Commercial DVD format- what is it?!

Skyar wrote on 1/15/2003, 9:59 PM
I'm about to purchase a DVD burner and I want to get a format that will play
on most newer DVDs. I went to a local computer store the other night and the
sales rep said that commercial DVDs will play on any and all home DVD players,
but that personal DVDs will only work with compatible players. My question is
how do commmercial DVD maufacturers make a format that will play on all DVDs?
Can I burn this format at home? And what format will play on most newer DVDs?

Comments

BillyBoy wrote on 1/15/2003, 10:35 PM
Short answer; you can't. A "commercial" DVD and CD's first require the making of a "master" from which all the duplicates you buy in a store are made from. When you "burn" a DVD or "CD" using a PC type computer the process is similar but at best quality is hit or miss and the slighest burp during the burn process can make the DVD or CD you're making turn into a coaster. Another issue is the reflectivity of the media which as I understand it is less reflective than the media you can get at your local Best Buy or CompuUSA.

Interesting reading:

http://www.dvddemystified.com/dvdfaq.html#1.1
discdude wrote on 1/16/2003, 8:17 AM
The process through which a commerical CD or DVD is created is completely different than the way you "burn" a CD or DVD.

A commercial disc is created through an injection molding process which creates "pits" in the plastic (polycarbonate) layer. These pits scatter light which represents a "zero" in the digital signal.

A recordable disc has a completely smooth plastic layer. Instead of the reflective aluminium layer you find in a commercial disc, a recordable disc has a "dye" layer. This dye reflects light until you "burn" it, whereas it no longer reflects light, representing a zero.

As BillyBoy mentioned, recordable discs have a different reflectivity than commercial discs.

Hope this clears up any confusion.
JJKizak wrote on 1/16/2003, 9:34 AM
Also commercial discs are dual layer 8.6 gig., and the discs available
to us are single layer 4.7 gig.

James J. Kizak
Simmer wrote on 1/16/2003, 11:32 AM
Skyar

There are compatibility issues, but don't feel daunted by it.
Look at VCDHelp.com for some good info (check left column for definitions and guidlines).

If you get into movie editing and DVD-burning, this forum and forums under the link above (VCDHelp.com) will get you going for sure.

-Mike



miketree wrote on 1/17/2003, 3:44 AM
On VCDhelp there is also a compatablility table showing which DVDs players will play which formats (The make of media is also important - some players won't play DVDs burned on cheap media.)