Does anyone from Sony have any clues on this topic?

So far LG haven't answered my email but if other DVD Authoring programs work on the LG DVD Recorders I have to suspect some problem within DVDA. The disks work on normal DVD Players after all.

Any help would be appreciated!

Stephen Hope
New Hope Media

Sorry, you cannot assume that the problem is within DVDA simply because LG doesn't play them correctly.

There are a number of different ways to accomplish a particular task with a DVD, and so DVDA may be using one method and other authoring software may use another.

Since there are multiple ways to accomplish something, DVD players should behave correctly regardless of which way is used.

--Scott

Scott

Thanks for the observation.

Now what i'd like is a reply from Sony on the subject with their take on the problem.

Stephen Hope

Hello, I am having problems with viewing the DVD I burned using DVD-A. I spent the last two days reading and doing everything the manual and the help topics informed me to do and it looked really great until I put the DVD into a Cyberhome DVD player/Recorder. Immediately an error message appeared and I tried opening and reloading the DVD several times. After I tried the DVD recorder I tried to view the DVD in my emachine T6524 computer. The window appeared that indicated I had a blank disc in the system. So I tried to view it on the computer I created it on, which was one I had made especially for doing videos and it informed me that there was some thing on the DVD but it was not allowing me to view it. I did everything instructed by Sony Vegas Movie Studio and by DVD-A. It is very possible that I am the problem but with others having the same problem it is just as possible that it is the program. I have an important job that I was trying to make this video for with this software and I would greatly appreciate any solutions to this dilemma. With ever increasing thanks, Jshanab1

Don't hold your breath.

Count me in as well, only mine is with a LiteOn LVC-9016G combo VHS/DVD recorder. Discs with multiple video clips, accessed via the root menu using multiple selection boxes, do not work -- the directional keys on the remote do not move the highlight from the first selection box. These same discs work perfectly in every other DVD player on which I've tried them.

And, sorry, I don't buy the "it's not necessarily DVDA's fault even if other authoring software does work" line. If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck, and looks like a duck, then it's a DVDA issue. I'm not complaining (well, not much) because I have other DVD players on which I can play them, but it'd be nice to see this little annoyance fixed at some point.

Now what i'd like is a reply from Sony on the subject with their take on the problem.

If you want a response from Sony try using the support button above and submitting the issue directly to them as this is a "user" forum and one would be hard pressed to see a Sony rep key in here.

j razz

Did submit it to Sony.
Their reply in part said "....suggests that LG is using some kind of technology that will not let DVD Architect-created DVD menus play correctly" Duh!!!

It also indicated that they had seen other similar reports of this problem and would pass it on to the development team. One can only hope that they address the problem soon.

In the mean time I'm about to have the firmware on the LG Recorder updated so I'll post the results when I do. I have had the region coding on the Recorder set to zero (0) meaning it will play all region DVDs but that didn't have any effect on the fault.

As to your comment on this being a 'user' forum I agree that it is but some of the users on this forum have a fairly direct line to Sony, certainly more than I do anyway.

Newhope

Well I've taken my LG RH7796W DVD recorder to an authorised LG service centre to have it's firmware upgraded, as both LG and the service centre suggested, only to find that it's running the latest firmware so no upgrade is available.
This means that, unless the DVD authored with DVD Architect that I left with the service centre actually makes it through the system to LG's product development team, something I doubt wil happen as LG in Australia is just a warehouse to retail operation, then my only hope is Sony producing a patch that will fix the problem.

The main concern here is clients who have these recorders and therefore can't play my DVDs.

Ah the new Intel Macs are starting to look good.... as does the performance of the Mac DVD authoring software....

DVDA generally creates strictly "to the book" DVDs, but unfortunately it doesn't follow that they therefore play on all machines, since players are manufactured to various standards.

Pending a better solution, have you tried burning to different media? - Either a different brand of DVD-R or try DVD+R, even try DVD RW since I assume DVD recorders are used to these.

Peter
As the recorder prefers DVD+R/RW I tried these as an alternative to DVD-R disks I normally use, though it is DVD-R/RW compatible

The problem still remains exactly the same.

As it has been noted the recorder works with DVDs authored with other software. It tends to beg the question as to what the differences between the "to the book" characteristics that DVDA adheres to and other software are.

I have tested the recorder by authoring a multiple video DVD disk with a menu using NeroVision Express 3 ... not my favourite DVD authroing software... BUT the disk works perfectly on the LG DVD recorder.

"...unfortunately it doesn't follow that they therefore play on all machines, since players are manufactured to various standards."
Isn't an answer to my clients who have those different machines. If you were to purchase a DVD, or hire the latest movie release and it didn't play on your player you wouldn't be very impressed.

Similarly my clients will be extremely unimpressed if the disks I create for them aren't compatible with their players or DVD Recorders.

DVDA either creates DVDs that work or it doesn't .... as the saying goes 'there is no such position as being half pregnant' so DVDA's offspring either function fully or they don't afterall if the NeroVision DVDs work why don't DVDA's DVD work?

If the LG wouldn't play any other authored disks then I'd suggest the problem is totally theirs but I think Sony and LG need to address the problem jointly. To that end I've reported the problem to Sony directly and had the local LG service centre forward the problem on to LG.

Then, as my name indicates, I live in HOPE.

Stephen Hope
New Hope Media

Just to add to the confusion I received my latest Sony Media Software Customer Support email on this matter and they started asking questions questions about media compatibility with my burner and interpreting the fault as an inability to correctly burn the DVD out of DVDA.

I answered their questions but pointed out that they have misunderstood the nature of the fault.
It's dissapointing when they don't read the support request correctly and start asking irrelevant questions. I clearly stated in my request for support that the disks play on a range of DVD players but the problem is that they won't play correctly on the LG DVD Recorder not that they won't burn correctly on my Sony burner.

If other software for authoring DVDs was exhibiting the same fault on the LG Recorder when replaying disks then I'd suspect the LG, and don't rule it out completely even now, but it seems that DVDA is doing something 'unusual' with its menu navigation which is the error I receive from the LG when trying to play DVDs from DVDA on it.

Stephen Hope
New Hope Media

The only disk I ever had trouble playing was with a LG player which I created in DVDA.
I dop not know whether the PAL version here in Australia is the culprit but I ended up turfing the player as other programs had problems creating compatible disks.Try a music compilation in DVDA with a couple of videos and see if it plays on the LG.
Mick

Glad I found this thread. I have an LG DR4922W Recorder Player. It just will not handle the menu created DVD's I make in DVDA. I place the same DVD in my SONY DVD player and it works fine. Surely there must be a fix for this. There are lots of people out there with LG players. My software is rendered useless by this problem. When I create basic menu's using Nero Premium Package it works fine in my LG player. So obviously getting a Menu driven DVD to work can be done on an LG player. Why Can't expensive DVDA do it when cheaper Nero can?

I have the same problem with an LG DVD Recorder. I read somehere that it results from the fact that the LG does not have seperate buttons for the Root Menu and Titles Menu. However, knowing that helps me absolutely nothing. Fact remains that if I rent a DVD from the local store, it plays perfectly. As a result DVD Arch is useless to me.

Pity, as the rest of Studio and DA works so well. Just thought that I would add my voice to the list of hopefuls for the problem will to be be fixed.

Some very nice person sent me a fix to the LG DVDA saga. I have tested it out and now my DVD's work perfectly on my LG recorder...

To: M. Adrian EBENS
Since days I'm following now the above mentioned thread in the SONY Media Software Forum "DVD Architect Software". I'm not a registered user - so I cannot reply directly within forum. Nevertheless, I had this "Navigation Error" on my LG recorder also, long ago, with DVDs created by DVDA 3.0c - and I quickly found out why this happens and how to fix the problem :
In fact, DVDA does NOT produce fully compliant output IMHO! Most players/recorders do not seem to care about this - but LG, however, does. Probably, neither SONY nor LG will ever do anything about this specific problem, as both claim to be "fully compliant" regarding DVD specs.
The problem:
DVDA produces 2 unreferenced streams, 1 audio and 1 subpicture stream, which cause navigation errors for LG players/recorders.
The Solution:
Download the freeware utility PgcEdit ( by r0lZ, currently version 7.3 )
http://www.videohelp.com/~r0lZ/pgcedit/index.html#download

Load your DVD into the program and it will correct the problems.

Dear Makers of DVDA, I hope you take note of this and fix the problem...

I received exactly the same email today and have included it in the latest update to my service request.
I am wary of downloading software included in a link from an unsolicted email but it does look extremely legitimate and it's good to know you've tested it and it works.
Now if only Sony can apply the fix to the upcoming DVDA4 release and/or apply it as a patch to DVDA3(d) perhaps?

Regards
Stephen Hope
New Hope Media

Sony has acknowledged the fault in DVDA3....

This just in from customer support.

'The issue that you are experiencing has been identified by our developers. However, the issue may not be dealt with until the next version of the software comes out. I am sorry that I do not have any more specific information to give you, but it is a known issue that is being addressed.'

Guess I won't being seeing a fix in DVDA3 but I'll be glad to have the problem solved for DVDA4.....

I wonder if they'll offer me a free upgrade for bringing it to their attention.... no I guess i shouldn't hold me breath.

Steve ;-)

What about this bug in DVDA 2?. Any report about this?

Further clarification from Customer Support.

"The issue is going to be addressed in the first update that comes out for DVD Architect (4), not the initial release."

As to DVDA1, DVDA2, or DVDA3 I don't think there are any plans to address this problem at this time. Which is not., for me, a positive state of affairs and points to Sony being more concerned with the new release than fixing the old one.

Regards

Stephen Hope
New Hope Media

I am glad I found this thread on frum as I was having problem on playing my DVd son pioneer and Philips recorders.I must say this problem was less when i was using Adobe encore 1,But I upgraded to Encore 2 and same problem started.So thought to try sony software but unfotunately as it stands both companies have not fixed the patch.But fotunately for me and other people suffering same problem.You have given good life saving tip . As I wasted money on every possible brand of DVD media and as well as writers to solve the issue in vain.Only other small tip which itried was successful if u do not creat menu but write dvd with chapters only than it works. but when you presnt DVD professionaly clients don't accept it .

I've finally used PCGEdit on some Menu based DVDA projects and it does fix the problem with my LG DVD Recorder.
You can still use DVDA to burn the DVDs after fixing the contents of the DVD folder created by DVDA with PGCEdit.

OK Sony DVDA3 is still current and has an admitted fault.
Time to come up with a fix prior to DVDA4 is released... you have heard the term Class Action when referring to legal cases for damages haven't you?

Stephen Hope
New Hope Media