A "Must Read" DVD Guide

dsanders wrote on 2/13/2003, 5:20 PM
For everybody interested in creating DVDs and getting the most out of their DVD Authoring experience, there is must read web site and book available. Check out www.dvddemystified.com and John Taylor's book "DVD Demystified". There are a lot of features that I see people requesting here that would be nice to have. However in many cases what seems like a simple enhancement is not possible due to the restrictions of the DVD spec. The web site and book is a great aid in finding out what really makes a DVD tick.

No, John Taylor is not a relative of mine and I don't get any kickbacks :>)

Comments

seeker wrote on 2/23/2003, 5:25 AM
"DVD Demystified" was unquestionably the most authoritative DVD book when it was published, but with a 2000 copyright, I think it is due or overdue for a new revision. Anything it has on DVD authoring software is woefully out of date, as is any hardware coverage. Let's see: hardware out of date, software out of date. What is left? Well there is the data structure, but I think I will wait to buy its 3rd Edition which, in my opinion, should come out this year. What we need to be "Demystified" about now is why the 3rd Edition isn't already out. In my opinion.

-- Seeker --
dsanders wrote on 2/24/2003, 1:30 PM
If you are new to DVD Authoring, the book can be very helpfull. The basic structure of a DVD is something a lot of people simply don't understand. For instance title sets, program chains, overlays, and audio compression are all topics that everybody should be at least familar with. If you take a look at this forum it is filled with questions that are very easily answered in the book. I do agree that the book should be updated, but it still is a valuable reference.
seeker wrote on 3/1/2003, 12:42 AM
The book "DVD Authoring and Production" by Ralph Labarge, CMP Books, Bk&DVD edition (August 2001), has an editorial review by Jim Taylor, Chief of DVD Technology, Sonic Solutions; author of "DVD Demystified" and the online "DVD FAQ", that says,

"This book takes up where DVD Demystified leaves off, explaining the vital details of designing, producing, and selling a DVD."

Both books can be very interesting to someone who is interested in DVD authoring, but in my opinion both books are simply out of date. Interest in the field of DVD authoring is growing at a very rapid rate now, with a rapid influx of people who are interested in doing DVD authoring, if only at a hobbyist level, and rapid introduction of new versions of DVD authoring software on a virtually monthly basis. Sonic Foundry's release of DVD Architect last month is just another example of how rapidly things are changing in this field. Yet those 2001-vintage and 2000-vintage books are talking about the now defunct Spruce Up. Maybe it is about time for a 2003 publication of "DVD Authoring for Dummies."

-- Seeker --