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User profile for user: fournierstudios
fournierstudios Author
User level: Level 1
5 points

"Multiplexer Error-There was an error during formatting."

"Multiplexer Error-There was an error during formatting." That is what read after my attempt at burning (several times)an archived and non archived iDVD project with five, no music, no transitions, slide shows containing 203 photos total. I also deleted all encoded assets before burning. I never had problem before. Everything (Quicktime, OS is updated) the only recent addition is the "update" of iLife 08. According to Apple (support page for iDVD 08) there are under a dozen possible solutions that all seem to be a smoke screen for the ill application. Complicated and time consuming possible solutions. This is Apple right? Why after so long since its release have there not been an update of iDVD fixing its problems? I have noticed the updates for other parts of app. (Like iPhoto and iWeb) but nothing for iDVD that obviously has some issues. This was such a simple project. I defy anyone to help me with a simple solution to resolve it. Isn't that what Apple and its philosophy is all about. What has happened to Apple? ( that was a rhetorical question.) What should I do about my "Multiplexer Error-There was an error during formatting." Problem.
Do not be tricked by my profile and how many posts it says I have. I have been a Mac user for over twelve years now. The simple explanation is that I could resolve any problem or dead end in regards to my Macs and it's products with ease just by putting in a little effort and doing a little investigating. But I have never encountered so many problems and obstacles as I have with the new iDVD and it's suite application iLife.

PowerPC G5, Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Sep 2, 2007 4:17 PM

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36 replies
User profile for user: Say_Kin Foo
Say_Kin Foo
User level: Level 1
5 points

Sep 6, 2007 7:59 PM in response to fournierstudios

Hello, for those of us who have received the infamous "Multiplexer Error - There is an error with the formatting" message, I offer a solution.

I'm using a PowerMac G5 with the SONY DVD RW DW-U21A burner. Apparently, on the Mac the current firmware of this burner does not allow it to burn any blank discs with 16x burn speed (if you're using DVD-R discs) and above. Which is why this message appeared. So if you do not have an updated firmware for this burner, switch back to blank discs with lower burn speeds (preferably 8x and below).

I received advice from my tech also to switch back to the previous speed which was 8x. And voila! iDVD created my DVD from my iMovie files (both '08 versions). I was quite delighted. I guess it had nothing to with the brand of the discs though I prefer Verbatim.

The error was also not a fault of the software but rather the burner which came with the PowerMac. I hope this helps. Keep the fire burning!
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User profile for user: Len Goff
Len Goff
User level: Level 6
17,911 points

Sep 6, 2007 8:03 PM in response to Say_Kin Foo

*This why I say:*

I recommend a disk image burned to Verbatim DVD-R at 4X or slower using Toast or Disk Utility. You can set burn speed in iDVD '08 if not creating a disc image.

David Pogue also recommends Verbatim on page 356 of his book:

iMovie HD & iDVD 6: The Missing Manual

Quoting David: "Cheaper brands don't use the same amount of organic dyes and are more likely to suffer premature deaths."
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User profile for user: fournierstudios
fournierstudios Author
User level: Level 1
5 points

Sep 9, 2007 9:52 AM in response to Say_Kin Foo

To the pair that took the time to help me in my dilemma, I say thank you. Not one of the offered solutions did the trick but you two seem to be the only ones willing to tackle the issue.
Now to everyone that has and will read this posting.
"iLife" is designed and sold to work seamlessly within itself on a Mac (iPhoto to iMovie to iDVD and so on...) . Speaking for myself the previous version worked absolutely fine. Since installing the upgrade (iLife '08) I can not finalize any project within iDVD. It would appear it is a software issue not a hardware. The back of the iLife '08 packaging lists "requirements" that I meet and happen to surpass a few. So I should not have expected any problems upgrading. I have sent Apple a feedback and read the forums daily to realize that there are flaws in the new application that hopefully can be resolved with a few updates. (Already some for iWeb, iPhoto) As I have mentioned here in this post I am a Mac user for over a decade now. What I have read throughout posted forums and discussions are lots of upset-lost users encountering problems with their upgraded iLife. I have been suggested here to search and purchase a certain type of disc to burn with, I have read elsewhere suggestions to purchase an external dvd burner, universally it seems to be suggested that it is a simple answer that the "user" is to blame and the fault is not the application.
The facts are Apple released an application that is supposed to work without problems within their OS. We are not talking about revolutionary stuff in terms of a brand new OS or an unseen incredible invention in the form of iLife or iDVD.
I appreciate this forum and the help I have attained from its postings in the past regarding other issues but it seems that there are a lot of unanswered questions regarding iLife and a lot of biased almost condescending advice being dished out in response to the upgrade.
This maybe naive but I keep the faith that a "fix" will come for iDVD in the form of an upgrade. I do not (and should not be expected by others) plan to spend money and time finding solutions that would not have surfaced if I had simply chosen not to upgrade to iLife '08. That isn't outlandish thinking is it?
If I find a solution I will post it to help any in similar situation. That is fine print that I will adhere to.
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User profile for user: manny30
manny30
User level: Level 1
0 points

Sep 9, 2007 2:09 PM in response to fournierstudios

I get the same error message. So, I tried to instead burn it to a VIDEO_TS folder. When I opened up that folder in a Winblows machine and tried to burn it to a DVD, it told me that the file size was too much for a DVD5 (it ended up being 4.63GB -- which is funny since it should have been 4.36GB -- I bet there is a typo in the code!?!?!). So I ended up burning it to a dual-layer DVD with no problem using Winblows and Copy to DVD.

My guess is that there is a serious bug in iDVD which allows the project size to exceed the DVD size and it bombs out when it finally tries to burn.

My PowerMac G5 doesn't have a DVD-R DL drive in it. Yours may be different, and if so, try burning your project to a dual-layer disc (or try to edit things down in the movie or menu to prevent the size being as large). At the end of the day though, Apple needs to fix this thing!!

Message was edited by: manny30
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User profile for user: F Shippey
F Shippey
User level: Level 7
21,500 points

Sep 9, 2007 3:55 PM in response to fournierstudios

The facts are Apple released an application that is supposed to work without problems within their OS.


... and how long have you been working with computers? Unfortunately, EVERY computer is slightly different and it's impossible to test software on every possible variation. If you have a solution to this issue, I'm sure you can make big bucks in the software industry.

We have seen a case or two in the past that appear to be cases where iDVD THINKS the raw content will mpg-2 compress enough to fit on a single layer disc, but the compressed content ends up a litle too large. It's ALWAYS a good idea to make your iDVD 'burn' to a disk image file. You can then verify that the DVD does exactly what you want. Then you can burn the image file to an actual DVD disc with Apple's Disk Utility or Roxio's Toast Titanium. Use good quality media (Maxell of Verbatim) and burn at 4x or lower if you want your discs to be compatably with a variety of set top players.

Have you tried creating a short test disk image file out of iDVD '08 to see if you have a real iDVD '08 problem or content problem?

If you can, please try to keep you replys short and to the point - excess 'verbage' only serves to make your postings difficult to get through.

What I have read throughout posted forums and discussions are lots of upset-lost users encountering problems with their upgraded iLife.


The nature of the forums is that you see problems - that is the very reason they exist. None of us trying to help people solve their problems here are employed by or represent Apple. We are all simply other users trying to help based on our own personal experience. None of us are mind readers so the better the information we get in a posting, the more likely it is we can help. Flames and rants tend to 'turn us off' and make it less likely we will even try to help.
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User profile for user: fournierstudios
fournierstudios Author
User level: Level 1
5 points

Sep 9, 2007 6:30 PM in response to F Shippey

Thanks for not heading your sage advice.
If you can, please try to keep you replys short and to the point - excess 'verbage' only serves to make your postings difficult to get through.

Talk about missing the point.
... and how long have you been working with computers?...>
We have seen a case or two in the past that appear to be cases where iDVD THINKS the raw content will mpg-2 compress enough to fit on a single layer disc, but...>

I was very clear what my project was and my history with computers. More a history specifically with Macs. That no one seems to be taking the time to read rather assume what I am trying to do with my project (Would be better if someone did mind read me.) is what's "turning me off".
I am a very polite and appreciative "user". If anyone can assist with my problem without critiquing me as a "user" I will try it and thank you and share the solution with others.
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"Multiplexer Error-There was an error during formatting."

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