TMPGenc Author 1.6 latest version Dual Layer Disc Menus' don't work

[FullBreeze]

I have authored many 4.7 DVD's using TDA 1.6 successfully and understand its functionality well. I tried to author a dual layer
dvd and for some reason the menus' don't work. I can see the first menu screen but I can't play the video from it or access any of the chapters--it's a dead screen. I can play the video by accessing "display" on the tv screen and navigating through "title" points manually. After examining the various options in TDA 1.6 I'm at my wit's end. Anyone had this problem and found a solution?

[setarip_old]

Hi!

1) Does the temporary DVD "package" play properly ("As DVD", not simply individual .VOBs) from your hard drive, using a software DVD player?

2) Does the burned DVD play properly on your PC?

3) Are you using DL DVD+R or DL DVD-R media?

4) What is the brand of DL media?

[FullBreeze]

Hi setarip_old!

1) Does the temporary DVD "package" play properly ("As DVD", not simply individual .VOBs) from your hard drive, using a software DVD player? ---I don't have an answer for this

2) Does the burned DVD play properly on your PC?
Yes!

3) Are you using DL DVD+R or DL DVD-R media?
DL DVD+R

4) What is the brand of DL media?
Verbatim

[setarip_old]

Does your burner/burning program allow you to do "bitsetting"/"change booktype" (or automatically do it), so that your burned DL media appears to be a DVD-ROM to your standalone player?

Doing so purportedly makes burned DL media more compatible with standalone DVD players...

If possible, try playing your burned DVD on a different standalone player - to try and limit your playback problem to one specific player...

[FullBreeze]

I am trying to figure out what and where I can adjust the settings you mentioned.

my dvd player is SONY DVP-NC665P -- According to the specs in the manual it won't play DVD-ROMs

I use Nero 6 ultra to burn

My burner is SONY DRU-800A

[setarip_old]

According to a review at "CDRLabs.com" indicates,The DRU-800A also supports a feature called "bitsetting." While the drive automatically sets the book type of DVD+R DL media to "DVD-ROM"... Therefore, when you're burning DL media, you don't have to concern yourself with bitsetting, as it's done automatically for DL media...

[FullBreeze]

ok, got it...:o

[setarip_old]

my dvd player is SONY DVP-NC665P -- According to the specs in the manual it won't play DVD-ROMsYou're misinterpreting something. DVD-ROMs are commercial, pressed DVDs - the PRIMARY type of discs that standalone DVD players are intended to play...

[FullBreeze]

In Nero under the heading "recorder," "choose recorder," "options," "Book Type Settings," one can select DVD-ROM. I did this and also checked the box for "Write extended lead-out on double layer discs." Unfortunately I got the same results after burning--a still menu screen that doesn't allow me to select anything. If I've missed something please let me know. :(

[setarip_old]

You probably SHOULDN'T check "Write extended lead-out on double layer discs." The following is a post at the "CD Freaks Forum":I had the same question regarding Nero and extended lead-out on DL discs. The following is the reply I received from Nero when I asked them about this:

"This only concerns Multi-Session DVDs:
While VideoDVDs will be burnt as Single-Session DVDs, DataDVDs can be created also as Multi Session Disks. But at the beginning it's not known to the drive how much data will be burnt to the DVD overall. So that's the reason why the change to the next layer cannot be in the middle.
So when starting the first session on a Multi-Session DVD, the recorder automatically writes a 515MB large "Extended Lead Out".
But for that only 7637MB are available to be burnt onto the DVD.

Most drives automatically do this Extended Lead-Out. Sony and Lite-On devices have the possibility to enable it ALWAYS, so for any type of session you burn. But when a disc is finalized this option is not needed. So by default this setting should be unchecked to get the best Read-Only compatibility to read this Disk in "normal" DVD drives, too."

BTW, is there a reason you're not using the DVD burning software built-in to "TMPGEnc DVD Author"?

[FullBreeze]

Thanks for the the tip about not checking the extended lead-out box. I always burn with Nero under the assumption that it is better than TDA's burning capability. Before I go and burn another disc with Nero, (as suggested w/o checking the extended lead out box), are you saying that I would be better off using TDA to burn and if so what would be the ideal procedure--so that I don't have to waste another DL disc.

[setarip_old]

Whether you're willing to "risk" a piece of DL media is up to you. Logic dictates that if a program that can create a DL DVD has a builtin burning program, the burning program should work properly when burning DL media...

[FullBreeze]

I burned it using the TDA 1.6 writing tool and yes the DVD DL Disc created works flawlessly!!! I'd still like to understand why it didn't work when using Nero. If you could point me in the right direction of understanding the nuances between authoring programs and burning tools it would really help me in the future.

These are some questions that come to mind:

What burning engine does Nero use and why did it fail to burn my TDA Authored dl disc properly?

Is it a matter of Nero not supporting my dvd drive or not supporting the TDA 1.6 software .vob output?

According to the TMPGenc TDA 1.6 feature description, the authoring program uses the "PxEngine" buring engine for dvd writing. Who makes this "PxEngine" and how can I find out more about it?

I also read somewhere on the cdfreaks forum that TDA 1.6 uses a pegassi engine for burning? Where might I find out more about this?

I know this is a lot, but any information or suggestion of what I might read to better understand this is much appreciated.

Thank you setarip_old :o

[setarip_old]

What burning engine does Nero use and why did it fail to burn my TDA Authored dl disc properly?NERO uses the "NERO" burning engine (The NERO suite of programs by "Ahead" started life specifically as a burning program).

Although other members most certainly believe that NERO is not well-suited for burning DL media, I personally have had 100% success doing so. My speculation is that your checking the extended lead-out box may be the cause of your playback problem. Once again, if you're willing to "risk" and piece of DL media, try the same burn with this option UNchecked.Who makes this "PxEngine"If I remember correctly, this is a SONY product.Thank you setarip_oldAs always, my pleasure ;>}