Smoothing out Differences in Set top players and media

What do experienced dvd authorers do about the differences in the wealth of media brands and formats, and the differences in set top players, to try to ensure there productions are usable in most cases?
I'm not attempting to start a brand war but I suppose this may not be answerable in any other way than person preference. I'd like to here from well experienced people there thought on this.
I've heard DVD-R is more likely to work good in most cases than DVD+R.
Also I've seen Fuji mentioned as a stable reliable media brand.
My experience is way too limited to draw many conclusions from but today I've burned some 6 tests on available media and played them on my limited collection of settop players.
I only have memorex DVD+R and Sony DVD-R to test with currently but I seem to be seeing much better results on my settop players.
Go.Video DV2140
Go.Video DV2150
Sony SLV-D350P
With the memorex media.
3 discs burned on the Sony media fail badly on all three players (although in different ways)
3 discs burned on memorex all work as expected.
The data burned was only similar not exactly the same. Its a wedding video I'm still making small edits on.

Memorex Media is notoriously dreadful.
All they do is take the cheapest they can find & slap their brand on it, and from a cake of 50 discs you will get a fail rate of around 30% or more.
Additionally, if you run DVD Identifier, you'll find (usually) several different brands in the same cake. 3 or 4 is not uncommon.
Dump them in the nearest skip - it's all they are fit for.
Use high quality blanks, like Verbatim Data Life Plus or Taiyo Yuden.
Use DVD-R as opposed to +R as more players will read these.
No players are actually
i required
to play back written media, but most do.
Keep firmware up to date on your player.
Keep the maximum video data rate to 7Mb/sec or less on written discs, as older players - and some current ones - choke on the bitrate as written media just isn't as reflective as replicated (or pressed) discs.
Finally, keep burn speeds as low as possible.
That's about as far as I can go for now.

Similar Messages

Button highlights display in preview and show on computer but not set top players

Hi
I know this has been a problem debated in previous threads, but I'm posting afresh as it's happening to me now and I can't see that anyone discovered a solution (other than to do it in DvdStudio instead!).
The issue is that button highlights won't display on set top players. I'm using a mixture of menus that I've pulled through from an Encore 2 project built on a PC (that worked fine), as well as new menus created in Photoshop.
As I test, I tried adding a menu from Encore's own library - and even that doesn't work!
I have also tried taking menus from the current project into a new one, and they don't work.
Any thoughts would be great. I'm on a new iMac 2.8 and encore cs3 with all the latest updates
cheers
Misha

>I'm on a new iMac 2.8...
There seems to be an issue with Apple's Leopard OS:
button highlights dont work! Even simple menus trash

Playability Issues with DVD's in Set-top Players

One of the problems that users often encounter is that a DVD-Video disc will not play in a stand-alone player. Often, these will play in a multi-drive on a computer, through a software player. What is the reason?
Well first, that disc is not really a DVD-Video, per se, but is a DVD-ROM, as it was burned, and not stamped from a glass master in a replication house. All DVD players are certified to play any replicated DVD, regardless of whether it is a DVD-5, or a DVD-9. None are certified to play any burned DVD, regardless of type (+R or -R), or any configuration, DVD-5 or DVD-9. Most will, given certain criteria, but some just will not.
The best that one can do is to use top-quality blank DVD media. This is the biggest cause of issues with playability in set-top players. The issues can be hangs, skips, dropping of Audio or Video or plain failure to play. Verbatim, Falcon Pro, or Taiyo Yuden are about as good as it gets. Brands, such as Memorex, TDK, recent Ritek and any store brands are to be avoided. Most will use the cheapest possible media and just rebrand those to their logo. A spindle of 100 might have blank discs from 4 different mfgrs.
Another consideration is to use a slower burn speed, rather than the fastest possible. One limit with PrE is that it will take an average of the speed of the media and the burner, and choose the fastest possible burn speed. The best that one can do is to buy the slowest media possible, say a 4x, rather than 16x media. A workaround is to Burn to Folder, and then use a burning utility, like the free ImgBurn, and then choose a speed in the middle/lower-middle of the range. ImgBurn will also tell you who the mfgr. was for your blank media, and the lot number.
The Burn to Folder is a good way to test a Project, as you would then do a test with a DVD software player, checking for errors. A second approach is to use a DVD RW disc (for testing ONLY and NOT for delivery), and test in several set-top players. One 10-pack should last for years.
Last, in years past, the type of blank media, +R or -R made a bigger difference. Most newer set-top players are much more lenient regarding type, but older ones still can pose problems, if the other type is used. Most BD players will handle either just fine, when playing a DVD.
Good luck,
Hunt

Also see this ARTICLE on blank media brands, and more.
Hunt

Cannot play DVD on Set-Top Players

First project with DVDSP. Created the DVD and it plays fine on my MAC using Apple DVD player. Won't play on any set-top player, and I've tried 3. Please help.

Bitrate is probably the key factor in authoring DVDs for compatibility with recordable discs on set tops.
For example, if you encode an hour long video at 8 .5 megabits per second, then it is likely that no set top can sustain that throughput.
Bit rate is done in one of two places.
In the preferences section of DVD SP, or using a preset in Compressor.
Without knowing more about your workflow, or whether you have authored previously with success in DVD SP, nor your experience, or how much of the manual and tutorial you have gone through, it's hard to assist.
let us know

New HD Set top box and Multi-room DVR

I just activated a new HD DVR set top box, but it's not seeing any of the shows recorded on the other HD DVR set top box that I've had for over a year.
Do I just need to wait for the new box/service to be recognized/activated with the hub (the HD DVR I had prior to now) or do I need to call Verizon to make sure they add the multi-room dvr service to the box I just received?
Thanks!
Solved!
Go to Solution.

If you replaced your dvr that had all your recordings on it, you wont have any of those shows on the new one because they are stored on the dvr itself. But maybe im misunderstanding you, are you trying to watch recordings on a 2nd dvr, the multiroom feature does not work from dvr to dvr you can only stream to 6200,7100, and 2500 series stbs.
Frank
Verizon Telecom
Fiber Solution Center
Notice: Content posted by Verizon employees is meant to be informational and does not supercede or change the Verizon Forums User Guidelines or Terms or Service, or your Customer Agreement Terms and Conditions or Plan.

Is There any difference in Set @Var=ColmnName and Select @Var =Column from Table. I am using it in SSIs for Dynamic Packages

hey there, Kindly elaborate me the difference Between Set and Select clause while Providing value to a Variable or Even a Column.
    Declare @var nvarchar(Max)
    Set @var= (Select TestName+ cAst(TestId as nvarchar) from TblTest where TestID=1)
    Insert into TblTest(TestName)
    Values (@var)
    Declare @var nvarchar(Max)
    Select @var= (Select TestNAme + Cast(TestId as Nvarchar(MAx)) from TblTest Where TestID=1)
    Insert into TblTest(TestName)
    Values(@var)
Values and result I am getting is Same in Both.
But just wondering if there is any Difference. and if Any which Should I prefer.
And Which one uses less Resources.

I like this article
http://vyaskn.tripod.com/differences_between_set_and_select.htm
Best Regards,Uri Dimant SQL Server MVP,
http://sqlblog.com/blogs/uri_dimant/
MS SQL optimization: MS SQL Development and Optimization
MS SQL Consulting:
Large scale of database and data cleansing
Remote DBA Services:
Improves MS SQL Database Performance
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Visa read object difference parity setting for PC and TPC2012 device

Hello,
we found some difference between application running in PC and runing in TPC2012 device.
We tested modbus communication via RS485 (9600b/s, 8bits, parity even) between PLC(master) and TPC2012 (slave). We used Visa read object and set parity to Even via property node. From the PLC we sent request to device and in our application we only read the data from PLC and displayed it (8bytes) on sreen.
If we tested the application on PC everything worked fine. But if we compiled application and ran it in TPC2012 device the data was different (for example if I sent request from PLC to slave 05 03 00 01 00 01 crc crc on the TCP I saw 00 03 00 01 00 01 crc crc. The crc on TPC wasn't equal to crc on PLC.
We found that problem was in VISA read setiing for read data in TPC device. If we set parity to SPACE (instead of EVEN) then we read data correctly.
Modbus - Parity set for VISA read object:
Master PLC (even) - PC (even) -> visa read - data are equal
Master PLC (even) - TPC (even) -> visa read - data aren't equal
Master PLC (even) - TPC (space)-> visa read - data are equal
PC: Win XP SP2, LabView 8.5 with LabView TP module 8.5.
TPC2012: WinCE 5.0, NI visa 4.2, NI TPC Service 1.0.
Best regards,
Pavel Rucka.

I just found out that the VI for the currentmeasurement with the keithley 6517a has the same error but still works fine. Now I also tried to adjust the serial data bit and parity settings via the VISA configure serial port function but still no improvements.

CS3 Mac: Button highlights preview and show on computer but not set top player

Hi,
I have a pretty simple project on CS3 Mac Encore (all Apple & Adobe updates except Quicktime is 7.3.1). It consists of three menus which started as Photoshop files with the button overlays done in Photoshop.
I have been DVD authoring a long time on DVD Studio Pro and am an expert with After Effects, so I had no problems setting up the DVD on Encore. It previews perfectly, and when I burn it to DVD, it plays perfectly on my Mac. However, when I tried to play it on two different set top DVD players (both high quality - one JVC and one Panasonic) the button highlights do not show up at all -- you can't tell at all which button is active.
I hunted through the posts here and at other forums, and the only suggestions that I have found are that it might be a corrupted project. I have tried trashing the preferences, repairing permissions, and rebooting, and the problem persists. It is a very new installation (I recently formatted the drive, and installed a fresh OS with Apple's suite and Adobe's suite because of the recent Quicktime 7.4 bug).
So... I will try to create a new project and see if this still happens. In the meantime, has anyone else seen this?
Thanks,
Graham Jones.

I'm having the same problems with a very simple dvd I created. 1 main menu (static background image and buttons from the encore library) and 1 scene selection menu (static background with the same button). Ouput to dvd -r and have 100% playback on computer, but I'm having varied playback on set top players. The dvd's play, but button highlight is not visible. The dvd will navigate as long as you count the clicks of the remote... I have duped 40 copies and my client couldn't play them on several different dvd players he has. We have tried them on several of our own players and not found a problem, but I traveled to his site and checked myself; they don't work. The 2 players that wouldn't display the highlights are a jvc dr-mv5su and a brand new durabrand sts96. I have re-created my dvd using dvd architect and they play fine on all the players (using a standard underlined text highlight). Any suggestions??? I really don't think I'm doing anything wrong, but I am new to Encore CS3 Mac.
Barry

Why won't Apple provide a list of COMPATIBLE SET TOP DVD PLAYERS?

Why won't Apple provide its users a comprehensive list of COMPATIBLE DVD SET TOP PLAYERS? If they have, can someone direct me (us) to it? Although most set top DVD players will read Apple burned DVD discs, many set top DVD players will NOT read DVD's burned with the combination of iDVD and or DVD Studio Pro software and the built-in burners that ship with Mac computers. Obviously this is a third-party related issue, but it might be nice to provide at least the know set-top DVD players that DO WORK with DVD's burned on Apple computers using Apple software.

Although most set top DVD players will read Apple burned DVD discs, many set top DVD players will NOT read DVD's burned with the combination of iDVD and or DVD Studio Pro software and the built-in burners that ship with Mac computers
Blatantly untrue ... pure BULL. I've been burning DVDs for years with my Mac and DVD-SP. After thousands of DVDs delivered to clients, I've only had two (yes, 2) complaints of playback issues.
The two major factors to playback compatibility are the quality of the media and the bit rate used. Keep bit rates reasonable; don't use AIFF audio; use only good quality media like Verbatim or Taiyo Yuden and stay away from low quality media such as Memorex.
-DH

NTSC Set Top DVD Players

Hi,
Here in Europe, it is usual that PAL Set Top players can play both PAL and NTSC disks.
Obviously the region code plays a role here.
I have a region free PAL disk that I wish to send to the US and Latin America.
Will they be able to play it without problems?

Silal wrote:
Drew
AFAIK Apple DVD Player doesn't bother about PAL & NTSC switchs, for sure it does limit the Region Code switchs.
Will go back and test I probably set the Region code and PAL, just trying to remember which opne it was complaining about
OOT
I would like to talk seriuosly with the group of people that decided the region code system.
If not for Region Codes, we would have nothing to worry about LOL just another wrinkle in the fun and games of DVD'Ville

Dvdsp authored dvd really quiet in a Mac only - fine in set-top and pc

i've gotten a test dvd back from the replicator and there's a strange thing happening with the audio: in a set-top player and a PC the audio on the disc is fine; when played in a Mac - I've tried 3 different machines - the audio is so low it's barely audible. Anyone have this problem in the past or have any suggestions?

I've edited in FCP and exported with compressor with all the appropriate settings, to mpeg 2.
Double check to make sure that you edited in Anamorphic and also encoded as 16:9 video not 4:3 - also make sure you set the Track to 16:9 Letterbox in DVD SP.
What encoding rates did you use for the video and audio? Sometimes if the rates are too high it can cause drifts.
On the audio side, did you export the FCP as self contained and make the audio AC3? Also you can try just exporting the audio as an AIF and encode that as an AC3.
How did you burn the DVD (Speed and Media used?) Sometimes bad burns/media can cause issues.
Also look at these threads
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=3131142&#3131142
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=1872235&#1872235
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=1363574&#1363574
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=1086775&#1086775

Dual Layer Disc Does not Play in Set Top DVD Player

Problem: Dual Layer Disc Does not Play in Set Top DVD Player
Solution: If your burner supports having its bitsetting changed, find a utility and change it to include DVD-ROM.
Additional Information:
DL (Dual Layer) is currently only a +R format. This is a serious problem, as you will find that on older players - and a lot of new ones - there is no +R support. It is not official, and therefore useless for any professional application.
By changing the bitsetting of your burner, it allows DLs (Dual Layer discs) to be burned with a book type of DVD-Rom and thus readable by many more players.
DVD player support drops off exponentially if your burner doesn't support bitsetting, allowing you to change the book type of your disc from DL to DVD-Rom. The DL book type will play on most newer software DVD players but not set top players.
If you've burned a dual layer disc without changing the bitsetting, it is a permanent semi-coaster as it will only play on your computer. I understand that newer DL burners are coming with firmware that automatically sets the book type.
Encore offers no control over book-type. My understanding is that this is a burner-specific parameter: some burners support allow themselves to be set and others do not.
Bitsetting (setting the Book Type) is specific to individual burners. There are some 3rd party software utilities out there that do a good job. The best thing to do is do a Google Search for your specific burner and find what works for yours.
LiteOn has a book type utility available for its DL burners:
I believe DVDInfoPro can set this on burners which support it.
Note: I would caution everyone who updates their firmware to check their bitsetting before burning DL discs. I don't know if it always returns to its default but it did in my case.
Bitsetting is done prior to burning the disk and generally only needs to be set once (unless like me, you update the firmware of your burner). The book type identifies to the player what type of disk is in it. Most players will play DVD-Roms with no problem. However, the book type of a DL disk is DVD+R DL as opposed to DVD-Rom and few players can read that.

Some general comments about the OP's several questions
Remember that reading a burned disc is not part of the original, core specification to play a DVD... so while most players do, now, they are really not required to do so to be able to play a replicated disc
This may (probably is) even more so with dual layer discs... the disc material is different, and a player that will happily read a replicated disc may have problems with a burned disc
There are many messages scattered in the forum, over the past several years, about brands of disc that are better... due both to overall quality control and the type of dye on the disc that is burned by the laser... with the bottom line being that not all discs are going to play in all players with 100% success
As for studio discs... there is software out there that costs many thousands of dollars which do many (up to 9?) encoding passes to get the best, and smallest, possible result to fit more on a disc

Replacement set top boxes

Hi,I transferred to Telstra a couple of years ago and have an old set top box and a foxtel IQ box. The old box is in the spare room and began failing about a year ago, but as I could find no easy way of getting a replacement I didn't bother. It has now failed completely (composite out no longer works and it now says I am not subscribed to any channels). The second IQ box is my main box, last night it rebooted, and when it came back on could no longer find a signal. Today it will not even power up.How can I go about getting replacement boxes, in the old Foxtel days I logged a call with Foxtel and an new box shipped straight away. Can't seem to find a Foxtel support number on the Telstra site anywhere and Foxtel web site says I no longer have an account with them.Thanks for the help

Hi GreyDog, mate you're not having a good run with your Dog Boxes, oops Foxtel boxes are you.... If you go to the following link and click the foxtel button you'll find contact details to speak withe Telstra Foxtel team there: https://www.telstra.com.au/contact-us/faults-technical-support

Disc playback stuttering/skipping on some set top boxes; not others

I have built a dvd in DVD Studio Pro 3, and it plays fine on my computer, small portable dvd player and my region free dvd player, but it stutters a lot on my older set top box I purchased back in the year 2000. I am using the default compression settings of 1 pass VBR 4 low 7 high, and encoded all audio and video previous to import using quicktime and apack. I am using Maxell ink jet printable DVDs that are version 2.0/8X-SPEED DVD-R Revision 3 and can be written 1X to 8X speed. The dvd consists mainly of motion menus that run from 30 seconds to 44 seconds (there are 82), with several short tracks, the longest of which is 3 minutes. This is a dvd menu design portfolio, so the menu complexity was the goal. Total disc size is 2.5 gb.
Compressor won't install on my system so I had to compress each piece of video individually in quicktime...recompression would take 100 hours that I just don't have, and since I'm not sure the bit rate is the culprit (since the dvd plays fine in so many players) I am very reluctant to recompress all the video without knowing definitively that is my problem. I am considering trying some basic apple brand dvds, but don't know if the dvd media could be the problem. I saw on another post that Maxell is considered a reliable brand. I was wondering about dvd speed and compatibility, since the first dvds I bought were too new/too fast to play in any of the set top boxes, and only played on the brand new portable dvd player and in the computer. Any help/advice would be very much appreciated.

I just realized that a few of the specs I posted are mistaken -- I was using the default settings in Apack to convert my aifs to ac3 and it is 448 kbps. They are only 2 channel ac3 files (no surround sound). You mentioned 192 kbps. I can't find any reference to acceptable ac3 settings in the manual. Is 448 too high?
I also realized my mp2s are at the bit rate of 7.5, 5.5 rather than 7.0, 4.0 as I posted earlier.
Do you think either audio compression or video compression could be the source of my problem? Does it make sense for higher compression to work fine on newer players and not on older ones?

How to exchange STD set-top for an HD Set-Top Box ?

I am currently a Verizon FIOS customer. Since there are no local offices in Southeastern, PA how do I go about both requesting a secondary HD set-top box, and also set-up a return of the one I'd like to exchange (a non-HD set-top). Will there be a pre-paid postage sticker for the one box I plan to return ? How do I go about formally cancelling the old set-top box so the charges stop appearing on my bill ?

Verizon will send you the new box with a return label for the one you no longer want. Simply place the on you're returning into the box that the new one came in, apply the label to the box, drop off at a UPS store or call for a pick-up. Once received by Verizon, billing will stop and the box will be removed from your account.

Smoothing out Differences in Set top players and media

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