Writing DVDs

Broadback · Feb 22, 2008, 18:13:03

Why is it so complicated to write DVDs? All I would like is to be able to do is write a specified file (In this case an .mpeg file). I have tried several programs, failed on them all, probably because I can not understand them!

Rik · Feb 22, 2008, 18:18:19

I've used Nero for years, never had a problem. Are you finding it difficult to burn the disc, or is it a case that it doesn't play back in the way you want, eg on a TV.

Broadback · Feb 22, 2008, 18:31:12

Burning is the problem. I have a Topfield Satellite tuner, a friend has gone to the Algarve for a few weeks and badly wants to watch the last episode of Mistresses. I have recorded it transferred it to my hard disk, changed it to a mpv file, which I can read fine. Now I want to copy it to a DVD. I have even downloaded the pay version of Nero, but cqn I get it to burn, can I hack as like!

Rik · Feb 22, 2008, 18:34:18

Do you get an error message? What sort of DVD are you trying to burn in Nero, eg ISO?

Odos · Feb 22, 2008, 22:09:01

As Rik says it depends on what type of DVD your trying to burn. If you want to burn it as a movie dvd then you must author to dvd format before attempting to burn. If on the other hand you just want to place the files on the disk so an appropriate player can play them i.e DivX, Xvid etc then just burn as a standard data dvd.

mrapoc · Feb 22, 2008, 23:34:36

Nero should take the film and automatically convert it. It would be hell of a lot easier if it was an .avi file tho

J!ll · Feb 22, 2008, 23:45:23

Give Nero Vision a try it's very easy

Ted · Feb 23, 2008, 10:38:35

Did you try k3b, open it up and click on further actions in the center of the page.

Malc · Feb 23, 2008, 12:47:11

Quote from: mrapoc on Feb 22, 2008, 23:34:36
It would be hell of a lot easier if it was an .avi file tho

Or VOB files, which will play on a DVD player

jockwav · Feb 23, 2008, 13:34:02

When i am copying movies to disk using nero i just click on make data dvd.

Broadback · Feb 24, 2008, 16:16:56

Thanks for the answers, I have gone back to my basic Nero, which is relitivetly simple. Neverless why is burning DVDs so complex?

Rik · Feb 24, 2008, 16:18:36

I've never found it particularly complex, tbh, BB, but then I've been burning CDs and DVDs for years and it's probably second nature to me. Where exactly were you having problems?

Broadback · Feb 25, 2008, 08:40:56

What I am attempting to do is take a recording off my Topfield satellite receiver which is a .rec file make it playable on a dvd player then record it onto a DVD. Now I can convert it to make it playable on the computer, however when I burn it onto a DVD it is not recognised as valid on my PC. I know that just because it can be read by my PC does not mean it can be read by a dvd player, however when I burn it why is the disk unreadable on my PC (that is the problem I originally asked for here).
I have gone to numerous help sites on this, but they are so vague. For example the instructions are use such and such a program to do this stage, but no instructions on how to exactly get the program to do it, and intuitive it ain't!

colirv · Feb 25, 2008, 09:26:32

I'm not an expert at creating DVDs, so am happy to be corrected on any of the following. I have, however, made a few from scratch.

The .mpv extension is normally used for a video-only file. With audio it would either be .m1v if using Mpeg-1 compression, .m2v if using Mpeg-2, or .mpg/.mpeg.

To create a DVD you need software that can create (or "author") video DVDs. It will start with one or more audio/video files ( .avi, .mpeg, .mpg, .m1v etc) and turn it/them into a disc image that can either be burnt immediately or saved. The key words to look for are "author" and "video DVD".

IIRC "lite" versions of Nero (indeed, pretty much any software that comes with a DVD burner) can burn data DVDs, fuller versions can burn video DVDs but I don't think Nero can author a video DVD.

Rik · Feb 25, 2008, 09:29:20

I think your problem, BB, may be that you are not writing the disc in the correct format. I presume that your ultimate goal is to make a DVD which is playable on another computer or DVD player? If so, the best approach would be to use something like NeroVisionExpress to transcode the file into a playable form.

Why a file which you can play from your hard disk should not be playable from a DVD you've burnt is more difficult to answer, hence my original question about what type of DVD your were trying to burn in Nero.

Inactive · Feb 25, 2008, 09:38:23

The simple and effective cure for this is to get a standalone DVD Recorder/Player, connect it via Scart Lead to your Topfield, put in a recordable DVD, record on to the DVD.

Unless I am missing something.

Broadback · Feb 25, 2008, 12:40:09

The thing is In I am only doing a one off as a favour for a friend, so I am not going to any expense. I realise that it hardly seems worth the trouble, but once I start something I tend to keep batting my head against it until I have solved it or my hear has fallen off!

Inactive · Feb 25, 2008, 15:06:06

Fair enough, but the price of DVD Recorders are pennies (under £50 ) these days, I always use mine in preference to using the computer, because like you, I can never get the bloody thing to work properly without a lot off faffing around, my standalone one works every time.