Applying CSS Encryption to your DVD Project

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

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

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.

Top Tips for Manufacturing your DVD

There are two main tips for making sure that your DVD Duplication or Replication project goes off without a hitch.

1.  Artwork prep, artwork prep, …artwork prep.  This is the number one issue that will slow down a DVD project.  Take the time to plan ahead and read our artwork specifications and use the proper templates.  Back and forth on artwork corrections is the number one thing that will slow down  the production of your DVD project.  We do everything we can on our end to help adjust artwork to minimize problems, however, there are circumstances where we cannot make adjustments to your artwork to get it to fit our specs.  Sending your artwork back for you to re-do will delay a project by at minimum of one day, so plan ahead.

2. If you are new to DVD authoring, plan to spend at least 3 times as much time as you  think it will take to finish your DVD master.  DVD authoring is not as simple as hitting a button and making a DVD master.  Usually most clients who are new to DVD authoring find that there is a long period of trial and error before the actual DVD works the way they envisioned.  Video Quality vs. Compression parameters, menu creation and authoring and system crashes seem to be the big three problems here.  Plan ahead so you have you master ready to go.

Always remember that time is money in manufacturing.  We can offer more reasonable prices at longer lead times, but as art or master problems arise, we will have to shorten our lead times to make your delivery date.  Those shortened lead times come with rush fees and premium prices to make up for the quick turns.

If you need more information about dvd manufacturing services just take a look at our services tab or call us at 1-888-889-2926.  Ask for Brian or Amy

Longevity of Burnable Digital Versatile Discs

I just read another article about the low lifetime  for burnable DVDRs.  The author of this article was stating that his burned home DVDRs only lasted about 5 years.   This is a fairly common occurrence and a general failing of both the industry providers of blank media and consumers who want cheap media.  Blank media manufacturers products exhibit a wide range of good to bad media.  Some companies produce very inexpensive DVDRs, of which the dye is out of spec and degrades quite quickly.  Unfortunately the unsuspecting consumers who purchase these blanks will find that some of these discs will burn and play at the onset, however, after 6 months, 1 year , 5 years the DVDs no longer play.  This is due to the dye that is used in manufacturing of the DVDRs.  All DVDR dye is organic, and as such has a half life and a lifespan.  A quality blank manufacturer’s discs may last to projected lifetime of 100 years , where a poorly manufactured disc may only last for 6 months after it has been burned.  At DVDduplication.net we are constantly communicating to our clients that using quality blank media is of paramount importance.  If you need your DVDs to play on the widest variety of set top players and computers and you want the DVDs to last, there is a cost vs. quality trade-off.  Most times you wont even know you have trouble discs until 6 months down the road your DVDs don’t play.

So if you want your home movies that you have burned on disc to last, spend the extra money and buy a good brand name so you don’t end up with a bunch of “coaster” instead.

For more information about burning good Digital Versatile Discs, click here and go back to our website.

New Low Carbon Footprint Flex Disc comes Under Fire

I just read and interesting article.

For the past few years there has been a more earth friendly DVD that has been produced by CD Digital Card in Rancho Cucamonga.  We have done business with CD Digital Card in the past and I have found them to be a very good company.

Their innovation is called a flex DVD and has only half the plastic that a normal Digital Versatile Disc has.  This innovation is a real step towards helping reduce the carbon foot print of the Video and Film industry.

It looks like this innovation is potentially at risk according to an article I just read in the Earth Times which states that  CD Digital Card “is taking the DVD Format/Logo Licensing Corporation (DVD FLLC) head on”.

From what I surmise, the FLLC is trying to stop the manufacture of the Flex Disc domestically.  I would like to have more information regarding this case, as it looks to me to be an issue of legal protectionism vs. an innovation that can do some real good for our environment.

I will try to stay abreast of this situation and keep posting my finding.

How to make quality DVD Duplications

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.

Quality DVD Duplication Companies

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.