Category Archives: DVD

Last updated by Ryan Libson at 27/07/2022.

Do I need Closed Captioning or Subtitles for my DVD or Blu-ray Disc?

27/07/2022DVDRyan Libson

This is always a tough decision and I know you're probably not going to like the answer but it's probably - BOTH!

What are Closed Captions?

Captions come in a couple of flavors – open and closed but since closed is much more common we will speak of them.

Closed Captions are intended for individual audience members who are deaf or hard of hearing.  They include audio descriptions of music in the background or audio elements that are present in addition to spoken word.

EG
“Shrill music plays in the background”

Closed Captions were developed as part of the accessibility initiative of the ADA so to be in compliance for public broadcasting or showing in schools and other public venues you may be legally required to include them.

What are Subtitles?

Subtitles are written translations of the spoken text featured in a video. They can be in the same language or they be translated from one language to another.

Subtitles assume that the viewer can hear and do not include audio description.

Subtitles have gained popularity with both ESL (english as a second language) and many other distracted viewers. As screens become more pervasive it is not uncommon for audience members to multitask with a second screen while watching DVDs or Blu-rays on a Television. Some viewers use the subtitles to essentially pre-read the dialog seconds before it’s spoken to free up attention for additional tasks.

For a more thorough explanation of the nuances and benefits of each you can visit here.

Why do I need Subtitles & Closed Captioning?

Well that comes down to a technical glitch essentially. The stream of data that the closed captioning is contained is great for broadcast over the air presentations.

For whatever reason this data stream is not passed through HDMI cables.

This is a huge problem as the vast majority of video playback occurs through HDMI connected DVD and Blu-ray players.

If you have the space we recommend creating a menu screen with or adding subtitles in addition to providing closed captioning for compliance reasons.

What kind of content producers think about adding CC and Subtitles?

Religious Content Producers – Preachers, Churches, Theology Professors
Educational Content Producers – Videos shown in school settings.
Public Broadcast & Documentary Producers

Really anyone that is aiming for a wide audience should think hard about adding these features.  The Closed Captioning will cover your ADA compliance and the Subtitles are gaining popularity amongst viewers of all types.

Can Discburn add Subtitles and Closed Captions to my Video Content?

We certainly can add subtitles and closed captioning to your DVD mastering and/or Blu-ray production projects.

We recommend our customers first get their transcriptions produced in the proper file formats. www.Rev.com has been our go to for this service and we don’t hesitate to send our customers to them. Don’t be tempted with the lower cost AI based transcription services – we’ve found them to be severely lacking.

Once you have your transcription files you can simply provide them along with your video content and for some minimal additional fees (typically around $75) we can create a menu item and add your subtitles.

Discburn is here to help you with any or all video content production services that you require. If you would like to discuss your next project you can always call 612-782-8200 or email us. We provide full service authoring and mastering services for DVD, Bluray, Audio and Digital content.

Building a DVD ISO file in Encore CS 6

23/05/2022DVDBLURAY MASTERING, DATA PARITY, dvd, DVD MASTERING, ISORyan Libson

Building an ISO file for your duplication partner is a great way to decrease your cost and make sure that you get exactly what you want.

ISO files or Image files are an exact image of the data that would be burned onto a DVD or physical disc.  They are a great solution for creators working with hardware that no longer has disc burning capability.

When employed correctly they reduce risk, frustration and cost for both the video content creator and the publisher producing the physical media. Free or low cost Programs such as imgburn or Roxio make it easy for anyone to burn out a copy or master from a digital ISO file.

Burning a disc from an ISO in Imgburn is as simple as clicking “Write image file to disc”, inserting a disc & navigating to your ISO file.

How do I create an ISO File of my DVD?

We utilize Adobe Encore CS6 so our quick little breakdown will be highlighting the steps required with that particular program.  This is not the only program capable of creating viable ISO files - it is simply the program we are familiar with.

Creating an ISO in Adobe Encore Step 1

Select “DVD” from the Format Drop Down Menu.
Navigate to the destination location you want to export the file to.
Assign a name to your project
Select the proper size for your project – we are using the most common 4.7GB DVD

Select “DVD Image” From the Output Drop Down Menu

Click the “Build” Button to begin the process of creating your ISO file.

Ensuring Data Parity in ISO files

One very important step when transferring ISO or really any data file over the internet is to calculate and include a cryptographic hash so that you and your duplication partner know that you are each looking at exactly the same file.

We utilize the MD5 hash for data parity and a free software called Accuhash. If you are comfortable in Windows or Linux Terminal you can calculate any number of crypto hashes but Accuhash simplifies the process considerably. You can download accuhash here.

To calculate a checksum or md5 simply click the little calculator icon in the top navigation bar.
Select “MD5” from the Hash Type Drop Down menu
Navigate to your ISO File by clicking the “Browse” button.
Click Calculate

Now that you have your MD5 hash “03B900179A066BA04E5499A599F5E896” you can share that with whomever you are digitally sharing your file with and they can verify that the file they have downloaded is and EXACT match to the file that you supplied.

This extra step is a vital step in ensuring that the entire ISO file was downloaded correctly using whatever cloud service provider you used to share your digital files.

Creating your own ISO files is not particularly difficult and can be a great way to save some money on your project but we understand that some of this can be difficult to grok and that some of the programs may be cost prohibitive.  We are always available to help with DVD or Bluray mastering should you choose to want to leave it to the professionals.

Should I Still make Physical Blu-rays of My Movie?

28/04/2022DVD, PrintingRyan Libson

YES – creators are still able to drive revenue through physical Blu-ray & DVD sales in 2022

Streaming is undoubtedly the main vehicle for content delivery in today’s market. It cannot be overstated how important it is to get your work in front of as many eyeballs as possible and that means streaming. That however is not the end of the story.

You’ve put so much effort into creating your masterpiece that you deserve to fully maximize any potential revenue sources and that means at least evaluating physical media production.

Your audience who is made up of your fans- fans want to support you.

This is where physical media comes in. Physical Media consists of DVD, USB drives, Blu-ray for video creators and Compact Disc, USB, Records and even Cassette Tapes for musical creators. Physical Media is a tangible good. It’s an item a fan can look back upon years or even decades later. It can be autographed and directly handed to a fan. That is not a stat, hit or a percentage point – that is a bond.

Nostalgia and Fandom go hand in hand.

It is one of the big reasons why you see the resurgence of vinyl amongst music fans. Yes the audio experience is unique but it is more than just that. Fans want to show support to the artists they love. They also want to take a journey during their experience.

Concerts are the main way band fans and bands connect emotionally.
Theater is the main way that filmmakers and audiences connect emotionally.

Both of these experiences offer a unique opportunity for creators to drive some additional revenue - merch or merchandising tables.   Bands have long realized that by selling t-shirts, stickers, albums and other physical goods they can extend that bond of fandom.  Film makers are starting to realize the same.

Now more than ever with an uptick in film festivals and fandom fundraising sites like GoFundme, film makers and video creators are tapping into that same bond and revenue stream with physical media sales. DVDs and Blu-ray discs filled with additional content, behind the scenes footage and literature inserted with autographs are popular stretch goals on Kickstarter.

One customer of ours had us actually looking into creating VHS tapes for his project a fandom driven script dedicated to a popular horror franchise.  His reasoning- his memory popping in an old horror VHS and watching the film huddled together with his best friends at a sleepover.

If you have a decent fanbase and you’ve created a quality project – you should produce DVDs or Blu-rays

The quantity of custom DVD or custom Blu-ray you order will be dependent on the size of your fandom but luckily for you, we can produce as little as 50 (I’d do at least 100 for the price break but I’m a bit biased)

In the past DVDs and Blu-rays were primarily content delivery vehicles, Today they are support vehicles first and foremost. They exist more as a way for your fans to say “thanks – I dig what you’re doing!”

Oh btw they also still exist as content vehicles in those places far far away. Places that if we are lucky, we get to visit occasionally. Places we go to unplug from the modern world and the tether of the internet- deer camps, cabins, sailboats and many many other magical places.

If you need any help authoring Blu-ray or mastering Blu-ray, producing professional quality DVD, Blu-ray or any other type of physical media – we would love to help.

Call us at 612-782-8200 or use our Contact Us page and we can get you started on your next DVD or BDR production project today!

DVD Publishing Projects – Get your ducks in a row.

19/11/2013DVDRyan Libson

A recent interaction I had with a customer that bears repeating.

* blue font text has been added for contextual purposes

Digital Format Consideration:

The form you had sent initially looked like it listed CD.

I can do it however you want, normally digital video is distributed on DVD or BluRay Disc.

* a video file on duplicated on a CD will generally need a Computer for playback

Master Delivery Method

The absolute best way to deliver the master would be for you to burn a master DVD and mail it.

That way I could duplicate it straight from the disc to additional DVDs in our 1-to-10 DVD towers.

Digital delivery adds a few potential hiccups – artifacts can be introduced, formats can get crossed, etc.

Goals & End User Consideration

What is your goal with this project?

Some of my film making customers submit videos like this to film festivals – lots of film festivals require blu-ray these days. Others mail them for promotional purposes.

* knowing the answer to this question can dictate your final output format and help me to offer the right solution.

Exposure Considerations

.Mov is a great codec but not all DVD players are capable of playing it, so again it may be limited to mostly computers. Bluray yields the highest quality– but not everyone has one yet.

DVD has the greatest reach but your film is shot beautifully and DVD is 480 so you’ll lose some of the visual impact.

* ultimately there are a ton of decisions that only you can answer but armed with the right knowledge we can make sure you are delivered the right solution.

Let me know what you decide and I’ll help you make it a reality.

* this is your project – don’t be steered into something your not happy with. Be educated about the pro’s & con’s of each solution so that you can make the best decisions.

Digital Video is a great medium for communication of your message or art, with the right input we can help you make sure to get the most out of your next project.

If you have any questions regarding your next DVD or CD publishing project don’t hesitate to contact us today.

7 Tips to a Successful Disc Publishing Project

19/06/2013DVD, PrintingRyan Libson

1. Cater to your customers needs.

Recently spoke with a comedian who called about producing a DVD. While we we’re discussing printing and packaging options, I suggested a full retail ready package (amaray case, printed wrap, shrink wrap packaging). He politely declined, informing me that he does a lot of shows on cruise ships. On these cruises his customers often ask him to autograph the disc after purchase. Adding additional packaging slows down the process and is unnecessary. Knowing and anticipating your customer’s needs is a huge part of the decision making process.

2. Professional Design makes a big difference.

One of the biggest bottlenecks we run into when printing discs for our customers is design. Often time’s customers lack the proper skills to create the disc, packaging or they are relying on a friend to provide very real skills often times for free. We are more than willing to help out with some minor design alterations but if your project requires a fast turnaround (less than 10 days) it may be in your best interest to let us handle the design for a nominal fee.

3. Flexibility on Delivery Date can save you big Money!

At least once a week a customer calls asking if we can get their discs done same day. The answer is always: You bet! We have invested resources and are perfectly set up to handle these rapid turn customers but there are costs involved. If you have a CD release launch or a DVD screening schedule, make sure you get started at least 10-15 days ahead of time and always, ALWAYS inform your printer about your deadline. This will afford you the best pricing available and relieve stresses and confusion.

4. Flexibility on Packaging can also save your Moolah!

We get a lot of customers inquiring about DigiPak packaging, no wonder– it’s a great looking packaging option. But DigiPak requires physical printing and gluing, die setups. Rapid turn times are out and pricing on low volume is not especially competitive. A better solution may be a slimline jewel case with a printed insert. This packaging option is about half the price and can be turned in as little as 48 hrs usually. If you’re willing to keep your options open, you can save a lot of money and still receive a kick ass product.

5. Track your disc in itunes and save!

We can track your tunes for you’re in Itunes for a nominal fee or you can do it yourself – it’s pretty simple. A quick search of the internet brings up these instructions:

Open iTunes
Insert CD
Locate CD in iTunes (do NOT import yet)
Highlight all of the cd tracks
Right click and select “Get Info”
Click the “Info” tab
Change the album title/artist name/year/genre
Click “OK”
Now use this procedure for individual track names
Highlight track 1 and right click to select “Get Info”
Click on the “Info” tab
Update the “Name” and then click “Next”
Once you finish writing in your info for all tracks click “OK”
Highlight all of the tracks again
Click on the “Options” symbol on the upper right corner of the tracklist window
Select “Submit CD Track Names…”
Allow the progress bar to complete

6. Print locally and save!

Shipping can really add up, whenever possible seek out local printers.Not only will this save you money on shipping your finished product, but delivering a physical master and artwork can alleviate any headaches that can arise from FTPing large files.

7. Relax and let the professionals sweat the small stuff!

We print hundreds of thousands of discs every month, we have machines capable of churning out thousands of completed discs per hour. Forget about burning 70 or god forbid thousands of discs one at a time. Give us a call to find out how we can save you time and money and make your next CD or DVD printing and burning project a breeze.

DiscBurn has been printing and burning CD & DVD in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Area for over ten years. We have extensive knowledge in printing, packaging and fulfilling disc publishing projects of all shapes and sizes. For a free consultation or to receive a pricing quote please contact ryan@discburn.com or call at 612-782-8200

Lets Talk About DVD9 or Dual Layer DVD

07/06/2013DVDRyan Libson

Do you ever find yourself with too much to say and not enough breath?

In today’s fast paced digital world often times projects grow and the snowball effect is unavoidable.

A product manual and instructional video that was slated to be 90 minutes has ballooned into a full two hour production.

Fret not my friends Dual-layer DVD sometimes referred to as DVD9 is here to help:

Dual-layer recording (sometimes also known as double-layer recording) allows DVD-R and DVD+R discs to store significantly more data—up to 8.5 gigabytes per disc, compared with 4.7 gigabytes for single-layer discs…Dual-layer recording (sometimes also known as double-layer recording) allows DVD-R and DVD+R discs to store significantly more data—up to 8.5 gigabytes per disc, compared with 4.7 gigabytes for single-layer discs…DVD recordable discs supporting this technology are backward-compatible…

-from wikipedia

Whats all this mean to me, the guy with an ever growing DVD duplication project?

Basically it means that instead of 1 hr 30 minutes of DVD resolution – we can duplicate up to three hours of your video onto a single DVD. This means instead of paying more for DVD duplication and printing of an additional disc, dual disc packaging and requiring your customers to get up and change the disc – you can save money on production, packaging all while keeping your customers happy.

Call us today to discuss your CD or DVD duplication and printing projects and see if Dual Layer or DVD9 is the right solution for you.

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