Making Blu-rays

MikaS wrote on 7/21/2022, 7:38 AM

I'm trying to make PAL Blu-ray discs with my MEP Premium 21.0.2.138. The goal is to be able to play them with my Samsung BD-player.

My current project's sources are recorded with a Panasonic camcorder. The clips are MPEG-4 1080p50. I followed John EB's tutorial and was able to make a disc, and then play it with my Samsung. But the video was slighty jerky in places where the camera was moving or where people were moving fast. The original clips look OK when I play them with my computer.

What could be the reason for jerkiness and how could it be reduced?

When I exported the original clips to Magix video (.mxv), I used the original settings (50 fps & progressive). Should I have changed those to something else (25i?)?

Before burning the disc I had plenty of options to choose, and I wasn't sure what to choose.

MPEG-2 or H.264? I chose the latter.

In the Encoder settings I chose the default setting: Blu-ray 1920x1080i PAL. So I guess the interlacion(?) was made there, and the info-box also says it changes the framerate to 25. Does it make any difference if the change from p50 to i25 is made in exporting to mxv or in Blu-ray export?

There's also a "Apply anti-interlace filter (suppresses flickering)" -box, but I didn't tick that. Mistake?

In "Advanced settings" there's also interesting choices to be made: top field first or bottom field first?

I guess the bitrates and coding qualities don't affect the jerkiness?

I would be very grateful if someone could tell me which options I should choose.

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MikaS wrote on 10/23/2022, 12:49 AM

Finally, I was able to make the Blu-ray disc I wanted. Thank you for your help!

Creating the menus was difficult. It's not very intuitive, and save and undo functions don't really work. I used the default menu template, and managed to get seven buttons per page and insert my own photos as background.

johnebaker wrote on 10/23/2022, 3:34 AM

@MikaS

Thanks for the feedback and pleased you have managed to get to grips with the menu editing, as you say, it is not intuitive.

John EB

MikaS wrote on 11/13/2023, 10:31 AM

I'm trying to make Blu-ray discs again... and running into problems, again.

This time I have one movie with several chapters. I managed to create a BD with a submenu for chapters, but the chapters don't work. When I try to click the chapter buttons, my Samsung Blu-ray player freezes. It does find the right spot and displays the time of the movie, but the image and sound freezes. And I get the same results, if I try to play the disc with VLC or MPC-HC in my PC. In the MEP preview chapters work fine.

After my initial movie (mkv/1080p24) failed, I have tried to make "chapter-discs" with other movies (mkv/1080p25; mp4/1080p60; mp4/1080p50). They all have failed. In the "disc selection" phase I first used Blu-ray player and then AVCHD. All failed.

In addition to chapter buttons not working, I can't fast forward the movie, nor can I jump to the next chapter.

Any ideas how to make chapters work?

johnebaker wrote on 11/13/2023, 4:13 PM

@MikaS

Did you make any modifications to the menu template used for the disc?

Which template did you use?

John EB
Forum Moderator

MikaS wrote on 11/13/2023, 11:31 PM

I don't remember which template I used for the first project (the one I actually wanted to do). But I made plenty of modifications for that. With the three other projects (that were only experiments) I used the default template, and didn't do any modifications. The first one was a longer movie (90 minutes) with 13 chapters. The three experiments were shorter (3-7 minutes) with 2 chapters.

After writing my previous post, I also did an experiment with Red Smoke -template and lower bitrates (below 18 Mbps). That didn't work either.

The chapter marks seem to be in the disc, since the movie moves into a right spot. But for some reason, it freezes there. If I press the first chapter button (where the movie starts), it runs ok. But if I press any other chapter button, then it freezes.

Did I do something wrong when making the chapter marks? In timeline, I moved the cursor to the right spots and then clicked the chapter marker icon. And then renamed the chapter.

donjen33 wrote on 12/29/2023, 11:54 PM

Sorry if I’m posting this in the wrong spot but I desperately need advice please.

i’ve been interested to read all of the above thread, some of which seems pertinent to my own situation, however I’m sorry I have nothing to offer.

I’ve been using Photostory Deluxe to create & burn BluRay discs for more years than I care to remember and am currently on PD 2023. I’m not doing anything fancy, just using a mixture of iPhone photos & videos, a few GoPro video clips, and music & text. However I’m having encoding error issues with my latest project, probably due to something I’m doing wrongly! I’ve always used my HP laptop and my basic LG BluRay burner which in the past has always created discs which play on my Panasonic BluRay player. However with my current project I get a player message saying that the disc is incompatible. I tried burning the project again but now I’m getting an encoding error message so naturally the disc hasn’t burned. I’ve attempted burning to both Kodak & Verbatum discs which I’ve used with no issues in the past. Are there basic settings i should be using in the options I see after I push the burn button?
The program is currently attempting to create a disc … after 1 hour & 30 mins in on Cut 1 of 3 and is still showing 1 hour 50 mins to go. I’m not expecting success and I’ve lost count of how many attempts have been made over the last week or so! The project should be using just over 21GB on the 25GB disc and it runs for about 90 minutes. I was able to upload an earlier version from a USB to YouTube.

I’m an elderly grandma and definitely not tech savvy!! Any suggestions would be gratefully received 😊

emmrecs wrote on 12/30/2023, 3:59 AM

@donjen33

First, thank you for posting a full description of your computer and software. That information is extremely valuable to fellow-users who would like to help you. However, please edit your signature to remove the Device ID and Product ID since this data can be used by others to potentially hack your computer!

I also note you are running version 22H2 of Win 11. Although I don't have that operating system I know there has been at least one, and possibly two updates to it which I think you really ought to have installed.

As to the problem (I was initially minded to move your post to the Photostory forum area but decided not to since your question is clearly linked closely to the subject of this thread!): I note you wrote that you are using iPhone photos & videos, a few GoPro video clips. They may be the source of the problem, especially if, as is quite likely I think, some or all of the videos may be Variable Frame Rate.

To check this please follow this tutorial to show us an analysis of at least one each of your iPhone and GoPro video clips.

(Just to reassure you: I am a grandfather in my 70s; age is no barrier to being able to achieve what you want to do!)

Jeff
Forum Moderator

donjen33 wrote on 12/30/2023, 5:44 AM

Thanks for all your help and invaluable information. While I appreciate your query in regard to my iPhone photos, I’ve used the photos & videos from this phone for the last 4 holidays I’ve been on and following each one have had no issues at all creating DVDs. Since posting my query a few hours ago I’ve moved over 50GB of files onto external storage devices so I’m hoping that the extra storage on my laptop might help solve the encoding & burning issues.

The disc that was processing when I submitted my post actually succeeded but when I tried to play the disc the message appeared again that the disc was incompatible!

I chose MPEG-2 as the format so I’m now wondering if I should’ve chosen H.264🤔.

For the last few hours I thought I was saving the project in its entirety to a 256GB Samsung USB but it’s just finished and I see that it’s been divided into 9 nearly equal videos!

Anyway Jeff, thank you for your reassuring words re we over-70 year olds! I’ll not let this problem beat me!

emmrecs wrote on 12/30/2023, 6:06 AM

@donjen33

Following your latest post can I confirm that you are burning to Blu-ray disc and not to DVD? I ask that because you mention you had no issues creating DVDs in the past.

For the 256GB Memory Stick that now holds apparently 9 nearly equal videos, do be aware that USB Memory Sticks are normally formatted to FAT32, which has a maximum single file size of 4GB.

Also, this was clearly an Export of your project, not an actual saving of it. When you "save" an MVP project you are saving a file which is, essentially, a database of the content of your project, listing which of your original files are to be used when, for how long, with what effects etc., etc. This project file, whose size is generally in the hundreds of kilobytes at most, never contains any actual audio, video or image files which is why, if you move those files to a different location on your computer, if you want to re-open the project at any future time you will see a message that the files cannot be found. Worse still, if you delete those source files from your computer (without creating a back-up of them somewhere) the project can never be re-opened.

With reference to your comment about having used videos and images from your iPhone previously without problem; does the same apply to your GoPro videos?

Jeff

donjen33 wrote on 12/30/2023, 6:23 AM

Yes Jeff, BluRay discs 25GB capacity). I’ve been very careful not to move any of the source material from My Pictures, My Videos and My Music … I know how disastrous it can be when they’re moved! My project is saved in Photostory but I’ll have to check in the morning on where it is on my laptop. I’d forgotten about reformatting the USB before I moved those couple of folders across! Another job for the last day of the year! Thanks again so much for your help.

CubeAce wrote on 12/30/2023, 7:25 AM

@donjen33

Hi.

I think what Jeff was trying to ask was were you burning DVDs successfully in the past before now trying to burn Blu-rays or were you actually burning Blu-ray discs in the past? That is still not clear.

A lot of us here are possibly older than one might think.😂

Ray.

donjen33 wrote on 12/30/2023, 1:31 PM

Hi Ray. I’ve only ever burned BluRays on this external BluRay burner which I’ve had for over 7 years now. My old laptop just had an internal CD/DVD burner but since I’ve had this current laptop (12 months old) I’ve not had occasion to burn either a CD or a DVD using the BluRay burner. I’m thinking that part, or even most of my problem is a space issue with my laptop so I’ll continue to make more of that this morning but I also think that I’m doing something wrong in the settings. I can’t remember having so many options with previous versions of Photostory 🤔.

CubeAce wrote on 12/30/2023, 2:41 PM

@donjen33

Hi.

Thanks for the clarification.

If the Blu-ray burner was on another older machine is it compatible with a newer operating system? Is there a new driver for it? You may need to go to the manufacturers website to find out. Personally mine didn't need an updated driver from Win 7 to Win 10 but mine is an internal one, not one connected via an external port.

Another possibility I've had.

The problem with Blu-ray burners and even DVD burners is the lasers and servo motors degrade over time. I've replaced two DVD burners and one Blu-ray burner over a period of years, not because I have used them for burning much but they eventually would not play DVDs in the end. If you have an old project still stored somewhere that once worked I would check to see if that creates a working disc. If it doesn't, the chances are the burner's laser has reduced in power or the head needs cleaning. Often a burner will still play discs long after it can't burn them as playing a disc requires the player to use less power to the laser.

Ray.

johnebaker wrote on 12/30/2023, 4:30 PM

@donjen33

. . . . chose MPEG-2 as the format so I’m now wondering if I should’ve chosen H.264 . . . .

H.264 is the standard codec for burning Blu-Ray.

While MPEG-2 is supported, and occassionally used for its alleged better quality video, though with the downside larger file size with less runtime available on disc, it is not supported by all BD Players.

Is the Panasonic player one you have previously being using or a new player?

I am having issues with a BD that plays fine on my Sony player yet gives a similar error message when playing on a new Sony player.

Are you using the same brand/type of disc as previously used?

John EB

donjen33 wrote on 12/30/2023, 5:42 PM

Same 7 year old player & same discs John and it still plays BDs that I created back then 😊. I’ll try burning again using the H.264 codec … after I’ve made more space on my laptop!

CubeAce wrote on 12/30/2023, 5:56 PM

@donjen33

Hi.

I do have old DVD disks as well that no longer work. They look fine but all have failed recently. I have newer CDs that burn (admittedly only with audio) so I suspect my discs but it may be the burner only need cleaning. Like I said, I've known burners to play disks but no longer burn. It also plays back Blu-rays but so far not burning DVDs or Blu-ray discs. It's the reason I've turned to just uploading private videos to YouTube and sharing links instead. Too many failure points to consider and work out what's gone wrong. Also the amount of people I know with a DVD or Blu-ray player is one and that's a games consul of some kind.

Does your Blu-ray burner have a separate power supply or is it relying on the USB port? I have never had an external drive so don't know. If it is USB powered only it may not be getting sufficient power for the laser.

Again I'm guessing. This is really @AAProds speciality. I hope including him will get his attention.

Ray.

donjen33 wrote on 12/30/2023, 10:29 PM

I've just tried burning the project again, this time using the H.264 codec and the USB as the directory for the encoding. I had an unused BD in the burner which is plugged into my laptop via a USB connection. After a couple of hours the procedure ended saying that the operation was successful. Yippee do .... or so I thought until I tried to play the disc and once again the 'incompatible disc' message appeared. It was then that I realised the project was actually on the USB, saved as an M2TS file which when I click 'stream' I can view quite happily on my laptop. Understandably there's nothing at all on the BD. No worries I thought, I'll just copy the project across to the disc from the USB. But alas I then get a message saying that there's not enough space on the BD. From what I can see, there's 22.5GB free space on the BD and the M2TS file is 13.9GB but the error message tells me that I need another 10.3GB to copy these files from the USB to the BD! I know I'm displaying my technological ignorance here and I certainly don't expect anyone to maintain an interest in my dilemma but I just thought someone might have a simple solution. I can't encode the project in My Videos on my laptop as I just don't have enough space there and I'm not able to remove any of the videos that are there because I can't work out just which ones I've used in my Photostory project! I'm thinking that I'll just have to be happy having it saved to the USB until such time as I'm game to take all the source material off my laptop. The space issue has been a problem of my own making as I know I inadvertently saved all the photos & videos from our month-long holiday in three different folders in My Pictures & My Videos and I can't work out from looking at the source material in PS just which folders I've taken the photos from! The red dots appear on the same photos in all the different folders. This is the first time I've used a GoPro (a gift from my grandchildren) and all the clips are taking up an inordinate amount of space on my laptop. I'll be much more organised and careful with what I do with the photos etc after our 7-week holiday in May & June this year!!! Once again, I can't thank you all enough for all the help you've given me and all the patience you've shown in trying to sort out my mess! Happy New Year everyone!

johnebaker wrote on 12/31/2023, 3:47 AM

@donjen33

. . . . Does your Blu-ray burner have a separate power supply or is it relying on the USB port? . . . .

It is a Verbatim Slimline Blu-Ray burner and can be powered both ways, it has a dual plug cable for connection to 2 USB ports and also comes with a powerpack, I use this when burning to disc even though my laptop USB3 ports can provide the power needed for burning.

. . . . the USB as the directory for the encoding. . . . . I realised the project was actually on the USB, saved as an M2TS file . . . .

Did you use the Encode in directory option of the Burn dialog to specify the USB device?

If so, do not use this option - it 'prepares' the project, ie it creates the files for burning to disc, however does not do the burn to disc.

John EB

donjen33 wrote on 12/31/2023, 4:02 AM

Thanks for that info John. I managed to free up another 30GB of space in My Videos and I’m now using the Europe 23 folder within as the directory to burn the BD directly from PS. I have my fingers crossed that this will finally work. Time will tell. In the meantime we’re enjoying watching the 9pm NYE fireworks in Sydney but on the telly!