DVD won't burn

allannorman wrote on 4/3/2013, 7:17 PM

I have tried a few times to burn a DVD-RW 4.7 GB 4x 120 min and have had not luck. MEP 2013 runs through the burn process and says the DVD is complete and the tray opens up. When I try to play the DVD there is nothing there and when I check the usage on the DVD all space is free.

I am trying to burn a project with a file extension .MVP

Click Burn, click burn again, then click DVD and I get this menu

Here is a close up of the menu

Then I get this warning message which I assume I can ignore. The background music runs a little longer than the video, I just didn't cut it off.

I hit ignore and then I get this message. I am not sure what it is telling me? I have not checked any boxes but I have tried hitting the use all and encode all buttons. When I do that it looks like everything is working. it takes about an hour and a half and says the DVD is complete press ok. I press ok and the tray opens, but there is nothing on the DVD. What am I missing? I have also tried a DVD R 4.7 GB 1x to 4x but no luck.

Thanks for your help

Comments

terrypin wrote on 4/4/2013, 1:52 AM

Hi Allan,

First, have you successfully burned DVDs (of any type) before with MEP 2013?

From your clear description of the dialog windows that have appeared, it sounds like you've followed an unusual procedure. Did you perhaps use the Add Files... facility and then browse to your project file?

The usual way to burn your project does not require specifying it that way, and avoids those messages about encoding, etc (poorly designed IMO). With your project finished and playing correctly in Edit mode, switch to Burn mode, create your menu (a step you didn't mention, so I assume you just accepted whatever default applied in your case), click the Burn button and then the DVD button. Then it's a good idea to check your settings. Here's my example so far:

Or for better quality: https://dl.dropbox.com/u/4019461/MEP-BurningProblem-1.jpg

Close the Encoder settings and finally click the Burn button, which should start the process with no further dialogs to confuse.

Try all that with a simple project (a single JPG will do) and report back.

In parallel, check whether or not MEP has actually encoded the DVD. Navigate to the folder of DVD files in the location specified in Program Settings > Folder > Disc images. Is the DVD there? Can you play it, or its first IFO file? For example, with VLC, WMP, etc?

If so, then do as I do and burn with a different program. I've never had reliable burning using MEP over the years (MEP11 to MEP 2013). I don't think its burning software supports a wide enough range of CD/DVD drives.

My solution is to leave the disk out when I start the MEP burn routine. When MEP has finished the encoding stages (which it always does successfully unless I've made some sort of mistake) it then asks me to insert a disc. I don't do that, but instead hit Cancel and then Close.

I then go to the folder of DVD files described above and play the DVD from there to satisfy myself it's OK. Then finally I burn the folder to disc with the excellent ImgBurn (free).

--
Terry, East Grinstead, UK

allannorman wrote on 4/4/2013, 7:15 PM

Thanks Terry:

After reading your response I checked the way I was opening the project. When I open MEP I "x" ed out the first menu box that allows me to create or open a file, then I browed for the file I wanted and double clicked to open the project. However, doing it the correct way I still got the extra menu.

I did check and the files did save to the Disc folder (thanks I wasn't aware of the folder) and they would play, although, the movie was broken up into smaller videos.

I downloaded the program you suggested and tried to create the DVD but no luck

I then tried with Windows DVD Maker and then Go2Pro and still no luck. I tried a different video and still no luck. I am starting to think that there may be a problem with by DVD Burner.

Thanks for your help. I may pick up a seperate burner and give it a try.

Allan

terrypin wrote on 4/5/2013, 2:02 AM

Hi Allan,

My comments about your MEP procedure referred to burning an existing project, not to opening a project.

The first three steps in burning from ImgBurn are shown below:

Then accept the defaults.

--
Terry, East Grinstead, UK

johnebaker wrote on 4/5/2013, 4:50 AM

. . . . I may pick up a seperate burner and give it a try. . . .

This is one possibility - the other is that you have some 'bad' discs - try another make.

Tip: I use DVD RW or BD-RE for the initial burn then when everything is OK do I burn to DVD-R or BD-R.

You can then re-use the rewriteables again - saves money and trying to find a use for all the coasters

John

allannorman wrote on 4/6/2013, 6:51 AM

Success! Thanks Terry and John. I ran MEP as you sggested Terry, without a DVD in the drive. When it was time to write the DVD I put one in to see if MEP would do the job and it didn't so I was able to burn it with ImgBurn.

When I tried the first time I googed ImgBurn and downloaded the wrong bruner. I noticed this when I saw your comments. Everything is good now.

Thanks for the help Terry and John.