THE ISSUE

I want to replicate DVD9, and have read that Encore CS6 has issues setting the layer break. I do not know how to find out where Encore has set the layer break, in order to prevent replicating improperly authored DVDs.

WHAT I'VE TRIED

Read many posts in many forums. Yet was unable to find a solution.

I've tried IMGburn's "Display IFO layer break information" tool, however I do not know if what is shown is a the layer break set by Encore or rather IMGburn's suggestion(s) of possible layer break positions. I am not sure even if Encore sets a layer break when exporting to ISO (I have limited knowledge (have only authored DVD5 until now)).

I do not know how to use PgcEdit. I prefer rather to use Encore only for DVD authoring, and if needed use other software only to check if it did a right job.

THE ENCORE PROJECT OUTLINE

Video arrangement in Encore: [video 1: ~1.3 GB] [video 2: ~1.3 GB] [video 3: ~1.3 GB] [video 4: ~1.3 GB] [video 5: ~1.3 GB] [video 6: ~1.3 GB]. Each video is on a separate Encore timeline (if this matters), with chapter points every 5 minutes. When checking the ISO file with IMGburn, only one layer break point is displayed with a green star (see below). I wander if this is the actual layer break Encore has set, or is this a IMGburn suggestion?

THE QUESTIONS

1. How can I find out where Encore CS6 has set the layer break once I've authored a DVD9 (i.e. by checking the ISO, or DDL files, etc)?

2. How can I check visually (by playing the video) where the layer break is?

3. Is the LBA in the image above the actual layer break point Encore has set, or rather a layer break suggestion by IMGburn?

(I'm also confused by the fact that for another ISO file I've authored with Encore, multiple LBA are shown by IMGburn.)

4. If by some method (perhaps with IMGburn) the layer break position written by Encore in the ISO file can be determined by analyzing an ISO file, does this mean that the DDL file has the layer break in the same spot?

It is DDL I want to send for replication.

I'm using: Encore CS6, Windows 10. I also have Encore CS2.

I prefer to do the entire authoring with Encore only.

This project is for a charity.

Thank you very much.

Can't answer several of the questions.

There are many issues in replication, and it is my understanding that the replication facility checks your submission and reports errors.

One options is to export the Encore project as a folder (with no break set), and see what Imgburn says about that.

Hi Ruben.

This is honestly not as difficult as you might think, and the good news is that this can be done using easy tools as well.

I do need to know what your replicator wants you to deliver though - this is very important. Are you replicating or duplicating? (Replicating is getting the disc glass mastered and silver factory pressed discs out of the other end, and Duplicating is making DVD+R DL written discs) This matters because with replication you might be asked to supply a DDP image set instead of an ISO image.

If using an ISO image is allowed, then you can use IMGBurn's layer break setting to do the job. To use this method:

1. Create your output from Encore as a Folder, not a replication master.

2. Open IMGBurn and choose "create DVD Image from |Files/Folders" option and in the settings make certain that the resulting ISO image will also contain a checksum as well as a .dvd file (this will include the layer break info)

You also need to be sure that it is set up as in the following screenshots as well - They are all important but one of the most critical is the IFO/BUP padding as this can result in a factory image fail if not done.

When burning a test disc also see the following settings are applied:

So to try & answer more of the questions:

2. - You cannot check this by playing the disc unless you have one of those old players that hiccups momentarily at the layer break transition. With modern players, especially Universal ones that also play Blu-ray, you will often find that the mandatory buffering required by Blu-ray specs is carried over to the DVD playback as well where in DVD specs this is just not required. You can check where the break is by simply opening your compiled Video_TS in a superb little tool called PGCEdit. This is a wonderful little utility that nobody authoring DVD should be without and it is donationware, so please please do this (I recommend $25-50 for what it is capable of).

To check location of layer break in this could not really be easier - simply open the tool, and open the compiled Video_TS when in the "Open DVD" dialogue.

To see what is in each title just open it's content either by double clicking or from the drop-down menus but if you know where it has to be (for example if there is one long feature & a couple of short extras then you know it will be in the longest title - see example below:

You can only see the one title, VTS1, TTN1, so double click that to open it and the following pops up:

You can see the layer break location standing out like a sore thumb - it's the yellow square showing that it is not set as seamless playback and is the layer break.

PGCEdit can do lots more besides this and is capable of reworking the commands & navigation of any button in the title as well as the button colours etc as well as being able to tidy up behind abstraction layer tools - it is extremely powerful but the good news is that when you open a disc the first thing it does is makes safety copies of the critical BUP and IFO files.

Now - if you are needing to send a DDP set then you can also make this from Encore. I do not know what a DDL set is though - do you mean DDP?

The easiest way to check is to first compile the project and then open the Video_TS in PGCedit as above & see what it says is set. If it says nothing then you need to reopen the project in Encore & prepare your Replication Master to DDP image.

Hope this helps - I will check in tomorrow

Thank you Stan for the useful information and for taking time to address my issue.

I did not know that the replication facility should check the files and report issues. I’m glad I do now.

Perhaps, since there are many issues in replication, I should rely on software that does most things automatically, like Encore, considering my lack of knowledge; and hope Encore will produce error free DDP or ISO files (given that the project will have 6 relatively equal videos in length and size, on 6 timelines with chapters every 5 minutes). And that the replication facility will identify errors, if any.

I intend to reply to Neil’s answer with more details.

Thank you once again and best wishes.

Hi Neil

Thank you very much for the information and for taking time to answer (and in detail). I highly appreciate it.

ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS

• - I do not know for sure what format the replicating facility desires – will ask them soon (I wonder which one is ideal for replication – ISO or DDP – in case they accept both).
• - I’m replicating (silver factory pressed discs)
• - Yes, I meant DDP, not DDL (proof of my lack of knowledge):

COMMENTS AND NEW QUESTIONS

It seems to me from what you’ve written that IMGburn cannot tell where Encore has set the layer break, but PGCEdit can. I’ve tried PGCEdit, according to your instructions, for my test Encore project, and did not find any squares highlighted with yellow in any of the files. Thus I presume the layer break has been set by Encore to be between videos, which is great. Is this correct? If this is so, is there a way of finding between which videos the layer break has been set?

The Encore project I’ve tested is as follows: 6 x ~1.3 GB, 1 hour video files on 6 timelines with chapter points every 5 minutes. Below are screenshots of analysis of the Video_TS folder (PGCEdit) and ISO file (IMGburn):

MAIN QUESTIONS

1. Do you think is safe to export as DDP the project above for replication? Can Encore be trusted in this instance, as it was given a good chance to place the layer break between videos (if this is what PGCEdit indicates by not displaying any “yellow box”)?
2. How can I verify if Encore has authored properly (error free) a project? And that the DDP files are safe for replication?

I would very much prefer to author the DVDs with Encore only because I am afraid to use sophisticated tools like IMGburn and PGCEdit which increase the chance of me making a fatal mistake (due to my lack of knowledge). Encore is fairly easy to use (automated). However I'm not that concerned to use "sophisticated" tools to check if what Encore has done is good.

The questions are in bold (for ease of reference).

Thank you very much for your time and help. Looking forward to your reply.

There is but one that holds Encore and that is Premiere.

I have used DVD Styler(Free Software).  You can create only DVD's.  However, I have edited 4k video in Premiere(H.264) and imported the file into DVD Styler.  It will reincode the video.  The video quality almost looks like Blu-ray.  The author of the program may create a Blu-ray version.

Hi Ruben.

It would seem that to date you have not set a layer break at all in Encore.

Did you try manual or automatic setting?

Even though replication facilities do indeed check the supplied images (using a tool called "Eclipse Image Analysis") but resubmitting masters will mean redoing the glass master and that will add to the costs. So we need to help you get it right first time, and believe me Encore is perfectly capable of doing this.

I will go away & remember how this is done (primarily by opening an old archived project) and I will write back on Friday

Hi,

I'm trying to make a DVD with Adobe Encore. I've created a menu with photoshop in 4410x2480 (300 dpi).

But when I export my dvd (iso) and watch it with VLC, the quality of the menu is bad...(see attach file).

Any idea why ?

on DVD :

original :

Hi Neil

Thank you for writing back to me, and for intending to write again soon. I was afraid Encore might not be able to build successfully a project. It is encouraging to hear that it can.

I've tried both automatic and manual settings for the layer break.

It seems that Encore does not always prompt me to choose a layer break point even when the manual option is selected, and this sometimes even with new projects.

The "If Possible, Use Existing Layer Break" checkbox is washed out and selected (I do not know how to un-select it). Therefore if I do not pick up the correct layer break position the first time, the next time I re-built the same project the layer break will always be set automatically by Encore.

The replication company accepts both ISO and DDP files. I intend to send DDP. Almost everything has been arranged with the replication facility. Once I upload the DDP files and artwork, the replication process can commence.

Thank you very much. Looking forward to you writing again.

Best is to make you menu the same as the dvd specs: 720x480/576 72 dpi

DVD is what it is Standard Definition.

If you want better quality make your movie into a BD or mp4 in HD quality.

To add to Ann's comments, giving Encore a menu that is the wrong size requires Encore to transcode it. It will use the "default transcode settings" that you select in the project settings. But it can't add anymore pixels than the DVD spec. Or the BD specs.

The par can also become a problem. I prefer starting with an Encore library menu and modifying that.

Hi Ruben

Running some tests today and will write back later.

It is very interesting to say the least, and I totally understand why you are having troubles

Not directly answering your question but this is from a post of mine in 2012, I have been using this method to produce replicated discs since then.

For dual layer discs, in Encore I create a custom size 'single' layer disc of 8.4 gb to force Encore not to make a layer break and then create a dvd folder. Use Pgcedit to make sure there are not any breaks that are not seamless, change and resave any that are wrong. Then create an image and burn using ImgBurn adding the layer break there.

Just a note I supply a dual layer disc to the manufacturer and they use some conversion tool to make the Encore burnt disc suitable for replication.

Okay.

It just worked for me with one very irritating bug and one annoying bug.

Here is what I did:

1 - Created a DL project, set random chapter markers at regular intervals.

2 - Attempted to build a DDP Master, but at first was unable to set the output folder - this is the annoying bug. I got there eventually.

This happened by first building a DVD Folder and then checking the output in PGCEdit, which failed spectacularly. Make absolutely certain you do *not* use "Automatic". I tried this and it went horribly wrong (see below)

Can you see the problem? For some utterly unknown reason it decided to add a stack of cell markers at 12 second intervals!!!!!

Deleted that Video_TS folder, and went back into Encore - this time I was able to set an output folder for the DDP image (see screenie)

As you can see, I did things manually this time - please also note project settings with disc set to 2 layers as well as 8.54GB in size.

The result was a folder with 2 DDP sets, and this is where the irritating bug kicked in as Encore incorrectly names the DDP Images as Layer 1 and Layer 2, where it should correctly be Layer 0 and Layer 1. Why does this matter? Simples - an inexperienced factory tech will fail this on an Eclipse Warning (yes, I know they should only fail on a fail notice but believe me when I say this is not the case on most these days).

Here's how it looks after final analysis:

So basically, whilst the DDP set can be made in Encore, and this will work properly if done to DLT tapes (we have done this) it could easily cause a lot of trouble for anyone trying to do this without a DLT machine to a DVD9 disc. That said, a good factory should easily see what is happening here & not fail the resulting image

Please let me know if this helps?

Ann is 100% spot-on here, Steph.

I will also wager that you used square pixels as well - which is an even bigger problem for DVD, which is anamorphic - meaning it's pixels are not square - NTSC has a ratio of 1.2121:1, and PAL is even worse at 1.4:1 so starting out in images the size of a table cloth is great but you must be careful making the menus.

You need to get the shape right as well as the resolution.

Take your Square Pixel Tablecloth, and drop the DPI to 72.

Now create a new DVD Menu in Photoshop. Take your reduced tablecloth, and add it to the menu.

Now hit CTRL-T to resize (I think that is the command for making a Smart Object), find the corner and whilst holding down the SHIFT key, drag the corner to reduce the size - you should be able to make the large image sit in the menu sooner or later using this method and of all it seems to work the best.

Thank you Richard for the information. Its good to know of alternatives - just in case. However, as much as possible, I prefer to submit Encore made DDP files, as I am afraid to make a mistake with the more sophisticated software.

I will answer now to Neil's post with what I'm up to.

Hi Neil

Thank you for your time and help.

Today I have finalized DVD9 #1 of the 4 DVD9 set. I tested it with an older stand alone DVD player and an old Mac G4. Both played the DVD perfectly (I watched ~+/- 5 minutes half through the DVD, where the LB most likely would have been set; found no issue).

The Encore project consists of 6, ~1.3 GB videos on 6 timelines with chapter points every 5 minutes, and 6 mp3 files totaling ~126 MB of DVD-ROM content (including an empty AUDIO_TS folder). I presume Encore had a good chance to set the LB between timelines/videos (if this is possible). I selected to add a manual LB point, but Encore did not prompt me to make a selection, and did it automatically. From the tests I ran, it seems this to be the case when there are multiple timelines and chapter points. Encore prompts me to select a LB point, however, only when all videos are on a single timeline with only one chapter point (at the beginning), a setup I never use. Thus I have no choice but to have the LB set automatically by Encore.

Below is some info of the ISO, physical DVD (built from Encore) and DDP files, in this order (of DVD9 #1 I would like to submit for replication):

From these results it seems that both layers have identical sizes. Could this mean that the LB was set by Encore exactly half through, and not at a chapter point or between timelines?

QUESTIONS

1. Since I read that for higher player compatibility an AUDIO_TS folder is needed, I added one manually (included in the DVD-ROM files). When opening the DVD folder, it appears next to the VIDEO_TS folder, exactly as with commercial DVDs. Is the method I used to add the AUDIO_TS folder safe, or there is a better one?

2. I do not have access to DDP checker. Thus my question is if the replicated DVD based on the DDP files will be identical to the DVD I burned with Encore (same LB position, etc). Or Encore sets LB position, etc, different for DDP and ISO/DVD folder?

3. Since PGCEdit did not report any "yellow" empty squares under "Seamless Joint", and since ImgBurn offers only one option for LB position, does this mean that the LB is between videos (ideal)?

4. Should I change the DDP Layer names from "Layer 1" and "Layer 2" to "Layer 0" and "Layer 1", or this will not fix the naming issue?

5. What is your opinion - is it safe to submit the DDP files for replication, based on the info I provided here?

I apologies for writing so much. It would be great if you could answer all 5 questions.

Thank you very much for your time and patience. I hope we are approaching the end. I intend to start uploading the DDP files, and submit them for replication once I hear from you.

Olá!
Recentemente tive que baixar o Encore CS6 através do app Creative Cloud. Concluí o download e instalação. Cliquei no ícone e iniciei o Encore e após 2 segundos ou um pouco mais ele fecha inesperadamente.

Alguém sabe o que pode ser?

Obrigado.

Ricardo Imakawa

This is about Premiere Pro, but the information you need to provide is similar

-Troubleshooting https://forums.adobe.com/thread/2261475

-Premiere Pro Video Editing Information FAQ http://forums.adobe.com/message/4200840