What are those fonts?

[Neisse]

Folks,

Got my first episodic DVD done that I'm completely happy with (I'd like to squeeze another episode on each disc, but the heck with it...). Right now, I'm doing the covers, but I'm stumped on trying to find a couple of fonts.

The first font I'm looking for is the one found at the bottom of the rear cover on commercial DVD's - you know, where they print the running time, languages offered, subtitles, the legalese, etc. I have a suspicion of what I think it is (Denmark), but I'm usually wrong about these things. If someone could give me the name of the font, it would be a BIG help - thanks!

Second, does anyone know if a WinXP Pro compatible FREE font is available that duplicates the look of "official" closed captioning? This is for subtitles, as I have deaf family members and they're used to seeing the words in that blocky, ALL CAPS, white-on-black typeface. I've come close with the fonts that were already installed as default in XP, but it still doesn't look right. Anyone know what that's called and where I could get a copy?

Last, I'm looking for a font that's all symbols, that has the OFFICIAL DVD Forum logos for the following formats (more is good, too), such as DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-RAM, etc.

Looking for FREE fonts, folks. I know the companies work on designing 'em, but I'm sorry - $50 for a single font is highway robbery. Even $15 is. Now, if there were a few dozen at least ($15), that's cool, but I digress...

I'd LOVE to show y'all what my DVD project looks like, menus and all, but it's too much graphics to post here (I'd have to shrink and compress the heck out of everything, and it wouldn't give the images justice). After working on the menus alone for over a month (just for ONE disc!) and the covers for two weeks so far, I'm quite proud of how it's turned out - looks totally professional, commercial even.

All props go to:

DVD Decryptor & ImgTool/ImgBurn (is there a better and easier disc tool to use? I think not! Quick, too!)
MPEG2VCR (I love how precise it is, and it's fairly quick to edit with, too)
DVD-Lab Pro - My main friend lately! It could be better and easier to use in some areas, but it cranks out totally compliant discs with ease. Certainly worth the cash I spent for it. No higher praise in my book.
Subtitle Workshop - Easy to use, LOTS of options, but not confusing. DLP loves what it feeds it!

My specs:
DVR or VHS to DVD-RW in XP (1hr) or SP (2 hr) mode, recorded with Panasonic DMR-ES40VS
http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/vModelDetail?storeId=15001&catalog...00000000005702

Media:
-RW, Maxell 2X DVD-5 (Taiwan), aka RITEKW01, obtained at Wal-Mart in 15 disc spindles for about $15 each. No problems at all so far.
-R, Memorex 8X DVD-5, (Taiwan), aka RITEKG05, obtained at Wal-Mart in 30 disc spindles for about $15 each. No problems at all so far.
-R, Taiyo Yuden 8X DVD-5. These are in transit, purchased from NEATO. In 50 disc spindles, "silver", $19. No other info available yet.

Computer:
Mobo: FIC AZ11, 133MHz FSB, built-in AC97 based sound
Athlon Thunderbird 950 Mhz Socket A
512 MB PC133 SDRAM
GeForce 2 MX400 4x AGP 64 MB VRAM
AOpen VideoStation VA1000 PCI Video Capture/TV tuner
AOpen 1616L DVD/CD Recording Drive; -R/-RW/+R/+RW/DL, IDE UDMA 66/100
Samsung SM-308 DVD-ROM/CD-R/-RW IDE UDMA 66
Seagate 80 GB 7200rpm IDE UDMA 33/66/100 HDD
Maxtor 8.7 GB 5400rpm IDE UDMA 33/66 HDD (boot drive)
Windows XP Professional 2002 (build unknown right now, but does NOT have SP1 or SP2 installed)

A bit slow, but does the job and it DOESN'T lock up. Well, once...

[greymalkin]

you can make a high quality scan of the font you are looking for from the back of a dvd cover, thenupload a sample of it @ www.whatthefont.com

it will analyze it and try to find a match.

[xzarkad]

Hi,

well I am not sure if you will find the fonts you need, but if you are looking for free fonts:

http://www.1001freefonts.com

Regards,

[Neisse]

I tried that.

These are close, according to whatthefont.com:

min-round
Notes-medium
Notes-MediumTf

Problem is, that site only shows PAY fonts. As in, $70+ PER FONT!!

I wouldn't pay that with my boss' money, let alone my own. For one font? Gimme a break!

Anyone suggest a free alternative?

[thecoalman]

http://www.coffeecup.com/freestuff/fonts/

they changed it, you have to register to download but they are company on the up and up so at worst you may get a little spam...

[mikiem]

"does anyone know if a WinXP Pro compatible FREE font is available that duplicates the look of "official" closed captioning?....Anyone know what that's called and where I could get a copy? "

On a NTSC TV at least the font is actually built into the set. Software can use a system font or their own. Should be able to get away with any of the traditional serif styled fonts.

"font that's all symbols, that has the OFFICIAL DVD Forum logos for the following formats (more is good, too), such as DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-RAM,"

Don't know that you'll find the logos packaged for free -- have seen collections of commercial logos (mastercard, visa etc.) & I think the ones you're looking for should be included in just such a package. *Might* find something licensed for use at related company sites?

"$50 for a single font is highway robbery. Even $15 is."

Not if you've ever created one. A lot of folks enjoy it -- after all look at all the free versions available -- but it can be a bit of work.

That said... If you're just working on DVD packaging, might be able to get away with scans rather then matching/creating text. Can use a vector graphics prog. to re-create symbols (i.e. DVD), or use a vector tracing option on a scanned image (scan the largest copy you can find, like on a drive box?). Font collection CDs are dirt cheap, so might look at those. If you have a fair sized collection installed, there are one or 2 font matching prog. that will show you the closest match to scanned text.

[LloydAZ]

www.dafont.com

6497 fonts of which :
1618 with accents
973 with the Euro symbol


Lots of cool fonts there, all FREE!

[kschang]

Whatthefont is an interesting tool. I tried with with the credits on the back of Ronin jacket, and it came up with "ITC Roswell" font and variations.