'm not sure what the total is (writing this from my work computer), but I'm going to go check on it once I'm home. Is there a particular converter that you would recommend for lowering the bitrate if it's too high? I know that mpeg-4 is supposed to be a lower bitrate in general than mpeg-2, but DVD-lab isn't compatible with the first one (I think). I love DVD-lab, I think it's an awesome program. Which is why it's so frustrating that my computer seems to hate it right now.
Why are you running things through DVDShrink in the first place? (not that there is anything too badly wrong with it) Additionally - what are your settings in Shrink? I recommend using Deep Analysis and the adaptive motion correction set to "smooth" as well. Bitrate issues are a little more complex. MPEG-4 is not a form that you really should be using, as it is already heavily data reduced (compressed) and recompressing it to MPEG-2 will introduce artifacts, and possibly stream errors depending on the tools being used as the "free" MPEG-2 encoders are often of very low quality compared to what is available. The best of the free ones (and this one can output extremely good streams) was TMPGEnc Free edition. I do not know if this is still available but it is well worth a good look. Can I ask what your source material is? DLP really prefers to be fed with DVD compliant elementary streams in the first place - this means M2V files and either LPCM or AC3 Audio files. If DLP is still playing up, then it might be worth uninstalling & reinstalling from the website. Download & use the version 2.3.1 Production Stable, or if you are using version 1.6 then the last release of that one is just fine. Builds 2.33/2.35 are wobbly. Good Luck.
Initially I tried to just do it directly to CopytoDVD since it's connected with DLP, but the discs turned out screwed up, with the freezing/skipping/breaking up issues that I mentioned in my original post. I experimented with a variety of different DVD burner programs, and for whatever reason DVD Shrink/CopytoDVD worked the best. Actually, it was the only one that gave me discs free from any issues. I use VOB files, which DLP then converts into M2V and AC3. I don't know if there's a converter out there that can convert DivX or VOB straight into M2V beforehand; I haven't found one yet. I had the old version (I think it was 1.6), but then it started acting wonky. So I downloaded the new one, which had the same problems. I don't remember if it was the 2.3.1 Production Stable, though. It might've been 2.35. Once again, thanks for all the advice! You've been really helpful in giving me some ideas as to how to proceed.
Okay, I think we are starting to get somewhere. Where are these VOB files being obtained? Another worry is that DivX has suddenly crept into the equation. These are very heavily compressed, and completely unsuitable for creating DVD-Video from as they are even more heavily reduced than MPEG-2 are and were simply never meant to be recompressed. For best results in DLP, you need to be using DV AVI files transcoded into M2V MPEG-2 Elementary Streams. DivX & XviD will also often have mono audio at 44.1KHz as well, and the result of all the format swapping can be very similar to what you are describing. If DivX is a "must-use" thing, then it is better to use a DVD player that can read them.
From another DVD-R disc. I got it from someone else in a trade, so I don't know anything else about the source files beyond that. Usually I take any DivX avi files and convert them. However, upon rereading my post I was being misleading in bringing up DivX at this point, because right now my issue is with one project in particular. With this particular project, I have only used VOB files, not DivX. So DivX isn't the problem right now, although in the future it's probably going to be an issue.
Ah - that seems to make more sense now. First problem is really to try & get the current project working properly. As the source is on a DVD-R, I am assuming that it is a DVD-Video disc then? And the importation into DLP is to do what, exactly? If all that is being done is to add, say, a menu then there is a handy function in DLP that allows the use of an external Video_TS that can have a new front-end put on it. It might help if I knew what are you wanting to achieve?
Haha, yeah, it's mainly about the menu. The menu on the old DVD-R [that I received in trade] is pretty ugly/boring. I just wanted to completely revamp it. However, in addition to that, the old DVD-R set was for a television show, and the person I got it from spread it over 5 discs. But it's possible to fit it on 4 discs, which I did. So I don't think the external Video_TS tool would work since I'm reducing the number and moving various episodes on to other discs.
Gotcha. Let me have a think about this one overnight. Drop another post onto this thread some time tomorrow and I will get a notification it has been updated & reply in more detail then. Right now my brain hurts (a long, long day cutting a film to audio) and I cannot think straight.
Just posting as requested (didn't have a chance to get on the net until now), in case you have any additional suggestions. ETA: (9/14/2008) Huh. I just got an external DVD writer, and the problem seems to have gone away for now. So I guess the issue was with my internal drive.
