Replication - 100% compatibility - a myth??

[[_chef_]]

Which DLT drives did you grab??

[filmboss80]

I think VegasBud had some good advice. A very low failure rate should be acceptable, and you lose very little by replacing a few customer returns here and there. As mentioned earlier, even though my company submits masters to the replicator on DLT, there are always a small number of discs (usually 5 or 6 per thousand) that do not get stamped out perfectly. That is why many replicators will add a few extra discs to the order. And I agree with others who have suggested that when a customer is having problems with multiple discs, the trouble lies at the customer's end. As an additional option, you can change replicators, as others have advised. Just remember, nothing in this world is 100% perfect. Excessively high expectations can give you ulcers.

[sdsumike619]

I just bought a new DLT 8000 for $70

[filmboss80]

Seventy bucks?! Lucky you! Tapeonline.com and Supermediastore.com both have DLT tapes.

[sdsumike619]

yeah it was on ebay, I didn't want to say anything on the forum in case other wanted it besides me... Now I have to get a SCSI card for the computer I guess...

[filmboss80]

SCSI cards are cheap. You'll do fine.

[[_chef_]]

yeah it was on ebay, I didn't want to say anything on the forum in case other wanted it besides me... Now I have to get a SCSI card for the computer I guess...

Grab an Adaptec and make sure the termination is CORRECT set.

[sdsumike619]

adaptec card is on its way, ordered it yesterday after I got the specs on the drive, along with the terminator plug =)

[lordsmurf]

Smart choice on the Adaptec. The off-brand ones rarely work well.

[sdsumike619]

I ordered the 2944UW because I found out that my drive is HVD differential. I hope everything works correctly!

[videopoo]

I think it might be wise to find someone to write those DLTs for you. There's a whole lot of money on the line here and I don't feel from your posts that your very comfortable. I'd personally spend the money paying someone to look over the title instead of buying your DLT drive and SCSI card.

Send me a message if you need some names to do this work.

[sdsumike619]

I don't understand what you mean? I've read the instruction on how to output to DLT from Adobe Encore, it seems pretty straightforward. I have the manual for the DLT, I know how to install the card and connect the tape drive. I've authored 25 DVDs for worldwide sale having never taken a single class. DLT is just another new thing for me, but that doesn't mean I will fail.

[videopoo]

I'm not saying you will fail but it might be an option. You just don't sound confident

Finding a service provider to write your DLTs can provide a check disc written from the DDP images on the DLTs. Plus they can assure your layer break is correct. Tools like Encore and DVDSP aren't good for pre-mastering. Good luck

Does Encore allow you output DDP images? You can output these and deliver them to the replicator on HDD or as a data DVD

[filmboss80]

Oh, please. I have mastered many commercial DVDs using Quantum DLT-4000s, connected to Adaptec SCSI cards that are sitting in their little PCI slots. NEVER one single problem. I don't know about Encore (I'm a Sonic pro guy), but there's usually a little tick you can select during the write-to-DLT phase, where the DDP report can be spit out. It's pretty standard stuff. Don't let people infuse you with fear.

[sdsumike619]

I just spoke at length with a sales guy from GEAR. I just may end up requiring that software anyways in order to write several old projects to DLT. I don't know of any other software that allows you to import a VIDEO_TS folder and write it to a DDP image on DLT - Are there any?

[videopoo]

It's Mac but DVDAfteredit is 1 of the best tools around:

http://dvdafteredit.com/

If you have a Mac, I would strongly consider AfterEdit

[filmboss80]

Four hundred buck for Gear Pro software is not bad, if you have DVD projects worthy of replication. (I don't know about your videos, but if you sell mass quantities, you can easily recoup that investment.) A few years back, it cost boatloads of cash to produce DVD of a suitable quality for the retail market. Not so bad today. And yes, Gear Pro has a good reputation. For half the price ($200 US), Roxio DVDit Pro 6 will write to DLT, but I have not used it and cannot vouch for it. Maybe others know?

[videopoo]

Oh, please. I have mastered many commercial DVDs using Quantum DLT-4000s, connected to Adaptec SCSI cards that are sitting in their little PCI slots. NEVER one single problem. I don't know about Encore (I'm a Sonic pro guy), but there's usually a little tick you can select during the write-to-DLT phase, where the DDP report can be spit out. It's pretty standard stuff. Don't let people infuse you with fear.

I'm not trying to make the OP fearful. Using Scenarist & Encore aren't in the same ball park for pre-mastering titles- not to mention the knowledge that goes with using Scenarist vs Encore.

If the OP is involved in a sizable amount of DVD work, then buying a DLT, SCSI and Gear is the way to go. It sounded to me as if this might be a 1 time thing or not his/her regular projects. I figured the money might be better spent.