Dual Layer disc burning - help!?

Question

Level 1

16 points

Dual Layer disc burning - help!?

I've downloaded several DVD file folders, etc (VIDEO_TS, AUDIO_TS, EXTRAS_TS) in order to burn and create DVDs. Lately, I've not been able to get any successful burn of them.

Several months ago I did this a few times, and supposedly had some "successful" ones, yet the DVD when watching on my TV would just fail and stop at some point while watching, so it really wasn't "successful." In the past week I've probably gone through a dozen Dual Layer DVDs and they've all failed.

I know it's sensitive at the least - so while burning, I be sure the energy settings are set on custom so there's no changes, and all the other apps are closed to ensure a clean burn.

I'm using Disk Utility to burn the DVD. The disc image - I've created it with DVD IMAGER, a free download. I choose Disc Copy mode. I drag the VIDEO_TS folder onto the icon and it makes it.

So.. am I doing something wrong? Or just time for a new drive, computer, etc? I have Mac OS 5 cause my computer won't upgrade to 10.6.

THANKS for any help!

15" Powerbook, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Jan 17, 2010 2:06 PM

Reply

Answer 1

GoBraves Author

Level 1

16 points

Jan 18, 2010 9:53 AM in response to GoBraves

Any help? Anyone have experience w/ burning Dual Layer DVDs?

Reply

Answer 2

eww

Level 9

53,052 points

Jan 18, 2010 1:20 PM in response to GoBraves

The optical drive in your Powerbook may not have DVD+R DL burning capability. In System Profiler > Disc Burning, what drive model (manufacturer and product number) appears at the top of the window, and what DVD-write capabilities are indicated?

Only the very last 15" PB G4 model, identifiable in System Profiler as Powerbook 5,8, is capable of DL burning.

Reply

Answer 3

GoBraves Author

Level 1

16 points

Jan 18, 2010 6:23 PM in response to eww

Thank you. I was able to confirm that my drive DOES have the capability to do Dual Layers. Now I just gotta find out what's up. Have you (or anyone) ever used the free download app called Burn?

Reply

Answer 4

eww

Level 9

53,052 points

Jan 18, 2010 6:46 PM in response to GoBraves

The only free app named Burn that I've ever used was an OS 9-based utility for securely deleting files.

Is there some reason why you don't master your discs using iDVD, which is known to work on your machine? Why use freeware of uncertain reliability? And have you tried using known reliable blank discs?

http://www.digitalfaq.com/reviews/dvd-media.htm

Reply

Answer 5

GoBraves Author

Level 1

16 points

Jan 18, 2010 6:49 PM in response to eww

Hmm... well okay you can keep helping me out. I haven't used iDVD much, but was getting advice from the forums from which i was downloading these files. It was suggested I use DVD IMAGER to create the Disk Image, then Burning that image using Disk Utility. Can iDVD do either of those processes?

Reply

Answer 6

eww

Level 9

53,052 points

Jan 18, 2010 7:11 PM in response to GoBraves

I've never heard of DVD Imager and have nothing to say about it, but I encourage you to read about DVD media quality and try some good discs before assuming your drive is faulty.

Reply

Answer 7

GoBraves Author

Level 1

16 points

Jan 18, 2010 7:13 PM in response to eww

Will do. Thanks man.

Reply

Answer 8

Jan 20, 2010 12:19 PM in response to GoBraves

Here is a small add in, not to interupt.
If burning Video TS folder with any furnished software that does not have compression feature they will fail. This is of course going under the pretense that the TS folder is larger than 4.3 gb in size.
Either Roxio's Toast 7-8-9-10 or Popcorn 1-2-3 will automaticlly read, compress, write, and verify the burn. Disk Utility does not have all of these features, for larger files.
2nd as was already mentioned, Use the best media you can buy. You want your projects to be pristine, not fair or good.
Here are 2 very good links filled with a ton of information.
http://www.digitalfaq.com/dvdguides/basics/dvdintro.htm

http://www.digitalfaq.com/media/dvdmedia.htm

Message was edited by: Donald Morgan

Reply

Answer 9

GoBraves Author

Level 1

16 points

Jan 20, 2010 1:21 PM in response to Donald Morgan

Donald: Thank you for interrupting, please do it anytime. Your advice has already paid off - in the second link I think it linked to some good buys on DVD Dual Layer DVDs. After having countless fails w/ all Memorex, Maxell, Fuji, and another I can't rememeber, I've been trying to find the Verbatims and the amazon link was perfect.

I've read the two articles and appreciate the better knowledge. I DO think I'll be getting Toast. I suppose I can call them and ask this, but I'll post here in case someone has a quick answer... if I purchase now, install on my PB, then in two months buy a new iMac, can I install on that computer as well? Also, if anyone knows of a really worthwhile difference between versions 9 & 10, I'd love to know.

Thanks again

Reply

Answer 10

renichms

Level 1

0 points

Feb 7, 2010 7:55 AM in response to Donald Morgan

Thank you to everyone posting about media quality. I had bought Memorex DVD+R DL discs and was frustrated by the 50/50 ratio of good burns to coasters (some ISO files do 2 good in a row, some 1 good and 1 bad, some none good) and now I think I know why. Looks like I got an especially bad spindle of 2nd rate media. Any tips on getting as few coasters as possible or is it entirely bad media, since the only error messages I get are about medium errors?

Reply

Answer 11

Feb 7, 2010 9:12 PM in response to GoBraves

I have the same Powerbook, and have burnt quite a few DL DVD's over the past 2 years without any problems at all. I have only used TDK DVD+R brand (blue colour in a box of 5). To burn I've used Apple's "Burn" or Toast 6 Lite (free with a magazine), or NTIDragonBurn - never any problems. The folders you've downloaded could be at fault.

My suggestion is to burn something completely different - say, a backup copy of your Leopard install disk - and see what happens.I'm not familiar with DVD Imager - maybe it would be worth trying some different software.I have never had success with iDVD (aspect ratio problems), so stopped using it.

I think purchasing Toast Titanium would be a worthwhile investment in the long run.

Reply