Authoring Gold Masters for industrial duplication

[IMpactHorse]

Hi, I've recently been handed a job for a video documentary that's supposed to be released on DVD. I've been authoring with DVD Author, although I know DVD Maestro and Scenarist are the real industry standards. A duplication company (with a minimum 1000 copy package) told me I should hand in the "Gold Master" in "DLT type III tapes, one for each layer"... Translation, please??? What kind of hardware will I need to produce this?

[adam]

You need a DLT machine and some tapes. If this is the only job you are ever going to do where you need commercial pressing, then don't bother buying all this hardware. Find a duplication company that will accept burnt media as masters. As long as you don't need DeCSS protection (have to use DLT), then there is no difference in the final pressed disk.

[freestyler]

A duplication company (with a minimum 1000 copy package) told me I should hand in the "Gold Master" in "DLT type III tapes, one for each layer"... Translation, please??? What kind of hardware will I need to produce this?

From the sound of it, they are suggesting you are authoring a DVD-9 title. Is that correct? Or is your title a single layer DVD-5?

If your title is dual layer, you will need authoring software that supports dual layer authoring and can output the DDP image (format the replication house uses for mastering) correctly on two tapes. As Adam suggested and from my experience, many replication facilities accept premasters on DVD-Rs, you may want to ask them about that if your title is single layer.

On to the hardware front, if you find you do need a DLT drive, I recommend a DLT 4000. They can be find on Ebay at good prices, just make sure you buy from a reputable seller. DLT 4000 drives are backward compatible with DLT III tapes and can also handle DLT IVs. DLT IV tapes are, in some cases, cheaper than DLT III tapes depending upon where you buy.

[IMpactHorse]

Thanx freestyler & Adam. Most def, I'll go for a DVD-R premaster, since all the content should fit in a single layer disc and I have no intention on spending money on hardware at this stage. But since you've mentioned it, what authoring software supports dual layer and can output to DDP?

[adam]

Sonic Scenarist does. I don't know of any others, but I'm sure there are plenty. Also you can just export to your hard drive and then use the free ImgTools classic to export to DLT. I suppose some DLT hardware may come with transfer software too.

[BJ_M]

some DLT hardware may come with transfer software too

no

[adam]

Ok, I'm definitely not speaking from experience. But hey anything is possible. There's already a free program that can do it.

[BJ_M]

maybe for single layer -- i doubt for dual layer --

but maybe im wrong

[mazinz]

for some reason i had thought maestro could do the dlt output (maybe im wrong on that one??).

Also the lesser (but good enough) Ulead dvd workshop 2, had the dlt output as well

[freestyler]

Yes Spruce DVD Maestro can output to DLT.

So can Adobe Encore and Sonic DVD Producer, among others.

[Cornucopia]

Pretty sure in addition to the aforementioned Scenarist, Spruce Maestro, Encore, DVDProducer, Sonic DVDCreator(Mac), DVDStudioPro(Mac), and ReelDVD(PC) can. Also, IIRC PinnacleDVDImpression and ?! Toast(Mac) can.

Note: what you're talking about is referred to as replication. Might as well use the industry language so you can do your best to not be taken as a newbie (in both senses of the phrase). Every little bit helps.

There are a number of good houses that can take premasters (=what you would refer to as the "burned" master). They are accepted in decending order of level of acceptability:

• DVD-R [Authoring]
  DVD-R [General]
  DVD-RW (*rarely)
  DVD+R (*not likely)
  DVD+RW (*hah!)
  DVD-RAM (*ROTFLMAO, thanks for the joke but no thanks)

If you come at them from the position "I can take my title over to X, Y, or Z company and they'll take a premaster without a fuss, won't charge extra for it, and will get the dubs back to me next week!", you might be able to convince them to not charge you either (as some do).

Scott