FAQs: GENERAL | HD MEDIA | BLU-RAY | DESIGN GUIDELINES
01. Does Cine-O-Matic work with High Definition Video?
02. What's involved in making a Blu-ray disc?
03. What can I do to ensure my production stays on schedule?
04. Designing For Video
05. What are the basic steps involved with making a DVD?
06. Can I provide my own menus?
07. Can I deliver my video on hard-drive?
08. Can I add CSS protection to my finished DVD?
09. Can I provide a DVD as a source master?
10. Can you combine 2 finished DVD's into 1?
11. Why are your rates so high?!
12. Why are your rates so low?!
13. Do you make glass masters? What is a DLT master?
14. How much video can I fit on a DVD?
15. How do I get my DVD replicated?
16. Acceptable button highlights
17. Frame specific chapter points
18. Can you bring my home movies to DVD?
19. What is Compression?
20. What is Encoding?
21. What is bitrate?
22. Is all encoding the same?
23. What encoders do you use?
24. Why does the volume of my DVD seem low?
25. Can a DVD also contain data files like a PDF for my computer?
26. Can I have web-links on my DVD?
27. Typical DVD Structure
FAQ 01: Does Cine-O-Matic work with High Definition Video?
Yes. Cine-O-Matic designs and authors fully-functional Blu-ray discs using professional software, including mastering to Sony BD CMF (Blu-ray Disc Cutting Master Format) for commercial Blu-ray replication.
We also produce HD transport streams to spec; compatible with any industry standard broadcast or video-on-demand system.
See our HD FAQ
FAQ 02: What's involved in making a Blu-ray disc?
The process of producing a Blu-ray disc differs considerably from DVD.
See our Blu-ray FAQ
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FAQ 03: How can I ensure a smooth production that stays on schedule?
Prepare your assets properly before you send them to Cine-O-Matic.
RECOMENDED ASSET PREPARATION:
DVD MENU ASSETS
If you are providing your own menu designs, it's best to provide them as an layered Photoshop files. Leave the layers intact and include with your files any fonts that were used in the design. This allows the greatest flexibility for any changes that need to be made down the line. We also recommend providing a flattened version as JPEG or TIFF to ensure that the proper layers are used in the final menu. Button highlights (overlays/sub pictures) should be provided on a separate layer as a grayscale image.
All menu files should be in RGB, 720 x 480 pixels with a pixel aspect ratio of either D1/DV NTSC (0.9) or D1/DV NTSC Widescreen (1.42).
Dimensions of 720 x 540 pixels with a square pixel aspect ratio are also acceptable.
For more information about Pixel aspect ratio see FAQ: Designing For Video
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ASSETS FOR DESIGN
We encourage our clients to provide us with any additional art materials that are being used on their DVD project. Posters, promotional materials, the DVD package design, logos, digital stills taken during production, are all useful to our design department. These elements help guide the direction of the design so that it fits with the overall aesthetic of the project. Original working files are best, but as a general rule, the more art materials you are able to provide, the better.
VIDEO
Check the quality of your source material before shipping it to Cine-O-Matic. It's also important to be aware that tape glitches, audio drop outs, non rendered segments, and frame rate issues that are a part of the provided master will end up a part of the encoded video. Cine-O-Matic performs thorough quality control checks on every title, but the sooner issues are identified, the less likely they are to effect your production schedule and budget.
Always check your video on a calibrated NTSC monitor. Many issues – such as field order, interlace flicker, and color – can remain undetected when viewed on a computer monitor.
Acceptable Video Formats:
Cine-O-Matic accepts most standard analog and digital tape formats. If you are providing your video as a file on a hard drive we recommend the following formats:
For Standard Definition (quicktime or avi):
10-bit uncompressed 4:2:2
8-bit uncompressed 4:2:2
DVCPRO50
DV/DVCPRO
For High Definition (quicktime or avi):
10-bit uncompressed 4:2:2
8-bit uncompressed 4:2:2
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All video should be standard frame rates: 29.97 fps or 23.976 fps. When in doubt stick to the presets provided in your editing software.
AUDIO
The majority of audio is typically already a part of the file or laid to tape with the video. Additional audio intended for menu music, commentary tracks or surround sound can be provided on a CD, data disc, hard drive, or uploaded to our FTP. Uncompressed audio files are recommended (AIFF or WAV).
For surround sound audio tracks, provide each channel as a separate audio file labeled accordingly.
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FAQ 04: Designing For Video
Video has limitations not found in print or web design. If you plan on providing your own menu designs, we recommend observing our menu design guidelines.
FAQ 05: What are the basic steps involved with making a DVD?
1. Planning
Determine what content and features you would like on your DVD and how you would like them presented. Define a structure for your DVD title that allows your viewers to navigate the content easily. See FAQ: Typical DVD Structure
Collect and organize all assets and prepare them for delivery to Cine-O-Matic. See FAQ: Recommended DVD Project Preparation
2. Encoding
To fit hours of video content on a DVD the video must be compressed. At this stage we determine the total amount of video to be encoded, calculate the proper bitrate to provide maximum quality, and choose an encoder that's most suitable for your video. Frame specific chapter points are added at this stage.
Cine-O-Matic utilizes professional grade encoders to ensure superior video quality. See FAQ: Is all encoding the same?
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3. Menu Design
Menus are the primary way your viewers will access your DVD's content. At Cine-O-Maic we specialize in creating innovative, custom menu designs for each and every project. See some of our work here.
Many of our clients choose to submit their own designs or work with us to adapt their artwork to DVD. Whatever your preference, we will work with you to design and implement a menu system that reflects your project's aesthetic and budget. See FAQ: Can I Provide My Own Menus?
4. Authoring
The programming stage that makes a DVD interactive. Button navigation, chapter placement, content routing, and scripting comes together to create a working DVD that is easy for your audience to navigate and enjoy.
5. Mastering
DLT for replication. Region codes are set, disc names are written, and copy protection is added when requested. This master is what you present to the replicator for production. See FAQ: How do I get my DVD replicated?
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FAQ 06: Can I provide my own menus?
Yes. Many of our clients provide us with menu designs to implement into their DVD. There are special considerations to take into account when designing menus, see FAQ: Designing For Video.
FAQ 07: Can I deliver my
video on hard-drive?
Yes. See: Acceptable Video Formats
FAQ 08: Can I add CSS protection
to my finished DVD?
Yes, we provide CSS copy protection and Macrovision upon request.
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FAQ 09: Can I provide a DVD as
a source master?
Yes, but it is not recommended because a DVD is already a compressed format. In many cases the video must be re-compressed and the quality of the video can suffer as a result.
FAQ 10: Can you combine 2 finished
DVD's into 1?
Yes, but any time you exceed the optimum, standard amount of content for your media, you sacrifice quality. See FAQ: How much video can I fit on a DVD?
FAQ 11: Why are your rates so high?!
We use professional grade equipment and hardware encoders that meet the spec of our broadcast and the motion picture customers.
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FAQ 12: Why are your rates so low?!
We believe in fair pricing and keeping our business overhead low.
FAQ 13: Do you make glass masters? What is a DLT master?
We finish the job with a DVD-R for duplication or a DLT for replication. The DLT is sent to your replicator and they create a glass master that is used to stamp the discs on the assembly line.
FAQ 14: How much video can I fit
on a DVD?
Optimum content lengths for dvd media are as follows:
• DVDR-5 for standard definition content < 2 hours
• DVDR-9 for standard definition content < 4 hours
• 25GB Blu-ray for content < 3 - 9 hours (content dependent)
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FAQ 15: How do I get my DVD replicated?
The masters we produce are completely compatible with professional replication facilities. If you are interested in quality replication services Cine-O-Matic recommends our sister company: DVDTransfer.com
FAQ 16: Acceptable Button Highlights:
When a button is selected or activated on a DVD menu a highlight is used to indicate this to a viewer. Unlike web sites, DVD's are not capable of "image swapping" and/or animated buttons. To indicate what is highlighted by the DVD player a grayscale sub picture or overlay is created. Once authored, the black areas in the sub picture will highlight.
FAQ 17: Frame specific chapter points.
After video is encoded for DVD, we have the ability to place chapter points in 15 frame increments. If you require more specific chapter point placement, we request that a list of chapter points with corresponding time codes is included with the video master.
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FAQ 18: Can you bring my home movies to DVD?
Cine-O-Matic specializes in professional level DVD and Blu-ray production. For the majority of personal video transfers our services exceed the requirements. We are happy to recommend video transfer services that offer a more cost effective solution to those that need them.
FAQ 19: What is Compression?
Uncompressed video requires massive amounts of data to make up a picture. This amount of data far exceeds the storage capabilities of DVD's and the bandwidth available to cable and satellite. Compression reduces the data needed to reproduce audio and/or video so that it can be easily distributed. To do this, the video is processed with an encoder. See FAQ: Is all encoding the same?
The goal of compression is to reduce the amount of data needed to display a video while maintaining as much of the original image quality as possible.
FAQ 20: What is Encoding?
Encoding is the process of applying compression to video so it can be distributed. Mass distribution of HD video whether through satellite, internet, or discs always requires encoding. See FAQ: Is all encoding the same?
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FAQ 21: What is bitrate?
The amount of data available to the encoder at any given time is measured in bits-per-second and is known as the "bitrate." The higher the bitrate, the more storage or bandwidth required to display the video. The art of compression is balancing the needs of the bitrate and image quality. The quality of the encoder and the compressionist's knowledge and experience is crucial to this process. Cine-O-Matic's expertise is combined with professional-grade encoders to create encoded video that stays true to the original.
FAQ 22: Is all encoding the same?
No. The quality of encoded video is determined by:
1. The quality of the original video source.
2. The encoder and codec used for compression.
3. The bitrate available to the encoder.
The bitrate is determined by the amount of content and the available space on the disc. The sophistication of encoder determines how efficiently it uses the bitrate available to encode the video. A good encoder will create an encode that is nearly indistinguishable from the original video source even at low bitrates, but not all encoders are created equal. Cine-O-Matic uses professional, studio grade encoders to give our clients superior video quality.
FAQ 23: What encoders do you use?
Cine-O-Matic uses professional hardware and software encoders;
Sonic, Teranex, Digital Rapids, and Spruce.
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FAQ 24: Why does the audio volume of my DVD seem low?
Unlike CD's or television, DVD audio is normalized at a lower volume level. This allows greater dynamics. Put simply, this means that quiet things are quiet and loud things are loud. Without dynamics a conversation is just as loud as an explosion. To create a rich audio experience, this lower volume level has been set as the industry standard. We encourage our clients to compare their DVD to other commercial DVD's before requesting audio levels that would fall outside of the DVD standard.
FAQ 25: Can a DVD also contain data files like a PDF for my computer?
Yes. DVD's have the ability to store data outside of the video that can be read and downloaded when put into a computer. Common applications include: PDF's, pictures, artwork, powerpoint presentations, and text documents.
FAQ 26: Can I have web-links on my DVD?
Yes, but it involves additional software that must be installed on the viewer's computer to work properly and software compatibility is not guaranteed.
FAQ 27: Typical DVD Structure
Every project is different. The structure of your DVD should meet the needs of your project. For those looking for a starting point, the majority of DVD titles adhere to the following structure:
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