9 replies to this topic

[NorthFreeway]

We are attempting to take 30 minutes of h.264 720p video and burn that to a DVD that plays in a PlayStation 3 and other Blu-ray players.  We have Toast Titanium version 9.02.  There are two of us working on this project.  One with an Intel MacBook and Leopard, the other with a G5 and Tiger.  We have tried everything we can think of, but each attempt ends in one of these failure modes (seemingly at random):

1) Toast simply crashes between about 50% and 100%.  All is lost, and we're back to square one.

2) Toast finishes encoding, but we get a "System Error -50" when multiplexing.  When this happens, we cannot save a disc image or burn a DVD.  We end up just having to abandon the encoding and try again.  

3) The project completes encoding, but the bit rate is jumpy and the video is glitchy.  This usually happens when we encode one track as a test--processing a large number of tracks almost always fails as described above.

In addition to the above "fatal" errors, we've noticed that setting Chapter Markers to "none" won't stick unless we leave the preferences window open--which is annoying.

Here's what we've tried:

- Importing and burning HD DVD project folders directly
- Importing h.264 MOV files for each track
- Using Toast's Converter to pre-encode to H.264 or High Definition Video, and then import the files into the Blu-ray tab
- Converting the content to a transport stream using VisualHub, then importing it
- Enabling and disabling menus
- Encoding at different bit rates
- Encoding using "Better" and "Best" settings
- Splitting tracks into smaller chunks
- Burning at different write speeds
- Saving as an image instead of burning directly
- Other things which we've forgotten

Note that we are trying to accomplish the same thing using two totally different computers with the same failed results each time.  I've come to the conclusion that Toast 9 is just buggy, but since there hasn't been an update recently, I wanted to see if anyone else is having these issues or knows of a workaround.  Needless to say, we've made a LOT of coasters.

If it helps, the exact same content can easily be burned under Windows using freeware tools, and the videos look great.  However, that method does not give us menus or distinct tracks, which we need.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated!  Thanks.

[freecam]

Hi there,

I also have a G5 with OS Tiger but haven't tried to use this system with Toast 9. My OS version is 10.4....not high enough to meet the compatibility standards of Toast 9. Eventually I'll upgrade to Leopard OS and see if it works. I'm finding the encoding in Toast tying up my main system up too much. I can sleep for only so long!

Also I think Toast 9 is optimized for MacPro Intel chip because I haven't had any "major" issues with it. As for the MacBook I'm skeptical this level of burning would work well with it even with Leopard OS. I think Toast 9 has been designed for the latest MacPro systems and now they're working their way backwards to make it friendlier with older and slower systems.

I wouldn't bother with H.264. Go native if possible. I'm now working with my exported timeline to QT file in native format directly to Toast 9. I've found using Compressor or anything else a waste of time (MPG-2 Transport or Elementary Streams). It just makes it worse.

Is there anything else I can answer specifically?

Freecam

[NorthFreeway]

Also I think Toast 9 is optimized for MacPro Intel chip because I haven't had any "major" issues with it. As for the MacBook I'm skeptical this level of burning would work well with it even with Leopard OS. I think Toast 9 has been designed for the latest MacPro systems and now they're working their way backwards to make it friendlier with older and slower systems.

I wouldn't bother with H.264. Go native if possible. I'm now working with my exported timeline to QT file in native format directly to Toast 9. I've found using Compressor or anything else a waste of time (MPG-2 Transport or Elementary Streams). It just makes it worse.

Thanks, Freecam.  With the exact same system, I am able to easily burn the disc using Windows in Parallels (and other burning tools).  Besides, the MacBook has a Core 2 Duo and is a much faster system than the G5.  And it doesn't work on the G5 either.  I don't think the hardware is at fault.  

We've tried going native, but again, it hangs half way through.  I'm hoping for an update...

[patatrox]

We are attempting to take 30 minutes of h.264 720p video and burn that to a DVD that plays in a PlayStation 3 and other Blu-ray players.  We have Toast Titanium version 9.02.  There are two of us working on this project.  One with an Intel MacBook and Leopard, the other with a G5 and Tiger.  We have tried everything we can think of, but each attempt ends in one of these failure modes (seemingly at random):

Can you give us some idea of the source content you're using?  How was it created/where did it come from and what resolution?

Thanks

[NorthFreeway]

Can you give us some idea of the source content you're using?  How was it created/where did it come from and what resolution?

Thanks

Yes, it is 720p material mastered in Final Cut Pro.  It is our own source material, filmed with HD cameras.

[NorthFreeway]

I have spent many additional days trying different approaches and hacks, and still cannot burn an AVCHD disc successfully.  Toast always crashes, hangs, or bombs out with an error.  Is Roxio working on a fix, or should I just give up and try to get a refund?

[Imacer]

Here what worked for me finally. In iMovie I picked share to quicktime in H.264 HD 1080 resolution etc.. than drag over movie to blu ray section in Toast 9, than save as disc image after mount to desktop i put put dvd image in BDMV section and burned. It works for me in my PS3 blu-ray player. Now this is with a normal DVD-R, don't get much video minutes. In the PS 3 it only display at 480 resolution. I am going to have to by a burner and blue ray disc. the files are huge. Maybe you guys and gails can help here, how can I get my dvd to play at 720 or higher if possible in the PS3. I tried everything here.

Hi there,

I also have a G5 with OS Tiger but haven't tried to use this system with Toast 9. My OS version is 10.4....not high enough to meet the compatibility standards of Toast 9. Eventually I'll upgrade to Leopard OS and see if it works. I'm finding the encoding in Toast tying up my main system up too much. I can sleep for only so long!

Also I think Toast 9 is optimized for MacPro Intel chip because I haven't had any "major" issues with it. As for the MacBook I'm skeptical this level of burning would work well with it even with Leopard OS. I think Toast 9 has been designed for the latest MacPro systems and now they're working their way backwards to make it friendlier with older and slower systems.

I wouldn't bother with H.264. Go native if possible. I'm now working with my exported timeline to QT file in native format directly to Toast 9. I've found using Compressor or anything else a waste of time (MPG-2 Transport or Elementary Streams). It just makes it worse.

Is there anything else I can answer specifically?

Freecam

What do you mean by going native?

Edited by Imacer, 18 May 2008 - 05:45 PM.

[NorthFreeway]

In the PS 3 it only display at 480 resolution. I am going to have to by a burner and blue ray disc. the files are huge. Maybe you guys and gails can help here, how can I get my dvd to play at 720 or higher if possible in the PS3. I tried everything here.

While I haven't been successful making a AVCHD disc with Toast, I have made several using free Windows utilities, and they all play at 720P on the PS3.  I would image 1080 would work the same way.  Make sure you are connecting the PS3 to your TV with an HDMI cable.

[Imacer]

While I haven't been successful making a AVCHD disc with Toast, I have made several using free Windows utilities, and they all play at 720P on the PS3.  I would image 1080 would work the same way.  Make sure you are connecting the PS3 to your TV with an HDMI cable.

I do have my PS3 hooked up to TV and with HDMI cable. I even went into the display settings and made adjustments and still don't get at least 720 or 1080P or I. What type of disk do you use to burn. I am using the Verbatim DVD-R for now. Is their a setting in Toast 9 to set for the resolution.

[Imacer]

While I haven't been successful making a AVCHD disc with Toast, I have made several using free Windows utilities, and they all play at 720P on the PS3.  I would image 1080 would work the same way.  Make sure you are connecting the PS3 to your TV with an HDMI cable.

How did you create a AVCHD using Toast 9? Thanks, richard

Edited by Imacer, 19 May 2008 - 11:47 AM.