Writing the Project to Disc or Tape

Once you have thoroughly tested the project’s navigation, playback quality, and synchronization, you are ready to write the project to CD-R for playback on computers, DVD-R for playback on both computers and set-top DVD players, or DLT tape for mass replication.

This section includes the following topics:

Writing to CD-R or DVD-R

If you want to create just a few copies of your project for playback in consumer set-top DVD players, as well as on computers, you can output the project to DVD-R media. You can also output the project to CD-R media for playback on computers.

Note: DVD players may not support playback from CD-R or DVD-R media. If the disc you create is not recognized by your player, or exhibits break-up of the video or audio during playback, consult the player’s manufacturer regarding support for CD-R or DVD-R media.

To output to CD-R or DVD-R:
  1. With the ReelDVD Tutorial project open, choose File > Make Disc. The Make Disc dialog opens.
  2. In the Step 1 section, select all three options: Create DVD Video Files, Create Disc Image File, and Write to Device.

    3. If you have previously written the DVD-VIdeo files and disc image (see Writing the Disc Image Files), and have not made any subsequent changes to the project, you can deselect the options for Create DVD Video Files and Create Disc Image. ReelDVD will use the existing DVD Video files.

  3. Select your CD-R or DVD-R recorder from the Target Device list.

    4. ReelDVD supports a wide variety DVD recorders. If your device is supported and properly connected and powered on, ReelDVD will automatically recognize it.

  4. Select the Simulate Write option if you want to test the output process without actually burning a disc.
  5. In the Step 2 section, set the Disc Name and Target Directories.

    6. If you have previously configured the Layout Settings (see Writing the Disc Image Files), these options are set automatically and need not be changed.

  6. Click Start to begin and insert a blank disc when prompted.

The layout process that follows takes approximately 5 minutes to compile and another 10 minutes to burn to disc, depending on the speed of your computer and recorder.

When the output process has completed, ReelDVD will indicate a successful disc creation. If, however, there are any errors during the process, a corresponding error message will appear in the Information window, and ReelDVD will indicate that the output failed.

Writing to DLT Tape

If you want to have your project manufactured on a large scale, the best option is usually to write it to DLT tape and send it to a DVD replicator for mass production. DLT tape is the standard format for delivering DVD content for replication.

To output to DLT tape:
  1. With the ReelDVD Tutorial project open, choose File > Make Disc. The Make Disc dialog opens.
  2. In the Step 1 section, select all three options: Create DVD Video Files, Create Disc Image File, and Write to Device.

    3. If you have previously written the DVD-VIdeo files and disc image (see Writing the Disc Image Files), and have not made any subsequent changes to the project, you can deselect the options for Create DVD Video Files and Create Disc Image. ReelDVD will use the existing DVD Video files.

  3. Select your DLT tape drive in the Target Device list.

    4. ReelDVD supports a wide variety tape drives. If your device is supported and properly connected and powered on, ReelDVD will automatically recognize it.

  4. Insert a blank DLT Type III tape in the drive.

    5. Most replicators require Type III tapes (rather than Type IIIxt or IV). Check with your replicator for specific DLT tape requirements.

  5. In the Step 2 section, set the Disc Name and Target Directories.

    6. If you have previously configured the Layout Settings (see Writing the Disc Image Files), these options are set automatically and need not be changed.

  6. Click Start to begin compiling the project and writing it to tape.

The layout process that follows takes approximately 5 minutes to compile and another 10 minutes to write to tape, depending on the speed of your computer. When it completes, you will have a “DDP 2.0 format” DLT tape ready for shipment to the replicator.

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