Patrick

It's not real clear what you are trying to do, or at least I'm confused. I’m not sure if you want an iso image of a file, a DVD formatted folder or exactly what, how and where you want to play this iso image. But save your time looking, PD8 does not have an iso image create feature.

Jeff

Quote: Patrick

It's not real clear what you are trying to do, or at least I'm confused. I’m not sure if you want an iso image of a file, a DVD formatted folder or exactly what, how and where you want to play this iso image. But save your time looking, PD8 does not have an iso image create feature.

Jeff

Jeff

I understand I can burn dvd directly from PD8. I've come across many software which says can burn dvd within the program but I choose not to for stability purpose.

With Proshow gold (slideshow program), I create an ISO image of my slideshow, then use Nero to burn the image into a dvd.

I think Kevin or Tony mentioned that there is an option in PD8 to burn ISO image. Maybe I misread somewhere. If cannot, it's not a problem. I can certainly burn direct to dvd within PD8.

So, if I opt to burn direct to dvd, I do not have to worry about any selection of file type in the Produce window? Only use this window if I want to output into a file so I can stream via a media player? Correct?

What do I do then if I opt not to burn now but put into a folder so I can burn later via a 3rd party software i.e. Nero?

Rgds
PAt

PD8 can not create an iso image, if in fact it was mentioned by someone that it could, I believe they might be in error.

Keep in mind, an iso image is an archive of all data files on a CD/DVD or any other format disc as long as it's a single track. So, I could create an iso image of a single MPEG2 file, multiple MPEG2 files, a DVD folder structure, a WMA file, or an AVCHD folder format, on and on. I don't know what Proshow gold did for your slideshow, after you burnt the iso to disc with Nero, what file structure/format/container was on the DVD? That would be the easiest way to find out.

If your intent is to create a DVD that is playable in a stand alone DVD player then you need a given format to achieve that. For this, there is no reason to Produce at all. Simply go to Create Disc module and either create a DVD folder or Burn directly to disc. However, sometimes a Produce is required to get around issues, but generally should not be required. If you create a DVD folder on your hard disc then you can burn later with your favorite burn application, or create an iso out of it with your favorite burn application.

Jeff

Quote:
If your intent is to create a DVD that is playable in a stand alone DVD player then you need a given format to achieve that. For this, there is no reason to Produce at all.
Jeff

Ah, so the Produce Window is just used to output to a certain file type, upload to flickr, youtube etc. Understood.

I thought it was a workflow I had to follow...

Rgds
Patrick

Patrick -

It's OK. It's easy enough to get confused when you're learning a new piece of software. I get confused and I'm not!

In the Create Disc module, you can (a) burn to a disc, (b) create a DVD folder (then later burn to disc with other software), or (c) both.

Your question was which format/profile to use. Now I realise your intention is to create a DVD. As Jeff said, you do not need to produce your creation to a file first. You can go directly to Create Disc. Sometimes, it should be pointed out, producing the file first can overcome possible burn issues.

If you go straight to Create Disc, select either DVD or AVCHD & choose which profile to use (ie. quality). It depends what your player can read.

If you want to produce the file first, you can choose from a range of formats of various quality, bitrates, sizes etc. If it's going to end up on a DVD anyway, mpeg2 DVD HQ will do the job. Note: burning anything to DVD will result in loss of quality.

Hope that helps -

Tony
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Last night I successfully burned a dvd of my Mom's 70th. I've not played the entire dvd so I don't know yet if all is ok.

One thing that bothers me though burning the dvd direct from PD8. My entire project was only 718mb. I contains 17 jpgs, 1 mp3 (2 mins) for background track and 4-5 short clips of video in one continuous play. Burning the dvd took 1 hr & 12 mins. Is this normal? I've got a quad core PC & 4gig ram and nothing running in the background.

Would rendering the project to the harddrive then burn via a stand alone burning software yield faster results?

I also had alot of trouble using 16:9 menus downloaded from Director Zone. I downloaded the MGM menu onto my desktop. I had PD8 open. I double-clicked the file and a messager displayed that this file ro be used buy some of the Cyberlink software etc. I clicked ok and another message telling me the file was correctly install and can be used or something to that ilk.

Since PD8 was opened, I selcted the Menu Preference tab and I caould not see the MGM menu. I hit the 'refresh' button on the right I see the MGM menu but a blank rectangle. It had the text 'MGM' under the icon so I know it was the MGM menu. I clicked that menu but nothing happened. I read on other threads that getting the menu to work properly is a hit and miss thing. Must change file extension etc but the message I got was that the menu was installed correctly and could be used immediately. I gave up after a few tries and used one of the 3 samples that came with PD8. Am I missing a step or 2?

Another question I'd like to ask is if I want to render to a file then use 3rd party software to burn or stream tht file, what feature do I use?

Do I output to a file via the produce window or when I am in the Create Disc window but only select to burn the project to a folder?

Many Thanks
Patrick

Hi Patrick -

Well done - project completed and the happy learning curve continues.

Depending on the format you were using, 718MB sounds acceptable... but it did take longer that I'd expect for it to burn. Burn time is dependant on a number of factors... PC specs, graphics card, burning hardware etc.

Yes - rendering the elements of your project to (say) mpeg2 DVD HQ before burning would save your PC a mountain of time & effort in burning. Of course, that cannot include the menu.

Menu downloads from DirectorZone? I have had variable experience with this, with about a 60% success rate. I just had quite a few attempts at downloading the MGM template, just to see (with PD open, I saved the file & double clicked). I got one message telling me it was an invalid file, another telling me the PIP has been installed (it was supposed to be a menu template). It wasn't till the 3rd time (after repeatedly closing & re-opening PD) that I finally got the MGM menu template to appear and be available for use... & I didn't even want it!

If your PD only came with 3 menu templates, you have only installed part of the package. It's the Content part you're missing. There are 2 sections:

PDR8_Program_2220_VDE090831-02
PDR8_Content_1931_VDE090609-01

If you want to use 3rd party software to burn, go to Create Disc... do all the menu stuff... then click Burn. Uncheck Burn to Disc & check Create a Folder. You can then use your other burn software to access that folder (it will be in My/Videos). Yes - Craig - the steps you suggested were correct.

Cheers - Tony


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