Convention or specification for additional folders on DVD-Video discs

[FlimsyFeet]

I just wondered if there is any sort of official specification anywhere for the naming of folders on a DVD-Video disc.

 

My understadning from various sources is that there should always be a VIDEO_TS and an AUDIO_TS folder, the later is always empty but should be included for compatibility with DVD players.

 

Some DVDs also have a JACKET_P folder which contains some sort of thumbnail image for the disc.

 

Files for reading on a PC are usually placed in another folder - I don't have any discs to hand, but is this usually called DVD_ROM or DVD-ROM, or can it be any name?

 

Do files intended for a computer have to be in a separate folder? I think I've seen some autorun type files placed in the disc root in the past. Is this allowed under the DVD spec?

[LIGHTNING UK!]

AFAIK, normal DVD-ROM content can be put anywhere on the disc so long as it doesn't interfere with those 3 folders you mentioned.

[FlimsyFeet]

The reason I asked the question is that I recently tried burning a DVD-Video disc that had an AVI file in the root directory. Although it seems like bad practice and is probably not to be recommended, it sounds like such a disc does not contravene any standards or specs.

 

I used the "write files/foler" to disc mode of ImgBurn which led to the following interesting "conversation" (paraphrased as I can't remember the exact warnings):

 

IB - You have a VIDEO_TS folder, so I'm assuming this is a DVD-Video. Do you want to change the filesystem to ISO 9660 + UDF?

 

Me - Yes please.

 

IB - The disc contains an AVI file, so I'm assuming this is a DivX video disc. Do you want to change the filesystem to ISO 9660 + Joliet?

 

Me - Er, no, I've just told you I wanted UDF, so why are you asking me again?

[LIGHTNING UK!]

It's not often you get discs which fit both checks.

 

I haven't made a 'Yes' on one check stop others from being performed - you said 'No' to the DivX one and that's fine.