MKV files are here.

MP4s are here.

The MP4s load into VPX16 but the thumbnails are blank.

The loaded files preview jerky Audio and no Video.

@rickduley

Rick, the MKVs need access permission, the MP4s can be downloaded fine.

Could you give us just one troublesome MKV.

@rickduley

Here are your MP4 thumbnails in my VDL 2026 media pool; I suspect your system graphics might be causing your hiccup.

@AAProds

This has the MP4s looking right. The playback in VPX16 is fine too.

Here is one of the MKVs.

@rickduley

Hi Rick

Can correct you add to your signature computer spec that the PC has a Nvidia GT 730 GPU.

I tested MKV file with the three GPU options I have, ie CPU, UHD630, RTX 2060 and got the following results:

• CPU and my RTX 2060 :- Video loaded, the preview screen went green for less than 2 secs then showed the image.
• Intel UHD 630 - Video loaded, the preview was almost instantaneous.

Can you add the GTX 730 to the specifications in your signature.

Thanks

John EB

@rickduley

Rick, got your MKV, it opened without issue here.

You must have an old copy of Bilbo's (PC) specs @johnebaker, here is the current version https://1drv.ms/t/c/bb228147f3dd175d/IQAozf92GS9wT4dtvtMWQvgMASOm2g53Yv-tf07_lqJToHA?e=LTwsWn .

The bad news is that I tried that big burn from Avidemux MP4s again and it failed again. See https://1drv.ms/u/c/bb228147f3dd175d/IQBKLR9InyWuSZmvwWuKn86UATCm-sNa15D-k8cjYOmqPFY?e=ugLPED .

Don't panic right now, anyone. I am burning the movie Gladiator from .m4v source files. It is too long to get (without stress) onto a standard DVD so I am burning it to a Verbatim DVD-DL with about 300MB if spare room. All loaded instantly and the burn is proceeding normally. Lets wait to see what happens.

All Gloom!
This attempt cost three discs - all now formally classified as UAPs (very trendy and up-to-date).

Log File at https://1drv.ms/u/c/bb228147f3dd175d/IQCAR7CM5tEIS6119Eh55AICAcGu6Pa1X4kQplWr64l7gwY?e=sehBzQ

Is there some way to test the DVD Burner? It the burner tests out okay then we are forced to the conclusion the VPX16 just does not work!

Just a thought:

I see in the latest log file a lot of references to the NVIDIA GPU.
Is this the gentleman of colour in the fuel store?
If so, how to get VPX16 to ignore it? I have already made this setting:

@rickduley

Hi Rick

. . . . You must have an old copy of Bilbo's (PC) specs . . . .

I do not have any copy of your system specs, I am referring to the information that is currently in your Signature as shown below:-

From the log file, it looks like there is an issue with the discs, burner or both, VPX has created the necessary files for the disc.

A bit of a longshot - the Lite-On burner has single USB plug cable as the only power source, a single USB 2 port can supply only 2.5 Watts (500mA at 5 V) which may be the root cause of the burning issue, the USB2 port does is not supplying enough power for burning to DL disc

John EB

I have asked someone I have dealt with before at Verbatim.

@rickduley

Rick, do you have a spare 3.5" slot in your PC? I have a spare internal SATA burner here you can try if you like.

I have modified the signature. It was way out of date. I had forgotten it existed. More better?

Thanks for the burner offer @AAProds, but no, Bilbo is a Dell OptiPlex 3070 with just the one place for a disc drive. That is a HL‑DT‑ST DVD+‑RW GU90N which is supposed to burn DVD DL but I have not had much luck with that which is why I bought the Verbatim DPAA external burner.

Bilbo's on-board burner gave me this response

It always did which is why I bought the Verbatim external burner.

MS CoPilot had me check the disc with ImgBurn and said
"Ah — there’s our culprit, ...
Your disc’s Media ID: CMC MAG‑D03‑64 tells the whole story.

🧩 What that code means
Code    Manufacturer    Quality    Typical Result
MKM 001 / MKM 003    Mitsubishi (Verbatim Singapore)    ✅ Excellent    Burns cleanly
CMC MAG‑D03‑64    CMC Magnetics (Taiwan/China)    ⚠️ Poor    Often mis‑detected as read‑only

CMC MAG‑D03‑64 discs are rebranded Verbatim DLs made under license, not the original Mitsubishi formulation.
They look identical on the spindle, but the dye layer differs — many burners (including your Slimtype eBAU108 and GU90N) can read them yet refuse to write because the firmware lacks a proper write strategy."

Does this ring true to you fellas?
Have we been barking up the wrong tree?

Does this ring true to you fellas?
Have we been barking up the wrong tree?

Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation sold Verbatim to CMC in 2020. Even prior to that some Verbatim were actually CMC. I use Nero Disc speed to check what discs actually are. I have some "Verbatim" BD-RE purchased over ten years ago which have given me problems. They are actually CMC discs. I've never had problems with genuine old MCC Verbatim DVD-R, DVD-RW or BD-R.

You could check to see if there's a firmware update for your burner

@rickduley

Could be!

From the post on the top of the forum list re DVD blanks, Ritek seems to be the go:

https://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/media/14939-ritek-good-modern.html

Caveat Emptor is the go according to CoPilot.
CoPilot is scornful of just about every DVD-DL on the Australian market.

I finally found one of which CoPilot approved and their manufacturer doesn't know about them.

It is all very mysterious - coriouser and curiouser.

I have ordered a few from a reputable supplier I know of old and I'll tell you how they go (when they get here).

@rickduley

You can use IMGBurn to analyse a blank disk: put it in the drive, wait a few moments, then in IMGBurn, choose Mode>Verify. You can see the disk model number in the MID section:

Also, I've found my connector doohicky so I can run my internal DVD drive externally for troubleshooting if you so desire. Just needs a free USB-3 external port on Bilbo.

@rickduley

Google Search AI likes these (admittedly, the info looks like it is sourced from a reseller):

"mkm-003-00" (note the AZ icon). I have one here:

Might be worth checking out with CoPilot...