DVDs play only by opening the VIDEO_TS folder.

[waydown]

Today I’ve burnt my first DVDs (I always use Verbatim) after reformatting like two months ago (Windows XP Service Pack 3). A dual layer and a single layer one. The first with version Imgburn 2.5.6.0 then I updated to 2.5.7.0 (seeing if it’d make a difference/I try to keep up-to-date anyway). Both by the writing files/folders to dvd method using VIDEO_TS folders.

None of them reported any problems during burning, verifying seems ok.

Now (using my main drive - the same I used to burn the dvds) for some reason VLC (latest version) won’t play the dvds neither by autoplay/window popping up upon inserting the dvd nor by right clicking and pressing play in the dvd icon in windows explorer.

VLC just opens and hangs.

They only open and play if I click play on the VIDEO_TS folder itself inside the dvd or play the .ifo file.

And this is where things start to get weird:

The problem doesn’t occur when I try to play the dvds in my secondary dvd drive. VLC opens them at all cases.

My Drives are (Both LG):

E:\ HL-DT-ST DVD-RAM GH22LP20 (Main drive I’ve been burning dvds with ImgBurn without problems for years now.)

F:\ HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4081B (secondary, older, slower drive, able to burn single layer DVDs only, only kept as a backup solution in case smth happens to the main one.)

You’d say: “Ok, then what seemed to be a VLC issue probably is a drive problem, meaning your primary drive is biting the dust.”

But then how would that explain the fact that ALL the other dvd-r I’ve burnt myself at an earlier time with Imgburn (mainly with 2.5.5.0 and earlier, probably some with 2.5.6.0 but not sure) I‘ve tried seem to open and play fine in both drives no matter the approach?!

If I had to take a guess, it seems like VLC is unable to locate the VIDEO_TS folder on its own. Some people report problems with the latest version. I also tried to downgrade in version 1.11.1 which didn’t make a difference, I am reporting the problem there as well in case it is VLC related and they have a fix. They also state that it COULD be a problem with the burning app/process which is one of the reasons I am posting here as well. Maybe ImgBurn attaches some non-unicode info which makes the dvd unreadable? I really don't know.

The second reason is that well, the problem only seems to appear with the discs I burnt today so there might be a problem with the combination of my drive/(the latest versions of) imgburn. A “problem” I could solve by changing a default setting or something, especially seeing this is a relatively new windows/imgburn install. I also wonder whether the discs I burnt are ok and trustable or should I make more copies?

In any case, I know how experienced people in here are so they might be able to shed some light on this one. I just hate problems spread upon different things (drives, burning apps, players) which might occur by something messing with the other in the wrong way. Thanks!

 

 

For what it's worth, that's the log for the second dvd:

 

I 15:07:19 ImgBurn Version 2.5.7.0 started!

I 15:07:19 Microsoft Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600 : Service Pack 3)

I 15:07:19 Total Physical Memory: 1.047.276 KB - Available: 562.520 KB

I 15:07:19 Initialising SPTI...

I 15:07:19 Searching for SCSI / ATAPI devices...

I 15:07:20 -> Drive 1 - Info: HL-DT-ST DVD-RAM GH22LP20 1.01-08 (E:) (ATA)

I 15:07:20 -> Drive 2 - Info: HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4081B A106-02 (F:) (ATA)

I 15:07:20 -> Drive 3 - Info: ELBY CLONEDRIVE 1.4 (G:) (SCSI)

I 15:07:20 Found 2 DVD±RW/RAMs and 1 BD-ROM/HD DVD-ROM!

I 15:07:31 Operation Started!

I 15:07:31 Building Image Tree...

I 15:07:31 Checking Directory Depth...

I 15:07:31 Calculating Totals...

I 15:07:31 Preparing Image...

I 15:07:32 Checking Path Length...

I 15:07:32 Contents: 15 Files, 2 Folders

I 15:07:32 Content Type: DVD Video

I 15:07:32 Data Type: MODE1/2048

I 15:07:32 File System(s): ISO9660, UDF (1.02)

I 15:07:32 Volume Label: [Not Configured]

I 15:07:32 IFO/BUP 32K Padding: Enabled

I 15:07:32 Region Code: 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8

I 15:07:32 TV System: PAL

I 15:07:32 Size: 4.680.841.216 bytes

I 15:07:32 Sectors: 2.285.567

I 15:07:32 Image Size: 4.681.465.856 bytes

I 15:07:32 Image Sectors: 2.285.872

I 15:07:32 Operation Successfully Completed! - Duration: 00:00:00

I 15:07:52 Operation Started!

I 15:07:52 Building Image Tree...

I 15:07:52 Checking Directory Depth...

I 15:07:52 Calculating Totals...

I 15:07:52 Preparing Image...

I 15:07:52 Checking Path Length...

I 15:07:52 Contents: 15 Files, 2 Folders

I 15:07:52 Content Type: DVD Video

I 15:07:52 Data Type: MODE1/2048

I 15:07:52 File System(s): ISO9660, UDF (1.02)

I 15:07:52 Volume Label: WARPVISION

I 15:07:52 IFO/BUP 32K Padding: Enabled

I 15:07:52 Region Code: 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8

I 15:07:52 TV System: PAL

I 15:07:52 Size: 4.680.841.216 bytes

I 15:07:52 Sectors: 2.285.567

I 15:07:52 Image Size: 4.681.465.856 bytes

I 15:07:52 Image Sectors: 2.285.872

I 15:07:55 Operation Successfully Completed! - Duration: 00:00:03

I 15:07:55 Operation Started!

I 15:07:55 Source File: -==/\/[bUILD IMAGE]\/\==-

I 15:07:55 Source File Sectors: 2.285.872 (MODE1/2048)

I 15:07:55 Source File Size: 4.681.465.856 bytes

I 15:07:55 Source File Volume Identifier: WARPVISION

I 15:07:55 Source File Volume Set Identifier: 409378FA0022E127

I 15:07:55 Source File Application Identifier: IMGBURN V2.5.7.0 - THE ULTIMATE IMAGE BURNER!

I 15:07:55 Source File Implementation Identifier: ImgBurn

I 15:07:55 Source File File System(s): ISO9660; UDF (1.02)

I 15:07:55 Destination Device: [3:0:0] HL-DT-ST DVD-RAM GH22LP20 1.01 (E:) (ATA)

I 15:07:55 Destination Media Type: DVD-R (Disc ID: MCC 03RG20)

I 15:07:55 Destination Media Supported Write Speeds: 4x; 8x; 12x; 16x; 20x; 22x

I 15:07:55 Destination Media Sectors: 2.297.888

I 15:07:55 Write Mode: DVD

I 15:07:55 Write Type: DAO

I 15:07:55 Write Speed: 4x

I 15:07:55 Link Size: Auto

I 15:07:55 Lock Volume: Yes

I 15:07:55 Test Mode: No

I 15:07:55 OPC: No

I 15:07:55 BURN-Proof: Enabled

I 15:07:55 Write Speed Successfully Set! - Effective: 5.540 KB/s (4x)

I 15:08:06 Filling Buffer... (40 MB)

I 15:08:07 Writing LeadIn...

I 15:08:23 Writing Session 1 of 1... (1 Track, LBA: 0 - 2285871)

I 15:08:23 Writing Track 1 of 1... (MODE1/2048, LBA: 0 - 2285871)

I 15:22:35 Synchronising Cache...

I 15:23:04 Exporting Graph Data...

I 15:23:04 Graph Data File: C:\Documents and Settings\Waydown\Application Data\ImgBurn\Graph Data Files\HL-DT-ST_DVD-RAM_GH22LP20_1.01_ΠΈΜΠΤΗ-19-ΑΠΡΊΛΙΟΣ-2012_15-07_MCC_03RG20_4x.ibg

I 15:23:04 Export Successfully Completed!

I 15:23:04 Operation Successfully Completed! - Duration: 00:15:08

I 15:23:04 Average Write Rate: 5.372 KB/s (3.9x) - Maximum Write Rate: 5.618 KB/s (4.1x)

I 15:23:04 Cycling Tray before Verify...

W 15:23:13 Waiting for device to become ready...

I 15:23:29 Device Ready!

I 15:23:31 Operation Started!

I 15:23:31 Source Device: [3:0:0] HL-DT-ST DVD-RAM GH22LP20 1.01 (E:) (ATA)

I 15:23:31 Source Media Type: DVD-R (Book Type: DVD-R) (Disc ID: MCC 03RG20)

I 15:23:31 Source Media Supported Write Speeds: 4x; 8x; 12x; 16x; 20x; 22x

I 15:23:31 Image File: -==/\/[bUILD IMAGE]\/\==-

I 15:23:31 Image File Sectors: 2.285.872 (MODE1/2048)

I 15:23:31 Image File Size: 4.681.465.856 bytes

I 15:23:31 Image File Volume Identifier: WARPVISION

I 15:23:31 Image File Volume Set Identifier: 409378FA0022E127

I 15:23:31 Image File Application Identifier: IMGBURN V2.5.7.0 - THE ULTIMATE IMAGE BURNER!

I 15:23:31 Image File Implementation Identifier: ImgBurn

I 15:23:31 Image File File System(s): ISO9660; UDF (1.02)

I 15:23:31 Read Speed (Data/Audio): MAX / MAX

I 15:23:32 Verifying Session 1 of 1... (1 Track, LBA: 0 - 2285871)

I 15:23:32 Verifying Track 1 of 1... (MODE1/2048, LBA: 0 - 2285871)

I 15:36:42 Exporting Graph Data...

I 15:36:42 Graph Data File: C:\Documents and Settings\Waydown\Application Data\ImgBurn\Graph Data Files\HL-DT-ST_DVD-RAM_GH22LP20_1.01_ΠΈΜΠΤΗ-19-ΑΠΡΊΛΙΟΣ-2012_15-07_MCC_03RG20_4x.ibg

I 15:36:42 Export Successfully Completed!

I 15:36:42 Operation Successfully Completed! - Duration: 00:13:10

I 15:36:42 Average Verify Rate: 5.794 KB/s (4.2x) - Maximum Verify Rate: 8.428 KB/s (6.1x)

I 15:54:41 Close Request Acknowledged

I 15:54:41 Closing Down...

I 15:54:42 Shutting down SPTI...

I 15:54:42 ImgBurn closed!

Edited April 19, 2012 by waydown

[LIGHTNING UK!]

Install the update firmware for your drive.

 

http://www.firmwarehq.com/LG/GH22LP20/files.html

 

Burning at 4x might not produce the best results, try the faster speeds too.

 

It seems to be verifying very slowly... that could because the drive can't read the disc very well or because something about your machine means it just can't go any faster - what do the buffers look like when it's verifying? Ideally, the device one should be empty - because the hdd should be loads faster.

[waydown]

Thanks for replying Lightning UK! I am gonna update the drive firmware but I just wanna state that I've been burning with the same set up for years without any major problems, at least of that kind. This drive/firmware, Imgburn, Verbatim, at 4x (only because I thought that's the safest recommended speed? I'd rather have more trustable burns than fast ones obviously).

Ofcourse one could point out "well...what used to work doesnt mean it will keep working forever", just saying.

My Machine and C: Drive are old (A pentium 4 / 3GHz one built in 2004) and have suffered some. I know that and unfortunately I am stuck with it for a little while. The drive where the Video Folders are though, is a brand new Caviar Black.

Do you think that's a burn/ImgBurn issue or rather a VLC one?

Edited April 19, 2012 by waydown

[LIGHTNING UK!]

It's impossible it say at this point.

 

I'm not a fan of VLC, I'd much rather use 'Media Player Classic - Home Cinema' or some real (licensed) software such as PowerDVD / TMT.

 

The disc has burnt and verifed ok so the data is all present and correct.

 

I'd therefore have to assume it's an issue with your source files or VLC.

 

Make an ISO instead of burning to disc, mount the ISO in a virtual drive and try playing from that.

 

If that works ok, VLC must have a problem with your drive/discs.

 

Drives can produce their best quality burns at any of the supported speeds. There's nothing to say that's going to be at 4x. It could turn out that 4x produces an awful quality burn and 8x is loads better. You'd have to do some quality check scans with a LiteOn drive (or similar) to find out.

 

Cleaning the drive with a cleaning disc may improve things too - especially as this only seems to be a problem with the one drive.

[waydown]

Hm, it seems it is a VLC lag as suspected. I've being told in their forum to wait as long as 2 mins and it would eventually start which it did. Still, it's the first time it takes that long... hmmm....

 

I got some questions in what you said.

It seems to be verifying very slowly...

What's the verify rate I was supposed to get? I always thought it's a bit similar to the recording one.

 

Drives can produce their best quality burns at any of the supported speeds. There's nothing to say that's going to be at 4x. It could turn out that 4x produces an awful quality burn and 8x is loads better. You'd have to do some quality check scans with a LiteOn drive (or similar) to find out.

 

That's interesting, so you say the usual "slowest=safest" is a myth and every drive has a different "ideal" burn speed? How am i supposed to figure the one for my current drive? And for any drive for that matter? I am not sure what you mean by saying "to do some quality check scans with a LiteOn drive". Checking with...another drive than the one I got? What info would that provide for the one I got? Also, is there an established/recommended test method/app for that sort of thing? Recommended speed for the most quality/lasting-in-time burns I mean.

 

Finally, seeing the disc durability is the most important thing for me, what would you suggest in order not to find myself in the unfortunate case of burning something, everything being ok upon checking then disc refuses to play/skipping-stucking after a year or so? It has happened sometimes and it's awful. Since you say verifying without problems means the burn was completed with no problems, is buying quality media the only factor to prevent this from happening? As I've said I have settled on Verbatim for some time now.

 

Thanks a lot for your replies and for this great app.