Need info about Layer Break

[v_spec]

I've been burning alot of .ISO or image files of 7GB+ DVDs lately, and when it get to the part where it swtiches to the 2nd layer (or layer break) my standalone DVD player freezes and will not jump to the 2nd layer.

Is this a layer break problem? How do I find out where the layer break is in a .ISO file? What program should I use to burn these .ISO files in order to get a 1:1 burn? Should I NOT be using Nero to burn movies? I'm really confused about this whole layer break thing and it's gotten quite overwhelming for me. Will a DL disc that is properly burned and layer break-ed jump to the 2nd layer as if I was watching a pressed DVD9 disc?

[Susana]

Should I NOT be using Nero to burn movies?
Don't use nero for burning dvd-video. Use Imgburn instead.

How do I find out where the layer break is in a .ISO file?
Iso file doesn't contain information about layer break.

What program should I use to burn these .ISO files in order to get a 1:1 burn?
For 1:1 copies:
- With copy-protection: dvddecrypter (iso read -> iso write loading mds file)
- W/o copy-protection o hd-files: Imgburn

Imgburn has a gui to specify layer break, very easy. Now it can burn directy from hd.

[v_spec]

Thanks for the valuable info Susana. I just downloaded and installed ImgBurn (OMFG, this entire time I didn't know is great software was around! I thought Lightning UK retired from the DVD scene)

Under Tools -> ISO -> Display IFO layer break information, I chose the ISO that I want checked and it displays this 5 coloured star system (Excellent, Very Good, Good, Average) what does this mean?

I'm trying to burn a +R DL DVD again to check if it will properly set the layer break this time. How does Nero set the layer break? Where is this GUI to specify layer break located in? Is it under Tools -> Settings -> Write -> Layer Break (For DL Media)

What causes the Layer Break to be in the wrong place?

What's interesting is the Dual Layer movies I burned with Nero will jump to the 2nd layer without problems on my Xbox and not on my standalone DVD player (Pioneer DV-C503) and my Playstation 2. What's different in Xbox's DVD playback capability compared to my standalone DVD player and PS2?

[Susana]

Under Tools -> ISO -> Display IFO layer break information, I chose the ISO that I want checked and it displays this 5 coloured star system (Excellent, Very Good, Good, Average) what does this mean?
Layer break point requires specific conditions (many threads here treat about this subject: at beginnig of ECC block, etc). Imgburn analyses all suitable points in the ISO that meet that conditions and evaluates them in that scale; for example, it's preferable layer break is at PGC entry cell so you don't notice the pause. Note that there must be at least one point suitable for being the layer break, so ISO must be created by a proper program; if not, use daemon tools to mount the ISO and let Imgburn carry all process out from VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS folder.

Where is this GUI to specify layer break located in?
A selection window pops up automatically for selecting layer break:

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/5866/snap1gg4.gif

In the figure, there is only one point suitable. Select and press OK.

What causes the Layer Break to be in the wrong place?
An inappropriate ISO creator or/and burning program.
And use Verbatim media, also change booktype if your burner allows this.

[v_spec]

You recommend with whatever ISO, unless I know it's been ripped using DVD Decrypter, to mount it or extract the VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS folders before burning.

With video burning aside, is it okay to burn Dual Layer DATA discs using Nero?

I'm going to take some time and read about all this ECC and PGC stuff. On ImgBurn's forums I went through their CD/DVD Burning Guides and everytime the guides choose a Layer Break position with SPLIP "no". What's is SPLIP?

With the screen shot that you provided what causes the layer break to recieve "Average" grade? In that situation how did you create your layer break?

I only use Taiyo Yuden and Mitsubishi Chemical media for my CD/DVD burning. For my DL burning I have a BenQ DW 1655 and a Plextor PX-760A.

[blutach]

In Susana's pic, it would be the only place the LB could be - average or not, that's where it can be.

SPLIP is the seamless playback flag (you might know it as the layerbreak flag). It is usually set at the cell where the LB occurs (but doesn't have to be if your players can handle a seamless layer break! - to use this feature, tick "seamless" at the bottom of the GUI but use with caution).

No need to mount the ISO after creation. Simply double click on the MDS, insert the media (make sure it is Verbatim - MKM-001), set your burning speed (keep at 2.4x till you know you can go faster), tick verify and hit the big green button. I think your BenQ is probably the better choice to burn on.

http://www.digital-digest.com/~blutach/gl3.gif

Regards

[Susana]

You recommend with whatever ISO, unless I know it's been ripped using DVD Decrypter, to mount it or extract the VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS folders before burning.
If you do a 1:1 copy, it's sure there will be at least one point to be the layer break, the same as original; not the case if you use other program for creating ISO from files, for example imgtool classic, that doesn't take LB into account.

With the screen shot that you provided what causes the layer break to recieve "Average" grade? In that situation how did you create your layer break?
I didn't create any layer break. The input was a VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS folders exported from dvdremake (custom authoring). Layer break is the first point in second layer and needs to meet some conditions (for dvd-video). In the case of figure, there is only one point suitable, so only one possibility to choose. The jump is inside a PGC (not entry cell), it's not a vob-id change, the transition with previous cell is seamless, ... so Imgburn rates this point as Average (or maybe when there is only one possibility it's always rated as Average); it'll be more clear for you when you read more about this.

With video burning aside, is it okay to burn Dual Layer DATA discs using Nero?
Yes, no problem, but you can use Imgburn (freeware) as well.

[The Lightning Stalker]

It's a good thing I read this. I was thinking there would be a problem with lagging at the layer break and it looks like I was right. Sorta like flipping over a record. (anybody remember those?) Now I know exactly what to do thanks to all you helpful people. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. :stupid:

[blutach]

Must be a record for time taken for 1st post. Welcome to Doom9 The Lightning Stalker!!!!

Regards