Creating DVDs - something besides iDVD?

I'm looking for a free app that will let me create DVDs.
I have a series of commercials that I want to put on a DVD, and when I do it through iDVD, I have to use the pre-installed backgrounds. I don't want any backgrounds or menus... I just want the movies to play when you put the DVD in.
Any suggestions?

How to create a DVD without menu (there are several options):
1. Easy: Drop your iMovie in the autoplay box in iDVD's Map View, then set your autoplay item (your movie) to loop continously. Disadvantage: The DVD plays until you hit stop on the remote
2. Still easy: If you don't want your (autoplay) movie to loop, you can create a black theme"by replacing the background of a static theme with a black background and no content in the dropzone (text needs to be black as well). Disadvantage: The menu is still there and will play after the movie. You don't see it, but your disc keeps spinning in the player.
3. Still quite easy but takes more time: Export the iMovie to DV tape, and then re-import using One-Step DVD.
Disadvantage: One-Step DVD creation has been known to be not 100% reliable.
3. Easy enough but needs 3rd party software: Toast lets you burn your iMovie to DVD without menu - just un-check the appropriate check box. Disadvantage: you'll need to spend some extra $$ for the software
4. The "hard way": Postproduction with myDVDedit (freeware)
Tools necessary: myDVDedit ( http://www.mydvdedit.com )
• create a disc image of your iDVD project, then double-click to mount it.
• Extract the VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS folders to a location of your choice. select the VIDEO_TS folder and hit Cmd + I to open the Inspector window
• Set permissions to "read & write" and include all enclosed items; Ignore the warning.
• Open the VIDEO_TS folder with myDVDedit. You'll find all items enclosed in your DVD in the left hand panel.
• Select the menu (usually named VTS Menu) and delete it
• Choose from the menu File > Test with DVD Player to see if your DVD behaves as planned.If it works save and close myDVDedit.
• Before burning the folders to Video DVD, set permissions back to "read only", then create a disc image burnable with Disc Utility from a VIDEO_TS folder using Laine D. Lee's DVD Imager:
http://lonestar.utsa.edu/llee/applescript/dvdimager.html
hope this helps

Similar Messages

Is there a way to create DVD chapters in iDVD?

Is there a way to create DVD chapters in iDVD? I don't see any options for it in iDVD. Also, I don't want to have to import all the footage back into imovie. Thanks

So, what if iDVD 7.1.2 doesn't recognize the chapters from iMovie 10.0.5?
Apple has removed the ability to create chapters in iMovie 10
I use iMovie 06 to do this. It works perfectly with Mavericks, as does iDVD. You can purchase iMovie on disk as part of iLife 06, readily available on Amazon and eBay.
It's quite shocking that another feature has been removed from the once mighty iMovie.

What is a good media player to play DVD's besides iDVD, Quicktime and VLC? None of them let me play my DVD's?

Nothing will let me play real, store-bought DVD's? Is there any other options besides these 3?

If none of these are letting you play DVDs then you may have a hardware problem with your optical drive. Also, have you changed the region code at any time? If so, how many times have you changed it? There's a limit, you can only change the region code of the optical drive a maximum of 5 times.

Aspect ratio issue when watching 16'9 idvd created DVDs on regular players

I am having problems with the aspect ratio of any DVDs that I burn in iDVD as 16'9 - The original video is 16'9 and edited as such in FCP, then exported with current settings selected and then in iDVD I select a widescreen project - preview of the project is fine and when the DVD is done it plays with the correct aspect ratio if I watch on the computer's internal DVD player - but my issue is when I watch on any regular DVD player (on a widescreen tv of course) all the video looks tall and skinny, including the menu. The only way I found to get the video to look like it's natural proportion is to switch the settings to 4'3 on the DVD player, then it creates almost a "super-widescreen" look where there are bars at the top and bottom of the screen. On the otherhand, when i used to shoot in 4'3 and create DVDs as 4'3 projects, I NEVER had this problem when watching on a regular DVD player on widescreen TV! It would take up the whole screen and look normal (I know it must stretch it to fit, but it wasn't noticable). I thought creating a 16'9 video I should be able to watch on a widescreen TV and it should take up the whole screen and look normal. Please help!

No, that is not the way it should work. This may help:
iDVD: DV widescreen 16:9 workflow from Final Cut Pro
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2179?viewlocale=en_US
Final Cut Express: DV widescreen 16:9 workflow for iDVD at http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1611
and
Preparing your Final Cut Express or Final Cut Pro movie to work with iDVD at http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=iDVD/7.0/en/6652.html

DVD burned on iDVD stutters on DVD player. Am I doing something wrong?

Hi there, i'm new to burning DVD's and using this Apple Disscusion, so please bare with me!
So, I tried to use iDVD to burn a home movie onto my disk which is:
Aone
8X
DVD-R
120 Minutes
4.7GB
Everything seemed to burn fine onto my disk and played back perfectly on my Macbook, however when I put the disk into my Samsung DVD player, the movie is unwatchable. The audio and video stutters, pauses, skips; even on the menu screen and then at about 3:50, the movie flicks back to the start.
I don't think it is the DVD player or the disk as it plays other DVD's perfectly, even one from a friend with home movies on using the exactly the same disk.
Therefore I was wondering if is iDVD doing this? If so, is there any way of solving this problem? I am currently burning at a speed of 8X, does this need to be different? Also in Project Info, the encoding is set to professional quality. Other options in Project Info include:
Video Mode - PAL
Aspect Ratio - Widescreen (16:9)
DVD Type - Single-Layer (SL) - 4.2 GB
I hope I have given all the information needed,
Any help would be greatly appricated!
Thankyou!

If You keep frame rate from start to end. Then my next thought is about material used. That this might create a problem for iDVD and resulting DVD-disk.
My collection of thoughts (mine and others)
DVD quality
1. iDVD 08, 09 & 11 has three levels of qualities. (version 7.0.1, 7,0.4 & 7.1.1) and iDVD 6 has the two last ones
• Professional Quality
(movies + menus up to 120 min.) - BEST (but not always for short movies e.g. up to 45 minutes in total)
• Best Performances
(movies + menus less than 60 min.) - High quality on final DVD (Can be best for short movies)
• High Quality (in iDVD08 or 09) / Best Quality (in iDVD6)
(movies + menus up to 120 min.) - slightly lower quality than above
Menu can take 15 minutes or even more - I use a very simple one with no audio or animation like ”Brushed Metal” in old Themes.
About double on DL DVDs.
2. Video from
• FCE/P - Export out as full quality QuickTime.mov (not self-containing, no conversion)
• iMovie x-6 - Don't use ”Share/Export to iDVD” = destructive even to movie project and especially so
when the movie includes photos and the Ken Burns effect NOT is used. Instead just drop or import the iMovie movie project icon (with a Star on it) into iDVD theme window.
• iMovie’08 or 09 or 11 are not meant to go to iDVD. Go via Media Browser or rather use iMovie HD 6 from start.
3. I use Roxio Toast™ to make an as slow burn as possibly e.g. x4 or x1 (in iDVD’08 or 09 this can also be set)
This can also be done with Apple’s Disk Utilities application when burning from a DiskImage.
4. There has to be about or more than 25Gb free space on internal (start-up) hard disk. iDVD can't
use an external one as scratch disk (if it is not start-up disc). For SD-Video - if HD-material is used I guess that 4 to 5 times more would do.
5. I use Verbatim ( also recommended by many - Taiyo Yuden DVDs - I can’t get hold of it to test )
6. I use DVD-R (no +R or +/-RW) - DVD-R play’s on more and older DVD-Players
7. Keep NTSC to NTSC - or - PAL to PAL when going from iMovie to iDVD
(I use JES_Deinterlacer to keep frame per sec. same from editing to the Video-DVD result.)
8. Don’t burn more than three DVDs at a time - but let the laser cool off for a while before next batch.
iDVD quality also depends on.
• DVD is a standard in it self. It is Standard Definition Quality = Same as on old CRT-TV sets and can not
deliver anything better that this.
HD-DVD was a short-lived standard and it was only a few Toshiba DVD-players that could playback.
These DVDs could be made in DVD-Studio Pro. But they don’t playback on any other standard DVD-Player.
Blu-Ray / BD can be coded onto DVDs but limited in time to - about 20-30 minutes and then need
_ Roxio Toast™ 10 Pro incl. BD-component
_ BD disks and burner if full length movies are to be stored
_ BD-Player or PlayStation3 - to be able to playback
The BD-encoded DVDs can be play-backed IF Mac also have Roxio DVD-player tool. Not on any standard Mac or DVD-player
Full BD-disks needs a BD-player (in Mac) as they need blue-laser to be read. No red-laser can do this.
• HOW much free space is there on Your internal (start-up) hard disk. Go for approx. 25Gb.
less than 5Gb and Your result will most probably not play.
• How it was recorded - Tripod vs Handheld Camera. A stable picture will give a much higher quality
• Audio is most often more critical than picture. Bad audio and with dropouts usually results in a non-viewed movie.
• Use of Video-editor. iMovie’08 or 09 or 11 are not the tools for DVD-production. They discard every second line resulting in a close to VHS-tape quality.
iMovie 1 to HD6 and FinalCut any version delivers same quality as Camera record in = 100% to iDVD
• What kind of movie project You drop into it. MPEG4 seems to be a bad choice.
other strange formats are .avi, .wmv, .flash etc. Convert to streamingDV first
Also audio formats matters. I use only .aiff or from miniDV tape Camera 16-bit
strange formats often problematic are .avi, .wmv, audio from iTunes, .mp3 etc
Convert to .aiff first and use this in movie project
• What kind of standard - NTSC movie and NTSC DVD or PAL to PAL - no mix.
(If You need to change to do a NTSC DVD from PAL material let JES_Deinterlacer_3.2.2 do the conversion)
(Dropping a PAL movie into a NTSC iDVD project
(US) NTSC DVDs most often are playable in EU
(EU) PAL DVDs most often needs to be converted to play in US
UNLESS. They are play-backed by a Mac - then You need not to care
• What kind of DVDs You are using. I use Verbatim DVD-R (this brand AND no +R or +/-RW)
• How You encode and burn it. Two settings prior iDVD’08 or 09
Pro Quality (only in iDVD 08 & 09)
Best / High Quality (not always - most often not)
Best / High Performances (most often my choice before Pro Quality)
1. go to iDVD pref. menu and select tab far right and set burn speed to x1 (less errors = plays better) - only in iDVD 08 & 09
(x4 by some and may be even better)
2. Project info. Select Professional Encoding - only in iDVD 08 & 09.
Region codes.
iDVD - only burn Region = 0 - meaning - DVDs are playable everywhere
DVD Studio pro can set Region codes.
1 = US
2 = EU
unclemano wrote
What it turned out to be was the "quality" settings in iDVD. The total clip time was NOT over 2 hours or 4.7GB, yet iDVD created massive visual artifacts on the "professional quality" setting.
I switched the settings to "high quality" which solved the problem. According iDVD help, "high quality" determines the best bit rate for the clips you have.
I have NEVER seen iDVD do this before, especially when I was under the 2 hour and 4.7GB limits.
For anyone else, there seem to be 2 places in iDVD to set quality settings, the first is under "preferences" and the second under "project info." They do NOT seem to be linked (i.e. if you change one, the other is NOT changed). take care, Mario
TO GET IT TO WORK SLIGHTLY FASTER
• Minimum of 25Gb free space on Start-Up hard disk
• No other programs running in BackGround e.g. Energy-Saver
• Don’t let HD spin down or be turned off (in Energy-Save)
• Move hard disks that are not to be used to Trash - To be disconnected/turned off
• Goto Spotlight and set the rest of them under Integrity (not to be scanned)
• Set screen-saver to a folder without any photo - then make an active corner (up right for me) and set
pointer to this - turns on screen saver - to show that it has nothing to show
Yours Bengt W

Will iDVD Disk Image work for creating DVD's on PC

I created a disk image of video that I have made DVD's from. I want to send the disk image to friends to create DVD's but they have PC's. Is there a way for them to use that disk image to make CD's? What programs would they use? etc.

Hi Parrish Jones
Welcome to apple discussions. The good news is that a disc image burned through iDvd is identical in content to the finished dvd. So if your friend can use the video_ts folder to create a new dvd (on his choice of PC Dvd burning software) then there shouldn't be a problem. At worst you may have to first provide him/her with a burned iDvd rather than the disc image (depending on weather or not s/he can read said image on a PC).
I personally use Roxio Toast to burn the disc image to Dvd-R. And Roxio also make a PC version of this software called Roxio Creator. Although I've read the PC version for Windows Vista isn't nearly as good as the Mac version. (why I don't know).
http://www.roxio.com/enu/products/creator/system-requirements.html
Most folks who run Windows Vista / burn Dvd's on a pc do not necessarily use Roxio products as opposed to Nero or CDBurnerXP (and there are other alternatives also listed below for the PC).
http://cdburnerxp.se/download.php
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/the-best-free-alternatives-to-nero-cddvd-burner/
Your choice (or rather your friend's choice).
Other helpful link/s for your mac when using apple's disc utility rather than Toast:
http://www.kenstone.net/fcphomepage/making_dvdcopies.html
Hope the above links help but if not just come on back. And good luck.
Disclaimer: Apple does not necessarily endorse any suggestions, solutions, or third-party software / products that may be mentioned in this topic. Apple encourages you to first seek a solution at Apple Support. The following links are provided as is, with no guarantee of the effectiveness or reliability of the information. Apple does not guarantee that these links will be maintained or functional at any given time. Use the information above at your own discretion.
Message was edited by: SDMacuser

Macbook unable to read iDVD created DVDs

I've created a slideshow using iDVD. It plays just fine on my DVD player, but not on my Macbook. The computer drive reads commercial DVDs just fine, but also will not read DVDs I've made on a DVD recorder. The superdrive on the computer was replaced not too long ago as it was erratic, but it has been working fine since. Suggestions would be welcome.

what media brand and type are you using? Please tell me you are not using Memorex plus. I recommend Verbatim or Maxell DVD-R only for troubleshooting on this forum and burning to a disc image from the file menu within iDVD6 prior to burning to this recommended media at 4x or slower. Test said image with apple's dvd player app prior to using apple's disc utilities or toast to lower the burn speed. You cannot lower the burn speed with apple's iDVD6 alone. Good luck. Hope this helps but if not, come on back.

IDVD crashes when creating DVD or image.

Version 7.1.2
About 2/3s through it, it'll crash. There's somthing in the project that's causing this, as creating a VIDEO_TS on the computer or .img file with another project worked fine. The first part of the error report is
Process:
iDVD [541]
Path:
/Volumes/VOLUME/Applications/iDVD.app/Contents/MacOS/iDVD
Identifier:
com.apple.iDVD
Version:
7.1.2 (1158)
Build Info:
iDVD-11580000~8
Code Type:
X86 (Native)
Parent Process: launchd [149]
Date/Time:
2012-07-15 15:15:02.020 -0700
OS Version:
Mac OS X 10.7.4 (11E53)
Report Version: 9
Interval Since Last Report:
605298 sec
Crashes Since Last Report:
2
Per-App Interval Since Last Report: 64326 sec
Per-App Crashes Since Last Report:   2
Anonymous UUID:
2A11C976-800E-4304-9917-5CE674B29ED8
Crashed Thread: 0 Dispatch queue: com.apple.main-thread
Exception Type: EXC_BAD_ACCESS (SIGSEGV)
Exception Codes: KERN_INVALID_ADDRESS at 0x0000000017893000
VM Regions Near 0x17893000:
MALLOC_LARGE
00000000177ea000-0000000017893000 [ 676K] rw-/rwx SM=PRV
-->
VM_ALLOCATE
00000000178a7000-0000000017a69000 [ 1800K] rw-/rwx SM=PRV
Application Specific Information:
objc[541]: garbage collection is OFF

Hi
+130 GB free disk space+ - referes to the internal boot hard disk or external one ?
iDVD can only use the boot drive for it's scratch files - other hard disks of no interest.
Else
*Not knowing the origin to Your problem - General approach when in trouble is as follows:*
• Free space on internal (start-up) hard disk if it is less than 10Gb should rather have 25Gb
• Hard disk is untidy: Repair Permissions, Repair Hard disk (Apple Disc Util tool)
• Delete iDVD pref file - *or rather start a new user/account* - log into this and re-try
iDVD pref file resides: Mac Hard Disk (start-up HD)/Users/"Your account"/Library/Preferences and is named:
com.apple.iDVD.plist
While iDVD is NOT RUNNING - move this file out to desk-top.
Now restart iDVD.
• Program miss-match: iDVD 5.0.2, Mac OS X.4.11 AND QuickTime 7.5.5 - is OK - DON’T work under Leopard
• Program miss-match: iDVD 6.0.4, Mac OS X.4.11 AND QuickTime 7.5.5 - is OK (might work under Leopard)
• Program miss-match: iDVD’08 v. 7.0.1, Mac OS X.4.11 AND QuickTime 7.5.5 - is OK (might work under Leopard)
• iDVD (08) v7 Locate theme folder. Move out iDVD1, iDVD 2 and eventually iDVD4 folders to desktop - re-try
• Try a Cleaning CD/DVD that cleans the laser lens on the DVD burner/player
iDVD 6.0.4 and iDVD 7.0.1 are compatible with Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard
Last resort: from Craig: Solved the problem!! Finally!!
I deleted every iDVD application and folder from my boot drive,
emptied the trash and then installed iDVD 08 using the customize option
and I am up and running.
Yours Bengt W

Using an external dual layer DVD burner with iDVD??

I created a 3 hour iDVD file on a dual 2.0 G5 desktop with a dual layer DVD Superdrive. I have since migrated to a MacBook Pro. Now, when I open the iDVD file, it says there is no DL Superdrive on my system and that it will convert the file to single layer or something like that, with the option to cancel or proceed. If I purchase an external DL DVD burner will iDVD detect it and allow me to continue working with the file?? Or do I have to get a whole other Mac with a DL Superdrive (iMac or 17" MBP)?? The error specifically stated 'Superdrive', so I am not sure if just an external DL will work. Thanks for any help.

Sorry to have to post this here, but your topic "How can I see the bitrate while playing a DVD?" in the DVD SP forum.
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=325516
has been archived and no one can reply to it.
Thank you so much. Using VLC 0.8.5 to view bitrate was an excellent discovery for those who don't have the cash to buy the DigiGami poducts.
Perhaps you should re-open a new topic for others to respond to.

Creating DVD Inserts

Not sure if this is the right place to post this question, but here goes: I created a DVD project in iDVD, and now I would like to create a DVD insert to put in a case. What application(s) would you recommend to do this? Back in my PC days, I used something called MediaFace that came with the blank inserts (Fellowes brand), but it's a Windows-only app. I'd like to do this on my Mac without having to install BootCamp/Parallels/Windows, etc. Also, what labels/inserts do you prefer--Avery, Memorex, Fellowes, or something else?

http://www.magicmouse.com/hdiscusdetail.html
http://www.iwascoding.com/UnCoverIt/
You can also use Pages to construct a template. Then drag and drop photos onto the cover. They can be easily resized and repositioned. Titles are added easily on the front and on the middle seam. You can also use/print shots of the DVD with 'Grab.' for an insert or cover.
any good paint application will print up the covers and inserts, but the above links will also size them automatically.
Hope this helps and good luck.

Playing back DVDs made in iDVD

Is iDVD able to create DVDs that will play consecutively in a multi-DVD player--a carousel player- without going back to the main menu screen? If I place a movie in the "Drag content here to automatically play..." box it always jumps to the menu screen even if I remove all menu buttons. How do I set iDVD to automatically advance to the next DVD in the carousel?
PM G4/1000DP 1.25GB/80 SD Mac OS X (10.4.6) w/ multiple external HDs

I suggest using the one step feature of iDVD6. That way it won't generate a menu. You can make a one step DVD from a QT movie or folder. Please consult the iDVD6 Help Menu for all details on this procedure. Type in the following into the Help Menu search:
"Burning a OneStep DVD from a folder"
In terms of setting the DVD player you have to automatically advance to the next DVD after one is finished; please consult the owners manual to your particular DVD player/carousel.
Hope this is helpful.
SDMacuser

Recommendations for creating dvd case inserts?

Hello! As far as I can tell, iDVD 6 has no feature for creating dvd case covers/inserts.
I'd appreciate recommendations for inexpensive or free software for making such covers.
Thanks!
David

You're welcome, David. I'm not familiar with all the Sharpie product line, but the common one that marks anywhere uses a fairly harsh solvent, and in theory could eat through to the reflective coating of the DVD. I found a Memorex product at Fry's Electronics named, "CD Marker." It is labeled non-toxic, water-based.
Personally, I've not had any problems with the sticky labels (I've used Memorex and CD Stomper labels for a few years) but there are some strong feelings opposed to their use (and I can imagine a problem could come up in 10-15 years). You can do a search in these forums; an alternative is printing directly onto the DVD if you have the right printer and disks.
John

Video from an already created DVD

Is there any way at all to remove video from an already created DVD into Final Cut?

Use MPEG Streamclip from Squared 5 (free software) to convert the media to something like ProRes 422, then import into FCP X.
But you need to download a Quicktime component (easy to do though).
Andy

Make a dvd menu like iDVD used to?

How can I create a dvd menu like iDVD used to? I need to be able to navigate through a dvd like menu (not necessary burn a dvd, but have it play on my computer) and without iDVD I don't know how. I would rather not have to drop $30, $40, $50 on a new app from a random third party..... help!
Apple, if you're reading this... please give us iDVD back.

Apple, if you're reading this... please give us iDVD back.
You are not addressing Apple here. Please use the feedback below and it will be read by Apple. Your feedback is important. Apple does change its mind.
https://www.apple.com/feedback/macosx.html
https://www.apple.com/feedback/imovie.html
By far, iDVD is your best choice. I have tried many alternatives nothing else comes close. You can purchase iDVD on Amazon as part of iLife 11.
Be advised, that the newest iMovie cannot set chapter markers! I would recommend the use of iMovie HD or iMovie 11. My own preference is iMovie HD.
You can set chapters with iDVD but it is a little more difficult.

Hi apple users, I am in need of your expertise. I have a mov file and mp4 file which I need converted to DVD. However IDVD quality is terrible and wondering if anyone can help!?

Hi apple users, I am in need of your expertise. I have a mov file and mp4 file which I need converted to DVD. However IDVD quality is terrible and wondering if anyone can help!?
I created project in iMovie then exported it to MP4 and also MOV file at highest definition possible + I added it to iDVD and had a number issues about encoding errors regarding the mp4 file. MOV worked but the quality was terrible.....
MOV file is as follows:
4.08GB
Codecs: H.264, ACC
Colour Profile: HD (1-1-1)
Dimensions: 1920 x 1080
Duration: 12:33
Audio Channels: 2
MP4 File is as follows:
3.02GB
Codecs: H.264, ACC
Colour Profile: HD (1-1-1)
Dimensions: 1280 x 720
Duration: 12:33
Audio Channels: 6
I have a MacBook Pro using the Yosemite system upgrade.
I have updated iDVD and iMovie.
I even bought the iSkysoft app from the mac store and that was terrible too.
PLEASE HELP i am getting desperate and about to launch this macbook into the air
2.66 GHz Intel Core i7
Version 10.10. 2

First of all, Hunt--thanks for responding!
"First, where are you playing the MPEG-2, that you see that jitter?"
On both a MacBook Pro, an Acer laptop and my Mac Tower. I would love to think that it is a problem with the playback system, and that if I merely send the file off to the duplicator they won't have the same problem. Maybe that is the case...I don't know if I have a choice rather than sending it off to see. But it happens in the same spots, in the same way, on all three of the players so I'm a little reluctant to have faith.
"Another thing that can cause jitter in an MPEG-2 is the Bit-Rate - higher the Bit-Rate, the better the quality, but the larger the file. For a DVD, one is limited by the total Bit-Rate (both Audio & Video), but with longer prodcutions, some users choose too low a Bit-Rate. If this is the issue, one would need to go back to the original Project and do a new Export/Share."
Of course, but in the case there is no more 'original project.' It is gone like the wind, stolen along with his computer and backups.
I think I am stuck using one of two files as my master: a DVD he burned where I only see the stutter/vibration/jitter once, or the mpeg2 file where I see it three times. Hopefully, the duplication house can rip if off of one of them and not see the jitter. I know that in audio, my personal filed, you can do a lot to enhance already existing sound--EQ, compression, tape saturation emulation software, etc. I guess I'm hoping there is some kind of analog to the video world that address jitter after a source has been printed--if indeed the source has been printed to be jittery.
Thanks,
Doug

Creating DVDs - something besides iDVD?

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