Computer-burned DVD issues...

[jbmunchie]

Hi,

I have an instructional dance video business and am getting a lot of returns on my DVD's so am trying to get the tech end worked out. The DVD's stick, skip or jam entirely.

My video equipment is top notch. I'm currently using Sony Vegas Movie Studio, version 8.0d, and DVD Architect. I even remastered my videos from scratch. I use top quality DVD stock and burn at the lowest speed.

I've been online with Sony and they can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. Soo.... at this point, I'm wondering:

1) Is there is other software out there that you guys are using for producing DVD's that is working perfectly for you

B) Any ideas I should try before trashing the Sony?

I'd really appreciate any feedback on this - it's ruining my business. And now that I'm otherwise unemployed, I'm panicking just a little

Thanks,
Jana

[kenj]

I had a similar problem in my real offline business here in the UK

In the end I outsourced all the DVD production. The company I used have such high quality and expensive gear that I have had no returns since the change.

I would not ever try to produce my own DVD's again

[KarlWarren]

I have to say that a fulfillment centre would be your best bet...

Alternatively, if you can afford to have the CDs/DVDs created in bulk, you can get some really good deals from some mastering companies.

[ahuddy]

What format is your video file in? What brand burner do you have and what brand dvd are you buying. Also are they dvd-r or dvd+r?

As long as it is a good burner such as sony, panasonic, plextor, or lite-on it will be good, don't use a cheap one like mad-dog or something like that.

Depending on the format of your video you should use nero or vso ConvertXtoDVD.

Use good dvd-r's like sony, memorex, or fuji. These don't peel easy and they read better.

[Tsnyder]

I'm with Karl and Ken... contract the DVD production and shipping
to a fulfillment house.

It's inexpensive and will save you a ton of time.

Tsnyder

[JeffH]

Anyone try Kunaki?

Kunaki -- CD/DVD manufacturing and publishing service

At their prices, and if they're as good as I've heard, why would you bother doing it yourself?

Jeff

[jbmunchie]

Originally Posted by kenj

I had a similar problem in my real offline business here in the UK

In the end I outsourced all the DVD production. The company I used have such high quality and expensive gear that I have had no returns since the change.

I would not ever try to produce my own DVD's again

I am thinking of going in that direction too, but still have to have a good master for an outsource co. to work from.

I'm thinking of going with Speaker Fulfillment unless anyone knows a better co.

[jbmunchie]

Originally Posted by JeffH

Anyone try Kunaki?

Kunaki -- CD/DVD manufacturing and publishing service

At their prices, and if they're as good as I've heard, why would you bother doing it yourself?

Jeff

I have heard of Kunaki - I'd forgotten about them and will check it out.

I agree - doing the fulfillment outsource is a great idea, and one I'd considered before. But I'm still battling with how to create a source file that doesn't somehow CONTAIN the problems. Almost ALL of my DVD's have a problem, so outsource co's tell me that the copies of course can't be any better than the masters.

I've got experience in TV editing, and really want to continue to do my own video editing. I just need to find a means of producing a file that CAN be outsourced.

Anyone have any other ideas?

[jbmunchie]

Originally Posted by ahuddy

What format is your video file in? What brand burner do you have and what brand dvd are you buying. Also are they dvd-r or dvd+r?

As long as it is a good burner such as sony, panasonic, plextor, or lite-on it will be good, don't use a cheap one like mad-dog or something like that.

Depending on the format of your video you should use nero or vso ConvertXtoDVD.

Use good dvd-r's like sony, memorex, or fuji. These don't peel easy and they read better.

The burner in my laptop (NOT the only computer I've used to burn discs) is a Mat****a. Sony Vegas Movie Studio produces .avi files, and DVD Architect saves the file as a .dar file.

I'm buying very high end +/- DVD's from an online company that sells duplicating equipment. Can't think of the name offhand but they have a good rep in the business.

I believe the issue is somewhere in my source file from DVD Architect, rather than the DVD's themselves. I've switched many times in the past couple years and still have the same issue. I'd put my business on the back burner for a while due to this issue. Hard to sell videos if you know they might not play correctly.

[slbailey617]

Jana, you use some words that scare me. jam, stick... you aren't using adhesive labels are you? That could definitely be the cause of your problems. Are you able to burn any DVD's without problem or are all DVD's you burn (not just your instructional one) causing the problem?

If you want, you can send me one and I can take a look at it to make sure that there's nothing wrong with the DVD file structure itself. We've been in the video production business for almost 10 years and have rarely, if ever, had a problem with any discs we master.

Steve

[joefission]

Kunaki is wonderful, a snap to use, and professional. They ship fast, product quality is excellent, and it costs . . . $1.75 for DVD's -- that's for the disc, case of your choice, cover, and insert. Customers also pay shipping, but it's reasonable.

Of course, I'm generally only packaging data files, not professional videos, but my experience with them is awesome and it's entirely hands off.

Shaun

[tj]

I think if you're using labels from the store that this causes 90% of your problems. Use service providers like Kunaki - that saves you some times and problems.

Timo

[GarrieWilson]

Here are a few reasons:

1. The clients DVD player has an old laser or is going out. This will cause burned DVDs to not work.

2. Clients DVD player is not compatible w/ the type of DVDs you are using. Some will only read +r and some will only read -r and some will read both. Then you have DL issues...

3. Do NOT bother buying the "high quality name brands" as others have suggested. You are just paying for the name as *most*, if not all of them are private labeled.

I normally purchase ProDiscs from supermediastore.com and they are great and pretty cheap. Last time I purchased Philips (got a 100 pack for $30 or so) and they worked OK. I have also used "Generic" yes, that was the name. I got them for $20/100+free s/h and they have been ok.

Anyway, it could be the burner. Mine was going out and the DVDs would burn and play in the burner but just spin or freeze in three different players I tried.

You should also upgrade your DVD burners firmware. This alone could fix everything.

Garrie

PS If you are using labels...STOP THAT! It shouldnt be the problem BUT you could buy printable DVDs and get a DVD printer pretty cheap.

[jbmunchie]

Originally Posted by slbailey617

Jana, you use some words that scare me. jam, stick... you aren't using adhesive labels are you? That could definitely be the cause of your problems. Are you able to burn any DVD's without problem or are all DVD's you burn (not just your instructional one) causing the problem?

If you want, you can send me one and I can take a look at it to make sure that there's nothing wrong with the DVD file structure itself. We've been in the video production business for almost 10 years and have rarely, if ever, had a problem with any discs we master.

Steve

Hi Steve,

Yes, I use adhesive DVD labels, but they don't show any 'catches' on the edges, and I've tested some without labels and they did the same.

That would be great if you wouldn't mind. I'm just hitting my head against the wall with this. I have two computers I use for video production, and I KNOW the source video is perfect. So I think it's got to be something in the production software. Sony seems to hire morons...I find it very unusual that they can't give me a list of settings to check or something.

Alternately, what would you charge me to master the video if I were to send you the edited files? Maybe that would be a way around the issue? (assuming that's something you're interested in doing).

Any help would really be appreciated. I'm really needing to be making some money with these videos, and it's just getting ridiculous.

Thanks!
Jana

[jbmunchie]

Originally Posted by GarrieWilson

Here are a few reasons:

1. The clients DVD player has an old laser or is going out. This will cause burned DVDs to not work.

2. Clients DVD player is not compatible w/ the type of DVDs you are using. Some will only read +r and some will only read -r and some will read both. Then you have DL issues...

3. Do NOT bother buying the "high quality name brands" as others have suggested. You are just paying for the name as *most*, if not all of them are private labeled.

I normally purchase ProDiscs from supermediastore.com and they are great and pretty cheap. Last time I purchased Philips (got a 100 pack for $30 or so) and they worked OK. I have also used "Generic" yes, that was the name. I got them for $20/100+free s/h and they have been ok.

Anyway, it could be the burner. Mine was going out and the DVDs would burn and play in the burner but just spin or freeze in three different players I tried.

You should also upgrade your DVD burners firmware. This alone could fix everything.

Garrie

PS If you are using labels...STOP THAT! It shouldnt be the problem BUT you could buy printable DVDs and get a DVD printer pretty cheap.

Hi Garrie,

I've sold quite a volume of DVD's and also given them to my students to test, and there can't be that many people with old DVD players to account for the number of problems. I'm guessing about 80% don't play.

My laptop (which I've most recently been using) is a brand new Sony Vaio, and I checked for driver updates, and it has the most current. I have no trouble with the many data discs I've burned on it, and any videos I play on my computer work fine. So I'm thinking it's somewhere in the file conversion for DVD players... unfortunately, I don't know enough to troubleshoot it. I've also used another computer and had the same problems, so I doubt it's a system issue. Oh, and I did switch out the DVD player on that one, no change.

The DVD's I get are the top line at discmakers.com. They are actually printable discs but since I'm thinking outsource, I won't try the printer approach just yet.

I upgraded my software to the newest version, and the DVD Architect too. I'm wondering if I have missed a setting in the software that makes the difference on a clean DVD render. I've tried everything and have gone through the manuals too. Sigh.

[jbmunchie]

Originally Posted by joefission

Kunaki is wonderful, a snap to use, and professional. They ship fast, product quality is excellent, and it costs . . . $1.75 for DVD's -- that's for the disc, case of your choice, cover, and insert. Customers also pay shipping, but it's reasonable.

Of course, I'm generally only packaging data files, not professional videos, but my experience with them is awesome and it's entirely hands off.

Shaun

Thanks Shaun - I'll check them out.