Does the DVD-R media play back in all DVD Players?
The DVD-R media will play back in all DVD players except first generation players. The official DVD specification does not require DVD players to support recordable media. Most of second and third generation players now support DVD-R playback.
Will the DVD-R media work in Playstation 2 and X-Box machines?
Yes, all DVD's we create are compatible with Playstation 2 and X-Box machines.
How do Commercial Movies hold more then 2 hours on a single disc?
Commercial DVD's are "pressed media". Pressed Media (or often called Stamped discs) are a different type of disc. They can hold to a capacity from 4.7gb.(DVD-5) upto 17gb. (DVD-18). Where as a DVD-R can hold upto only 4.7gb. These discs can be played in every DVD player. However, these discs must be produced in quanities of 500 minimum.
How much video can you fit on a DVD?
For a recordable DVD (DVD-r) which is 4.7 gb. We recommend no more then 2 hours. It is not to say we can not put more. However, more time and high quality masters are required.
What exactly is DVD-R media?
DVD-r media is a recordable DVD disc. Somewhat similar to what CD-r is to CD. Although not 100% compatible, this media will play on most DVD players.
If DVD-r media is not 100% compatible, why should I use it?
DVD-r media is ideal for small runs and personal use. Pressing DVD discs generally get cost effective after 500 discs and are always recommended if selling your DVD.
Can you create DVD-5, DVD-9, etc?
Absolutely, please contact us regarding large order replication.
What resolution are MPEG-2 files for DVD?
We strictly encode all of our MPEG-2 files to DVD spec. Which is 720x480 (29.97fps) for NTSC. & 720x576 (25fps) for PAL. We can also encode 1/2 D1 MPEG-2 and low resolution MPEG-1 for DVD's also.
Why do DVD discs use MPEG-2 compression?
Uncompressed video is the best quality you can get. However, only a few minutes of uncompressed video can fit on a DVD disc. Hence, some type of drastic compression is needed. MPEG-2 is a complex compression standard that can yield high video quality with taking up only a fraction of the space. The downside is that to get high quality, a combination of high end encoders and skilled operators to achive the best results. That is what we provide.
Can a single DVD contain 2 versions (one in PAL and one in NTSC) of a video?
No, A DVD can contain only a single format. (PAL or NTSC)
I have a video source recorded in 16x9, can you transfer 16x9 on a DVD?
Yes, we are able to record in both 4x3 and 16x9 aspect ratios. We can also flag a DVD as Anamorphic is the source is a true Anamorphic video.
Do you encode in one format (such as an AVI) and then convert to MPEG-2?
No, many other companies do this. It is never recommended to convert a lossy compressed format (such as AVI) to another compressed format (MPEG-2). The quailty will drop when this is done. Furthermore, this process takes a considerable amount of time. All of our encoding is done in real time, straight to DVD compliant MPEG-2 files with no intermediate format.
Once my video is on DVD, can I edit it on my computer?
Although DVD is a distribution media (meaning, it is for viewing) there are programs that can convert a DVD (vob files) to other files (such as AVI or Quicktime) which can be edited on computers. We do however provide in house editing services and recommend that they be edited before put on a DVD.
Is DVD, High Definition Televsion (HDTV)?
No, a DVD is only digital video at 480i or 480p. Hence not HDTV spec.
Can I provide a master with a 24 frame rate?
Yes, we can apply inverse telecine during encoding.
What kind of special features can your company do?
We can provide any feature under the offical DVD spec. This can include: Multiple sound tracks, multi angles, surround sound, multiple subtitles, graphic/animated subtitles, seamless branching, easter eggs, weblinks, conditional content access, DVD-Rom content, multi aspect ratios.
What Does DVD stand for?
Digital Versatile Disc. However, it was once called Digital Video Disc.
How long will a DVD last?
Unlike video cassettes, DVD discs do not wear out from repeated use. The exceptional durability of DVD will be a welcome reality for families with small children and for people who watch their favorite movies over and over. The quality of your DVD will last a lifetime, no matter how many times you watch the same film. Only physical damage to a disc can reduce the lifetime of a DVD. Expected lifetime is about 100 years.
Do DVD's use digital recording?
Yes. DVD's have both digital Video (MPEG-2) and digital Audio (AC3/Dolby Digital or PCM).
What kind of special video features are provided by DVD?
The most common special features of Hollywood DVD are the movies' original trailers, "making of" bonus material, special music videos, alternate endings, multiple angles, and interviews with directors and actors. DVD players also make it easier to enjoy movies and music videos by allowing direct access to individual scenes (called chapters/indexes).
Do I need all these special features?
No, DVD is a versatile format. It is not limited to Hollywood movies. Many DVD's we produce do not use these features. However, they may be modified to use in other productions. Some examples of DVD are: Film/Video archiving, Weddings, Educational purposes, Interactive training, Product promotion and many other purposes.
Can I play DVD's on my computer?
Yes, if your computer has the right equipment. In addition to a DVD-ROM drive you must have extra hardware to decode MPEG-2 video and Dolby Digital or MPEG-2 audio, or your computer must be fast enough to handle software decoding. Decent software-only playback requires a 300-MHz Pentium II or a Mac G3. It's estimated that about 20% of new computers with DVD-ROM drives include decoder hardware, and that most of the remaining DVD-ROM computers will include decoder software. Hardware upgrade kits can be purchased for existing computers (usually minimum 133 MHz Pentium), starting at $150.
Are DVD's compatible with CD Players?
No, they are not. However DVD players will be able to play most CD's.
Does a DVD with Dolby Digital Audio mean it is in Surround Sound?
Not necessarily. Dolby Digital (AC-3) is the main audio standard used for surround sound. However, AC-3 can also be in 1.0 (mono), 2.0 (stereo), 2.1 (stereo with subwoofer), 3,0 (Stereo with center speaker), 4.0, 5.0 and 5.1. As you can see, Dolby Digital can have many different configurations, even on the same disc. Furthermore, DVD's that contain surround sound must have special audio masters. Therefore, an ordinary tape in stereo can not be converted into a surround sound DVD.
How good do DVD's look?
The quality of DVD is exceptional, however the quality of a DVD is dependent of the quality of the source and the way it was encoded. Typically original source material from Betacam SP, DVCPRO, MiniDV and Digital Betacam produce the highest quality. Source material from VHS and Video8 is not recommended . If there are any questions about your source, please contact us.
How good do DVD's sound?
DVDs utilize a higher sampling rate than even audio CDs, generating fuller and richer sound qualities. Since DVD's do not wear out, they reproduce the same quality sound even after hundreds of playbacks later. Most DVD's we produce are encoded in AC-3 sound. We also can encode 5.1 surround sound for films and uncompressed PCM for music oriented DVD projects.
What video formats do you accept?
BETACAM SP, Digital Betacam, MiniDV(DV), 1 inch, DVCAM, & DVCPRO. We also can accept some computer files, please call us regarding these. Please call us if you have a format not listed here.
What can be done during Authoring?
We can author anything included in the DVD spec. This includes: Motion Menus, customized transitions, multi subtitles, multi audio tracks, multi video angles, alternate playing (semless branching), conditional access, still galleries, nested menus and much more.
Do you offer Variable Bit Rate Encoding and segment re-encoding?
Yes, we provide both 1 pass and 2 pass variable bit rate encoding. 2 pass variable bit rate encoding and segment re-encoding is not available in lower end authoring systems and is available on our larger projects and available for larger projects where quality is a mojor issue.
How much can you fit on one DVD?
A 4.7gb DVD-R disc can hold approximately 2 hours worth of footage at a 4.5-6 Mb/s variable bit rate. The highest bitrate for a DVD is 9.6 Mb/s, which would allow only about 1 hour of material on a DVD. Better quality video requires more disc space. However with with our high end encoders, we are able to fit 2 hours without visual loss. Projects requiring DVD-9, DVD-10 and DVD-18 can accommodate more video.
Where are your rates?
Do to the complexity of some orders, we do not post rates on our site. Please contact us at (416) 492-8963 or e-mail us at info@digigraphx.com and we can give you an exact quote, which may be lower then you think.
What is your turnaround time?
For authoring and smaller runs: generally 2 to 3 days for smaller orders, 2-3 weeks for larger projects. However, we can do same day service in special cases at additional costs. Replication requires about 2-3 weeks.
Can you copy a commercial DVD?
No, we do not make copies of commercial DVD's without written consent from the proper copyright owner. Also commercial DVD's often hold more information that can be copied to a DVD-R and are copyright protected. We have a very strict policy regarding copying unauthorized materials and illegal or inappropriate materials.
Will the DVD-R media work in Playstation 2 and X-Box machines?
Yes, all DVD's we create are fully compatible with Playstation 2 and X-Box machines.
I have some computer files (Powerpoint presentations, Applications, JPEG Stills. etc.). Can I add them to the DVD as DVD-ROM content?
Yes, we can make a dual mode DVD with both DVD-ROM and DVD-Video content. DVD players will ignore and DVD-ROM content.
What future DVD services are you planning?
We are looking into HD-DVD and DVD-Audio for the near future.
I am a filmmaker (or musician) and considering of releasing my film on DVD, what options do I have?
We recommend that you speak with one of our DVD planners. We can offer full DVD services from editing right to delivering a finished DVD to you.