DVD Authoring Information

What You Need to Supply

All masters must be ready for production.  We copy the master "as is".  We assume that you have tested the data, video quality, sound quality, menus, and software functionality.

Simply copying files to a DLT Tape or a DVD-R disc is not the same as mastering a discs.  Common mastering software includes: DVD Studio Pro(Apple), Sonic DVD Creator, Sonic DVD Fusion, Sonic Scenarist, Sonic Reel DVD.

Media Accepted for DVD Masters
The media accepted for a DVD-5 is different from the media accepted for a DVD-9.
Do not send the only copy of your master!  Keep an identical backup.  Business Replication is not responsible for damage or loss to a master in transit, or data corruption discovered during the glass mastering process.

DVD-5
For DVD-5 replication we accept a DLT tape or a DVD-R disc.  With proof of copyright authorization, we can also accept an unencrypted DVD replica.

The advantage of DVD-R media is that you can create a one-off proof.  Many clients create this proof, and pass the DVD-R around for proofing and testing, but still send us the final data on a DLT. 

DVD-9
For DVD-9 replication we accept DLT tape.  Each layer must be on a separate DLT tape, so you will supply two tapes.  With proof of copyright authorization, we can also accept an unencrypted DVD-9 replica.

We accept the following DLT tape formats:  DLT III, DLT III XT, or DLT IV

Can I use a DVD-RAM disc as a master?   No, DVD-RAM is not acceptable as a pre-master DVD.  It is a sectored media (like a hard drive) and is designed for re-writeable usage. It is not playable in consumer DVD players or most DVD computer drives.  DVD-RAM is more like a Zip or Jazz drive, and is not originally intended for video purpose or large scale software distribution.

DVD Disc Encryption
To make the DVDs more difficult to copy, many long run DVD Videos are encrypted.  The two major encryption schemes are CSS encryption and Macrovision.

CSS Encryption
CSS Encryption (Content Scrambling System) is intended to prevent the digital copying of video files directly from the DVD disc.  This encryption scheme will prevent the casual user from copying a DVD on their computer.  Like all encryption schemes this method is not perfect.  Software is readily available to allow a hacker or pirate to copy an encrypted disc. 

DLT tapes are the only media accept if your project needs CSS encryption.  Although you can supply a DLT already CSS encrypted, in most cases you will supply the DLT tape not encrypted.  We will then add the encryption during our glass mastering process.  Additional mastering fees apply for CSS encryption.

Macrovison
The Macrovision Analog Copy Protection (ACP) System prevents the copying from a DVD to VHS by making the pictures noisy and unstable when converted to the analog video format used for VHS.  This is a very effective copy protection system, but does not stop copying from DVD to DVD-R on a PC.

Macrovision must be implemented by you during the authoring process.  You pay a per disc licensing fee for the ACP.  You will need to contact Macrovision and complete a usage agreement with Macrovision.  Macrovision will then supply you with a contract that allows you to produce the licensed number of discs using their ACP.  Business Replication's licensed DVD manufacturing facility will report to Macrovision the volume of disc produced for your order.  You are then billed by Macrovision based on the number of discs produced.

Anti Piracy Compliance Program
Business Replication and Print, Inc. respects and supports the copyrights of others. We require written documentation that you have the legal rights to replicated the information on your DVD project.  Completion of the Intellectual Property Rights Form, and Indemnification Letter is required for all projects.  Some projects may require additional documentation.

Content Standards
Business Replication and Print does not replicate or print any "Adult Content" or offensive material.  Material determined to be "adult content" or "offensive" by the management of Business Replication and Print will be returned to the customer. 

Patents and Royalties:
The "basic" manufacturing royalties paid to the companies that hold the patents associated with the replication process are included in our DVD price list.   You can not legally manufacture a DVD without paying these royalties, so we include them in our pricing structure.  The basic patent royalties are .138 for a DVD-5, and .144 for a DVD-9.  To avoid the possibility of legal prosecution, fines, and seizure of your products you should insure that your DVD and CDs are manufactured by a full licensed replicator.  All of Business Replication and Print manufacturing facilities are fully licensed.

Additional royalties may be required depending on the features used in the software of your disc. Examples of additional royalties include:  MPEG LA (if MPEG compression is used), Dolby (if Dolby sound processing is used), Thompson Multimedia (if MP3 is used), Macrovision (if Macrovision encoding processing is used), DVD Copy Control Association (if CSS encryption) is used.

These royalties are subject to change as the licensing rules and agreements are modified. 

This is not intended to be a complete list of all royalties due.  Each project is different so the royalties will vary with the features used on the disc. 

If you project does not use any features requiring royalty fees, then no additional royalty charges will apply.