DVD failure in menu

siegbrunn wrote on 6/3/2018, 10:44 AM

On Win10 64b up to date. MEP plus 2017 v. 16.0.4.119 (UDP3)

After the whole problem with the missing audio in mts files, I was relieved that everything (for me anyway) seemed to be working properly again. . . . . at least I thought so.
I am making a DVD of a concert presented by our theater group and have now done a THIRD mixdown (with changes which I will explain in a moment) and have another dud DVD.

1st mixdown and DVD burn: Full concert (no captions BTW on the principal of "keep it simple, stupid") In the menu I used my own graphic BG and re-ordered the Titleson each chapter page (no thumbnails, only title list) so the numbers would run consecutively in each of two columns and not zig-zag down the page (I have done this before successfully). The full DVD was 1:50 so I used a double-layer DVD.
RESULT
The film seemed to mix down and then burn OK, but it didn't work. An attempt with several DVD players (VLC, 5K, WMP) resulted in a moment's pause and then the player shut down.

2nd mixdown and DVD burn: Thought perhaps I had made the menu too complicated so chose a template with a simple column on each chapter page (no thumbnails, just title list). Did it again. Nope. Same result. I looked at the files on the DVD and in the Magix temp file (that Magix saves on the PC) and an attempt to open it direct from the file manager showed me an odd behavior of the Menu file: it didn't stay open - it just flashed by and closed immediately, going immediately to the first VOB file. At that point it would begin playing normally, (but without menu.) This result BTW was only possible over the file manager, the player alone couldn't do that.

3rd DVD burn: I tried converting this last DVD to an ISO and then burned that. Nope.

3rd mixdown and 4th DVD burn:
Decided to shorten the concert, so I cut out all moderation and managed to shorten it enough to go on one regular DVD. Simplified the menu and used a mostly white BG from Magix.
RESULT: Same. I can go in and play the thing just from the VOB files.

I hope I haven't overwhelmed all of you with info, it's just easier to try to make everything clear at the start, just to save time.

My conclusion is: There is a problem with Magix's menu creation. Is this something left over from the whole problem with audio? I find that hard to believe. But in any case, I have no idea how to proceed. Should I dump my current MEPplus2017 and lay out the €€ for a new one? (can't really afford it) Reinstall (again)?

At least I have a nice collection of disc coasters for the terrace this summer

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Comments

terrypin wrote on 6/13/2018, 10:21 AM

Why start discussing another project until we’ve drawn some conclusion about the first two?

Especially as, so far, I can’t see any problem. But I’m still not yet clear exactly what your problem is with those two as you haven’t spelt out what behaviour you get that’s different to mine.

I assume you saw my note about MPC-HC?

Sound? Are you saying that the source MP4 on your original timeline did have audible sound? You didn’t mute it? (Tempting, as I guess there were a lot of cat howls. Reckon I’d prefer the silent version.)

terrypin wrote on 6/13/2018, 11:37 AM

(Our posts crossed in the mail.)

Magix Test 1 plays OK, including menu, with both MPC-HC and VLC here.

I'm using latest version of VLC.0.3 Vetinari. What's yours?

I don't have MPC Classic.

johnebaker wrote on 6/13/2018, 2:43 PM

@siegbrunn

. . . . there IS an audio! But the iso has none. Oooh myyyyy, G. . . . . .

That is correct - it looks like there is an issue with the audio - which my MEP 2016 and 2018, does not like.

MediaInfo reports the Audio Format setting as Explicit - this would suggest the video has been through a converter or is a capture from the Internet with software that is set to specific audio profile settings which is preventing the correct import of the audio into MEP if I convert the video to 'normal' mp4 then the audio is present in MEP.

This does not affect the issue with the menus of the DVD you are having.

. . . . In VLC - your ISO works. Menu functions correctly, but no Audio. . . .

That is great - as I said above the audio is another issue.

DVD Menu testing

I have been doing further experimenting with the menu system in MEP, so long as main movie and chapters have their own menu page there is no issue with the menu system, however putting main movie and chapter links onto the same page, whether the main movie page or the chapters page and turning off the one not used does not work this is an issue with MEP.

I suspect this is a limitation of the disc menu editing capabilities of MEP. 😕

Testing using DVD Architect to create a DVD disc, it is possible to create a DVD menu with both main movie and chapters on the same page that works, also the audio is imported correctly.

Here is a DVD iso made with DVD Architect.

If you must have the chapter buttons on the same page as the main movie then I would recommend using DVD Architect.

HTH

John EB

siegbrunn wrote on 6/13/2018, 5:34 PM

@terrypin

@johnebaker

Up late now. Still trying to solve this. Terry, as far as what was on the timeline, I knew the cats clip already and didn't play it out in MEP (dumb). Did not notice that the audio was flat! The copy of it I have plays everywhere else with sound so I didn't think about it.

Terry, as to a "new" project, I did that because I was so stupid as to load up two "media backup" folders to Drop Box with different names on the outside but the same project name on the inside. I was starting to get headaches from trying to figure out which one we were talking about. I thought this was the better solution.

My MPC is the same as yours - Sorry - it used to be called MPC Classic.
What I have is
MPC-HC (64-bit) Version: 1.7.13 (e37826845)
My VLC is Vetinari 3.0.1

It's really odd that you can play "magix test 1" on VLC and I can't (it springs over the menu as I said)
and so now I'm still getting a headache because I've got two "dead " films and nothing is making any sense.
I'll go at this again tomorrow. My hubby's already been asleep for 2 hours. G'night. Oh yes, and thank you.

terrypin wrote on 6/14/2018, 3:43 AM

Just to be sure we're both singing from the same hymn sheet:

Focusing on VLC, if you have other DVD folders - made by you or others - do they play correctly?

I wonder if we have one or more different osbscure VLC settings?

If you proceed to physically burn from this folder, does the DVD disc have the same problem when played?

Terry, East Grinstead, UK

siegbrunn wrote on 6/14/2018, 5:59 AM

@terrypin
Good morning!
I said yesterday about the new project: "On VLC it springs directly over the menu straight to the film."

Well. . . today it works normally with "Magix Test 1" ! Gack! Early this morning Windows did the newest update. Could be related. But probably not. On looking at how VLC plays various older projects, it's very undependable, sometimes works with menu, sometimes not at all.

Anyway, to your latest post, I think that - in effect - I've already done this list of pix. "Magix Test 1" is the folder I saved as "Backup Media" and then burned into a folder (DVD Image Magix_test_1). This Image folder plays without a problem on VLC and MPC-HD.

So what now? Should I take on a somewhat larger project and see what happens?

terrypin wrote on 6/14/2018, 6:45 AM

@siegbrunn,

Sounds promising! The erratic behaviour of VLC that you describe is a remaining issue tempting digression. But I’d suggest we resist that for now given that you mentioned some urgency. I’d return to your actual project and tell us how that goes.

I too had an overnight Windows update, but as you know my VLC was working yesterday. Windows works in mysterious ways though, so who knows? 🙂

Terry.

siegbrunn wrote on 6/14/2018, 8:51 AM

@terrypin
I think I will try a short NEW project in MEP and see what happens. I don't see what else would be of help. I'll stick by the Menu format @johnebaker suggested so there are no confusing changes in settings. I will then burn it to a folder and test it. (one less coaster for the terrace if it doesn't work) Should I then burn the image in Ashampoo or another program and not in MEP?

terrypin wrote on 6/14/2018, 10:08 AM

@siegbrunn

As mentioned in my 8th June post, I use ImgBurn. But MEP itself might well prove reliable in your case so why not try that first if the preview from the folder is OK?

And I'd suggest two projects, identical except for the second using your 'chapters only' preference.

siegbrunn wrote on 6/14/2018, 10:34 AM

Will do. The first (with film page and chapter menu page) is burning now. The whole film is about 15 minutes so it shouldn't take more as another hour or so. (We want to buy a new PC sometime in summer, but I really don't know if it's in the cards.)

johnebaker wrote on 6/14/2018, 11:05 AM

@siegbrunn

. . . . I will then burn it to a folder and test it. (one less coaster for the terrace if it doesn't work) . . . .

I use a different workflow for burning - I always do the initial burn direct in MEP, however I burn to rewriteable discs - DVD-RW for DVD or BD-RE for BluRay.

Once I get a good burn to the rewriteable disc, it plays OK on DVD/BD player and there are no further changes needed to the movie - viewing on a big screen often shows up small errors etc., I copy the rewriteable, using Nero - I could also burn with ImgBurn however I prefer Nero, to permanent discs rather than burn again in MEP

The rewriteable disc(s) are then erased for the next project.

I am moving away from using the disc menu system in MEP, as I indicated in my previous post, to Magix DVD Architect to complete the menu system and burn to disc - it is gives much more versatile menu systems, however that is another topic.

HTH

John EB

siegbrunn wrote on 6/14/2018, 11:30 AM

@terrypin

The new Project is through and in a disc image folder, which even works in VLC! It's only 15 minutes but it's a good sign that I can start putting the concerts together again. I'll now burn ir with Ashampoo. In the meantime I'm following the second trail with John.
@johnebaker

I have downloaded the test version of Vegas DVD Architect. Do I understand correctly that this is particularly for the menu system? What is your procedure for this? Do you export a complete film from Magix (with or without captions?) and open it in DVDArch to make a menu for it? And if so, what is the highest quality film I can export. For most films I am working with M2TS files, can I export to that quality film before I build the menu?

johnebaker wrote on 6/14/2018, 12:33 PM

@siegbrunn

The basic workflow I use for MEP and DVD Architect (DVDA) is:

1. MEP

create the video in MEP and export this, ideally, however not necessary - see note 1 below, in the same format required for the disc you are going to make, ie

MPG at 720 x 576 resolution for DVD or m2ts at 1920 x 1080 for BluRay.
create any custom still images, from the movie in MEP or an image editing program and/or preview video for use in the disc menu background or buttons or intro movie

2. DVD Architect

start a new project and select whether you are going to create a DVD or BluRay disc.
add the exported movie from MEP to the DVDA project.
create chapter markers if required.
select the menu theme to be used.
add any extra buttons, menu pages or remove what you do not need.
change the images text for the buttons as required - see note 2 below.
create the disc - see note 1 below.

Note:

DVDA will re-render the imported file as required if the export from MEP does not match the project settings, this is useful when import mt2s and creating a DVD disc.
DVDA will automatically select images for the buttons etc depending on the theme you use, however ou can change these from a different time in the movie or use custom ones you have created.

DVDA has its own forum here and there are many tutorials on getting started with DVDA - see this topic.

HTH

John EB

siegbrunn wrote on 6/15/2018, 4:27 AM

@johnebaker

Thank you for your explanation. I'm not clear though on exporting a film to the same quality as m2ts. When I choose "File/export movie/Video as . . ." which should I choose for the best quality? And are there settings adjustments to make in the following window such as "frame rate" or under "advanced"?

johnebaker wrote on 6/15/2018, 4:49 AM

@siegbrunn

. . . . on exporting a film to the same quality as m2ts. When I choose "File/export movie/Video as . . ." which should I choose for the best quality? . . . .

To start with, I would suggest you to try File, Export, Video as MPEG 4 and from the preset drop down in the export dialog, select the appropriate AVCHD option and let DVDA re-render the video - this it will have to do if you create a DVD from mt2s files and it will lose quality due to the DVD's lower resolution..

Ideally the MEP export export settings and the project settings in DVDA should match for framerate, resolution, bitrate etc., to avoid re-rendering.

So far I have not been able to achieve consistent results in getting DVDA to avoid re-rendering - I am mainly working with BluRay discs.

HTH

John EB