studio dvds work in all players - my dvd-r or dvd+r do not

[boo-tay]

Simply put, see subject.
I have read and read through the forums but have yet to discover the real answer to this conundrum.

What do the distributors of studio movies have in their workshop that makes their discs universally recognizable (to matching region code players) that I can't get for my consumer setup?

I just want my Premiere projects to author properly (using Sonic MyDVD). *Everything* I burn works in my DVD writer, console player, and even Xbox and a player built in '96. Yet when they leave my house, they only work about 50% of everywhere else.

Source material is my own mini DV and digital stills, which should be irrelevant.

Yes, I understand the many compatibility factors and better choices to use with different hw/sw, but the question remains:

Studio discs ALWAYS work in all players. Why?

TIA

[mats.hogberg]

Because of how the DVDs are manufactured. Commercial DVDs are pressed, the ones you and I do are +r/-r. Just like commercial audio CDs are different from CD-R.

/Mats

[boo-tay]

Then what kind of "pressing" equipment can a consumer attain to create such a master that can be then used by a duplication house?

[mats.hogberg]

A DVD-R is fine as master AFAIK, even if I know there are people who work with that side of the business and might give you other (and maybe better) examples of DVD master media.
The incompatibility you experience is (most likely) not in how you author, but in the media itself. Not all DVD players read +R/-R or +RW/-RW, but all read pressed DVD (if they aren't broken).

/Mats

[Kolosus]

"Then what kind of "pressing" equipment can a consumer attain to create such a master that can be then used by a duplication house?"


How much money do you have?

Seriously though. I have solved much of this problem just by converting my audio to AC3. My dvd's now play in the majority of players my friends and/or customers use them in. But not 100%.

The other factor I discovered was the quality of the media I was using. I now use only japanese made media for projects I'm doing for other people.

[/quote]

[boo-tay]

Thanks Mats.

I guess the bottom line is whether or not there exists consumer or prosumer equipment that one can use for small business to press DVD masters rather than burning them with -/+ media.

I'll investigate further, but additional comments are welcome.

TIA,
Len

[boo-tay]

Thanks Kolosus.

Any suggestions for dolby encoding sw?

I was thinking of upgrading to Premiere Pro which handles it, but I was wondering if there might be a lesser plug-in that would work.

Lastly, can you suggest some vendors or brands for blank media?

TIA,
Len

[rcb]

media - Ritek is well regarded on this site.

But, others too. Take a look over in the dvd media section in l/h column of this page for more info.

[Kolosus]

Taiyo Yuden in the form of Fujifilm dvd-r's is one that I use frequently.
Mostly because it's easier to find at retail stores.
Rule of thumb: If it says "made in japan", it's probably Taiyo Yuden media and trustworthy. You can also buy TY's online. And as rcb has said, check the media section of this site.

AC3 encoders: Sonic Scenarist, Sonic Foundry Soft Encode, As mentioned, Adobe. Besweet and Ffmpegui are freeware solutions. Oh, and TMPGEnc DVD Author AC3 Plug-in.

Keep us posted.

[boo-tay]

Thanks to all - great tips to run with.

One more question on DVD presses - sure, I realize that that kind of equipment would set you back some mad cheddah, but, ...neighborhood? A few G's? 20K? more?? (I can't find any manufacturers online that sell what I'm describing - but then I'm probably not describing it very well =)

Len