Ulead DVD Workshop 2 Help in Windows 7
 

First of all let me say hello and thank LS for info on what looks to be a great program. I was a member at the savagetraders site, and found this thru the merge.

I'm having some trouble figuring out DVD Workshop, though. When I try to "load" a file, I'm getting a test pattern thumbnail, and the video will not play in the "screen". I'm sure there is something I'm missing or doing wrong. I tried to follow LS's tutorial video, but this stuff is new and greek to me. I've been using DVD Flick to author, but I'm wanting to move on to something better.

Thanks,

Tommy

Let's start slow: Which version of Windows are you using?

- It works native in Windows XP.
- It requires VirtualPC 2007 (with XP installed inside) to work in Windows Vista.
- Use "XP mode" in Windows 7, and install it in the fake/virtual XP session.

Thanks for the reply LS.

I'm using Windows 7 with the .dlls installed.

I wasn't running it in XP mode. I am now, though.

Yep -- Windows 7 lets DVDWS2 install, but the preview is broken.

Some people have blamed Ulead for this, but the fault lies with Microsoft. Windows Vista/7 broken a lot of legacy functionality for audio/video workflows, which is why many advanced videographers are hardware- and software-locked to XP. Mac is the same way -- it's easy to get locked into a specific version of OS X, otherwise the program or hardware fails.

If you still have questions, ask away. I may not answer immediately, but I will within a few days :)

Does running in XP mode still give the broken preview? I'm still getting the test pattern screen. Like I said, this is greek, so please, be gentle. lol

OK, I got the preview to work, but I have no audio. Should it play, or do I have to add that in?

Hmm.... I'll need to test it out. I primarily use this on XP systems, but I've installed it on Vista and 7 purely to test. I'll need a couple of days, however, as my Windows 7 system is a work computer and being used until the weekend. I could have sworn the audio was fine.

Not to ask stupid questions, but is XP muted by chance? Speakers turned on, etc? (It happens. ;) )

Now I ask a stupid question. How do I check if XP is muted? The rest of my system is working, volume wise.

After fooling around with it all day, I'm still at a loss on the audio.

After looking at my last question, I hope I didn't come off as you were asking off-the-wall questions LS. That certainly wasn't my intention. I'm very green at this and still learning things that should be basic stuff. I was very comfortable with XP, but 7 has thrown me for a loop.

Well, after doing some searching, I think I'm screwed on getting the audio to work. I am running it XP compatibility mode, not the actual Virtual PC mode. And since I have Windows 7 Home Premium, I can't download Virtual PC from Microsoft. And the people that have been able to install it on Home Premium say it doesn't work properly.

I'm going to test it this weekend. I just can't do it M-F this week, because of work.

No problem LS. Work comes first.

I selected "Run this program as an administrator" and I run this program in compatibility mode for Windows XP (Service Pack 3). The only problem I have is that I can't hear the audio. I tried it in edit mode and in the preview in finish and I don't hear anything.

Are you using Windows 7 Bigk?

Yes. I forgot to mention that. It's the best version of Windows but it has problems with some older programs. Running the program as an administrator fixes most problems with running the program. I'm an administrator but yet some programs don't seem to know that.

I'm using Windows 7 as well, and from what I've read, everything will work in DVD Workshop using Windows 7 except for the audio. The audio will be on the DVD when you're finished with it, but it will not work in the preview.

That's the same thing I figured out. You just better be sure the audio works on the video before you author it. I use a DVD-RW to check a DVD after authoring it to make sure that everything looks and works just the way I want it. Then I can just erase the disc as many times as needed until I do the final burn on a DVD-R.

Never use DVDWS2 to burn discs or make ISO/image files. Use it only for authoring to folders.
After that's done, watch it in PowerDVD (best) or VLC (freeware, but not always great for playing DVD folders).
Then burn in ImgBurn for best results.

I've been using DVDWS2 to burn discs for years and it always comes out great. The quality is always just as good as it is on my computer. Some people may not like it but it doesn't mean that it's a bad program. You can't please everyone.

The burning method is not DVD-Video compliant. It's not as much of an issue with single-layer media, but burning dual/double-layer media is usually a guaranteed coaster. It doesn't gap IFO/BUP, and it doesn't set a proper layer break. DVDWS2's burning engine is from the 1990s. That's why ImgBurn is suggested, as it is compliant.

IFO is the main nav file of authored content. If it goes bad, then the disc is bad.
The BUP is a backup of the IFO. As such, it's supposed to be located on a different sector -- i.e., gapped.

The layer break is just flat wrong.

Remember, I do optical media research. ;)

Sounds like a lot of trouble. Say what you want but I'm going to stick with DVDWS2.

Then you can continue to burn non compliant dvd discs. As LS mentioned (and by my own experience when I had dvd WS burn dual layers for me--once) it does not do it the proper method it should and it is not burning within dvd standard. Single disc sometimes gave issue too.

it is not really hard to have UDVDWS2 author you the two folders and then just open imgburn and drag them into it and hit the burn button. If a dual layer is your concern, you do the same but right before it burns, imgburn gives you a pop up window showing you various spots on your dvd of where you can choose to put the layer break and rates them from best to fair. Once done it burns your COMPLIANT dual later disc--Done

Ulead does not even input a layer break

OK, so I'm trying it your way. I want to burn a compliant DL DVD. I burned the DVD folders and now I'm using ImgBurn to burn the DVD folders. I'm at the create layer break position screen and since I'm not a tech guru, I don't know what to select. They are all rated excellent. What am I supposed to do?

If this is an "episode disc", then pick the cell that is between episodes.

For a "movie disc", pick the chapter mark (cell) that is not during any peak action or dialogue.
Furthermore, when authoring, set a chapter mark near the 4GB mark that is purposely during "nothing" on-screen or in audio.
You always plan for the layer break on DL/DVD9 projects.

Post an image (attach to forum), and I'll tell you which is best, assuming this is an episode disc.

and if you are still unsure-- double clicking any of those spots in the imgburn popup window will bring up a short video preview showing you exactly where in your film(or whatever0 the layer break would go.

IMGBURN will show you multiple spots of where it can go

Basically it is showing you those multiple spots in turn giving you a few options of where you can put the layer break. Sometimes you may only have one and that it is rated as "fair", other times you can have quite a few. Depends on disc and design and how many chapters you put in.

you only pick one out of what is offered

** sometimes imgburn will also show you something like vts-whatever.IFO or .BUP as spots for a layer break. Putting them there will make it appear seamless.

This DL DVD will contain 89 videos that I downloaded from YouTube.

I tried uploading the pic to my TVP album but that didn't work, so I had to attach it directly to this post.

I'll assume it's 89 separate videos, not something compiled into a single "movie".
If so, 1320876 is where I'd put it. Less padding is better.

@Tranzor: Agree?

Yes I would. To be honest even when the layer break is poor it really depends on your player as to how much "disruption" you may get when it switches layers, but less padding the better


ohh and while on this subject (and this is for everyone) YOU CANNOT have a compliant dual layer disc be over the standard 4.37 gigs and have your main feature film (which is the bulk of the disc) with ONE chapter only and think it will burn properly. Crap software like Nero and Ulead may allow it, but imgburn will not burn it. I have encountered such a thing a few times before and had to get in touch with the disc authors on how to fix it properly. Likewise NEVER try to have your Dual layer disc 99% full, if anything try to keep it roughly 90-95% but never max it more than that. You need space for the layerbreak padding and the more room the disc has the more options it gives you for layer break additions

I should have mentioned that if you insist on having one chapter only (whatever your reasoning may be on that) then at least have like 20-30 cell breaks within the film since they can be used for potential layer breaks as well (cells are not like chapters, they will not show up on your players display and your feature will still play seamlessly)

Yes, it's 89 separate videos. There is a "Play All" option but that's beside the point.

So you're saying that when I use ImgBurn in the future, I should put the layer break at the first spot with the least amount of padding? I don't know anything about layer breaks, so even your explanation is gibberish to me.

Why does burning create less VOB files than there are videos. There are 89 separate videos but there are only 8 VOB files. One of which is the menu. There are also 3 IFO files and 3 BUP files. I've also noticed that the audio folder is always empty on any DVD that is made. If it's always empty, what's the point of creating it?

No. This is a decision that must be weighted on several factors.

If you put a layer break in the middle of a video, it may pause, skip, or be missing when you watch it. This is a discrepancy between the layer break, the media, and the player. Therefore, it's best to put layer breaks between assets, or (for long movies) during "worthless" parts of a video.

When multiple locations will work, choose the one with the lowest padding amount.

VOB files are unrelated to the number of videos. When you author content, it's placed inside of DVD-Video container files (VOB = "video objects", aka "video assets"). When the specs of sequential videos match, they're placed into the same container. Framerate and resolution are the primary specs that are used to determine matching.

Menus should be in a separate VTS, and almost always are.

There is one IFO for each VTS. VTS = "video title set". The first number of a VOB file is the VTS, and the second number is the part. The disc can have no more than 99 VTS, and each VTS can be no more than 9 parts (9GB max, with each part being 0.99GB).

Each IFO has a backup (BUP), and should be gapped into another sector of the disc. It's not much use to have a backup if the backup and original are both in the same spot on the disc. Hence the need for gapping. Sadly, most burning programs (including Nero, DVDWS2, and others) completely screwed this up. ImgBurn does it correctly.

Because it's part of the DVD-Video spec. Some players will eject a disc as bad if the AUDIO_TS folder is missing, because it's expected.
DVD players check for three key things:
(1) UDF mode data,
(2) DVD-Video authored assets, including the VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS folders, and
(3) region (0-8) and format (PAL/NTSC) data.
If the first two are present, and the third is allowed, the disc starts to play.

A "DVD player" is actually a "DVD-Video player".

I realize some of this looks like jabberwocky, but it should be understood if you want to burn fully compliant DVD-Video discs.

Does that explain it easier. :)

How about this: Is there a way to set up ImgBurn so that it will automatically detect the best place for a layer break? That would make it easier for people like me who don't know much about this technical stuff. My Associates degree includes a minor in computer support, so I know a little more than the average computer user. Except when it comes to things like this.

Doesn't look like that will ever happen, read below:

http://forum.imgburn.com/index.php?showtopic=14624

It's just a terrible idea. Some things should not be automated, and this is one of them.

I did what you said and an error message showed up. I clicked continue and got another error message.

That's a drive/disc error, unrelated to layer breaks. Are these Verbatim DVD+R DL blanks?
Since that's an older NEC drive (same as my Pioneer, in fact), you'd want the 2.4x-6x discs, not the 8x discs.

Yes, they are 8x Verbatim DVD+R DL blanks. DL DVDs are kinda expensive and I don't have a lot of money, so it's not like I can just go out and buy different ones. Maybe if I try burning it at a slower speed.

Even with a faster burner that can support the higher speed disc, I never burn higher than 4x