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	<title>DVD &#038;  Video Duplication, Multimedia &#038; Much More! &#187; CD/DVD/Blu-ray</title>
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	<link>http://davidryanmediasolutions.com</link>
	<description>DVD &#038;  Video Duplication, Multimedia &#038; Much More!</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Tue, 31 Aug 2010 01:12:10 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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		<title>Options for disc encryption</title>
		<link>http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/2010/06/06/css-encryption/</link>
		<comments>http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/2010/06/06/css-encryption/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 06 Jun 2010 16:11:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[CD/DVD/Blu-ray]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[David]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/?p=2109</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I get lots of inquiries from clients and prospects about copy-protecting their CDs and DVDs. 
In the heyday of vhs dubbing, we at Video Labs would add Macrovision encryption http://tinyurl.com/gzmrj, versions of which either added spikes in the voltage of the signal or added a &#8220;flag&#8221; in the vertical interval of the video signal . . . [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/adhesive-backed-clear-plastic-sleeve1.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-2139" style="border: 0px;" title="CD" src="http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/adhesive-backed-clear-plastic-sleeve1-260x300.jpg" alt="" width="163" height="187" /></a>I get lots of inquiries from clients and prospects about copy-protecting their CDs and DVDs. </p>
<p>In the heyday of vhs dubbing, we at Video Labs would add Macrovision encryption <a href="http://tinyurl.com/gzmrj" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/gzmrj</a>, versions of which either added spikes in the voltage of the signal or added a &#8220;flag&#8221; in the vertical interval of the video signal . . . (that area you can&#8217;t normally see at the top of a standard def tv signal, where items like vertical interval time code, closed-captioning and SpoTTrac information is encoded.) </p>
<p>As we have moved into discs, we&#8217;re now at the following point: </p>
<p><span id="more-2109"></span>For CDs, it&#8217;s basically &#8220;coming up empty.&#8221;  You can scour the internet and find products, but from our experience &#8212; and I am always open to new information if you have any &#8212; there is nothing that satisfactorily can protect the information on a CD from being copied. </p>
<p>Now, keep in mind that there are features within certain software programs, like in Acrobat, that can make taking elements out of a document difficult.  The analogy would be like turning a layered Photoshop or Illustrator file into an unlayered document.  But that doesn&#8217;t prevent the document in total from being copied. </p>
<p>For DVD-video discs, we do have an option  (again, not for DVD data discs.)  </p>
<p>The most common type of encryption, and the one we offer, is CSS, which stands for Content Scramble System. </p>
<p>This is not to be confused with .css or Cascading Style Sheets <a href="http://tinyurl.com/7x56p">http://tinyurl.com/7&#215;56p</a>, which is something completely different pertaining to working with HTML code in the web development arena. </p>
<p>I invite you to check out this Wikipedia for more details on how CSS encryption works: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/28zo32" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/28zo32</a>, but in short, it involves placing a set of digital keys in a certain area of the DVD which can then be &#8220;unlocked&#8221; only by licensed DVD players. </p>
<p>Is it fail safe?  Nope.  If you Google CSS, you are going to find De-CSS, abundantly available in various flavors to circumvent the encryption.  So, I always tell my clients that if someone really wants to rip off your content, they can find a way to do it. </p>
<p>Still, as some clients have correctly reasoned, it still makes sense to add the encryption.  CSS may very well discourage the casual otherwise well-meaning consumer user who doesn&#8217;t see the harm in making a DVD copy of a program for a friend down the street.  Most folks like that will go no further upon seeing an initial cannot copy warning. </p>
<p>Now there is one thing to keep in mind.  CSS encryption can be added only in a disc authoring process.  Read this quick-read blog for what disc authoring entails: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/5m6hga" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/5m6hga</a> </p>
<p>This means that the encryption cannot be added &#8220;after the fact.&#8221;  It has to be &#8220;cooked in&#8221; when the DVD is first created.  And it doesn&#8217;t matter whether or you have any menus or not (the usual reason for doing disc authoring).  Even if you want to CSS encrypt just a straight-play DVD, the first part of the encryption can be added only in a DVD authoring process. </p>
<p>I say &#8220;first part&#8221; because the &#8220;second part&#8221; of the encryption can be added only via disc replication. (Read this to understand the difference between disc &#8220;duplication&#8221; vs. disc &#8220;replication:&#8221; <a href="http://tinyurl.com/2ox2rk" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/2ox2rk</span></span></span></a> </p>
<p>So, to reiterate, to add CSS encryption, an authoring process is essential, and the disc copies have to be made via replication. </p>
<p>And as you may know, DVD replication requires a minimum order of 1,000 DVDs. </p>
<p>What are the costs?  Well, it depends on the program length.  But figure on $250 &#8211; $400 for the disc authoring time, and $250 for the adding of CSS. </p>
<p>Moving forward:  One of the features of the Blu-ray disc format is that it offers a much-advanced, robust, triple-level system of disc encryption.  This includes Advanced Access Content System: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/ye3zr5">http://tinyurl.com/ye3zr5</a></p>
<p>My media replication industry colleague/partner, Tim Schoonenberg, of Great Lakes Media Technology <a href="http://www.glmt.com" target="_blank">www.glmt.com</a>, wrote a good blog on the 3-levels of Blu-ray disc encryption as well: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/29x6op2" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/29&#215;6op2</a></p>
<p>As with DVD-video discs, to incorporate the encryption with Blu-ray, there needs to be a combination of advanced disc authoring and disc replication.  I can tell you, this ain&#8217;t cheap, hence why at this time, the creation of such Blu-ray replicated discs is limited to studios and broadcasters with deep pockets. </p>
<p>But with that said, please remember that if you do not need encryption, we at Video Labs can author both DVDs and yes, Blu-ray master discs, and duplicate smaller quantities of each very cost-effectively.  </p>
<p>NOTE: I should qualify that by saying that the Blu-ray authoring in that case will be somewhat basic compared to the extensive BD-Live features that studio film titles may offer, but still, many of our clients find our Blu-ray disc process really suits their goal of providing high-quality video on a budget. </p>
<p>Contact me for more information:  <a href="http://&#100;&#114;&#121;an&#64;V&#105;de&#111;&#76;&#97;b&#115;&#46;&#110;&#101;t">d&#114;&#121;&#97;n&#64;&#86;id&#101;oL&#97;bs.&#110;e&#116;</a> </p>
<p>Follow me on Twitter:  <a href="http://www.Twitter.com/drmediasolution">www.Twitter.com/drmediasolution</a> for more news &amp; info including short-term steep discounts. </p>
<p>Find out more about our Blu-ray disc duplication: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/a6jqd6" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/a6jqd6</span></span></span></a></p>
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		<title>What are AC-3 audio files?</title>
		<link>http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/2010/04/27/what-are-ac-3-audio-files/</link>
		<comments>http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/2010/04/27/what-are-ac-3-audio-files/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 28 Apr 2010 01:48:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[CD/DVD/Blu-ray]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[David]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Multimedia]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/?p=2014</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[To quote the site www.fileinfo.com, &#8220;AC-3 files, or Dolby Digital audio file format; may contain up to 6 channels of audio, including a subwoofer output (a.k.a. 5.1 surround sound)&#8221;
These have been referred to as  &#8221;Audio Codec 3&#8243; or &#8220;Advanced Codec 3&#8243; or &#8220;Acoustic Codec 3.&#8221;
Regardless, this is the file format that was adapted for the audio [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/digital_audio_1.png"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-2056" style="border: 0pt none;" title="digital audio" src="http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/digital_audio_1.png" alt="" width="140" height="67" /></a>To quote the site <a href="http://www.fileinfo.com">www.fileinfo.com</a>, &#8220;AC-3 files, or Dolby Digital audio file format; may contain up to 6 channels of audio, including a subwoofer output (a.k.a. 5.1 surround sound)&#8221;</p>
<p>These have been referred to as  &#8221;Audio Codec 3&#8243; or &#8220;Advanced Codec 3&#8243; or &#8220;Acoustic Codec 3.&#8221;</p>
<p>Regardless, this is the file format that was adapted for the audio portion of DVDs and Blu-ray discs.  Just like the mpeg2 files that make up the video portion of a  DVD or Blu-ray discs, the AC-3 files cannot be edited.  That was instituted on purpose of course, as an anti-piracy measure.</p>
<p>(As a side note, remember, in addition to not being able to edit mpeg2 or AC-3 files, you cannot drag those files as accessible elements from a DVD or Blu-ray video disc either: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/yj8wy3c" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/yj8wy3c</a>)</p>
<p><span id="more-2014"></span><br />
The AC-3 format has the capacity to record audio with fidelity up to 48k, which is audio CD quality.</p>
<p>The AC-3 codec is also an efficient codec in that a number of audio channels (up to 6) can be included in just one AC-3 file.</p>
<p>The AC-3 files are actually located within the VIDEO_TS folders on the DVD or Blu-ray [see below].  (the BUP folders are backup folders, for use if the main TS folders cannot be accessed for some reason &#8212; like due to a minor scratch on the disc).</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/DVD-video_files.png"><img class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" title="DVD-video_files" src="http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/DVD-video_files-300x141.png" alt="" width="300" height="141" /></a></p>
<p>While you can get to the level of the DVD or Blu-ray architecture that is depicted above, by right clicking on the DVD icon in My Computer and choosing either Open or Explore, you won&#8217;t get any further down into the structure without some sort of &#8220;ripping&#8221; software.</p>
<p>When burning or authoring an edited video from a non-linear editing system on to DVD, the video of the final sequence needs to be converted to mpeg2 and the audio to AC-3.</p>
<p>In Final Cut Pro, that means exporting the edited sequence, which is usually in some form of .mov file, through the Apple Compressor software.  The resulting files can then be loaded into an authoring program, like DVD Studio Pro, Adobe Encore or Sonic Scenarist.</p>
<p>Some folks are not always pleased with the resulting files from Compressor, so they opt for outputting the edited sequence to a dital Betacam tape and then encode the videotape into a hardware encorder which also makes mpeg2 files and AC-3 files that can be loaded into an authoring system.</p>
<p>Again, remember, the mpeg2 and AC-3 files are not editable.</p>
<p>I welcome your feedback. Either write a comment below, or write me at <a href="http://" target="_blank">&#100;&#114;&#121;&#97;n&#64;&#118;&#105;&#100;&#101;&#111;la&#98;&#115;.n&#101;t</a></p>
<p>Follow me on Twitter for news and info along with exclusive steep quick-turn discounts.</p>
<p>Also, please note that I now have a direct number at the office as well.  240-268-3504.</p>
<p>If you enjoyed this article, you may also be interested in reading about our Blu-ray disc duplication services:  <a href="http://tinyurl.com/a6jqd6">http://tinyurl.com/a6jqd6</a></p>
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		<title>&#8220;Why can&#8217;t I just drag mpeg2 files from my DVD?&#8221;</title>
		<link>http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/2009/11/15/why-cant-i-just-drag-mpeg2-files-from-my-dvd/</link>
		<comments>http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/2009/11/15/why-cant-i-just-drag-mpeg2-files-from-my-dvd/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:20:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[CD/DVD/Blu-ray]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[David]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/?p=1523</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Ah yes, as the saying goes: &#8220;If I had a dime for every time I got asked this question.&#8221;
And I certainly understand the frustration.
Prospects and clients think they are doing the right thing to get their video assets transferred DVD, to a safe permanent digital format.
And they have.  But the issue gets complicated when they [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-1529" title="wedding cake" src="http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/wedding-cake-1.jpg" alt="wedding cake" width="211" height="237" />Ah yes, as the saying goes: &#8220;If I had a dime for every time I got asked this question.&#8221;</p>
<p>And I certainly understand the frustration.</p>
<p>Prospects and clients think they are doing the right thing to get their video assets transferred DVD, to a safe permanent digital format.</p>
<p>And they have.  But the issue gets complicated when they also want to then edit the footage on that DVD further.</p>
<p>The calls usually center around the prospect or client wanting to import the mpeg2 files into a non-linear editing system.</p>
<p>When answering, I like to use the following analogy: Think of a video DVD being like a wedding cake.</p>
<p><span id="more-1523"></span>And think of the native mpeg2 files being the layers of the wedding cake underneath.  When asking whether you can access the mpeg2 files for further editing, it&#8217;s like asking the chef to take the wedding cake back into the kitchen and delivering to you clean cake layers.</p>
<p>It just ain&#8217;t gonna happen.</p>
<p>The only way you can use the video on the DVD as source material is to play it out again from a DVD player as an analog composite or component signal and re-digitizing it into a non-linear editing program.</p>
<p>But that of course if not ideal because you&#8217;ve gone from analog to digital to analog to digital &#8212; unnecessary extra compressions that will degrade the signal.</p>
<p>Here&#8217;s why you can&#8217;t just drag the mpeg2 files from your video DVD:</p>
<p><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-1531" title="ts folder" src="http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/ts-folder-still.jpg" alt="ts folder" width="231" height="104" />If you click on the directory of a video DVD, you will see there is a video-TS folder.  This is the finished &#8220;wedding cake.&#8221;  (the audio-TS file you may see is a dormant file structure from back when it was thought DVDs would be used for music, but that really hasn&#8217;t evolved.)</p>
<p><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-1532" title="vob files" src="http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/vob-files.jpg" alt="vob files" width="145" height="276" /></p>
<p>Yes, dig further and you see .vob files, which yes, are a type of mpeg2 format file, but even these are not clean &#8220;cake&#8221; layers. These are mpeg2 files with other data wrapped with them.</p>
<p>So bottom line, a DVD-video has files that contain a lot of other embedded information that allows the video DVD to work as more than just a data storage disc.</p>
<p>Now, with that all said, ok, ok, I know, yes, there are indeed ways of pulling out the mpeg2 files.  Doing so involves that somewhat shady term, &#8220;ripping.&#8221;</p>
<p>There are indeed ripping programs out there, some legitimate, and some not so.</p>
<p>Understand that as a licensed replicator, we at Video Labs are very reluctant to utilize ripping software.  Such programs are often used by &#8220;hackers&#8221; to violate copyright restrictions, and anyone who has worked with us knows that we do our best to protect copyrighted material from being &#8220;ripped off.&#8221;  (Also, check out this link about the legal repurcussions of ripping under the Digital Millenium Copyright Act <a href="http://tinyurl.com/6u7hf" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/6u7hf</a>)</p>
<p>The other thing about ripping is that the mpeg2 video files taken are indeed already compressed.  So, if the source material (i.e. SD or HD tape or high-end digital file) is still available, (which it should be if rights are truly clear) we suggest that it&#8217;s better to just go back to the original for further editing.</p>
<p>So there are exceptions of course, but you can understand our skepticism when we hear that the original material or the edited sequence, is not available.</p>
<p>Hmmmm . . .</p>
<p>So, let&#8217;s review the options when considering transferring video material to digital:</p>
<p>If you are transferring a final product that will not require more editing, then making a DVD video is an excellent way to go.  And we can certainly do that for you.</p>
<p>But if the material is likely to used as source material for further editing, then we suggest having it be converted to a Quicktime or .avi file (uncompressed or perhaps slightly compressed, depending on the eventual future need) and stored as data either on a DVD-R or a portable hard drive.  Using the above analogy, what that does is make basic clean &#8220;cake layers&#8221; which can easily be loaded into a non-linear editing program.</p>
<p>As always, I welcome your comments below.</p>
<p>(Thanks also to Hugh Robertson of our Video Labs&#8217; multimedia dept. for the fact-checking and input he provided for this article.)</p>
<p>If you found this article of interest, you might also like to read: The Challenges with Captions and Subtitles for DVD <a href="http://tinyurl.com/5vgp9m">http://tinyurl.com/5vgp9m</a></p>
<p>Remember to contact me <a href="&#109;a&#105;l&#116;&#111;&#58;d&#114;&#121;&#97;n&#64;v&#105;&#100;&#101;&#111;&#108;a&#98;s.ne&#116;">dr&#121;&#97;&#110;&#64;v&#105;d&#101;&#111;&#108;abs&#46;n&#101;&#116;</a> or 301-217-000 x104 for all of your media replication and related multimedia needs.</p>
<p>Follow me on Twitter <a href="http://www.Twitter.com/DRMediaSolution" target="_blank">www.Twitter.com/DRMediaSolution</a> for steep short-term discounts and other news and info.</p>
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		<title>Do I have a CD or a DVD . . . (or a Blu-ray disc?)</title>
		<link>http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/2009/08/10/do-i-have-a-cd-or-a-dvd-or-a-blu-ray/</link>
		<comments>http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/2009/08/10/do-i-have-a-cd-or-a-dvd-or-a-blu-ray/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2009 23:54:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[CD/DVD/Blu-ray]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[David]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/?p=1207</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I get that question asked of me many times.
And no wonder, without being clearly labeled, they look almost exactly the same.

Here&#8217;s an easy way to tell whether you have a &#8220;duplicated&#8221; CD or DVD. 
(Note: I say &#8220;duplicated&#8221; because  a &#8221;replicated&#8221; disc is  almost always clearly labeled on the face label as to whether it is a CD or DVD.  Here&#8217;s my blog [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I get that question asked of me many times.</p>
<p>And no wonder, without being clearly labeled, they look almost exactly the same.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1217" title="cd-dvd 2 - lo rez" src="http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/cd-dvd-2-lo-rez.jpg" alt="cd-dvd 2 - lo rez" width="268" height="150" /></p>
<p>Here&#8217;s an easy way to tell whether you have a &#8220;duplicated&#8221; CD or DVD. </p>
<p>(Note: I say &#8220;duplicated&#8221; because  a &#8221;replicated&#8221; disc is  almost always clearly labeled on the face label as to whether it is a CD or DVD.  Here&#8217;s my blog further explaining the differences between disc duplication and replication: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/2ox2rk"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0000ff; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #0000ff; font-size: x-small;">http://tinyurl.com/2ox2rk</span></span></span></a></p>
<p>OK, turn the disc over in your hand so that the data side is facing up at you.</p>
<p><span id="more-1207"></span></p>
<p>If the surface has a faint brownish tint, then you have a duplicated CD.  Another trait is that when moved in the light you see a lot of green in the iridescent light refraction.</p>
<p>If the disc surface has a bluish tint, you have a duplicated DVD.  Again, when moved in the light you should also see a lot of blue or purple in the light refraction.</p>
<p>Now, if you happen to have a duplicated Blu-ray disc, it will have the same traits as a DVD, but it will seem just a bit more heavy, or dense, in your hand.</p>
<p>OK, as I mentioned above, a replicated disc will almost always have a label on it that includes information as to whether the disc is a CD, DVD or Blu-ray.</p>
<p>But let&#8217;s pretend we didn&#8217;t know, just for kicks.</p>
<p>Replicated discs have a polished mirrored look to the data surface, and it will in fact be difficult to discern between a replicated CD and DVD.  I asked my good buddy and disc replication expert Tim Schoonenberg at Great Lakes Media Technology <a href="http://www.glmt.com" target="_blank">www.glmt.com</a> for his input.  Tim replied, &#8220;It&#8217;s hard to tell them apart, but a replicated DVD has 2 thinner layers glued together and a replicated CD has just a single layer.  A trained eye can spot it.&#8221;</p>
<p>It is easier to detect a replicated Blu-ray disc though.  Just as with a duplicated Blu-ray disc, it too will seem a bit more dense when held, but also, the mirrored bottom surface will give off hardly any iridescence at all when moved in the light.  That&#8217;s because the tracks and data are so densely packed on to a Blu-ray disc.  Remember, a DVD holds about 4.7 gb.  A Blu-ray disc starts with storage of 25 gb.</p>
<p>I hope that helps.  Contact me with any questions.  <a href="&#109;a&#105;l&#116;&#111;:d&#114;&#121;a&#110;&#64;v&#105;de&#111;&#108;abs.net" target="_blank">d&#114;yan&#64;vi&#100;eo&#108;ab&#115;&#46;n&#101;t</a>   I also welcome your comments below.</p>
<p>Thanks also to Juan Carlos Elizalde in our Video Labs&#8217; <a href="http://www.VideoLabs.net" target="_blank">www.VideoLabs.net</a> multimedia dept. for sharing his expertise on this subject with me.</p>
<p>Remember to contact me with any of your media replication or related multimedia needs at 301-217-0000 x104 or <a href="ma&#105;&#108;&#116;o:&#100;ry&#97;n&#64;&#118;&#105;&#100;e&#111;labs&#46;&#110;e&#116;" target="_blank">dr&#121;a&#110;&#64;&#118;&#105;&#100;eo&#108;&#97;b&#115;.&#110;e&#116;</a></p>
<p>If you enjoyed this article, you might also like to check out &#8220;What is an &#8220;authored&#8221; disc?&#8221; <a href="http://tinyurl.com/64td2m" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0000ff; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #0000ff; font-size: x-small;">http://tinyurl.com/64td2m</span></span></span></a></p>
<p>And you might like to read more about our Blu-ray disc duplication services: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/a6jqd6" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0000ff; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #0000ff; font-size: x-small;">http://tinyurl.com/a6jqd6</span></span></span></a></p>
<p>Follow me on Twitter for more media info and Twitter-exclusive time-sensitive discounts: <a href="http://www.Twitter.com/DRMediaSolution" target="_blank">www.Twitter.com/DRMediaSolution</a></p>
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		<title>Captioning / Subtitling Options for Blu-ray Discs</title>
		<link>http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/2009/06/12/captioning-subtitling-options-for-blu-ray-discs/</link>
		<comments>http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/2009/06/12/captioning-subtitling-options-for-blu-ray-discs/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:30:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[CD/DVD/Blu-ray]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[David]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/?p=1007</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[You know that we at Video Labs provide closed-captioning and subtitling services at Video Labs.  
We can provide those services for both standard def and HD videotapes: http://tinyurl.com/6bpxje
and to DVDs as well: http://tinyurl.com/5vgp9m
So a logical next question is what are the options with Blu-ray discs?
Well, as I explain in the above-linked blog, line 21 captions, which [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-1030" title="blu-ray-v1" src="http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/blu-ray-v1.jpg" alt="blu-ray-v1" width="163" height="170" />You know that we at Video Labs provide closed-captioning and subtitling services at Video Labs.  </p>
<p>We can provide those services for both standard def and HD videotapes: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/6bpxje" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-size: x-small; color: #0000ff;"><span style="font-size: x-small; color: #0000ff;">http://tinyurl.com/6<span><span>bpxje</span></span></span></span></span></a></p>
<p>and to DVDs as well: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/5vgp9m" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-size: x-small; color: #0000ff;"><span style="font-size: x-small; color: #0000ff;">http://tinyurl.com/5vgp9m</span></span></span></a></p>
<p>So a logical next question is what are the options with <span><span>Blu</span></span>-ray discs?</p>
<p><span id="more-1007"></span>Well, as I explain in the above-linked blog, line 21 captions, which are possible to carry through on some DVD recorders, will not get carried through on <span><span>Blu</span></span>-ray for the simple fact that <span><span>Blu</span></span>-ray is dealing with HD, and there is no line 21 vertical interval in the the HD format.  HD captioning is carried by a <span><span>metadata</span></span> stream.</p>
<p><span>&#8220;Ah,&#8221; but you say, &#8220;yes, but we can author .<span>scc</span> files to standard DVDs and have them act like line 21 captions.   So, isn&#8217;t there something like that for <span>Blu</span>-ray discs?&#8221;</span></p>
<p>OK.  Time to turn to one of my expert resources.</p>
<p>We at Video Labs have a client/vendor relationship with several captioning/subtitling providers.   With all the tech developments in media these days, you can imagine that we are always asking and answering questions with our contacts at these companies.  So I asked the above question to good friend and account exec, Heather York, at <span><span>Vitac</span></span> <a href="http://www.vitac.com" target="_blank">www.<span><span>vitac</span></span>.com</a></p>
<p>She replied, &#8220;The <span><span>Blu</span></span>-ray (player and DVD) was developed without closed captioning specs.  That&#8217;s pretty much all there is to it.  <span><span>Blu</span></span>-ray does not support closed captioning.  The logic is that users can select subtitles through a DVD menu.&#8221;</p>
<p>And frankly, even in standard DVD <span>situations</span>, I find that when given the choice of adding either a .<span><span>scc</span></span> file for captions or an .<span><span>stl</span></span> file for subtitles, most clients choose the subtitles because they are most <span>aesthetically</span> pleasing.</p>
<p><span>So there you have it.  No captions for <span>Blu</span>-ray discs, but subtitles yes.</span></p>
<p>By the way, as I&#8217;ve mentioned in other places, another great source to check all-things <span><span>Blu</span></span>-ray is &#8220;<span><span>Blu</span></span>-ray Disc Demystified.&#8221; <a href="http://tinyurl.com/9qaxjw" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/9<span><span>qaxjw</span></span></a>  One of the listed authors is locally-DC based Chuck Crawford, whose wife and biz partner, Samantha <span><span>Cheng</span></span>, also contributed extensively.  The book is really an EXCELLENT resource.   Specifically, on pages 6-29 to 6-30 they talk in detail about Blu-ray subtitles.</p>
<p>Changing the subject a bit, you may also be aware of the current challenges some cable and satellite customers are facing these days in accessing closed captions for DTV andor HD programming.  Here&#8217;s an FCC status report on this: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/5kjj2a" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/5kjj2a</a></p>
<p>Heather York mentioned that HDMI cables are also presenting a challenge.  These are the cables that HD viewers use to connect all their HD gear.  These cables are not setup to pass through closed-captioned information. </p>
<p>Heather adds, &#8220;HDMI will only pass captions that have been decoded at a source prior to your TV set.  This means that if your cable box is connected to your HDTV via HDMI, you have to turn on the captions THROUGH THE CABLE BOX.  This is truly confusing, as many cable boxes have to be turned off to even get to the caption menu, and has caused a lot of problem for viewers.&#8221;</p>
<p>And one other thing: since Blu-ray players are set to read captions, if you put a standard DVD with captions (either with line 21 info or .scc file), the DVD will play, but the captions cannot be accessed. </p>
<p>Stay turned.  This will all undoubtedly get worked out.  The question just is when.  For now, let&#8217;s just cross our fingers and hope we all get through the DTV transition ok.</p>
<p>And we&#8217;ll be sure to keep you updated here at <a href="http://www.DavidRyanMediaSolutions.com" target="_blank">www.<span><span>DavidRyanMediaSolutions</span></span>.com</a></p>
<p>Your comments are most welcomed below.</p>
<p>If you enjoyed this article, you may want to also check out my blog about captions for HDV: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/cpwfan" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/<span><span>cpwfan</span></span></a></p>
<p>To learn more about our Blu-ray disc duplication capabilities, check out this blog: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/a6jqd6" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-size: x-small; color: #0000ff;"><span style="font-size: x-small; color: #0000ff;">http://tinyurl.com/a6jqd6</span></span></span></a></p>
<p>Contact David Ryan at 301-217-0000 x104 or <a href="&#109;a&#105;l&#116;o:d&#114;&#121;&#97;&#110;&#64;v&#105;&#100;eol&#97;bs.&#110;&#101;&#116;" target="_blank"><span><span>dryan</span></span>@<span><span>videolabs</span></span>.net</a></p>
<p>Also follow me on Twitter at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/DRMediaSolution" target="_blank">www.Twitter.com/DRMediaSolution</a></p>
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		<title>Disc prep mistakes to avoid . . .</title>
		<link>http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/2009/04/02/disc-prep-mistakes-to-avoid/</link>
		<comments>http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/2009/04/02/disc-prep-mistakes-to-avoid/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 02 Apr 2009 18:09:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[CD/DVD/Blu-ray]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[David]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/?p=612</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We pride ourselves at Video Labs in getting your disc duplication and replication orders turned very fast.  
 
We LOVE our clients, but occasionally the delays we run into are created by those same beloved clients.
 
Now, we almost always work through any challenges, but again, to do so often involves a delay.  
 
So here is a list of some of [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-627" title="adhesive-backed-clear-plastic-sleeve-lo-rez" src="http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/adhesive-backed-clear-plastic-sleeve-lo-rez.jpg" alt="adhesive-backed-clear-plastic-sleeve-lo-rez" width="164" height="184" />We pride ourselves at Video Labs in getting your disc duplication and replication orders turned very fast.  </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">We LOVE our clients, but occasionally the delays we run into are created by those same beloved clients.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Now, we almost always work through any challenges, but again, to do so often involves a delay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">So here is a list of some of the more commonly client-created challenges that I’ve observed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  Remember, t</span>he whole purpose here is allow us to better to serve YOU!</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span id="more-612"></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Failure to Finalize the master</span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">:</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">When making a master CD or DVD, one must finalize a master disc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>This is a process that in effect “closes” a session.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Some disc encoding programs automatically do this, others have you choose that function.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>The reason some programs give you a choice is if you are dealing with a rewritable or multi-session disc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  (Just fyi</span>, we cannot use such RW-created discs as masters.)</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Not thoroughly checking the master before sending it to us</span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">:</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Once you finish creating your master disc, please check it out on several computers – if an audio CD also on a standalone CD player – and if a DVD video, check also on a DVD set-top box.</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Haven’t cleared all the content rights</span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">:</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">We are a licensed replicator, and as such, we assume the content rights to the material being copied are cleared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>We ask our clients to complete a brief form affirming that. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Yes, we actually do get audited.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>When those rights haven’t been procured, the project grinds to a halt.</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Problems with the artwork</span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">:</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">We can provide you with online-accessible templates and specs for the disc face and packaging artwork. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When artwork is delivered to us that doesn’t match those, then inevitably the back and forth that takes place can cause delays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Now, of course, even when we receive ideal files, we still sometimes get back to clients with some suggestions, but those are normal “tweaks,” not time-consuming overhauls.</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Review/Approval Delays</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">For almost every job, we will send you something to approve one last time before completing the order, whether it be a check disc, a hard copy proof or .pdf scan of the artwork.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>We cannot finish the order until we receive back an ok to proceed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>If the person or persons who have to approve on the client side are not accessible, the job will obviously be delayed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>So our best advice is that clients line up the “chain of approval” ahead of time and have everyone &#8220;standing by&#8221; so as to turnaround reviews quickly.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">O</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">K, that’s it for now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Again, we are here to serve YOU.  And it is in that spirit that I present this blog.  </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">I appreciate your business!  <span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">As always, I welcome your comments below.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Feel free to also contact me at </span></span></span></span><a href="mail&#116;o&#58;d&#114;y&#97;n&#64;&#118;&#105;&#100;e&#111;&#108;&#97;&#98;&#115;.&#110;&#101;&#116;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">drya&#110;&#64;&#118;id&#101;o&#108;ab&#115;&#46;n&#101;&#116;</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>301-217-0000 x104</span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">P.S. If you haven’t read it before, you may also be interested in reading my blog about disc face printing: </span></span></span><a href="http://tinyurl.com/59psy8"><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">http://tinyurl.com/59psy8</span></span></span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Other contact info for David Ryan: </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://www.twitter.com/DRMediaSolution"><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; mso-no-proof: yes;">www.Twitter.com/DRMediaSolution</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/davidryanmediasolutions"><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="font-size: x-small; color: #800080; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; mso-no-proof: yes;">http://www.linkedin.com/in/davidryanmediasolutions</span></span></span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </p>
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		<title>Blu-ray disc duplication</title>
		<link>http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/2009/01/05/blu-ray-dvd-duplication/</link>
		<comments>http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/2009/01/05/blu-ray-dvd-duplication/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:52:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[CD/DVD/Blu-ray]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[David]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/?p=245</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Well, it&#8217;s happening.  Even in this crazy economy.  We here at Video Labs are starting to get requests to make Blu-ray DVD copies. 
At first it was one or two copies, and now we are fielding requests for up to 100.
Granted, the medium is still taking some time to catch on among many of our clients, but the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;">Well, it&#8217;s happening.  Even in this crazy economy.  We here at Video Labs are starting to get requests to make Blu-ray DVD copies. <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;"><img class="size-full wp-image-297 alignright" title="blu-ray-lo-rez" src="http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/blu-ray-lo-rez.jpg" alt="blu-ray-lo-rez" width="142" height="184" /></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;">At first it was one or two copies, and now we are fielding requests for up to 100.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;">Granted, the medium is still taking some time to catch on among many of our clients, but the advantages of the format &#8211; HD video quality among the foremost &#8212; are alluring.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;">The majority of the requests seem to be for </span>exhjibition at trade shows, conferences and screenings.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;">And we can handle your Blu-ray duplication orders and utilize our superb on-disc color thermal transfer face label printing. (see blog on disc face printing: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/59psy8" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-size: x-small; color: #0000ff;">http://tinyurl.com/59psy8</span></span></a>)</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span id="more-245"></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;">Now, this is not disc Blu-ray “replication.” And, we are not talking about high-end Blu-ray authoring, and we cannot make copies of AACS copy-protected Blu-ray masters. (see <a href="http://tinyurl.com/dqhm9" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/dqhm9</a><strong>)</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;">BUT, again, let&#8217;s say your are outputting an editing project to a Blu-ray disc master or to an HD tape, and want to make a number of Blu-ray copies for a limited audience.  We CAN do that for you, from either your Blu-ray disc master or your HD tape, and with quick turnaround.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;">Just give me a call at 301-217-0000 x104 or <a href="&#109;ai&#108;&#116;&#111;:d&#114;&#121;&#97;n&#64;&#118;ideo&#108;ab&#115;&#46;net" target="_blank">d&#114;&#121;an&#64;&#118;ideolab&#115;&#46;net</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;">This might be a good time to consider just where is the industry at regarding Blu-ray these days?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;">I recently attended a seminar in DC where two of the people involved with the recently released book, &#8220;Blu-ray Demystified,&#8221;  <a href="http://tinyurl.com/9qaxjw">http://tinyurl.com/9qaxjw</a> spoke.  They were Samantha Cheng and Chuck Crawford of Television Production Services, Inc. <a href="http://www.tpsvideo.com/">http://www.tpsvideo.com/</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;">It was a VERY informative meeting.   Bottom line: Don&#8217;t go into full-scale Blu-ray authoring and replication unpreprared . . . or think that it can be done quickly.  It is a VERY expensive process that requires a lot of pre-planning and strict attention to detail throughout.  Not to discourage you from the great potential this technology offers, but as a producer, make sure you have a road map.  I&#8217;m not shamelessly hawking their book, but if you are thinking of producing a Blu-ray project for the first time, GET THEIR BOOK!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;">Now, despite the down economy, there are signs that the consumer is starting to appreciate the advantages of Blu-ray, getting beyond the initial apathy that faced the format. (i.e. People have been thinking, &#8221;Hey, my standard DVD looks fine enough, thank you.)&#8221;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;">Video Labs&#8217; manager of multimedia, Stacey Flynn, a huge music fan, is becoming a Blu-ray convert.  She recently passed along this link regarding Neil Young&#8217;s soon-to-be released Blu-ray archive project.  <a href="http://tinyurl.com/6g4aud">http://tinyurl.com/6g4aud</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;">Very cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But yikes, a price tag $350?  Well, other titles are of course much more affordable.  The average Blu-ray movie is between $25 &#8211; $30.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;">Stacey feels though a lot of the price resistance is based on lack of knowledge of the advances and capabilities of the Blu-ray technology. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;">Another reaction might be like that of Margaret Wallenfang of Great Lakes Media Technology’s art department when she received a gift of the Blu-ray release of &#8220;Sleeping Beauty&#8221; <a href="http://tinyurl.com/6tarxo" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/6tarxo</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;">And what about the future potential of corporate use of Blu-ray?  Here&#8217;s a link to an interesting blog on that by another industry colleague of mine at GLMT, </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;">Tim Schoonenberg</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;">:   <a href="http://tinyurl.com/7h5rqe" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/7h5rqe</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;">What do you think?  Your comments are most welcome below.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;">While on the subject of Blu-ray and HD, you might also be interested in reading my blog about Video Labs&#8217; HD captioning services:  <a href="http://tinyurl.com/6bpxje" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small; color: #0000ff;">http://tinyurl.com/6bpxje</span></a></span></p>
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		<title>Polybox &#8212; another favorite package choice</title>
		<link>http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/2008/10/30/polybox-another-favorite-package-choice/</link>
		<comments>http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/2008/10/30/polybox-another-favorite-package-choice/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 30 Oct 2008 20:21:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[CD/DVD/Blu-ray]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[David]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/2008/10/30/polybox-another-favorite-package-choice/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
As you know, I like to feature popular packaging options here on this site.  One of my clients recently asked to go up a step from the Trimpak (what I call the &#8220;square&#8221; clam shell case http://tinyurl.com/5wa7s8)
While the Trimpak is square and can be filed well on a shelf, this client wanted something a bit [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img border="0" align="right" width="178" src="http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/polybox-case-1.jpg" alt="polybox-case-1.jpg" height="165" style="width: 178px; height: 165px" title="polybox-case-1.jpg" /></p>
<p>As you know, I like to feature popular packaging options here on this site.  One of my clients recently asked to go up a step from the Trimpak (what I call the &#8220;square&#8221; clam shell case <a target="_blank" href="http://tinyurl.com/5wa7s8">http://tinyurl.com/5wa7s8</a>)</p>
<p>While the Trimpak is square and can be filed well on a shelf, this client wanted something a bit more robust for their library of DVDs.</p>
<p>The result was the clear plastic polybox cases.</p>
<p><span id="more-246"></span></p>
<p>If you think about it, it&#8217;s really the equivalent of a slimline jewel case . . . but it&#8217;s of pliable plastic, very suitable for mailing as well as filing.</p>
<p>It&#8217;s a step-up in look, and consequently costs a bit more, but it may be worth your consideration.</p>
<p>Check out some of my other blogs about packaging:</p>
<p>Double Clam Shells: <a target="_blank" href="http://tinyurl.com/66g7wq">http://tinyurl.com/66g7wq</a> (I like these a lot)</p>
<p>Also, check out other posts in &#8220;David&#8217;s Blog&#8221; for some eco-friendly &#8220;Going Green&#8221; media replication tips that actually are less expensive than their standard counterpart:</p>
<p>* Using &#8220;evaluated&#8221; tape stock:  <a target="_blank" href="http://tinyurl.com/5mzfvn">http://tinyurl.com/5mzfvn</a></p>
<p>* Wafer seals rather than shrinkwrap: <a target="_blank" href="http://tinyurl.com/5qszbq">http://tinyurl.com/5qszbq</a></p>
<p>* Recycled-material vinyl disc cases: <a target="_blank" href="http://tinyurl.com/5vkecx">http://tinyurl.com/5vkecx</a></p>
<p>* Recycled paper material sleeves: <a target="_blank" href="http://tinyurl.com/686vcr">http://tinyurl.com/686vcr</a></p>
<p>Want to see other basic packaging options offered by Video Labs? <a target="_blank" href="http://tinyurl.com/575fnr">http://tinyurl.com/575fnr</a></p>
<p>I welcome your comments below.  And, as always, feel free to contact me at <a target="_blank" href="ma&#105;&#108;&#116;&#111;:&#100;&#114;&#121;a&#110;&#64;&#118;&#105;&#100;&#101;&#111;&#108;abs&#46;&#110;et">dr&#121;a&#110;&#64;&#118;id&#101;o&#108;a&#98;s&#46;&#110;&#101;&#116;</a> or 301-217-0000 x104 for your media replication and multimedia needs.</p>
<p>Remember, I work with people just like you . . . whose job is to &#8220;get the message out.&#8221;</p>
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		<title>Going Green &#8211; Idea #4: Recycled Paper Material Sleeve</title>
		<link>http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/2008/07/28/going-green-idea-4-recycled-paper-material-sleeve/</link>
		<comments>http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/2008/07/28/going-green-idea-4-recycled-paper-material-sleeve/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 29 Jul 2008 04:13:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[CD/DVD/Blu-ray]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[David]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/2008/07/28/going-green-idea-4-recycled-paper-material-sleeve/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Here&#8217;s a sleeve that is made totally of recycled paper materials:

We offer these at Video Labs.  Cost is around $0.45 ea, which includes disc insertion.  These actually serve as a cross between a stiff 2-panel cardboard sleeve and a thin paper sleeve with a window.
The photo below shows the recycled sleeve (left) next to a standard paper sleeve [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Here&#8217;s a sleeve that is made totally of recycled paper materials:</p>
<p><img width="260" src="http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/eco-sleeve-01.JPG" alt="eco-sleeve-01.JPG" height="271" title="eco-sleeve-01.JPG" /></p>
<p>We offer these at Video Labs.  Cost is around $0.45 ea, which includes disc insertion.  These actually serve as a cross between a stiff 2-panel cardboard sleeve and a thin paper sleeve with a window.</p>
<p><span id="more-225"></span>The photo below shows the recycled sleeve (left) next to a standard paper sleeve (right).</p>
<p><img src="http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/two-sleeves.jpg" alt="two-sleeves.jpg" /></p>
<p>There is no clear plastic covering the window on the recylced sleeve as there is with the paper sleeve.  And because of that, the window opening is smaller, and hence, some of the disc face gets blocked.  But if you know you are going to use this sleeve ahead of time, we can likely creatively adjust the disc face design to accomodate that.  (If you are doing your own face label design, we will be glad to give you the specific dimensions of the opening.)</p>
<p>What about sealing the tops?  Well, we can always add a wafer seal &#8212; an option available for many packaging choices  (see Going Green &#8211; Idea #2: <a target="_blank" href="http://tinyurl.com/5qszbq"><font color="#791637">http://tinyurl.com/5qszbq</font></a>)</p>
<p>We do not offer printing on these sleeves.  If you are looking to order 1,000 discs or more, we can offer similar recycled packaging that will allow printing.</p>
<p>I encourage you to consider these sleeves.  And check out my other &#8220;Going Green&#8221; ideas:</p>
<p>* Using &#8220;evaluated&#8221; tape stock:  <a target="_blank" href="http://tinyurl.com/5mzfvn">http://tinyurl.com/5mzfvn</a></p>
<p>* Recycled-material vinyl disc cases: <a target="_blank" href="http://tinyurl.com/5vkecx">http://tinyurl.com/5vkecx</a></p>
<p>Also, curious about disc face design and printing basics?  Check out my blog on that: <a target="_blank" href="http://">http://tinyurl.com/59psy8</a></p>
<p>Remember, media news and info you can use &#8211; here at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.davidryanmediasolutions.com/">http://www.davidryanmediasolutions.com/</a></p>
<p>For more information, contact David Ryan at <a target="_blank" href="mai&#108;&#116;&#111;:dryan&#64;vide&#111;l&#97;b&#115;.ne&#116;">&#100;&#114;yan&#64;vid&#101;o&#108;&#97;bs&#46;n&#101;t</a> or call 301-217-0000 x104</p>
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		<title>Double Clam Shell Cases &#8212; Very Cool!</title>
		<link>http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/2008/07/18/double-clam-shells-very-cool/</link>
		<comments>http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/2008/07/18/double-clam-shells-very-cool/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 Jul 2008 22:07:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[CD/DVD/Blu-ray]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[David]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/2008/07/18/double-clam-shells-very-cool/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[When you have two discs to send out, and a double vinyl case with a colorful wrap http://tinyurl.com/68tojs is just too much (either too much cost or too grandiose for the project), then I highly recommend these nifty double clam shell cases.
Take a look at this brief video clip to see how they work:
[See post to watch Flash [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>When you have two discs to send out, and a double vinyl case with a colorful wrap <a href="http://tinyurl.com/68tojs" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/68tojs</a><strong> </strong>is just too much (either too much cost or too grandiose for the project), then I highly recommend these nifty double clam shell cases.</p>
<p>Take a look at this brief video clip to see how they work:</p>
[See post to watch Flash video]
<p><span id="more-222"></span>As you can see, these cases afford the protection of a clam shell case and allow for the face of each each disc to be easily seen.  They also collapse down very nicely &#8212; (they can make neat little frisbees too, but you didn&#8217;t hear that from me.)</p>
<p>Cost for these of course depends on quantity, but we&#8217;re talking somewhere around  $0.55 ea.  Again, that&#8217;s cetainly less expensive than a standard double disc vinyl case with wrap <a href="http://tinyurl.com/68tojs" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/68tojs</a></p>
<p>These double clam shell cases have been a really popular alternative with a number of my clients. </p>
<p><em>UPDATE: March 2010:</em>  check out my quick video blog about these popular cases as well: <span style="color: black;"><a href="http://tinyurl.com/ycxb757" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/ycxb757</a></span></p>
<p>Please contact me for more info:  <a href="m&#97;i&#108;&#116;&#111;&#58;d&#114;&#121;&#97;n&#64;v&#105;de&#111;&#108;ab&#115;&#46;&#110;e&#116;">&#100;&#114;&#121;&#97;n&#64;&#118;&#105;&#100;eola&#98;s&#46;&#110;e&#116;</a> or 301-217-0000 x104.</p>
<p>And if you have just one disc and are interested in an alternative to the circular clam shell cases, then check out the following link to learn more about Trimpaks, another of my preferences. <a href="http://tinyurl.com/57ys5u" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/57ys5u</a></p>
<p>Want to see other basic packaging options offered by Video Labs? <a href="http://tinyurl.com/575fnr" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/575fnr</a></p>
<p>Also, see other posts in &#8220;David&#8217;s Blog&#8221; for some eco-friendly &#8220;Going Green&#8221; media replication tips that actually are less expensive than their standard counterpart: </p>
<p>* Using &#8220;evaluated&#8221; tape stock:  <a href="http://tinyurl.com/5mzfvn" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/5mzfvn</a></p>
<p>* Wafer seals rather than shrinkwrap: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/5qszbq" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/5qszbq</a></p>
<p>* Recycled-material vinyl disc cases: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/5vkecx" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/5vkecx</a></p>
<p>Remember, media news and info you can use &#8211; here at <a href="http://www.davidryanmediasolutions.com/" target="_blank">http://www.davidryanmediasolutions.com/</a></p>
<p>Follow me on Twitter for quick turn, steep discount offers: <a href="http://www.Twitter.com/drmediasolution" target="_blank">www.Twitter.com/drmediasolution</a></p>
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