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.

• 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
  March, 2004
  by Charles Fulton
• Drawing a Blank
  December, 2003
  by D. Eric Franks
  Tips for buying blank videotape and discs for your productions.

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…
• 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
• 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…
• From Video to Disc: A DVD Software Buyer's Guide
  January, 2006
  by Pat Bailey
  Understanding the basics of DVD authoring software and hardware.
• DVD Recorders the New VCR and More
  October, 2005
  by Bill Davis

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.

• Blu-ray Disc Authoring Buyer's Guide
  September, 2008
  by Charles Fulton
  So this is how life turned out, post-HD disc format war.
• CD/DVD Printer Review: DYMO DiscPainter CD/DVD Printer
  May, 2008
  by Jay Alexander
  Colorful Printing
• Hardware Review: LG Electronics GGW-H20L Blu-ray Disc Burner/HD DVD-ROM Drive
  April, 2008
  by Charles Fulton
  2 Drives in One
• The Arsenal of Videocracy
  October, 2007
  by Edward B. Driscoll, Jr.
  An Introduction to DVD Hardware and Software
• The Arsenal of Videocracy
  January, 2007
  by Edward B. Driscoll, Jr
  An Introduction to DVD Hardware and Software.
• Primera Bravo SE DVD Duplicator Review
  January, 2007
  by Richard Gray
  The Primera Bravo SE is an elegantly engineered light to medium duty CD/DVD duplication system that delivers heavy-duty print quality.
• Video News | Adobe Creates Soundbooth | Primera Bravo SE Blu Update
  January, 2007
  by Mark Montgomery
  Video industry news. Adobe Creates Soundbooth.Primera Bravo SE Blu Update. Adobe Purchases Serious Magic
• DV Caddie DVCA-CK1 | Primera disc duplicator
  August, 2006
  by Charles Fulton
  DVCA-CK1 combines the DVCA-SR2 shoulder rest and DVCA-JR1 stabilizer. Primera's XR Disc Publisher modular disc duplicating system.
• MacroSystem HDV Recorder | Canon DC100 DVD-R/RW camcorder
  June, 2006
  by Charles Fulton
  Recorder can capture up to 23 hours of HDV footage on the included removable 250GB hard drive. Canon's DC100 with 25x optical zoom.

Disc Authoring Blog Posts

• The Computer Toolbox
  Nov 3
• Pioneer 12x Blu-ray Disc burner now shipping
  Oct 19
• Blu-ray Disc on the Mac? When?
  Jun 2
• Blu-ray Disc Player Firmware Update Needs are Stifling the Format?
  Apr 7

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