DVD Types

mel58i wrote on 9/20/2004, 12:18 PM

Everybody is using the standard 4.3(7) GB dvd blanks, which can restrict the amount of time squeezed onto them.
I know dual layer discs exists (most features use them), but my question really is - are they available to use and can a standard rw drive burn them, and what about the aurthoring s/w?
I am in UK land so the answer may be different in the US etc.

Mel.

Comments

B.Verlik wrote on 9/20/2004, 12:31 PM

Don't have direct experience. You can find discs at Meritline dot com, you need a recorder specifically designed to handle the discs and if you go just a couple of pages back to older topics, you can find discussions of burning these discs.

bStro wrote on 9/20/2004, 1:23 PM

are they available to use

They're available, but they're somewhat scarce and rather expensive.

can a standard rw drive burn them

No, you need a burner that supports dual layer discs.

what about the aurthoring s/w

You need an authoring program that supports dual layer discs. I'm not entirely clear on what's involved in this part. I've seen a lot of people guess on it, but I've yet to see anyone say for sure how the layer switch needs to be handled -- if the authoring program can do this or if the burning one has to. Some have said you can just create dual-disc sized project in DVDA and use a supporting burn program to put it on a dual layer disc. But I've yet to hear anyone say the actually did this.

As implied above, finally, you need a burning program that will burn to a dual layer disc. Some of the popular burning programs, including Nero, were updated for this around the time dual layer discs started to ship.

DVD Architect does not support burning to dual layer discs. (Or if it does, it will only use the first layer.)

Rob