Dual layer DVD questions

kunal wrote on 5/14/2007, 8:38 PM
Hello,

I have a 3 hr long movie that I'm going to be putting on a DVD. I'm considering going for a DL DVD as opposed to trying to cram it onto a single layer.

I went through some of the past related threads and from what I could summarize, the main issues here are:
DL DVDs can run into playback compatibility issues - however, most of these can be resolved by changing the booktype to DVD-ROM and by using high quality blank media.

My questions are:
a) What DL blank media do you recommend? Verbatims? As I understand, DVD+R is the way to go?
b) Does DVD-architect have ability to change booktype? Is changing of booktype something that both the burning s/w and the burner have to capable of doing or does it suffice to just have a burning s/w (or the burner) be capable of doing this?
c) Any other potential issues I need to watch out for with the DL DVDs?

Thanks!
Kunal.

Comments

Spot|DSE wrote on 5/14/2007, 9:11 PM
Most/many replicators will not accept D/L as a master, so check with your replicator. Fortunately DVD A 4 can output a master file to two discs as a DDP set, very easy to do.
Watch for the split point, this can occasionally be a problem.
Verbatim seems to be just fine for D/L's. We typically send one Verbatim and one TY to our replicator (two copies of each DDP layer) for redundancy, and the Verbatims have always been just fine.
You'll be much happier with the quality of the bitrate at 3 hours over D/L vs trying to cram it onto a 4.7 disc, however.
Serena wrote on 5/14/2007, 9:43 PM
If you're just wanting to burn a DL, I've found Verbatim most reliable (+R) and have let DVDA sort it out (ie, not ROM). DVDA will point to and allow you to adjust the change-over point. Nice to place that where the pause isn't distracting.
kunal wrote on 5/15/2007, 1:53 PM
Thanks for the replies Spot and Serena. What's a DDP, btw?
blink3times wrote on 5/15/2007, 2:24 PM
"If you're just wanting to burn a DL, I've found Verbatim most reliable (+R) and have let DVDA sort it out (ie, not ROM). DVDA will point to and allow you to adjust the change-over point. Nice to place that where the pause isn't distracting."
==========================

Ditto.

I have learned through experience that you can use just about ANY SL disk and get away with it. But DL disks are different... you need to spend some money and get good quality disks... I use nothing but Verbatim for all DL work. I have had problems with everything EXCEPT verbatim.
Coursedesign wrote on 5/15/2007, 4:18 PM
I have had problems with everything EXCEPT verbatim.

Does that mean that you have tested Taiyo Yuden DL disks and had problems with them?
craftech wrote on 5/15/2007, 5:44 PM
Every time this discussion comes up I give the same suggestion:

Make it TWO DISCS.

John
riredale wrote on 5/16/2007, 12:37 AM
I have done huge projects both ways. The most recent one was put on single Verbatim DVD+R DoubleLayer blanks and burned at 8x on my NEC burners. Just perfect results.

The only drawbacks were (a) no Watershield glossy surface available yet, and (b) disks are ~$2 each versus $0.60 for two single-layer disks. But to me it was worth it. No compatibility issues whatever.

I did not use DVD-A to author or burn. I author with DVDlabPro and burn the D/L stuff with Copy2DVD as recommended by them. Nero is horrible at D/L, excellent otherwise.