Toast 11 Vs Toast 10

[pomaus]

I'd like to know if Toast 11 solves my Toast 10 problems. Before you ask, no further discussions on Toast 10 are allowed. Attempted to create a Hi Def (with plug-in) version of a Photo (P) & Video (V) slideshow (eg P V V P V P) using 16:9 & 4:3 V & P formats. All P’s are grouped together as a single slideshow at the front! Have tried copying P’s separately, still with problems. 4:3 V expanded as wide screen & distorted, even though I used automatic setting which is supposed to detect the video aspect (see Help). 16:9 P is created within a 4:3 wide screen format. Secondary P’s missing (1st one there). This is just a sample of the problems; after using numerous DVDs to try to get it to work. All no good. All I want to do is create a HD version of the SD disc I obtain using Apple’s iDVD with all file separate, in the specified order and correct aspect ratio.

[tsantee]

My guess is it won't be different with Toast 11 but I don't know that for sure. Roxio has a 30-day refund policy if you buy its applications from its online store so you can give it a try and still get your money back if it doesn't work. I have looked into Blu-ray slide shows and they are encoded as standard def so that probably isn't what you want. I'm a little confused by your closing comments. It sounded like you want Toast to encode a HD video from and SD source, which it won't do. The other problems you mentioned are pretty frustrating. It may be that Toast cannot change aspect ratios from one title to the next. If so you need to use MyDVDEdit to modify the ISO file in the VIDEO_TS folder. I also suggest choosing Save as Disc Image and mounting the disc image to preview with DVD Player or VLC PLayer rather than burning discs to check how they look.

[pomaus]

Thank you tsantee. I didn’t know about the 30-day refund as I bought from a shop. Your Blu-ray slide shows require the Hi Def/Blu-ray plug-in. This is my first time asking a question in a forum like this and was mindful of any total words restriction. We have two cameras, each take Video (MP4) and Photo (JPG), one HD (1920 x 1080) 16:9, the other SD (640 x 480) 4:3. From iPhoto to iDVD maintains correct order and aspect for each file, but converts HD to SD, and plays 100% correctly on a Blu-ray player. I want to play exactly the same folder of files in exactly the same way with each file displayed with their respective definition and aspect (I’m not trying to obtain HD from a SD source) so I can watch HD video and photos on my HD TV. Toast 10 doesn’t do this. Example, 4 files; SD video stretched to 16:9; HD video exactly as expected; HD photo displays as 16:9 within a 4:3 aspect and stretched so there are black lines at the top & bottom; SD photo missing (copied separately). I have no idea what MyDVDEdit is. I assume you mean I should copy the burned disc data to the computer and use MyDVDEdit to modify it. Regarding saving as disc image; wouldn’t play on either iDVD or VLC player probably due to the HD coding.

[tsantee]

Thank you tsantee. I didn’t know about the 30-day refund as I bought from a shop. Your Blu-ray slide shows require the Hi Def/Blu-ray plug-in. This is my first time asking a question in a forum like this and was mindful of any total words restriction. We have two cameras, each take Video (MP4) and Photo (JPG), one HD (1920 x 1080) 16:9, the other SD (640 x 480) 4:3. From iPhoto to iDVD maintains correct order and aspect for each file, but converts HD to SD, and plays 100% correctly on a Blu-ray player. I want to play exactly the same folder of files in exactly the same way with each file displayed with their respective definition and aspect (I’m not trying to obtain HD from a SD source) so I can watch HD video and photos on my HD TV. Toast 10 doesn’t do this. Example, 4 files; SD video stretched to 16:9; HD video exactly as expected; HD photo displays as 16:9 within a 4:3 aspect and stretched so there are black lines at the top & bottom; SD photo missing (copied separately). I have no idea what MyDVDEdit is. I assume you mean I should copy the burned disc data to the computer and use MyDVDEdit to modify it. Regarding saving as disc image; wouldn’t play on either iDVD or VLC player probably due to the HD coding.

Never mind about myDVDEdit because that's only for standard-def video DVDs. What it does is let you edit how Toast writes the instructions to the DVD player that are in the VIDEO_TS folder's .ifo file. If you had some videos or slide shows appearing the the wrong aspect ratio while others are correct, then this could be changed there. But it doesn't help with Blu-ray.

 

I do have the Blu-ray plugin and my Blu-ray slide show came out with standard-def images. I'll check it again.

 

I'm not sure if the problem of mixed resolutions can be solved with the current versions of Toast. I'll do some checking into it and get back to you.

[tsantee]

I've just done a test with Toast 11 and everything turned out great. I included a 1280x720 60 fps video, a 720x480 30 fps video and a bunch of 4:3 jpegs. They each were encoded to the resolution they are supposed to be. My previous experience with the SD slide show resolution didn't happen this time. They were encoded as 1920 x 1080 with borders on the sides to keep their correct aspect ratio. (Addendum: When I drag in only a slide show with no HD video they get encoded as 720x480. So the key is to have something that's HD as the first item in Toast window).

 

So I suggest buying Toast 11 as a download from Roxio (they often send emails with sale pricing) so you can try it out.

[pomaus]

Roxio brought out an update which I had to check-out first. Using 'save to disc' SD version solved 2 / 3 problems (video & photo 4:3 aspect ratios were maintained), but 16:9 photo is still encased within a 4:3 screen and then stretched to 16:??? When put onto a DVD, it played different between a Blu-Ray player and a DVD player (iDVD version works fine on both of these) & both were different to the VLC played file. HD version was different to all of these; no change. If Roxio was an Australian company, I would want my money back as I consider Toast 10 DVD & HD plug-in not to be of ‘merchantable quality’ (it doesn’t work properly). Before I even consider buying Toast 11 & associated HD plug-in (version 10 was a waste of money), I would appreciate it if you would explain how I would get my money back for both products and revert back to Toast 10 if version 11 doesn’t work. As a retired person, I really don’t see why I have to pay good money for a newer version when the version I have should work fine; which it doesn’t.

[tsantee]

Roxio brought out an update which I had to check-out first. Using 'save to disc' SD version solved 2 / 3 problems (video & photo 4:3 aspect ratios were maintained), but 16:9 photo is still encased within a 4:3 screen and then stretched to 16:??? When put onto a DVD, it played different between a Blu-Ray player and a DVD player (iDVD version works fine on both of these) & both were different to the VLC played file. HD version was different to all of these; no change. If Roxio was an Australian company, I would want my money back as I consider Toast 10 DVD & HD plug-in not to be of ‘merchantable quality’ (it doesn’t work properly). Before I even consider buying Toast 11 & associated HD plug-in (version 10 was a waste of money), I would appreciate it if you would explain how I would get my money back for both products and revert back to Toast 10 if version 11 doesn’t work. As a retired person, I really don’t see why I have to pay good money for a newer version when the version I have should work fine; which it doesn’t.

I didn't check how Toast handles various aspect ratios when making a standard-definition video DVD like iDVD. With the Blu-ray version I believe it is important to put a HD video at the top of the Toast window ahead of any slide show or standard-definition video. That was necessary for me to do with Toast 11. It may also be necessary to start with a 16:9 video before adding a slide show with a standard-def DVD. I don't know and will have to look into it.

 

Unfortunately, installing Toast 11's Blu-ray plugin removes the Toast 10 Blu-ray plugin so I no longer can do any Toast 10 testing of Blu-ray videos but I can check the standard-def DVD. As for Roxio's refund policy on purchases made from Roxio's site, that is something you need to check out with them. In the U.S. it is a 30-day refund policy and I've used it in the past. I don't know which Mac you have but Toast 11 requires an Intel Mac. If you chose to "return" Toast 11 it involves deleting it from your hard drive. Installing Toast 11 shouldn't remove Toast 10 so it will remain, but you'll need to reinstall the Toast 10 Blu-ray plugin.

 

Please give me the specs of your videos for my testing.

[pomaus]

Baseline. iDVD displays 404 holiday photos & videos with mixed 16:9 & 4:3 aspect 100% correctly in a Blu-Ray (BD) player. I’m using OS X v 10.6.8 with an Intel Mac.

 

As an ex main-frame programmer, I’ve reduced my testing to just four files. One each of video & photo (1920 x 1080 @ 16:9) and one each of video & photo (640 x 480 @ 4:3) – video MP4 (I don’t think it matters due to the subsequent encoding) & photo JPG. From my experience, order doesn’t matter.

 

In your tests, you should find Toast’s ‘Save as disc image’ displays 16:9 photo encased within 4:3 and displayed as 16:9 (it has black lines above and below) and a DVD & BD produced DVD should show the same. 16:9 video, OK in all three forums. 4:3 video and photo gets stretched to 16:9 and looks funny in DVD & BD.

[tsantee]

Baseline. iDVD displays 404 holiday photos & videos with mixed 16:9 & 4:3 aspect 100% correctly in a Blu-Ray (BD) player. I’m using OS X v 10.6.8 with an Intel Mac.

 

As an ex main-frame programmer, I’ve reduced my testing to just four files. One each of video & photo (1920 x 1080 @ 16:9) and one each of video & photo (640 x 480 @ 4:3) – video MP4 (I don’t think it matters due to the subsequent encoding) & photo JPG. From my experience, order doesn’t matter.

 

In your tests, you should find Toast’s ‘Save as disc image’ displays 16:9 photo encased within 4:3 and displayed as 16:9 (it has black lines above and below) and a DVD & BD produced DVD should show the same. 16:9 video, OK in all three forums. 4:3 video and photo gets stretched to 16:9 and looks funny in DVD & BD.

I'm a little confused. You compare Toast to iDVD yet you say you are burning a Blu-ray disc with Toast and iDVD can't do Blu-ray. I don't know if you want me to do a comparison of Toast's DVD-video which is comparable to iDVD or if you are wanting a HD Blu-ray disc. Is the problem that Toast's DVD-video setting results in a disc that displays wrong on a Blu-ray player or that the Blu-ray setting displays wrong on the player? If it is the latter, my test with Toast 11 showed everything correct as long as the first item was a HD 16:9 source. I can't test with Toast 10, unfortunately, because I no longer have its Blu-ray plugin installed. I can test if Toast 10's DVD video setting gets the aspect ratios correct, if that's what you want me to look into.

[pomaus]

Sorry if I've confused you. This is the first time I've used a medium like this to discuss a subject; it's not just a simple email.

 

I'm assuming the plug-in just converts the code to a Blu-Ray format. Thus, if the basic DVD version doesn't work properly, how can the Blu-Ray version work correctly? Yes, iDVD produces a SD version, but it works & Toast 10 DVD doesn't.

 

You say your tests show aspects are OK with Toast 11 with Blu-Ray puig-in. I would appreciate it if you would tell me your test files formats (16:9, 4:3, full HD of 1920x1080 and SD) and if you used a DVD disc (not 'save as disc image)'. This will help me when I contact Roxio to attempt a deal on Toast 11 & plug-in because my limited requirements means that Toast 10 would be great if it worked as it should. So far, the HD plug-in has been a waste of money.

 

You've said that I can revert back to Toast 10 if Toast 11 doesn't work (Toast 10 HD plug-in, no problem; I've kept a copy of it). I appreciate your help.

[tsantee]

Sorry if I've confused you. This is the first time I've used a medium like this to discuss a subject; it's not just a simple email.

 

I'm assuming the plug-in just converts the code to a Blu-Ray format. Thus, if the basic DVD version doesn't work properly, how can the Blu-Ray version work correctly? Yes, iDVD produces a SD version, but it works & Toast 10 DVD doesn't.

 

You say your tests show aspects are OK with Toast 11 with Blu-Ray puig-in. I would appreciate it if you would tell me your test files formats (16:9, 4:3, full HD of 1920x1080 and SD) and if you used a DVD disc (not 'save as disc image)'. This will help me when I contact Roxio to attempt a deal on Toast 11 & plug-in because my limited requirements means that Toast 10 would be great if it worked as it should. So far, the HD plug-in has been a waste of money.

 

You've said that I can revert back to Toast 10 if Toast 11 doesn't work (Toast 10 HD plug-in, no problem; I've kept a copy of it). I appreciate your help.

I described the specs in my earlier post here. I believe I have the Toast 10 Blu-ray plugin still installed in a G5 iMac that I haven't used for awhile. I'll turn it on and see if I can do some testing there.

[tsantee]

I just did a test with Toast 10.0.6 on my G5 iMac. I added a 1280x720p video, a 640x480i video and some 4:3 jpegs. The finished project has everything displaying correctly on the Mac (I don't have a Blu-ray player). The 4:3 items have black bars on the left and right sides to preserve their correct aspect ratio. The HD video was encoded at 1280x720, the SD video at 720x480 and the jpegs at 1920x1080. One thing I may have done differently from your approach is to choose Widescreen in the menu window to get a 16:9 menu.

[pomaus]

Tsantee. Your last posting helped in a way I think you had not intended. I have good news and bad news.

 

Bad news. I used menu aspect ratio Automatic and then tried all of the other settings. All had the same result when ‘Save As Disc Image’ and viewed using VLC 1.1.5 (nothing else works, even VLC 1.1.12 – had to revert to 1.1.5). 16:9 video, 4:3 video and photo all work fine. 16:9 photo gets wrapped within a 4:3 shell so that black horizontal lines appear at the top and bottom and then stretched (think widescreen on a 4:3 TV).

 

Good news. I have 2 BluRay players; same make, different age. Your posting regarding the aspect setting prompted me to try it on the other one. My test player had the wrong 16:9 setting. Both now play as per computer (16:9 photo only one wrong). HD version is the same as DVD. The only fault in both is in the rendering of 16:9 photos.

 

I’m a little confused regarding your test with jpegs aspects. To attempt to ensure you test as I did, I’ve attached a sample photo (hope attachment works). Also, how did you view them?

 

Due to the number of your postings in lots of different aspects of Toast, I assume you have, or have access to, a great knowledge of this product. May I ask you to look into the posting for Toast 10, Toast Video Player Has Expired. I’ve not used this player before upgrading to 10.0.9, but I get the same message. Will try version 10.0.8. Now I’ve found I can post to Toast 10, I will conduct some tests and add my results.

 

Thanks.

[pomaus]

Tsantee.

 

Have done a test using a previous version of Toast 10 Video Player and that's all it plays, only videos. No video and photo using Save as Disc image!! So I'm wondering how viewed this file format; especially the HD without a BluRay player.

 

Do you know how to access the file I attached using 'Choose File' & 'Attach this file'?

[tsantee]

Tsantee.

 

Have done a test using a previous version of Toast 10 Video Player and that's all it plays, only videos. No video and photo using Save as Disc image!! So I'm wondering how viewed this file format; especially the HD without a BluRay player.

 

Do you know how to access the file I attached using 'Choose File' & 'Attach this file'?

I viewed them with the Roxio Video Player that's in Toast 11. I also examined the contents of the Roxio Converted Items folder where the specifications of the encoded videos and images are in the file names and was able to open them for view.