Hi Jeff, thanks for responding.

I'll leave the system and media details until later as I think the big picture I've given is reasonably sufficient. The HD has oodles of free space and, since posting, I have succeeded in completing a disc image but it was too large to burn the 4.77GB DVD+R. What I think is the only thing I have changed is the encoding setting from variable bit rate to constant. The reason I did so was to address another issue - the loss of audio and video sync in the encoded files; the offset appeared to grow from the start to the end (1-2 seconds). While the change did not cure the sync issue (maybe even exacerbated it at the start), the surprise was the elimination of the "ERROR: PrepareDVDVideoFiles() failed with errNo 5 - encoding failed" after "Step 1 done". However, while the UI indicated that my setting of 5010 kbps (<2.2GB/hr) would fit the DVD, the disc image had 9 VOB files totalling about 8.2GB.

I now see that the Advanced MPEG Settings reports that the Multiplexer rate is double:
 

DVD
    Play length: ca. 1h:55min on a regular blank DVD.
 
 Video settings:
   Video stream type: DVD
   Resolution: 720 x 480
   Frame rate: 29.970 (drop frame)
   Aspect ratio: 16:9 display
   Bitrate: constant, 4.79 Mbps
   Approximate size: 2.1 GB / hour
 
 Audio settings (MPEG):
   Layer: 2
   Bitrate: 224 kBit/s
   Frequency: 48.0 kHz
   Mode: Stereo
   CRC: On
   Approximate size: 96 MB / hour
 
 Multiplexer settings:
   Stream type: DVD
   Bitrate: constant, 10.08 MBit/s
   Approximate size: 4.4 GB / hour

 
So it would appear that the Multiplexer is doubling the bitrate that is supposed to fit and the workaround is to halve it! However, the encoding rate for video bottoms out at more than half. I see that both the video bit rate and the multiplexer bit rate can be independently set to Variable or Constant. When the Multiplexer is set to Constant, then it is 10.08 Mbps but, when Variable, that is the Max from which I infer that it will bottom out at the bit rate of the encoded stream (plus some probable overhead).

So I'll give it a shot at a CBR of 3224 Kbps for the stream and VBR for the multiplex (1.4 GB/hr) and see where that goes. If that succeeds, then I'm left with the sync issue.

Here's last night's successful disc image log:

2019-05-04 11:43:42 PM.332:   Open Project: Love_is_in_the_Air -- dvd project 2019-05-04
2019-05-04 11:43:42 PM.334:   VideoMode: NTSC   Temp Dir: C:\Users\Tom\Documents\MAGIX\Movie_Edit_Pro_17_Plus\Disc Images\
2019-05-04 11:43:42 PM.336:   dll version 4.5.6.2
2019-05-04 11:43:42 PM.341:   PrepareDVDVideoFiles() - Abschätzen des Splitpunktes
2019-05-04 11:43:42 PM.343:   EstimateLayerSplitPoint()...
2019-05-04 11:43:42 PM.345:   Splitpunkt 4271833088 auf Disk mit Größe 4707680256
2019-05-04 11:43:42 PM.346:   Title an Stelle 0, Länge 131072, Typ 0
2019-05-04 11:43:42 PM.348:   Title an Stelle 131072, Länge 131072, Typ 0
2019-05-04 11:43:42 PM.350:   Title an Stelle 262144, Länge 4707418112, Typ 1
2019-05-04 11:43:42 PM.351:   Split berechnen...
2019-05-04 11:43:42 PM.353:   Title an Stelle 0, Länge 131072, Typ 0
2019-05-04 11:43:42 PM.355:   Title an Stelle 131072, Länge 131072, Typ 0
2019-05-04 11:43:42 PM.357:   Title an Stelle 262144, Länge 4707418112, Typ 1
2019-05-04 11:43:42 PM.359:   Split in HMOVIE f30a0c0, Position in Datei 4271570944
2019-05-04 11:43:50 PM.672:   Step 1 of 6, Encoding movie 1 ...
2019-05-04 11:43:50 PM.677:   Eintragen des Splitpunktes 4271570944 bei ConvertMovie(f30a0c0)
2019-05-05 1:44:30 AM.447:   Step 1 done
2019-05-05 1:44:30 AM.471:   Step 2 of 6, Encoding movie menu...
2019-05-05 1:44:31 AM.567:   Step 2 done
2019-05-05 1:44:31 AM.601:   Step 3 of 6, Encoding chapter menu 1 ...
2019-05-05 1:44:47 AM.434:   Step 3 done
2019-05-05 1:44:47 AM.503:   ConvertMovie() - encoded file: C:\Users\Tom\Documents\MAGIX\Movie_Edit_Pro_17_Plus\Disc Images\DVD Image Love_is_in_the_Air\VTS_01_1.VOB
2019-05-05 1:44:47 AM.505:   ConvertMovie() - encoded file: C:\Users\Tom\Documents\MAGIX\Movie_Edit_Pro_17_Plus\Disc Images\DVD Image Love_is_in_the_Air\VTS_01_2.VOB
2019-05-05 1:44:47 AM.507:   ConvertMovie() - encoded file: C:\Users\Tom\Documents\MAGIX\Movie_Edit_Pro_17_Plus\Disc Images\DVD Image Love_is_in_the_Air\VTS_01_3.VOB
2019-05-05 1:44:47 AM.508:   ConvertMovie() - encoded file: C:\Users\Tom\Documents\MAGIX\Movie_Edit_Pro_17_Plus\Disc Images\DVD Image Love_is_in_the_Air\VTS_01_4.VOB
2019-05-05 1:44:47 AM.510:   ConvertMovie() - encoded file: C:\Users\Tom\Documents\MAGIX\Movie_Edit_Pro_17_Plus\Disc Images\DVD Image Love_is_in_the_Air\VTS_01_5.VOB
2019-05-05 1:44:47 AM.512:   ConvertMovie() - encoded file: C:\Users\Tom\Documents\MAGIX\Movie_Edit_Pro_17_Plus\Disc Images\DVD Image Love_is_in_the_Air\VTS_01_6.VOB
2019-05-05 1:44:47 AM.513:   ConvertMovie() - encoded file: C:\Users\Tom\Documents\MAGIX\Movie_Edit_Pro_17_Plus\Disc Images\DVD Image Love_is_in_the_Air\VTS_01_7.VOB
2019-05-05 1:44:47 AM.515:   ConvertMovie() - encoded file: C:\Users\Tom\Documents\MAGIX\Movie_Edit_Pro_17_Plus\Disc Images\DVD Image Love_is_in_the_Air\VTS_01_8.VOB
2019-05-05 1:44:47 AM.517:   ConvertMovie() - encoded file: C:\Users\Tom\Documents\MAGIX\Movie_Edit_Pro_17_Plus\Disc Images\DVD Image Love_is_in_the_Air\VTS_01_9.VOB
2019-05-05 1:44:47 AM.653:   Step 4 of 6, Creating DVD image...
2019-05-05 1:49:38 AM.902:   Step 4 done
2019-05-05 1:49:48 AM.635:   WM_DEVICECHANGE( VOLUMECHANGE ) for drive d:
2019-05-05 1:49:48 AM.639:       DEVICE REMOVAL
2019-05-05 7:58:39 AM.643:   WM_DEVICECHANGE( VOLUMECHANGE ) for drive d:
2019-05-05 7:58:39 AM.645:       DEVICE ARRIVED

Here's the MediaInfo on one of the source files:
 

General
ID                                       : 0 (0x0)
Complete name                            : C:\Users\Tom\Documents\MAGIX\Movie_Edit_Pro_17_Plus\Love is in the Air\00010.MTS
Format                                   : BDAV
Format/Info                              : Blu-ray Video
File size                                : 1.98 GiB
Duration                                 : 12 min 44 s
Overall bit rate mode                    : Variable
Overall bit rate                         : 22.2 Mb/s
Maximum Overall bit rate                 : 24.0 Mb/s
Recorded date                            : 2019-04-27 14:08:37-05:00
Writing application                      : Sony HXR-NX5U

Video
ID                                       : 4113 (0x1011)
Menu ID                                  : 1 (0x1)
Format                                   : AVC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile                           : High@L4
Format settings                          : CABAC / 2 Ref Frames
Format settings, CABAC                   : Yes
Format settings, Reference frames        : 2 frames
Format settings, GOP                     : M=2, N=15
Codec ID                                 : 27
Duration                                 : 12 min 44 s
Bit rate mode                            : Variable
Bit rate                                 : 21.1 Mb/s
Maximum bit rate                         : 22.0 Mb/s
Width                                    : 1 920 pixels
Height                                   : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio                     : 16:9
Frame rate                               : 29.970 (30000/1001) FPS
Color space                              : YUV
Chroma subsampling                       : 4:2:0
Bit depth                                : 8 bits
Scan type                                : Interlaced
Scan type, store method                  : Separated fields
Scan order                               : Top Field First
Bits/(Pixel*Frame)                       : 0.339
Stream size                              : 1.88 GiB (95%)
IrisFNumber                              : 2.600000

Audio
ID                                       : 4352 (0x1100)
Menu ID                                  : 1 (0x1)
Format                                   : AC-3
Format/Info                              : Audio Coding 3
Commercial name                          : Dolby Digital
Codec ID                                 : 129
Duration                                 : 12 min 44 s
Bit rate mode                            : Constant
Bit rate                                 : 256 kb/s
Channel(s)                               : 2 channels
Channel layout                           : L R
Sampling rate                            : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate                               : 31.250 FPS (1536 SPF)
Bit depth                                : 16 bits
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Delay relative to video                  : -572 ms
Stream size                              : 23.3 MiB (1%)
Service kind                             : Complete Main

And that for one of last night's VOBs:
 

General
Complete name                            : C:\Users\Tom\Documents\MAGIX\Movie_Edit_Pro_17_Plus\Disc Images\DVD Image Love_is_in_the_Air\VTS_01_3.VOB
Format                                   : MPEG-PS
File size                                : 1 024 MiB
Duration                                 : 14 min 12 s
Overall bit rate mode                    : Constant
Overall bit rate                         : 10.1 Mb/s

Video
ID                                       : 224 (0xE0)
Format                                   : MPEG Video
Format version                           : Version 2
Format profile                           : Main@Main
Format settings                          : BVOP
Format settings, BVOP                    : Yes
Format settings, Matrix                  : Default
Format settings, GOP                     : M=3, N=12
Duration                                 : 14 min 11 s
Bit rate mode                            : Constant
Bit rate                                 : 9 655 kb/s
Maximum bit rate                         : 4 786 kb/s
Width                                    : 720 pixels
Height                                   : 480 pixels
Display aspect ratio                     : 16:9
Frame rate                               : 29.970 (30000/1001) FPS
Standard                                 : NTSC
Color space                              : YUV
Chroma subsampling                       : 4:2:0
Bit depth                                : 8 bits
Scan type                                : Progressive
Scan order                               : Bottom Field First
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Bits/(Pixel*Frame)                       : 0.932
Time code of first frame                 : 00:28:24;26
Time code source                         : Group of pictures header
GOP, Open/Closed                         : Closed
Stream size                              : 981 MiB (96%)

Audio
ID                                       : 192 (0xC0)
Format                                   : MPEG Audio
Format version                           : Version 1
Format profile                           : Layer 2
Duration                                 : 14 min 12 s
Bit rate mode                            : Constant
Bit rate                                 : 224 kb/s
Channel(s)                               : 2 channels
Sampling rate                            : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate                               : 41.667 FPS (1152 SPF)
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Delay relative to video                  : -693 ms
Stream size                              : 22.8 MiB (2%)

Menu

I see an interesting audio parameter "Delay relative to video" that warrants further investigation for that issue.

Finally, system details:

OS Name    Microsoft Windows 10 Home
Version    10.0.17763 Build 17763
Other OS Description     Not Available
OS Manufacturer    Microsoft Corporation
System Name    LAPTOP-LUKAO6TO
System Manufacturer    Dell Inc.
System Model    Inspiron 5559
System Type    x64-based PC
System SKU    06B2
Processor    Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-6200U CPU @ 2.30GHz, 2401 Mhz, 2 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date    Dell Inc. 1.5.2, 2018-07-18
SMBIOS Version    2.8
Embedded Controller Version    255.255
BIOS Mode    UEFI
BaseBoard Manufacturer    Dell Inc.
BaseBoard Product    0WTXH9
BaseBoard Version    A00
Platform Role    Mobile
Secure Boot State    On
PCR7 Configuration    Elevation Required to View
Windows Directory    C:\WINDOWS
System Directory    C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device    \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale    Canada
Hardware Abstraction Layer    Version = "10.0.17763.404"
User Name    LAPTOP-LUKAO6TO\Tom
Time Zone    Eastern Daylight Time
Installed Physical Memory (RAM)    8.00 GB
Total Physical Memory    7.89 GB
Available Physical Memory    2.18 GB
Total Virtual Memory    16.9 GB
Available Virtual Memory    6.36 GB
Page File Space    9.00 GB
Page File    C:\pagefile.sys
Kernel DMA Protection    Off
Virtualization-based security    Not enabled
Device Encryption Support    Elevation Required to View
Hyper-V - VM Monitor Mode Extensions    Yes
Hyper-V - Second Level Address Translation Extensions    Yes
Hyper-V - Virtualization Enabled in Firmware    Yes
Hyper-V - Data Execution Protection    Yes

Drive    D:
Description    CD-ROM Drive
Media Loaded    Yes
Media Type    DVD Writer
Name    HL-DT-ST DVD+-RW GU90N
Manufacturer    (Standard CD-ROM drives)
Status    OK
Transfer Rate    -1.00 kbytes/sec
SCSI Target ID    0
PNP Device ID    SCSI\CDROM&VEN_HL-DT-ST&PROD_DVD+-RW_GU90N\4&D14604B&0&010000
Driver    c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys (10.0.17763.1, 162.00 KB (165,888 bytes), 2018-09-15 3:28 AM)

Hi again.

Thanks for all the additional information. I need a lot of time to digest it all so may not be able to reply in any detail for some time!

However, two things strike me about what you have shown:

1. Your DVD writer can, apparently, not handle Dual-Layer discs. That one fact may well be the root cause of the problem you are seeing, I think?
2. As fellow-users we always recommend not making ANY change to any of the export templates since they are already optimised for each output type. Changing any of the defaults can actually make any output problem worse, including loss of sync between audio and video!

Jeff

@tom-holden

Hi

. . . . When the Multiplexer is set to Constant, then it is 10.08 Mbps but, when Variable, that is the Max from which I infer that it will bottom out at the bit rate of the encoded stream (plus some probable overhead). . . .

By using Constant bitrate the encoder is being 'obstructed from doing its job properly', resulting in:

1. The final disc image size is likely to exceed the capacity of the disc especially, as your timeline is already ~ 2hrs long.
    
2. Inability to maintain best visual quality - in high detail areas or where action is occurring, a high bitrate is desired, in low detail areas or where there is very little action then a lower bitrate can be used. Preventing this automatic adjustment will result in poorer visual quality where there is high detail or action.

To add to what @emmrecs has stated - it is best to leave the export settings adjustments as they are because they are already optimised for the best balance of visual quality and file/disc size, any changes made are altering this optimal balance.

HTH

John EB

Thanks for joining in John. I have some success to report - this last Burn with minimum CBR encoding (3224 Kbps) and VBR multiplexing produced a working DVD. Unfortunately, sync is still an issue - good at the beginning, out by about 2 secs by the end. The Burn log is below.

Jeff, whether there is a disc in the burner or not and regardless of the projected size, the Burn Log always shows a message like:

Splitpunkt 4271833088 auf Disk mit Größe 4707778560

which Google translates to:

Split point 4271833088 on disk with size 4707778560

That's from last night's which successfully created a disc image, albeit twice the expected size.

Today's successful burn produced an image of size 2.75 GB (2,960,041,984 bytes). There is nothing labelled on this Kodak 4.7GB, 120 minute DVD-R about double layer but the split point of 4271833088 is very close to the 3.95GB spec 1.0 for DVD-R whereas the Kodak is spec 2.0. So, maybe MEP17 is hard-coded for DVD-R spec 1.0 and I shall have to constrain the disc image to fit within 3.95GB. That's a guessing game with VBR encoding but I'll give it a try.

I set the encoding to the lowest quality to hasten the process but encoding still took over 2 hours about the same as the 5010 Kbps CBR and at quality=10 and the 10.08Mbps CBR multiplex last night. Here's the MediaInfo on one of the new VOBs:

General
Complete name                            : C:\Users\Tom\Documents\MAGIX\Movie_Edit_Pro_17_Plus\Disc Images\DVD Image Love_is_in_the_Air\VTS_01_1.VOB
Format                                   : MPEG-PS
File size                                : 1 024 MiB
Duration                                 : 42 min 5 s
Overall bit rate mode                    : Constant
Overall bit rate                         : 3 401 kb/s

Video
ID                                       : 224 (0xE0)
Format                                   : MPEG Video
Format version                           : Version 2
Format profile                           : Main@Main
Format settings                          : BVOP
Format settings, BVOP                    : Yes
Format settings, Matrix                  : Default
Format settings, GOP                     : M=3, N=12
Duration                                 : 42 min 5 s
Bit rate mode                            : Constant
Bit rate                                 : 3 109 kb/s
Maximum bit rate                         : 3 000 kb/s
Width                                    : 720 pixels
Height                                   : 480 pixels
Display aspect ratio                     : 16:9
Frame rate                               : 29.970 (30000/1001) FPS
Standard                                 : NTSC
Color space                              : YUV
Chroma subsampling                       : 4:2:0
Bit depth                                : 8 bits
Scan type                                : Progressive
Scan order                               : Bottom Field First
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Bits/(Pixel*Frame)                       : 0.300
Time code of first frame                 : 00:00:00;00
Time code source                         : Group of pictures header
GOP, Open/Closed                         : Closed
Stream size                              : 936 MiB (91%)

Audio
ID                                       : 192 (0xC0)
Format                                   : MPEG Audio
Format version                           : Version 1
Format profile                           : Layer 2
Duration                                 : 42 min 5 s
Bit rate mode                            : Constant
Bit rate                                 : 224 kb/s
Channel(s)                               : 2 channels
Sampling rate                            : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate                               : 41.667 FPS (1152 SPF)
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Stream size                              : 67.4 MiB (7%)

Menu

The last VOB is reported to have audio delay while the first full 1GB one reported above does not:

Delay relative to video                  : -812 ms

The middle 1GB VOB:

Delay relative to video                  : -617 ms

The growth and order of magnitude are consistent with my subjective observations. The VLC media player has an audio delay function with which I dialled in 2.4s to achieve sync near the end. Restoring sync in the encoding may be the main issue now that we've succeeded in burning a disc.

2019-05-05 11:00:31 AM.529:   Open Project: Love_is_in_the_Air -- dvd project 2019-05-05
2019-05-05 11:00:31 AM.531:   VideoMode: NTSC   Temp Dir: C:\Users\Tom\Documents\MAGIX\Movie_Edit_Pro_17_Plus\Disc Images\
2019-05-05 11:00:31 AM.533:   dll version 4.5.6.2
2019-05-05 11:00:31 AM.550:   PrepareDVDVideoFiles() - Abschätzen des Splitpunktes
2019-05-05 11:00:31 AM.552:   EstimateLayerSplitPoint()...
2019-05-05 11:00:31 AM.554:   Splitpunkt 4271833088 auf Disk mit Größe 3029532672
2019-05-05 11:00:31 AM.556:   Title an Stelle 0, Länge 131072, Typ 0
2019-05-05 11:00:31 AM.557:   Title an Stelle 131072, Länge 131072, Typ 0
2019-05-05 11:00:31 AM.560:   Title an Stelle 262144, Länge 3029270528, Typ 1
2019-05-05 11:00:31 AM.561:   ... Split möglich nach aktuellem Title, -> Abbruch
2019-05-05 11:00:45 AM.041:   Step 1 of 6, Encoding movie 1 ...
2019-05-05 1:00:07 PM.977:   Step 1 done
2019-05-05 1:00:08 PM.207:   Step 2 of 6, Encoding movie menu...
2019-05-05 1:00:08 PM.998:   Step 2 done
2019-05-05 1:00:09 PM.005:   Step 3 of 6, Encoding chapter menu 1 ...
2019-05-05 1:00:09 PM.384:   Step 3 done
2019-05-05 1:00:09 PM.464:   ConvertMovie() - encoded file: C:\Users\Tom\Documents\MAGIX\Movie_Edit_Pro_17_Plus\Disc Images\DVD Image Love_is_in_the_Air\VTS_01_1.VOB
2019-05-05 1:00:09 PM.467:   ConvertMovie() - encoded file: C:\Users\Tom\Documents\MAGIX\Movie_Edit_Pro_17_Plus\Disc Images\DVD Image Love_is_in_the_Air\VTS_01_2.VOB
2019-05-05 1:00:09 PM.469:   ConvertMovie() - encoded file: C:\Users\Tom\Documents\MAGIX\Movie_Edit_Pro_17_Plus\Disc Images\DVD Image Love_is_in_the_Air\VTS_01_3.VOB
2019-05-05 1:00:10 PM.606:   Step 4 of 6, Creating DVD image...
2019-05-05 1:04:34 PM.533:   Step 4 done
2019-05-05 1:04:40 PM.906:   Step 5 of 6
2019-05-05 1:04:40 PM.910:   Step 5 done
2019-05-05 1:04:41 PM.171:   ------------ InitializeBurningProcess Point ----------------
2019-05-05 1:04:41 PM.219:   setting PoINT cache size to 16777216l
2019-05-05 1:04:41 PM.222:   Used burn options:
    simulation:    off
    DiscAtOnce:    off
    BurnOver:    off
    BurnProof:    on
    FormatDisc:    off
    ShortLeadOut:    off
    NoDefectMgmt:    off
2019-05-05 1:04:41 PM.223:       Booktype:    don't care
2019-05-05 1:04:41 PM.229:   setting write speed to 5540000  bytes/sec
2019-05-05 1:04:41 PM.231:   this equals 4.000000x DVD / 31.405895x CD Speed
2019-05-05 1:04:41 PM.233:   ------------ done: succeeded ----------------
2019-05-05 1:04:41 PM.235:   ------------ CreateAPIProject ----------------
2019-05-05 1:04:41 PM.238:   Step 6 of 6
2019-05-05 1:04:41 PM.247:   creating DVD project in prepfile mode...
2019-05-05 1:04:41 PM.253:   create volume... OK
2019-05-05 1:04:41 PM.254:   verify option OFF
2019-05-05 1:04:41 PM.256:   adding file "C:\Users\Tom\Documents\MAGIX\Movie_Edit_Pro_17_Plus\Disc Images\DVD Image Love_is_in_the_Air\VIDEO_TS.IFO"
2019-05-05 1:04:41 PM.260:   adding file "C:\Users\Tom\Documents\MAGIX\Movie_Edit_Pro_17_Plus\Disc Images\DVD Image Love_is_in_the_Air\VIDEO_TS.VOB"
2019-05-05 1:04:41 PM.264:   adding file "C:\Users\Tom\Documents\MAGIX\Movie_Edit_Pro_17_Plus\Disc Images\DVD Image Love_is_in_the_Air\VTS_01_1.VOB"
2019-05-05 1:04:41 PM.267:   adding file "C:\Users\Tom\Documents\MAGIX\Movie_Edit_Pro_17_Plus\Disc Images\DVD Image Love_is_in_the_Air\VTS_01_2.VOB"
2019-05-05 1:04:41 PM.271:   adding file "C:\Users\Tom\Documents\MAGIX\Movie_Edit_Pro_17_Plus\Disc Images\DVD Image Love_is_in_the_Air\VTS_01_3.VOB"
2019-05-05 1:04:41 PM.277:   adding file "C:\Users\Tom\Documents\MAGIX\Movie_Edit_Pro_17_Plus\Disc Images\DVD Image Love_is_in_the_Air\VTS_01_0.IFO"
2019-05-05 1:04:41 PM.282:   adding file "C:\Users\Tom\Documents\MAGIX\Movie_Edit_Pro_17_Plus\Disc Images\DVD Image Love_is_in_the_Air\VTS_01_0.VOB"
2019-05-05 1:04:41 PM.288:   Step 6 done
2019-05-05 1:04:41 PM.293:   ------------ done ----------------
2019-05-05 1:04:41 PM.296:   ------------ BurnToDisc ----------------
2019-05-05 1:04:41 PM.299:   Step 6 of 6
2019-05-05 1:04:41 PM.306:   Used burn options:
    simulation:    off
    DiscAtOnce:    off
    BurnOver:    off
    BurnProof:    on
    FormatDisc:    off
    ShortLeadOut:    off
    NoDefectMgmt:    off
2019-05-05 1:04:41 PM.308:       Booktype:    don't care
2019-05-05 1:04:41 PM.311:   setting write speed to 5540000  bytes/sec
2019-05-05 1:04:41 PM.313:   this equals 4.000000x DVD / 31.405895x CD Speed
2019-05-05 1:04:41 PM.316:   Check on previously direct recorded session...OK
2019-05-05 1:04:41 PM.318:   -- Volume mounted --
2019-05-05 1:04:41 PM.321:   -- Recording on "D: HL-DT-ST DVD+-RW GU90N" --
2019-05-05 1:04:41 PM.322:   -- Medium is "DVD+R" --
2019-05-05 1:04:41 PM.324:   -- Manufacturer "OPTODISCR016" --
2019-05-05 1:04:41 PM.369:   AVSDK Message - INFO: :Recording volume ...
2019-05-05 1:04:41 PM.370:   AVSDK Status - Begin operation Recording 1445664 sectors/frames
2019-05-05 1:04:41 PM.374:   AVSDK Message - INFO: :Recording -> writing data ...
2019-05-05 1:04:41 PM.538:   wrote LeadIn, start DataCopy
2019-05-05 1:14:29 PM.018:   writing leadout and closing disc
2019-05-05 1:15:07 PM.250:   writing leadout and closing disc
2019-05-05 1:15:07 PM.256:   AVSDK Status - End operation Recording 1445664 sectors/frames
2019-05-05 1:15:07 PM.258:   AVSDK Message - INFO: :Recording successfully completed
2019-05-05 1:15:09 PM.330:   Step 6 done
2019-05-05 1:15:09 PM.334:   ------------ done ----------------
2019-05-05 2:13:34 PM.075:   WM_DEVICECHANGE( VOLUMECHANGE ) for drive d:
2019-05-05 2:13:34 PM.077:       DEVICE REMOVAL

Hi again.

Thanks for all the additional information.

I think we need to take a step backwards here.

1. You are quite right when you highlight that line from the burn log about the Splitpoint. That was where I started from when attempting to analyse the problem: your project, as originally exported, is too large for a single-layer disc.
2. Reducing the bit-rate (to the level you state, which is "low", to say the least) will allow the project to fit onto a standard DVD, but will result in loss of quality, especially in the video output.
3. Your DVD writer cannot burn Dual-Layer discs.
4. Dual-Layer discs are NOT the same as standard, single-layer. The latter have a nominal capacity of c. 4.9 GB, the former c. 8.4 GB.
5. I still have a "feeling" that your loss of audio-video sync may be being caused by the fact that you have chosen to make changes to the export settings. When you initially attempted to export/burn your project, did you see a message from MEP that the project was too big for a single disc, at the same time offering you the option for MEP to "make it fit"? IOW, MEP has the capability to reduce the bit rate, but in a manner which attempts to minimise the quality loss.

In summary: I think we all understand what you are wanting to do but I honestly believe you are potentially "making things worse" by the various changes you are making to the default MEP settings. What you have not told us is why you feel the need to make these changes, or is ti simply because your project does not fit on to a single DVD?

Jeff

1. You are quite right when you highlight that line from the burn log about the Splitpoint. That was where I started from when attempting to analyse the problem: your project, as originally exported, is too large for a single-layer disc.
2. Reducing the bit-rate (to the level you state, which is "low", to say the least) will allow the project to fit onto a standard DVD, but will result in loss of quality, especially in the video output.
3. Your DVD writer cannot burn Dual-Layer discs.
4. Dual-Layer discs are NOT the same as standard, single-layer. The latter have a nominal capacity of c. 4.9 GB, the former c. 8.4 GB.
5. I still have a "feeling" that your loss of audio-video sync may be being caused by the fact that you have chosen to make changes to the export settings. When you initially attempted to export/burn your project, did you see a message from MEP that the project was too big for a single disc, at the same time offering you the option for MEP to "make it fit"? IOW, MEP has the capability to reduce the bit rate, but in a manner which attempts to minimise the quality loss.

In summary: I think we all understand what you are wanting to do but I honestly believe you are potentially "making things worse" by the various changes you are making to the default MEP settings. What you have not told us is why you feel the need to make these changes, or is ti simply because your project does not fit on to a single DVD?

Jeff

Thanks for your thoughtful comments, questions.

1. I think I agree that MEP17's default setting for DVD results in an image too large for a single layer disc. However, there may be nothing sacrosanct about those defaults. The disc itself is touted as 120 minutes so there have to be equally valid DVD-video settings on which Kodak based that claim. MEP17 itself offers many variables, including its own "adapt rate" option , with which encoding can make a video fit within a given capacity.
2. Agreed. I'm willing to accept a reduced quality. The original source material, while in HD format, is a long shot with large stationary fields.
3. Agreed. If MEP17 doesn't know that and assumes it can and plugs in a default split point, then either I need to tell MEP17 that the drive does not support dual layer (how?) or ensure that my image is less than the split point. I've had one success on the latter with the lowest encoding bit rate available.
   
   There is this error message after reading device info:
   "!!! DBK error in CBurnDevSupport::InvalidateDiscInfo(): 16 - burn support - invalid device !!!"
   Despite that message, the DVD was burned with the low bit rate image that was well below the "estimated" split point.
4. Agreed.
5. Inclined to disagree. The sync issue arises with every form of export I've tried, whether DVD or to a contiguous file. Even with a 5-hour mixdown to a 35GB MXV file. I'm reasonably assured that it is the decoder/encoder process used in Mixdown and Export that is at fault whereas the decoder for the editor is fine. Because we have pretty much found a workaround to the fatal Burn encoding error, I thought it wise to fork the sync issue to a new topic.

Yes, the encoding changes were required to get around the error/truncation in the Burn encoding to the disc image. The movie is simply a single-camera recording of a concert. Some of my fellow singers are not very computer literate but have DVD-video players. So I am trying to give them a user-friendly medium to watch their performance. Simple titles, chapter markers, credits...

The alternative for those who are more computer-savvy may be to re-parse the 11 MTS files into the 10 sections lying between the chapter markers as individual MP4s accompanied by an HTML or PDF hyperlinked menu. Maybe sync will be preserved over these shorter durations although one is ~40 minutes and must span 4 MTS files. I had hoped, though, that they could simply use the disc image on a flash drive with something like VLC media player so that there would be just the one post-production project.

Tom

@tom-holden

Hi Tom

. . . . The disc itself is touted as 120 minutes so there have to be equally valid DVD-video settings on which Kodak based that claim ,. . . .

Agreed however without knowing what those settings are, and it is likely to assume a flawless disc, it is wise to take disc capacity values with a pinch of salt, ie you need to allow a margin in the video run time to accommodate for defective blocks/sectors on the disc - no discs are guaranteed 100% error free and main menu and chapter(s) menu(s) .

I aim for a run time of 100 - 105 mins max for the video in MEP's timeline to allow some 'overhead space' available.

IMHO a run time of 120 mins is definitely pushing the limits of the disc capacity, especially as you have main menu and chapters menus to cater for as well.

MEP should warn you if the disc capacity is likely to exceeded and suggest automatically adjusting the bitrate to fit. If it does not suggest this and you still exceed the disc capacity, you can manually adjust the bit rate setting lower - an initial reduction of 10% is a good starting point.

. . . . The sync issue arises with every form of export I've tried . . . . .

A possible cause of this is that the source video files are not the same framerate as the export settings eg 29.97 vs 30 fps.

. . . . Splitpunkt 4271833088 auf Disk mit Größe 4707778560 . . . .

You can ignore this - it is the default split point that will be used by MEP if necessary.

HTH

John EB

@johnebaker, @tom-holden

Hi

Isn't MEP17 incompatible with Windows 10? There are about 20 topics about this if you search the topic, including reports of burning problems.

Peter

Isn't MEP17 incompatible with Windows 10? There are about 20 topics about this if you search the topic, including reports of burning problems.

Peter

In the searching I did, I saw that asserted for MEP17 and even some later versions. But it's not absolutely incompatible - I am able to edit with it and have yet to run into an obvious incompatibility with Windows 10, unless this degradation of sync is one. I find that hard to fathom because Windows has no control over video and audio encoding standards nor on the wrappers for the content, all of which were well established long before MEP17 was released in 2010 or 2011.

I would hazard a guess that my issue with sync could well be from errors in MEP17 software. I went through MEP11 and 14 and encountered lots of bugs in them. I cannot remember when I got 17, whether it was when I replaced a desktop pc with a laptop that might have been on Win 7 or even XP and then upgraded. The MEP video player was so choppy that I gave up on it and was pleasantly surprised that not only was I able to resurrect the software on my Win 10 laptop but also the player is smooth most of the time.

So compatibility is a relative thing...

Tom