Windows DVD Maker issue

[tntermini]

Hi, I'm trying to put 3 .avi files onto a DVD, each one is about ~490MB, it totals to about 1.44GB. I'm using Windows DVD Maker to do this, one, because it's free, and two, because it has nice DVD menu options.

But, it keeps saying the DVD won't fit the videos, even though DVDs are 4.7GB.

Help? :huh: I don't want to switch to third-party software if at all possible.

 

[zigzag3143]

Hi, I'm trying to put 3 .avi files onto a DVD, each one is about ~490MB, it totals to about 1.44GB. I'm using Windows DVD Maker to do this, one, because it's free, and two, because it has nice DVD menu options.

But, it keeps saying the DVD won't fit the videos, even though DVDs are 4.7GB.

Help? :huh: I don't want to switch to third-party software if at all possible.

Is the dvd empty?

Are you able to burn with other files?

has this ever worked?

Do you have a backup from before the problem?


Ken

 

[tntermini]

Yes, the DVD is empty.
This is my first experience with Windows DVD Maker. I've never used Windows DVD Maker before, only Xilisoft DVD creator. Another reason I want to use Windows DVD Maker is because of better menus.

 

[Wishmaster]

Im not very familiar with DVD maker but ..

Anytime you Convert a File into a DVD structure it will usually be much larger.
So you cant simply add the all the file sizes to get final size for your DVD.


In the settings for the encoding itself, are there any settings you can set for the final project size?

If you cat set a final size , Your final project size should not exceed 4.37GB or 4483MB --->NOT 4.7GB as it would seem.

At this point it should suggest the other settings needed to meet that file size.


I apologize for generic type advice, but as I said I am not at all familiar with Windows DVD maker.

 

[mitchell65]

It sounds to me like a problem with the actual DVD. Have you tried using your old software just to eliminate the possibilty of a faulty disc or bath of discs? I cant replicate your problem as most of my video clips are HD and not recognised by Win DVD maker. Of the few SD files I have I frequently get the message that although they are a recognise format that they are less than 1 second in length so cannot be imported. This is not true as they are considerably longer and are easily imported into my other DVD authoring software
When you add your files in DVD maker at the bottom left of the windows it should give you how many minutes your files add up to. Don't forget that adding fancy menus adds considerably to the file size!
Just as an exercise try downloading the freebie DVD Flick and see if that works:
http://www.dvdflick.net/

 

[tntermini]

I think Wishmaster hit it on the head: I didn't know that the DVD files will actually be larger! Thanks for letting me know. I may switch to DL DVDs to accomplish my task.

Thanks for the quick responses!

 

[mitchell65]

Wishmaster is perfecly correct in what he says but I would doubt that encoding a 1.4 Gb total video clip size will encode to as big as 4.3 Gb even with transitions, titles, various effects and a complex menu! Be interested to see how it goes with another piece of software!

 

[tntermini]

Well, I tried on Snow Leopard's iDVD, and it gave me an identical error, so yeah, I have too much video for the DVD.

 

[Wishmaster]

If theres settings for quality or bitrate, you may try using a lower setting to try and hit the DVD size.

 

[tntermini]

ok, i'll look. thanks!

 

[Borg 386]

I get this message all the time from Windows Live DVD maker. Even if the files will fit, it says they may not, I just ignore the warning and run it anyway. I haven't had any problems with it.

As long as you know they are under the limit, ignore the warning and go ahead and burn.

Apparently a glitch in the DVD maker, along with the fact it only burns 4.3, even when you set to 16.9. (There's a workaround, you have to save your project in Live DVD maker 1st, then it retains the aspect ratio)

 

[tntermini]

hmm, that's an unusual solution. I'll try that!

 

[Borg 386]

Yeah, it's unusual, but that's what you have to do if you want your movies to come out in the right aspect.

This has apparently been going on since Vista. I couldn't figure out why all my movies were coming out 4.3 when I set the ratio to 16.9

Doing some research I found the workaround, and it does work, but I wish MS would fix the program because it's time consuming.

And yes, every time I go to export/save it to DVD in Win Live Movie Maker, I get that "this isn't going to fit" message.

So you save it to the desktop and as soon as it finishes doing it's thing, it'll launch the Windows DVD maker and burn it.

Don't ask me how, but it works great. Don't worry about the effects in Live DVD Maker, Windows movie maker has some nice menu screens

http://www.pcmech.com/article/windows-dvd-maker-widescreen-workaround/

 

[tntermini]

Unfortunately, that did not work. Windows DVD Maker prevents me from burning (a dialog box pops up with the error message).

 

[mitchell65]

Unfortunately, that did not work. Windows DVD Maker prevents me from burning (a dialog box pops up with the error message).

What does the error message say?

 

[tntermini]

yes, i apologize for not being more informative:

screencap.PNG

 

[mitchell65]

yes, i apologize for not being more informative:

screencap.PNG

Thanks for that. have you tried Borg's solution?

 

[Borg 386]

Yeah, he says he did mitchell65

I've never gotten an error like that before. I know that you can't make a vid over 4.3 GB (or something close to that size) because the room is needed for the rest of the stuff. I've burned vids that were 1 hr 45 Mins long with no probs.

Unless the video is actually over the limit, there shouldn't be a reason for that.

At this point I would suggest you give DVD Flick a try. The menu's aren't that great, but I've never had any problems with it & it has lots of options for editing. And it's free.

NOTE: DVD Flick runs best when set for compatibility to XP SP2.

DVD Flick

DVD Flick aims to be a simple but at the same time powerful DVD Authoring tool. It can take a number of video files stored on your computer and turn them into a DVD that will play back on your DVD player, Media Center or Home Cinema Set. You can add additional custom audio tracks, subtitles as well as a menu for easier navigation.

Burn near any video file to DVD
Support for over 45 file formats
Support for over 60 video codecs
Support for over 40 audio codecs
Easily add a menu
Add your own subtitles
Easy to use interface
Burn your project to disc after encoding
Completely free without any adware, spyware or limitations

 

[mitchell65]

Hi tntermini
What do you hink about putting your 3 clips onto a host so that I can download them and try to replicate the problem? You could PM he link if you wish. I not can you say where the clips came from, are they downloads or from a camcorder or what? have you also tried lowering the bitrate. If not try burning just two of the clips!

 

[tntermini]

Believe it or not, I fixed the problem by switching the DVD for a Dual Layer disc. I may have mentioned it before, I don't know why I waited to do it.

It works now thanks for all the quick responses guys! I'll come back to this forum next time I need help.