Going straight from the project file to a disc burn can sometimes be problematic.
Render the project to MPEG2 HQ, then see if that new file has any sound.
That is a good place to start.
If you have sound, then try to burn that newly rendered file to disc.
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Thanks for the reply Barry.

Will do as you suggest and see what happens.

Just one point however, if I render to MPEG-2 HQ doesn't that mean I lose all the DVD menus i.e it just produces a straightforward MPEG-2 file.

If I get sound on the MPEG-2 file is there a way that I can reproduce/retain the menus I have already setup when I burn the DVD?

I have incidentally looked at the DVD in CloneDVd2 and this shows the audio stream as English MPEG/2 so it looks as if the audio stream has been written to the DVD. I haven't tried the DVD in my stand alone DVD player (for viewing on the TV) and just wondered if this was something strange with the PC and the DVD might play correctly for TV playback.


PS

Since posting originally I have now produced the MPEG-2 HQ file and it plays back with video and sound in Nero.

How can I now burn a DVD with all the menus etc. which is what I really want to do.

Incidentally I use DVD-R RW as my test discs before burning to the final DVD.

Does PD8 have the option to burn an ISO image?

UPDATE

Decided to try the DVD on my stand alone DVD player (Sumvision Phoenix Premium). I bought this recently as it has HDMI and is multi region and would complement my new Samsung 40" Full HD TV. It's only a cheapie brand but reviews were good and my experience is that the less well known brands are less finicky when it comes to playing DVDs.

It has optical audio out that is connected to my home cinema system and input selection on the system is also set to optical for DVD playback.

The manual for the dvd player says that digital output ALL will allow the player to use the DVD original audio track and uses the Dolby Digital AC3 signals through the optical or coaxial audio output.

The PCM option should be selected to use the stereo(2 channels).

Tried it with the default setup I had been using i.e Digital and although the initial music track played there wasn't any audio on the main DVD. I switched the audio setup on the player to PCM and lo and behold it worked perfectly.

Not sure quite what this tells me as I'm not really a techie with these sort of things but perhaps someone can shed some light.

Also, not clear on why the DVD wouldn't play on my laptop but again perhaps someone can explain as this would be my preferred method of testing before writing to a permanent DVD.

If you still have your menu from the original project, save it.
You will have to do some adjusting, but you can use that menu with the new file. HP Envy Phoenix/4thGen i7-4770(4@3.4GHz~turbo>3.9)
Nvidia GTX 960(4GB)/16GB DDR3/
Canon Vixia HV30/HF-M40/HF-M41/HF-G20/Olympus E-PL5.
Tape capture using 6 VCR, TBC-1000, Elite BVP4+, Sony D8 camcorder with TBC.
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Barry

Still trying various things to try and increase my understanding of what the best process is.

How do I save the menu and use it with the new file.

Also what's the rationale behind saving the project to MPEG-2 HQ rather than going straight to disc burn in the project, which would seem to be the logical process?

Hi Chris,

Chris wrote:

Also what's the rationale behind saving the project to MPEG-2 HQ rather than going straight to disc burn in the project, which would seem to be the logical process?

I am not 100% sure....but it seems that if you render the project (produce a video) before burning the project directly to a disc, then you are eliminating a large part of the work that the computer has to do simultaneously.

Rendering and Burning at the same time apparently causes problems with disc production for some. So producing a mpg2 first and then bringing that into your project....then creating a disc utilizing the prerendered video seems to be more successful.

Good Luck,

Kevin
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Thanks Kevin

It seems strange, but I'll bow to your superior knowledge on the subject.

What about my saving the menu I originally created and reusing with the newly rendered MPEg file?

Chris

If you go from project file to disc, the computer has to stitch all the files together at the same time as preparing and writing to the disc. It takes a lot of resources, and leaves a little room for errors.
And yes, your menu can be used in any project you have. You can even send your menu to DirectorZone, and be a contributor. HP Envy Phoenix/4thGen i7-4770(4@3.4GHz~turbo>3.9)
Nvidia GTX 960(4GB)/16GB DDR3/
Canon Vixia HV30/HF-M40/HF-M41/HF-G20/Olympus E-PL5.
Tape capture using 6 VCR, TBC-1000, Elite BVP4+, Sony D8 camcorder with TBC.
https://www.facebook.com/BarryAFTT

Thanks, wouldn't dream of insulting anyone by sending my menu to DirectorZone having seen some of the examples.

I have only modified the Template 10 for my own use to fit the DVD. I can see that in the create menu option it's possible to save any creation as a new template, which I assume is what you are referring to when you say save the menu?

If I then use the newly rendered MPEG file I can use any of the saved menu templates, YES??????

I'll have a play around with the new file and recreate the menu I had before just to see how it works out. I'll get there in the end it's just that the old grey cells take a little longer to kick in these days.

Hi Chris,

Please ....no bowing required!

I don't burn many discs, although I plan to start as I have added a Blu Ray burner to my setup.

But, I have been trying to learn myself, and reading what others are doing to have a successful disc burn. As Barry has said, it seems that you can add your menus to the mpg2 file and have it be written with a positive outcome.

Oh , and by the way....Superior Knowledge????...well, thanks for the compliment, but it sometimes is a factor of trial and many errors and just spitting back the information that has been written by others. We all benefit from hearing from others how to "Make it Happen" and move on to our next project.

Regards,

Kevin
Check out PDtoots. PowerDirector Tutorials and more! Over 5,000 Subscribers.

Oh Captain, my Captain!
I see only 1/2 of the 2 twins, did you run out of sunglasses? HP Envy Phoenix/4thGen i7-4770(4@3.4GHz~turbo>3.9)
Nvidia GTX 960(4GB)/16GB DDR3/
Canon Vixia HV30/HF-M40/HF-M41/HF-G20/Olympus E-PL5.
Tape capture using 6 VCR, TBC-1000, Elite BVP4+, Sony D8 camcorder with TBC.
https://www.facebook.com/BarryAFTT

Barry,

He won't keep the darn sunglasses on long enough to take a picture!!

Kevin
Check out PDtoots. PowerDirector Tutorials and more! Over 5,000 Subscribers.