[KansasBoy]

This new thread pertains to the following error message: Project_BuildToDevice() AuthorScript call failed. Error while Writing Format. I believe that the workaround described below has promise but needs others to confirm that it works.

This error occurs when trying to burn AVCHD to DVD slideshows involving probably as few as 20 jpg picture images. Following is the process that caused the error message:
• Used VideoWave to produce slideshow with 253 jpg image files (138MB) with simple transitions and video wave sound then saved file
• Opened MyDVD – selected AVCHD with menus as output.
• Imported VideoWave file
• Inserted HD-type Menu with one “button” (no chapters)
• Selected Burn (output reflected to be 3.2GB)
• Burn produced the error message.

[/indent]o Project_BuildToDevice() AuthorScript call failed. Error while Writing Format


Encoding Movie – completes


Input Media – completes


Encode Media – completes
 [indent]

Writing Format – fails at about 50% complete
I've spent many hours in a running dialog with Roxio Technical support trying various workarounds. In brief none of them worked up until now. Before continuing, I want to let everyone know that Roxio Tech Support – Level 2 has been great and has been totally supportive in helping to resolve this problem.

Following is the content of the email which I essentially followed with success.

“I am sorry to hear that you are still getting the same error. I assume this is the call to author script error you stated before. As a possible work around I would like you to export the file from video wave as a video file. Choose any quality setting. Once the file has been created open MyDVD and select a new AVCHD project. Add your video file we just created in videowave and select what ever menu options you want. Then select burn. For this test we can uncheck burn to DVD and instead try to create the image. If the image is made successfully we can try to burn either from mydvd to directly to disc or burn the image file directly using the burn image option in creator.”

I did not follow the last part of the instructions but rather went directly to a burn. I was successful. The show runs without problems on my Blu-Ray player.
Because this is just one success story I would ask that the discussion group managers allow this thread to remain open so that we can all ensure that the process does work. Thanks

[Beerman]

We can always pin all or part of this post to the top of this group for future use as needed.
Thanks for posting your fix.

[Jim_Hardin]

Not a repeatable solution and has a big problem.

If you output in any less that HD you defeat the purpose of having HD…

If you output in HD you will still run into the AuthorScript() error in MyDVD.

We have been battling with this since 2009 and nothing seems to work everytime. In fact you can see a completly different "solution" in this thread that worked this time - Here

This post has been edited by Jim_Hardin: 02 September 2009 - 03:33 PM

[KansasBoy]

Jim I trust your input on this. However, the output to the DVD during this was in excess of 3.2GB. I'm a REAL rookie when it comes to understanding what is going on in the burn process and the quality of the final product. Please help us here.

[Jim_Hardin]

Jim I trust your input on this. However, the output to the DVD during this was in excess of 3.2GB. I'm a REAL rookie when it comes to understanding what is going on in the burn process and the quality of the final product. Please help us here.

If we could find a procedure that was not hit/miss I would be the first to make a pinned post of it!!! (assuming some others didn’t beat me to it )

I am open to suggestions but first I need a project that fails Most of mine seem to work and frankly I didn’t see what the fuss was about until one failed

[KansasBoy]

Jim the error occurs when trying to burn a show with large numbers of jpg pictures. I dont know the break point but its likely between 15 and 25. Early on I tested to see if the error occurred on small shows and it burned successfuly but can't remember the number - I think it was 17. As I noted in other inputs, I've had success producing large shows (200+ pictures) then burning AVCHD to DVD on evaluation copies of both Nero 9 and the Corel program. I even loaded Creator on my wife's Vista 32 PC and got the same error (and when I conveyed this to Roxio Tech Support they chewed me out for loading onto a second machine but evenutally forgave me).

It's been my hope that you guys who are really experts could sucessfuly convey the urgency to Roxio that this issue is real and very unlikely related to an individual's PC. While the number of us who build movies from still pictures might be somewhat small and those who have BD players reduces that population even more, it's really time for Roxio to get out ahead of the curve and fix this for their users.

If you have the time, I and others would be grateful if you'd try to make a test project of say 50 pictures at about 0.5MB each jpg, with simple transitions and try to burn the project AVCHD to DVD. Thanks for hanging in there with us.

[ggrussell]

Have you tried resizing the images first? High def is only 1920x1080. Most cheap still cameras have resolution higher than that now. If you want to pan/zoom, then a higher resolution works well, but not really needed if you are not using pan/zoom. Use something like Image Cropper to resize in batch and then try using those files to create your AVCHD project.

This post has been edited by ggrussell: 03 September 2009 - 08:39 AM

[KansasBoy]

Success was short-lived. I've been in the process of producing the slideshow of our trip to France’s Dordogne early this summer thinking I could now get a good AVCHD to DVD burned. I produced the 120 image show with motion, transitions, text, and music in VW. I then exported it as an AVCHD “mp4” file. To complete the project I opened MyDVD, imported the mp4 movie, added a title slide and moved to burn the AVCHD to DVD. Failure (write format error).

And now for the rest of the story. I opened Nero 9, went to “Create and Edit” (the equivalent of MyDVD) imported the same mp4, added a title and burned AVCHD to DVD with great success.
I agree with Jim’s assessment that this is a hit and miss situation. I'm troubled that Roxio has now gone with two releases of their vaunted program (Creator 2009-10) and hasn’t made the effort to correct the glitch.

I've continued a robust dialog with Roxio Technical Support Level 2. I'm forwarding this latest information to them in hopes that it will “build a fire” to smoke out the software problem. Thanks for all the continuing efforts to find a true workaround.

[sknis]

Agreed that it is frustrating and there has been no fix yet.

Another program I use does not have the problem.

[KansasBoy]

I just received this from Roxio. I do not believe that the comment about not playing well with Nero is true given I've had this problem well before installing Nero. They neglected to send the zip file so I'm awaiting it. Once I respond and get something back I will post it here.

"Thank you for contacting Roxio Customer Care
The error itself was corrected in sp4 of Creator 2009. Why you are still seeing the error we are not yet sure. However the fact that you have Nero on the same system could very well be a cause as Nero and our software do not play well together on the same system. It also maybe possible that the other Roxio software may also be causing some conflict. In order for us to attempt to resolve this error please follow the steps below to send us a trace file of the error you are getting.
How to send us a trace file of your error.
1) Download the attached zip file and unzip its contents to your desktop.

2) Run the Trace.exe file and minimize the trace window or leave it running in the background.
*Note* If you get a warning from your security/antivirus software make sure you allow the trace file or you may also need to disable your security/antivirus software for the trace file to correctly run.

3) Launch your Roxio software and go through the normal process that you do when you receive the error messages or problem you are having.

4) Once you get the error or have the problem you can close out of the error message or close the Roxio software.

5) Go to the Trace window that you left running while we got the error and select the file option in the upper left corner of the Trace window and select save as.

6) Save your trace file as TraceFile[deleted].txt
7) Send us your Trace file as an email attachment to [Deleted for this posting]
8) Please put your ticket number in the in the subject line of the email.

Roxio engineers will analyze this file in hopes to find the root cause of the problem you are experiencing. While we hope to provide you a solution as soon as possible to this problem it may take some time to find the exact root cause. If we find this error to be a bug in the software the solution will likely come in an update to the software. If we find a valid work around or another cause to the issue we will update you accordingly. We appreciate you taking the time to submit to us this information and look forward to resolving your issue."

[Jim_Hardin]

They need the information from your PC, not your editorial…

This is a good step forward to diagnosis this problem since the error can't be duplicated on demand. So follow the instructions and provide the info.

[KansasBoy]

A brief update to let all who are following this thread know that I am still in a dialog with Roxio Support Level 2. Nothing's happened for several days until they reqested a burn log file from a MyDVD_Temp folder yesterday. I responded quickly (no editorials Jim ). Don't know what this means but will keep all updated with any changes in the situation.

[Jim_Hardin]

I was hoping we would have something by now too.

Hang in we all have our fingers crossed

BTW, I hail from the other side of the river, KCMO

[KansasBoy]

I'm a Salina boy and a persistent SO... I will hang in there. Best Regards

[otown]

I guess I'm in the same boat, 7 x 5 min 1080i mpeg files in, AVCHD-no menus out to folders option, 2 pass encoding, and it crashed as others have described it above.

This post has been edited by otown: 18 September 2009 - 12:17 PM

[Jim_Hardin]

I guess I'm in the same boat, 7 x 5 min 1080i mpeg files in, AVCHD-no menus out, 2 pass encoding, and it crashed as others have described it above.

No one has said anything about a crash… Try to be specific or you just create confusion.

[otown]

This happened:
Project_BuildToDevice() AuthorScript call failed. Error while  Writing Format
as per the title of the thread.

AFAIC, the program failed...it was incorrectly designed or coded.....it abended, crashed, etc.

This post has been edited by otown: 18 September 2009 - 11:59 AM

[ivanatrox]

Hi otown,

I'm wondering where the 1080i mpeg files were from. Were they recorded by a HD camcorder? If it is the case, what is the manufacturer and model number? If possible, can you send me the files so that we can try to duplicate the issue?

Thanks!

Ivan

[otown]

They are output from Video Wave....thats the only way I can force 1080i AVCHD files. The original video files that I used for Video Wave were 720p and you can't write out 1080i AVCHD files with 720p files in the project. Therefore you have to go thru the extra step of creating 1080i mpeg files. This is discussed in a thread in the Creator 2009 section of this forum and 2010 works the same.

[ggrussell]

you can't write out 1080i AVCHD files with 720p files in the project.

Which Application? I haven't had any issues. I'll try it again.
---
Using MyDVD, I had no problem output to AVCHD to folder with a 720p Quicktime file.
Using VC&C, no issues output same file to H264 1920X1080.
Using Videowave, no issues output same file to Blueray AVC HQ 1920x1080i

If you are using one of those under $200 camcorder, I've seen many issues with non-standard file formats. Some even have mono audio.

This post has been edited by ggrussell: 18 September 2009 - 02:36 PM