Applying CSS Encryption to your DVD Project
March 10, 2010 by Brian G Fisher
If your working with the wrong DVD Manufacturer, applying CSS encryption to your DVD project can be a very complicated, time consuming and confusing process. Many replicators(particularly overseas) do not offer CSS as they do not pay the royalty for this service. You can pretty much assume that they do not have a legitimate CSS process when they say things like, “if you provide us with an already encrypted disc, we can replicate that for you”, or when they do not discuss CSS royalty fees when you order. These are red flags.
If you are having trouble getting a straight answer about CSS Encryption, please see my first post which explains some of the misconceptions of CSS Encryption.
This current article is more about how to provide a CSS encrypted master for replication.
If you want a DVD manufactured with CSS Encryption, there are two ways you can accomplish this.
1. If you have a DLT Deck and can provide a DLT(Digital Linear Tape) master. When doing your DVD authoring, you will have an option to output your project to DLT. If you have a DLT deck, you will need to check the CSS encryption flag during authoring. Once you output your project to DLT we will check your DLT Master against our Eclipse tester, which will show whether or not the CSS Encryption has been added. If we show the CSS present, that is all we need to output the master.
2. If you do not have a DLT Deck – we can take your DVD-R master and convert it to a DDP master with the CSS Encryption flag set. The cost to do this is typically $300. This is an easy way to get CSS Encryption without having to invest in a DLT deck. This method is also verified by Eclipse Testing to make sure the CSS is present.
3. If you can output your own DDP master – If you authoring platform allows for creating your own DDP master, you can use this method to provide us with a DDP master with the Encryption flag set. This method is also verified by Eclipse Testing to make sure the CSS is present.
Once we get your correct master and verify the CSS content is present, we apply the scrambling algorithm during the cutting of your glass master. There is a one time CSS royalty fee that we charge, typically $150 for DVD-5 and $200 for DVD-9.
These are the three avenues to getting CSS copy protection on your DVD.
If you have more questions about CSS Encryption as it may apply to an upcoming project, please give me a call at (888) 889-2926 or email me, Brian, at briangfisher@dvdduplication.net.
CSS Encryption Explained for DVD Manufacturing
October 12, 2009 by Brian G Fisher
One of the biggest mysteries that we have to explain to many of our new clients is how to get CSS(content scramble system) encryption applied to a DVD project.
When a client wants to have copy protection on a DVD that we manufacture, the easiest way to have that done is to have CSS encryption applied to their DVD. However, this process is more complex than most understand, and I am hoping to dispel most of the misconceptions that are made when trying to get CSS applied to your DVD master.
Misconception 1: AUTHORING – During authoring you will have to have the CSS Encryption Flag set. One of the biggest mistakes DVD Authorers make is that they check the CSS Flag and assume that copy protection will be applied to the DVD. This is only the case if the master that is being output is either a DLT master, or a DDP master. If you intend to apply CSS to a master that is a playable DVDR, the CSS flag will not be set. In short, this means that if you do not have access to a DLT drive or cannot output a DDP master, your DVD will not be encrypted.
Misconception 2: The actual CSS scrambling is done at the factory. When a DLT or DDP master coming in with the CSS check flag set, during glass mastering, the replicator applies the CSS algorithm to the DVD project. Another common misunderstanding is that since CSS is applied at the factory, many clients want to turn in a playable DVD-R master without CSS flag set and ask if we can apply the CSS at that point. This is not technologically possible. The master must have the CSS Flag set for us to apply it at glass mastering. We can take your playable DVDR master and remaster to DDP to apply the CSS, but this is an extra cost of $300-$450 depending on the master DVD-5 or DVD-9.
Misconception 3: Replicators – Many replicators, especially those overseas do not pay the CSS royalty fees for CSS, and therefore do not have the technology to apply the CSS encryption to your DVD project. A good way to find out if your replicator is offering legitimate CSS encryption is to ask them if they pay the CSS royalty and that you want an Eclipse report showing that CSS is verified on the master. If you want CSS, you may have to stick with a domestic manufacturer in the US. Most US DVD manufacturers offer CSS, however, some of the smaller outfits may not.
In short, if you want CSS applied to your DVD, you need to do your homework,……get linked up with a good credible replicator who can help you through these steps to make sure you get the copy protection you want on your DVD project.
If you have more questions regarding CSS Encryption please give us a call at 888-889-2926, call me direct, ask for Brian or you can email me at briangfisher@dvdduplication.net.
Dual Layer Burnables
October 11, 2009 by Brian G Fisher
DVD Duplication.net has continued to add capacity for Dual layer burnables. Early on in the dual layer life cycle we were very hesitant to offer dual layer burnable services, ie DVD-DL Duplication. However, as the technology matured and the life cycle progressed, we have become more and more comfortable with the reliability of the burnable dual layer DVDs. This is not to be confused with DVD-9 which is Replication. DVD-9 is a dual layer replicated disc that normally start at 1000 units and are entirely robust and reliable. They are the typical Hollywood movie DVDs that you rent.
In the past the lower volume burnables, however, have been known to have quality issues, which is why we did not offer that service or promote dual layer DVD Duplication. We do see the technology maturing now to the point where we can comfortably offer a dual layer duplication service with a good quality guarantee. These orders are still taken with a caveat, that there may be some compatibility issues with some players. These discs themselves, though burn well and the data is guaranteed to be intact.
If you need more information about Dual Layer discs, just give us a call or write.
Ask for Amy or Brian.
DVD Duplication Still Strong over Blu-ray Duplication
June 29, 2009 by Brian G Fisher
DVD Duplication and Replication is still the optical medium of choice for most filmmakers and video professionals. Although Blu-ray Disc has been making inroads, it is still cost prohibitive for most smaller Video and Film professionals.
Most Blu-ray Duplication is currently done for special use, screening and captive audience forums where high def is proffered. However, widespread adoption of home players will be a requirement before we believe that film and video developers will show signs of adoption.
For more information on our Manufacturing services you can contact us at 1-866-210-8767. Ask for Brian or Amy.
Top 3 DVD Duplication Burning Tips
April 28, 2009 by Brian G Fisher
If you are going to be burning a DVD+/-R, there are 3 simple rules you can follow to get a great burn.
1. Always use good media blanks – probably the best way to ensure that you get a good DVD burn is to buy quality media. Taiyo Yuden, Sony and Verbatim are three of the best and will give you excellent results.
2. Once you start burning your disc, don’t touch your computer until it is done burning your disc. When you use other applications while burning discs, the file interrupts can cause a hiccup in the disc. Your disc may play fine, but there will still be a higher likelyhood for errors.
3. Verify your burn. – on many DVD burner softwares, you can go into the options and check a box that will verify the burn once your disc is done burning. The software should then tell you that your disc has been burned and that the content has been verified.
If all three of these steps are taken, you can be sure that you have a great DVD burn that should be reliable and work for many years to come.
If you want more information on DVD Duplication Services or DVD Replication Services, please contact us at.
1-866-210-8768
How to make quality DVD Duplications
January 10, 2009 by Brian G Fisher
There are a few simple rules to making solid copies of your DVD project.
DVD Duplication is basically the burning from one master DVD to another DVD R disc. Most home computers have DVD Burners on them, and most Video and Film editors and professionals…and beginners…. should always consider these three things when making copies of their DVD projects.
1. Use a good burner-look into technical reviews of the burner you have….go to forums on DVD burners and get objective opinions on burners. The short of the story is that you get what you pay for. A $29 burner will most likely not give you very good results. If you spend $100 on a good brand name that is proven, you will have more success.
2. Use good media, only use top tier media, plain and simple,…..Taiyo Yuden, Sony, Falcon, Verbatim. In my onpinion, that is it. Don’t try to save a few pennies on cheaper media. These are droves of companies selling cheap media that will result in bad copies and angry and frustrated customers.
3. When you burn your disc, leave your computer alone. If you are running concurrent or background tasks on your machine while your DVD Duplication is going, you risk a glitch in the disc due to buffer problems and IRQ interruptions.
That’s about it, do these three things, and you will most likely have a trouble free time of burning quality DVDs on your computer.
For more information on Do it Yourself DVD Duplication, contact us at 1-866-210-8768. You can ask for me directly and I will always be willing to discuss the business of DVDs.
DVD Replication or DVD Duplication?
December 8, 2008 by Brian G Fisher
In a nutshell most clients can decide whether you need DVD Duplication or DVD Replication by using this simple criteria.
For DVD Duplication -
1. Most cost effective under 1000 pcs.
2. Turn times are typically on 2-3 business days.
For DVD Replication -
1. Most cost effective at 1000 pcs or more
2. Standard turn times are usually 5-7 business days for bulk.
3. If you have mastered on DLT you can utilize CSS copy protection.
Quality is the same for both as we use Tier 1 blanks for duplication and similar printing.
Quality DVD Duplication Companies
November 15, 2008 by Brian G Fisher
There are a lot of DVD Duplication companies out there. CD and DVD Duplication services are widely perceived as a commodity, but this is not the case in most instances. DVD Duplication Services can vary widely depending on the the company, what type of equipment the company uses and the materials used.
The components that make up a DVD product are,
1. cases
2. insert printing
3. disc printing
4 disc blanks
Every one of these components can be produced or sourced cheaply and often result in lower quality. The converse is also true, high quality components will result in a high quality end product.
So the key to finding a good DVD Duplication Company is to ask questions about the quality of the above mentioned components.
Secondarily, look into the companies quality policy,….do they back up their product, do they openly share information about the quality of their work and where referrals and other objective evaluations of their work can be found.
The bottom line is that like with most things you get what you pay for. Good media, boxes and printing costs more. Well managed businesses that respect, understand, and service, the needs of their clients also takes good training, organization and commitment. All of these things contribute to manufacturing a high quality DVD Duplication.
