Too many programs per PGC

[rubicat]

By using "Append copied PGC", "Add program", or "Insert program", you can create a PGC with more than 99 programs, which is a violation of the DVD-Video specifications. You can also add more than 99 chapters per PGC to a VTS's title map, for a single title, which is also against specs. A title can have up 999 chapters, but it can have only 99 per PGC. If a title has more than 99 chapters, it must span across more than one PGC.

[toaddub]

[rubicat]

[toaddub]

I see. So the posted info from dvd-replica is partially incorrect!? In this case, DVD Demystified says maximum # chapters/programs per PGC is 99, whereas dvd-replica says it's 255. That's why I asked previously if DRM can have a range checking, with the displayed limits, when entering the value in Command Edit window, that would be very helpful.

[DimadSoft]

Thanks guys for bringing this to our attention. We will impose these "stricter" specs on DRM projects.

[rubicat]

[NowWhereWasI]

Hi All, I think it important to set this straight immediately. The number of PGC's a title can have and still be a valid title is 256 NOT 99. I have Jim's book also, it is a good reference for the beginner. The book that is pertinent for advanced users of ReMake is "DVD Authoring and Production" by Ralph LeBarge. Get it, READ IT, Use it, Live It. Both gentlemen are very polite and probably answer any one email so if you decide to contact them make the most of it! I Believe the authoring program you mentioned is called Scenarist and this book has a section dedicated to High End Authoring programs. Using DVD Info Pro will show if a retail disc was edited on that program. I've seen more than one disc (with more than 99 PCG's) and it was authored on the scenarist. Now if anybody want's to chip in, i'll toss in 500 which leaves us 29,500 shy to take a look at it. Whaddya Think? N.

[rubicat]

The issue that this topic is discussing is not the number of PGC's in a title, but the number of programs in a PGC. There can actually be up to 999 PGC's in a title. I worked on a disc recently that had 326 PGC's in one VTS. Some authoring programs impose their own limit here, but the specs allow for 999. The authoring program that I'm referring to is not Scenarist. I have used Scenarist also. I will find out what it is called. It came with a very expensive editing station that he has. This program makes Scenarist and Maestro look mid-range at best. I have even experimented with true multi-story seamless branching with it; something that I don't think is possible with Scenarist (at least I couldn't figure out how).

[NowWhereWasI]

Hello, O. K. one more time....

[rubicat]

Hello NowWhereWasI, I wouldn't consider DVD Replica's info as the specs. They are admittedly "unofficial." I have their e-book and I think that a few items are suspect. I called Greg (my videographer friend) this morning and the authoring system that I was referring to is part of a system that is made by Panasonic. There are two seats, one for editing and one for DVD authoring. The software is proprietary for this system, and was also written by Panasonic. Is it affordable? Well I'd say definitly not for individuals. This is real professional stuff. I asked Greg what his company paid for it, and he said that they bought it second-hand from a company that was going out-of-business, and paid $110,000 for the whole system, hardware and software. He said that the system retails for about $175,000. I don't think I'll be buying one anytime soon! His company's specialty is filming concerts and putting them on DVD. They have cameras that cost more than my house! I asked Greg about some of the DVD specs that we're talking about. His company is not a DVD forum licensee, but their replicator is, so he called them for me. These are the limits that they quoted us: 255 cells (pointers) per PGC 99 programs per PGC 99 titles per disc 999 PGC's per title 999 chapters per title (but only 99 per PGC) If a DVD doesn't conform to these maximums, there's no guarantee that it will play in all players (especially standalones). I have two standalones that won't play the disc that I authored with 100 programs in one PGC. The discs that you mention that were authored with Spruce were probably done with DVD Maestro. Spruce is the company that wrote Maestro before they sold it to Apple. You have to consider the author as well as the authoring program when evaluating the quality of authoring. The program is only as good as its user. The Panasonic system is very strict on its compliance. It wouldn't let you stray from specs.

[NowWhereWasI]

Good Morning Rubicat, I couldn't agree with you more about the descrepancy concerning the spec's. Both of the author's mentioned Do have access to the DVD Technical Specification books. One of these fella's should correct this point for us. (These books aren't cheap.) I suspected the system you mentioned would be a stand-alone authoring workstation from one of the broadcast venue. It was worth the hope that something new would pop-up to fill the niche for the enthusiast group. Saddly everything I've seen so far is seriously lacking or limited in one area or another necessitating two or more apps to get the job done. Thanks for the information relayed from your friend, surely a replicator would know the facts on this issue and if willing to make a statement at all I seriously doubt he would provide misleading information. The only reason I stuck my big nose in this thread in the first place was because I read the statement "impose stricter" and I should have realized he meant tighter adhearance to existing! One more question for you, of the two players that won't play your disc which one is the more "finicky" of the two. Thanks rubicat. N.

[rubicat]

[CDR-Zone.COM]