Blank Media and Duplication

Why do some DVDs have trouble playing shortly after they were burned, while others seem to work on every player, every time? Often, the difference is in the quality of the blank media they started with. These articles will help you make the trade off between cheap blank media, and the more durable blank media that will allow your grandchildren's grandchildren to view your wedding ceremony.

Tutorials

How to Create a Professional Motion Menu for a DVD

The goal of this tutorial is to demonstrate some basic tools in developing a DVD motion menu from scratch. In our example, the motion menu will play back for 30 …

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Blank Media

DVD+, DVD-, DVD-RAM, Blu-ray, Secure Digital and Memory Stick are all ways we can digitally preserve our memories. These articles will give understanding to the capabilities and differences of each of these forms of blank media.

• New Camcorders Still Need the Best Blank Media
  June, 2011
  by Marshal M. Rosenthal
  With all the talk about "cloud" storage and Internet access through broadband of video and audio content -you'd think that there would be no need for…
• DVD Creation within the Blu-ray Format
  August, 2010
  by Doug Dixon
  It's the era of high definition, from professional video cameras and video DSLRs, to HD consumer camcorders, and even small pocket camcorders. Video-editing…
• What's the Best Blank Media for Video Storage?
  June, 2010
  by Teresa Echazabal
  If you are a videographer who is looking to stock up on blank media, deciding which kind of media to choose is important. Here, we will take a look at some of…
• An Overview Of Blank Media Storage
  October, 2009
  by Charles Fulton
  An Overview of the various types of blank media storage. How video tapes, flash memory cards, dvd and blu-ray discs are currently used in camcorders.
• New 60p JVC GY-HD200 | Record HD on Standard DVD-R | Blu-ray Compression.
  February, 2007
  by Mark Montgomery
  JVC GY-HD200 Goes 60p with 720/60p format. Playback and recording HD DVD content on standard DVD-R. Sorenson Squeeze 4.5 with video compression for Blu-ray.
• Cinematize 2 Pro for Windows | Sony offers a HDV Mini DV video tape.
  February, 2007
  by Charles Fulton
  New Gear: Cinematize 2 Pro for Windows allows the extraction of DVD-VR. PlexEraser destroys the data on CD or DVD media without destroying the disc.
• DVD Blank Media, Blu-Ray, and Flash Memory.
  October, 2006
  by Charles Gross
  Blank media for video explained. Advantages and disadvantages of blank media types.
• Video Does Justice Where Photos May Not
  April, 1998
  by Karen Director
  In Box
• Videocassette Longevity: A Poem Lacking Brevity
  April, 2001
  by Peter Utz
  A poetic look at caring for tape over time.

Tips for Making a DVD

Will you start with an animated splash screen? Or will it go directly to the main menu? Will you have all sorts of buttons to select from? Or will you use just a few straightforward panels with text? These are the decisions to consider before you make your DVD. These articles will help you become familiar with your options so you can make the best decisions.

• Compression Software for Web Video
  March, 2012
  by Andrew Burke
  Web video is everywhere, playing on laptops, through video game consoles, in digital magazines on tablet computers, and even on TVs and mobile phones.
• Authoring Blu-ray Discs
  September, 2009
  by John Joyner
  Blu-ray Disc technology has taken its place as the vessel for viewing High Definition (HD) media. Blu-ray Disc creation is available now to everyone.
• DVD Authoring Hardware and Software Buyer's Guide
  February, 2009
  by Heath McKnight
  Whether you're burning standard definition or have moved to Blu-ray authoring, it's never been a better time to jump into the realm of DVD creation. Producing…
• Special Features: DVD Extras
  November, 2008
  by Nathan Beaman
  People love movies, and many people love them enough to want to watch movies about the movies they love. Special features are any additional audio, visual or…
• Tutorial: DVD Motion Menus
  May, 2008
  by Brian Brodeur
  Some simpler DVD authoring programs have auto-everything, and all you have to do is "click...click...click" to make a finished project. But there's a real…
• In Box: Readers' letters
  January, 2008
  by The Editors
• Uncommon Exports
  August, 2007
  by Morgan Paar
  From YouTube on the Internet to iPods and cell phones, you can find video everywhere. But getting it TO these devices can be tricky.
• Corel Ulead DVD MovieFactory 6 Plus Disc Authoring Software Review
  July, 2007
  by Edward B. Driscoll, Jr
  Burning HD Factory
• MPEG-2 Encoding Tips for DVD Authors
  November, 2006
  by Charles Fulton

DVD Authoring Software & Duplication Equipment

Do you need to print more than just a few professionally labeled DVDs per day? Here is where your will find reviews on the DVD duplicators you can program at night and have a stack of DVDs professionally labeled and ready to be boxed DVDs in the morning.

• Disc Duplicators Buyer's Guide: Dupe it, Times Many!
  August, 2011
  by Marshal M. Rosenthal
  Duplicating a DVD of your video project - or even that awe-inspiring vacation trip - has been simplified by the advent of the DVD burner found in computers.
• Primera Bravo 4102 Disc Publisher Reviewed
  August, 2011
  by Colin Marks
  For rapid-fire, ultra high quality disc burning and labeling, the Primera Bravo 4100 series disc publishers are sure to make you stand up and cheer.
• JVC SR-HD1500US Tapeless HD DVR Combo Deck Reviewed
  November, 2010
  by Derek Sine
  For those who want to incorporate Blu-ray into their workflow, it's hard to go wrong with JVC's SR-HD1500.
• Disc Authoring Software Buyer's Guide
  August, 2010
  by Marshal M. Rosenthal
  There are many types of DVD authoring software, from those with very few functions to ones with unlimited possibilities. Your choice depends on how gifted you…
• Disc Duplicators Buyer's Guide
  August, 2010
  by Evan Burt
  Shooting, editing, authoring and burning a DVD of your latest video is a major feat. But what if you want to burn a dozen or more copies? It's time to take a&h…
• DVD Creation within the Blu-ray Format
  August, 2010
  by Doug Dixon
  It's the era of high definition, from professional video cameras and video DSLRs, to HD consumer camcorders, and even small pocket camcorders. Video-editing…
• Roxio Creator 2010 Disc Burning Software Review
  February, 2010
  by Mark Holder
  Roxio Creator 2010 is a powerful, easy to use, suite of digital media applications suitable for everyone from novice users to enthusiasts.
• Microboards CX-1 DVD Disc Publisher Review
  September, 2009
  by Lance Olinger
  The CX-1 disc publisher never had one loading or burning error through multiple tests. It uses name-brand parts so doesn't have to be sent back for repairs.
• DVD Duplicators Buyer's Guide
  August, 2009
  by Julia Camenisch
  Now video producers can easily create DVDs for their clients, handling the project from start to finish using a DVD duplicator with no outside help.

Disc Authoring Blog Posts

• Creative Collection of Directors
  Nov 22
• Add Archival Grade DVD to the Album
  Nov 15
• Videomaker's DVD Authoring Webinar, Wednesday
  Sep 6
• DVD Authoring: Wedding Day Bonus Features
  May 24

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