Putting a DVD and HEVC file on a DVD+R DL

Recycler wrote on 8/6/2018, 12:17 PM

I wanted to start putting a full HD version alongside the standard DVD format on my recordings (using DVD+R DL) in an attempt to wean my users onto the merits of HD. After first manufacturing a nice set of coasters, I settled on this simple workflow, which may possibly be of interest:

In VPX create the files for the DVD in the normal way; if you plan for them to exceed the 4.7 GB limit you will of course need to hoodwink VPX into allowing this by temporarily putting a DL disc in the drive.
I chose to use roughly the same bit rate for DVD and for the full HD HEVC option in VPX; this means your HEVC is slightly smaller than the DVD. I suspect that this is a good thing, because if something is going to get split, at playback the DVD decoder will probably not get so upset as an HEVC decoder.
Ensure all the DVD files are in a folder called VIDEO_TS
I put my HEVC file in a folder called custom, largely to make things clearer for the end user. I imagine (but have not tested) that you can use a different folder name or not use a folder without complications.
Open ImgBurn into BUILD mode, then load the folders VIDEO_TS and custom into the "Source" space (see below).
Click on the calculator, and you should get offered a break point choice dialogue which will be different depending on content.
Adjust as necessary, and click OK.
Finally click on the ImgBurn "proceed" icon, and settle in for a long wait.

Best wishes - Mike -

Comments

johnebaker wrote on 8/6/2018, 12:35 PM

@Recycler

Hi Mike

. . . . After first manufacturing a nice set of coasters . . . .

A couple of questions:

Was this using the VPX to burn the DVD with the Add files option in the burn dialog to add the MP4?
Is the HEVC accessible by the player or for computer use - see below?

I have not tried it yet, however I remember reading that a BD player that can play mp4 and supports HEVC can play the HEVC file on its own, although I cannot remember if there was a way of creating a menu item for it.

I will have a look into using DVD Architect to see if this can be done - when time allows!

John EB

Recycler wrote on 8/6/2018, 1:52 PM

@johnebaker

No. The Add Files option, although working nicely for standard DVD, seems to fail when the target is a DL. At least I never managed to get it to work today. So the DVD content was rendered by itself quite conventionally.
I'm working into users who basically stuff the disc into a DVD player - because of the age demographic, very few would even be truly aware of things like BD. So no, I make it very clear to them that to get the HD you have to play in a computer - which most of them have.

BTW, when I started playing with H.265, VLC struggled a bit, so I looked more favourably upon MS's Movies & TV (Films & TV over here). However the last update to VLC has IMO swung the balance back and so I presently recommend folk to try VLC for HEVC.

- Mike -

johnebaker wrote on 8/6/2018, 4:30 PM

@Recycler

Hi Mike

Thanks for the clarification.

VLC vs Movies & TV is a bit of a swings and roundabouts situation - VLC is excellent for playing DVD complete with menu options, however Movies & Tv seems to be better with h.265.

To play BD discs on the computer I use Nero Blu-ray player.

John EB

Recycler wrote on 8/8/2018, 9:27 AM

One comment about burning DL discs.... After my happy initial post in this thread, I started coaster manufacture again, getting "Power Calibration Area Errors" and "Invalid Field in CDB" messages from ImgBurn. Half a dozen experiments with different ImgBurn settings all ended in failure (but beautiful coasters).

I looked up the available wisdom from the 'Net, and having tried everything else was left with the advice to clean the lens. Less subtle advice was simply to blow through the drive from the outside, rather than attempt to open it up. With considerable trepidation, I did just that using a utility vacuum cleaner on blow - and, much to my surprise, I've now managed three DVD+R DL burns perfectly and going strong!

- Mike -

johnebaker wrote on 8/8/2018, 11:41 AM

Hi Mike

Good news - you may have to have words with the person responsible for computer cleaning? 😉

I clean mine out at least once per year, preferably twice. Compressed air can to shift the dust, especially from the fans, plus vacuum cleaner to catch it before I get a face or lung full of the dust cloud.

John EB