Outputting the Project

After checking a project in Simulation mode, and perhaps in Sonic CinePlayer, the next step is to premaster a DVD disc. There are two stages to this process. One involves setting the disc name and creating the disc image file, and the other involves writing that disc image to CD media (CD-R or CD-RW), DVD-R (a recordable DVD), or DLT tape (a master tape for replication).

In ReelDVD, the premastering process is handled in the Make Disc dialog. Default settings for the dialog are set in the Layout Settings tab of the Project Settings dialog (see Layout Settings Tab).

To open the dialog, choose File > Make Disc or click the Make Disc button on the Tool Bar. The operations covered in the Make Disc dialog are organized into two steps:

In Step 1 – Choose Operation, check the desired operations (Create DVD Video Files, Create Disc Image File, and Write to Device), and select an output device if Write to Device is selected.

If you have previously performed the Create DVD Video Files operation, and have not made any subsequent changes to the project, you can skip this operation. ReelDVD will use the existing DVD Video files.

In Step 2 – Choose Disc Name and Target Directories, enter the disc volume name and select the output directories for the project data.

If you have previously set default layout settings in the Project Settings dialog, they will automatically appear here in the Make Disc dialog. See Layout Settings Tab for more information on setting layout defaults.

Click Start to begin.

See Make Disc Dialog for further explanation of these steps and of the Make Disc dialog.

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.

To output your ReelDVD project to CD-R or DVD-R:

Click the Make Disc button in the tool bar, or choose File > Make Disc.

In Step 1 – Choose Operation, check all three operations: Create DVD Video Files, Create Disc Image File, and Write to Device.

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

Check the Simulate Write option if you want to test the output process without actually burning a disc.

Set the Disc Name and Target Directories in the Step 2 section of the Make Disc dialog.

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

When the output process is complete, 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 hundreds or thousands of copies of your project, you will want to have the DVDs manufactured at a replication plant. To do so, you will need to provide the plant with a master for your project.

The standard format on which plants accept projects for replication is DLT (most plants currently will not accept masters on DVD-R). The DVD disc image is written to tape, which is then read at the plant. Because the tape is prepared in accordance with the DDP 2.0 disc description protocol, it is sometimes referred to as a DDP Master.

To output a project to DLT tape, you need a DLT tape drive connected to the computer. ReelDVD works with Quantum DLT2000, DLT4000, DLT7000, DLT8000 or equivalent tape drives. Valid tape drives will automatically be detected by ReelDVD and appear in the Target Device drop-down list of the Make Disc dialog box. Check the Write to Device option and choose the DLT drive from this list.

To output your ReelDVD project to DLT tape:

Click the Make Disc button in the tool bar, or choose File > Make Disc.

In Step 1 – Choose Operation, check all three operations: Create DVD Video Files, Create Disc Image File, and Write to Device.

Select the DLT tape drive from the Target Device list.

Check the Verify Output option if you would like ReelDVD to perform a byte-for-byte comparison of the completed DLT with the source image on the computer’s hard drive. Although this doubles the time required for the output process, it is recommended because it ensures that the tape is valid and ready for replication. Finding problems with the master before hundreds or thousands of discs are replicated can result in a significant savings in both time and money.

Set the Disc Name and Target Directories in the Step 2 section of the Make Disc dialog.

Click Start to begin and insert a blank DLT tape when prompted.

When the output process is complete, ReelDVD will indicate a successful tape 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.