Good dvd burning software--besides Nero?

[Utoo]

I'm making a guess that the reason my dvd burner makes excellent exact copies but doesn't make anything that's playable in a dvd player is that I'm just drag-and-dropping Video_TS files, and not going through any software. The burner came with a Nero 7 installation disc, but I can't install it-----whether I use the disc, the free download from the website, or a pirated copy from a torrent, all the installations stop after a few seconds of starting.

So, I'd like to circumvent the whole Nero thing and ask if there are any recommendations on other dvd burning software (preferably free )?

 

[ntalwar]

Copying Queen Bee's link, there are some free DVD tools here:
http://www.econsultant.com/i-want-freeware-utilities/index.html#video-dvd

 

[Utoo]

^Thanks. One link there led to another link which led to another.....and now I've found a few that I'll try out.

 

[Utoo]

Grrrrrr.....

Just downloaded & installed InterVideo 5 Platinum. Looks great, seems easy to use. One problem----it won't let me choose my external dvd burner as my "target!" Argh!

 

[ntalwar]

Not sure if InterVideo is freeware or shareware - that list gives freewares that should burn it.

 

[Utoo]

I think InterVideo is neither....I got a copy off of Oink & it came with a Keygen.

As for the stuff in that list, the one that seems like the best fit is Shrinkto5, but that one looks like it's now a pay service. The other links don't seem like they're designed for burning dvds, but rather for converting various file types to dvd.

Basically, I have a whole bunch of dvds I've burned from u2torrents. Dragging & dropping the files to my external burner doesn't result in a playable disc (though does on a Mac ), so I'm trying to figure out how to take those u2torrents Video_TS files and make a dvd that plays. I don't know if it's my burner that stinks, my computer, me, or all 3!

 

[U2Man]

 

[Utoo]

And here I come in, thinking you might offer a wondrous solution! Double- on me!

 

[ntalwar]

Basically, I have a whole bunch of dvds I've burned from u2torrents. Dragging & dropping the files to my external burner doesn't result in a playable disc (though does on a Mac ), so I'm trying to figure out how to take those u2torrents Video_TS files and make a dvd that plays. I don't know if it's my burner that stinks, my computer, me, or all 3!

Have you tried DVD shrink? I've used that a lot to copy dvd-to-dvd and burn dvds from u2torrents.

 

[Utoo]

No, I was under the impression that it was just to make direct copies & fit things on one disc. But I'll give it a shot!

 

[ntalwar]

DVD shrink should work for stuff from u2torrents -it has for me. It does compression when it needs to fit dual layer dvds(e.g. commercially released stuff) onto a single layer dvd. The "Open Files" button is used to import the video_ts folder on the hard drive, and then the "Backup" button will burn it.

 

[Utoo]

Awesome---I'm at work today & tonight, but I'll give it a shot tomorrow. Thanks!

 

[Utoo]

ntalwar----I've been busy with work, but I'll be trying it out soon. I'll let you know how it works.

 

[Utoo]

Kung fu! I just used DVDShrink and CopytoDVD...and burned a lovely disc that didn't work on my player. Maybe my next step should be to try a different brand of discs. What I don't get is that this same kind---Sony DVD+R---has worked on my dvd in the past. But I can't think of anything else. The burner works...it makes copies of files. It's just not working in my dvd player. Time to try some new discs!