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

DVD Motion Menus Tutorial

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.

• Blank Media Buyer's Guide
  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.
• The Softer Side of Blank Media
  December, 2005
  by Charles Fulton
  Just what your video equipment needs.
• DVD Authoring and Burning Products
  April, 2005
  by Bill Davis
  The home DVD production dam started breaking down when computer manufacturers started equipping their products with DVD burners.
• Blank Discs and Tapes: Your Memories Start Here
  December, 2004
  by Charles Fulton
  The vast majority of us use some form of media every single day. Whether you're dealing with CDs, DVDs, video tape, audio tape or floppy disks, you're entering the realm of media.
• In Box
  April, 1998
  by Karen Director

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.

• 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…
• 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
• Timeline: 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.
• Disc Authoring Software Review: Corel Ulead DVD MovieFactory 6 Plus
  July, 2007
  by Edward B. Driscoll, Jr
  Burning HD Factory
• Save As: MPEG-2 Encoding Tips for DVD Authors
  November, 2006
  by Charles Fulton
  MPEG-2 Encoding Tips for DVD Authors
• Video Editing : To DVD or not to DVD?
  April, 2006
  by Bill Davis
  Okay, we're now officially smack dab in the middle of the era of the
• An Explanation of MPEG-2 for DVD Authoring
  February, 2006
  by Kyle Cassidy
  Understanding the concept of MPEG-2 and DVD authoring can be frustrating, but when you break down the terminology, you'll have better understanding of the…

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.

• 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.
• Other World Computing Mercury Pro External Blu-ray Disc Burner Review
  August, 2009
  by Charles Fulton
  Quick and External. A very nice drive, but a better performance over USB or FireWire than eSATA. USB, FireWire 400, FireWire 800 and eSATA ports.
• DVD Duplicator Review Disc Makers Forte Duplicator
  September, 2008
  by Charles Fulton
  A simple but remarkably useful duplicator that is ready for practically any short run.
• Blu-ray Disc Authoring Buyer's Guide
  September, 2008
  by Charles Fulton
  So this is how life turned out, post-HD disc format war.
• DVD Duplicator Review Xerox D103 DVD Duplicator
  August, 2008
  by Charles Fulton
  Not your Daddy's Copier
• Duplicator Review: Primera Bravo SE Blu Duplicator
  July, 2008
  by Charles Fulton
  Blu Duper
• CD/DVD Printer Review: DYMO DiscPainter CD/DVD Printer
  May, 2008
  by Jay Alexander
  Colorful Printing

Disc Authoring Blog Posts

• Is Flash Memory the New DVD?
  Dec 15
• The Computer Toolbox
  Nov 3
• Pioneer 12x Blu-ray Disc burner now shipping
  Oct 19
• Blu-ray Disc on the Mac? When?
  Jun 2

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