DVD File Size Limit ?

[aviwil]

I am trying to burn a 6GB file to a 8GB DVD disk , from Vista . I tried twice with Burn-Aware Free and it gives me an error about 1/2 way , and the disk is then useless . I tried just doing a regular "Vista file transfer" ,, and it also gave me an "illegal Ms-Dos operation" at about the same point . Is there some file size limitation involved here ? Thanks .

 

[ch33zw1z]

It would be easier if you provided the error being returned. Also, try a different software such as InfraRecorder.

 

[jvroig]

If it were actually a file size issue, the software would warn you and actually not allow you to proceed with the burn instead of proceeding with the process only to fail and make the disc useless. At least, that has been my experience. As the poster above me has said, providing the error message might help a lot.

 

[CZroe]

Most error dialogs will let you copy/paste even if the text cant be selected (CTRL+C).

This is a DL disc, right?

 

[Zap]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_9660

The 2/4 GB file size limit

All numbers in ISO 9660 file systems except the single byte value used for the GMT offset are unsigned numbers. As the length of a file's extent on disk is stored in a 32 bit value, it allows for a maximum length of 4 GB. (Note: Some older operating systems may handle such values incorrectly (i.e., signed instead of unsigned), which would make it impossible to access files larger than 2 GB in size.)

Based on this, it is often assumed that a file on an ISO 9660 formatted disc cannot be larger than 232 in size, as the file's size is stored in an unsigned 32 bit value, for which 232 is the maximum.

It is, however, possible to circumvent this limitation by using the multi-extent (fragmentation) feature of ISO 9660 Level 3 and create ISO 9600 filesystems and single files up to 8 TB. With this, files larger than 4 GB can be split up into multiple extents (sequential series of sectors), each not exceeding the 4 GB limit. For example, the free software such as infrarecorder and mkisofs as well as Roxio Toast are able to create ISO 9660 filesystems that use multi-extent files to store files larger than 4 GB on appropriate media such as recordable DVDs.

Empirical tests with a 4.2 GB fragmented file on a DVD media have shown that Microsoft Windows XP supports this, while Mac OS X (as of 10.4.8) does not handle this case properly. In the case of Mac OS X, the driver appears not to support file fragmentation at all (i.e. it only supports ISO 9660 Level 2 but not Level 3). Linux supports multiple extents. FreeBSD only shows and reads the last extent of a multi-extent file.

 

[=Wendy=]

If you are burning the media in standard ISO format then 1.048GB is the largest file size that can be burned without using extenders, which most burning applications will not support. If you need to burn a larger file then use a UDF format.

Also keep in mind that only Verbatim DL media is really reliable. If you're not using Verbatim media, that could very well be the problem.

 

[Blain]

Where did you get that 1.048GB number?
I just burned an ISO larger than that.

 

[blackangst1]

Where did you get that 1.048GB number?
I just burned an ISO larger than that.

I think what (she?) was referring to was the 1 gig size limit on VOB files...

 

[Blain]

The OP said nothing about the specific type of file being burned, just the size.

 

[=Wendy=]

Yep, i made an error, i was referring to VOB files, it should have been 4GB.

@OP
You could try creating a test disc with a trial version of Opti Drive Control, then using the same application, read the disc back using the "transfer rate test".
It will waste a disc, but at least you would know if your optical drive and media combination is working properly.

 

[Blain]

I'd suggest trying something different, like CDBurnerXP or ImgBurn.
Both are listed as supporting Vista and DL burning.

 

[aviwil]

Thanks everyone - I tried using Infra Recorder Ver 0.50 - same thing . The error was called Input/Output Error - a Write error has occurred . This was after about 20 minutes ino the burn . DL disc - it's a MATSHITA DVD-RAM UJ-851S 1.50 - I think it is DL . Blain , I will give CdBurnerXP a try as it states specifically that it supports files larger than 4GB .
Thanks again .

 

[=Wendy=]

DVD-RAM is only single layer. So i guess that is your problem.

 

[CZroe]

DVD-RAM is only single layer. So i guess that is your problem.

Nope. All Panasonic/Matsushita burners are also DVD-RAM drives regardless of -/+RW and DL support. They cling to supporting the format because it has some features that are more suitable for DVR-like set-top recorders. When was the last time you saw a RAM-only drive? Before -RW/+RW were available to consumers, I'd bet.

 

[=Wendy=]

Nope. All Panasonic/Matsushita burners are also DVD-RAM drives regardless of -/+RW and DL support. They cling to supporting the format because it has some features that are more suitable for DVR-like set-top recorders. When was the last time you saw a RAM-only drive? Before -RW/+RW were available to consumers, I'd bet.

When did you last see a DVD burner that didn't support DVD-RAM from any brand?
That doesn't alter the fact that DVD-RAM as a format is SL only, and the OP hasn't been clear which format of media he or she is using, other than saying he or she thinks it's DL.
Is it DVD+R DL or DVD-R DL, and which brand and MID?
An unsupported MID is unlikely to burn, one MID that is always supported is Verbatim MKM001 DVD+R DL.

 

[CZroe]

When did you last see a DVD burner that didn't support DVD-RAM from any brand?
That doesn't alter the fact that DVD-RAM as a format is SL only, and the OP hasn't been clear which format of media he or she is using, other than saying he or she thinks it's DL.
Is it DVD+R DL or DVD-R DL, and which brand and MID?
An unsupported MID is unlikely to burn, one MID that is always supported is Verbatim MKM001 DVD+R DL.

The only prior mention of "RAM" was the device name which, as I pointed out, means nothing. All Panasonic/Matsushita drives are named that way. I have never seen anyone buy a RAM disc just because of the device name, so it's irrelevant. Most wouldn't have heard of it or even know where to buy it. The OP DID say it was an 8GB disc, which we both missed at first, but the fact remains that here was no reason to suspect that he was using DVD-RAM.

My 2005 Acer laptop had a slot load Panasonic/Matsushita DVD-RAM drive in it and, though I used it for years and years, it never touched any recordable formats but CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD+RW DL, and possibly DVD-R DL... like nearly all similar drives sold. I'm sure that less than 1% of them have ever even read a DVD-RAM disc, much less written one.

Panasonic/Matsushita has a vested interest if promoting the format because it gives their stand-alone DVD recorder/DVR machines a competitive advantage (a feature the competition doesn't support). Otherwise, it's clearly obsolete. It doesn't even hold 4.7GB.

 

[aviwil]

Thanks for all your replies . I will try to clarify - the DVD's are TEAC - even if not the best
, I would not expect to have 5 hit the dust one after another . Below is the output from DVD Identifier program . It would appear to be DL . The CDBurnerXP also stopped at about 1/2 way . I have an HP lPavillion laptop here - it would appear that the DVD is DL , but the DL function is not working properly . A search on Google reveals other HP laptops with this model DVD and similar problems - clear answers I don't see. Is there some setting somewhere for DL ? I think I will buy a disk-on-key - probably quicker and cheaper than wrecking all these DVD's anyway . I'll add this to my list of reasons why my next laptop will not be an HP .
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unique Disc Identifier : [DVD+R-DL:CMC MAG-D03-064]
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Disc & Book Type : [DVD+R DL] - [DVD+R DL]
Manufacturer Name : [CMC Magnetics Corp.]
Manufacturer ID : [CMC MAG]
Media Type ID : [D03]
Product Revision : [064]
Blank Disc Capacity : [4,173,824 Sectors = 8.55 GB (7.96 GiB)]
Recording Speeds : [2.4x , 3.3x-8x]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
** INFO : Drive = MATSHITA DVD-RAM UJ-851S - [FW 1.50] - [ATAPI]
** INFO : Write Capabilities = DVD+R DVD+R-DL DVD+RW
** INFO : Write Capabilities = DVD-R DVD-R-DL DVD-RW DVD-RAM
** INFO : Disc = [DVD+R-DL:CMC MAG-D03-064]
** INFO : Reference Speed : 1x DVD = 1385 kBps
** INFO : An Writeable Disc Is Recommended For Accurate Results
** INFO : Write Speeds (Supported By This Drive On This Disc) Listed Below

** INFO : GET PERFORMANCE Write Speed Descriptor(s)
Descriptor #1 = 3324 kBps ( 2.40x) - [CLV/Non-Pure CAV]

** INFO : MODE SENSE Write Speed Descriptor(s) [Legacy Command]
** WARNING : MODE SENSE Is Obsolete And Not Always Properly Supported
Descriptor #1 = 3324 kBps ( 2.40x) - [CLV/Non-Pure CAV]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ DVD Identifier V5.2.0 - http://DVD.Identifier.CDfreaks.com ]
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