DVS - New Media and Technologies

Disney Planning a Way to Ditch the DVD?

From the Wall Street Journal:

Walt Disney Co. is close to unveiling technology that it says will enable entertainment companies to adapt their business models to a new reality in which consumers increasingly rely on computers and cell phones in place of DVD players and TVs.

The technology, code-named Keychest, could contribute to a shift in what it means for a consumer to own a movie or a TV show, by redefining ownership as access rights, not physical possession.

The technology would allow consumers to pay a single price for permanent access to a movie or TV show across multiple digital platforms and devices—from the Web, to mobile gadgets like iPhones and cable services that allow on-demand viewing. It could also facilitate other services such as online movie subscriptions.

Follow this link to read the rest of the story:  WSJ Disney DVD Story

TDK Unveils 320GB 10 layer Super-Multiplayer BD-R optical disc at CEATEC

As reported by CDrInfo: TDK developed a new optical disc with a capacity of 320GB, using 10 recording layers. 

TDK's latest prototype disc features 10 layers, each capable of holding 32GB of data. The disc can be burned using a 405nm blue-violet semiconductor laser and an objective lens with a numerical aperture (NA) of 0.85 - a configuration currently met in Blu-ray players/recorders. Of course, this does not mean that the disc would be compatible with the available Blu-ray recorders, since the laser power needed to burn data in 10 layers varies from 13 ~ 28mW, according to the layer.

On the other hand, the disc could be readable with BD equipment. TDK claims that the transmittance of the outermost layer of the disc, which requires the highest transmittance, is more than 90%, while the symbol error rate of the stored data is less than 10-4. This means that the data could be retrieved with adequate reliability.

TDK has succeded in the development of the multi-layer disc using layers made of different materials. An inorganic Si-Cu alloy layer was used for the L0 layer. On the L1 to L9 layers, recording marks are maintained by using an inorganic material composed of bismuth peroxide and germanium dioxide. By adjusting the composition of the used materials, TDK managed to maintain adequate transmitance characteristics for each recording layer.

This is TDK's third multi-layer, high capacity disc since 2006. TDK was the first to develop a 100GB prototype recordable Blu-ray Disc in 2005. One year later, TDK a write-once recording medium having six layers, each of which has a capacity of 33.3 Gbytes (200 Gbytes in total). The transmittance of the outermost layer of the disc, which requires the highest transmittance, was 80 to 90%.

The company plans to exhibit the disc at CEATEC JAPAN 2009, which will run from Oct 6 to 10, 2009, at Makuhari Messe in Chiba Prefecture, Japan.

Barcoded CD & DVD Media = Security Tracking Solution

Recently DVS completed an optical disc duplication project of over 100,000 units with various titles of both Audio CDs and DVD Video discs.  Unique about this project was the use of sequential barcodes.  Each disc was printed, with a unique identification number in the form of a barcode, using our one-of-a-kind Direct-to-Disc Digital printing and coating process.

The purpose of bar-coding the discs, was to allow our client to pair up the highly secure information on the disc with collateral materials (all with matching barcodes).  The bar-coded product could then be tracked all the way through to the end recipient, giving our client the ability to identify who received each specific product and when.

Barcodes have been utilized for many years; some of the earliest implementations were used in the railway system.  Today, barcodes are found nearly everywhere when unique identification is a necessity.  When barcodes are utilized, processes and procedures can be automated, errors reduced and productivity increased.  Whenever there is a desire to track or identify; barcodes are a simple and effective means of doing so; even with optical media!

For more information on barcodes feel free to visit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barcode
http://www.adams1.com/faq.html

To learn how DVS can solve your media tracking needs with barcodes, give us a shout.  sales@dvs.com

Cool Metal Packaging for Feature Film Screener Discs!

Just a quick look at a sweet packaging option we came up with for one of DVSs' feature film clients.

Metal Tin Packaging

DVS Creates Complex Training DVD for Latin American Market

    Here at DVS we recently completed work on a complex DVD based training program for an international corporation. Looking to educate new and existing employees within their Latin America market, this corporation came to DVS to solve a need that they knew was beyond the scope of many other vendors.

    The DVD works in conjunction with an online course that was built simultaneously. Both the DVD and the online course consist of three different lessons and an assessment. The lessons cover everything from the introduction of the company, to selling tips and customer service scenarios. Within the lessons there are many different small quizzes, utilizing multiple choice, true/false and other learning techniques. When taking the assessment, users locally record their answers and use the SMS (text messaging) function of their cell phones to text the answers in.

    Even though planning covered the better part of a year, actual development occurred in just a month and a half! Using the online course as a template, initial menus were created in English for reference and then translated to Spanish and Portuguese. Next came motion menu development, complete with audio and full interactivity. For the final step in the process, the disc was mastered and thoroughly tested by a team of eight test participants.

    Different than most DVDs, this DVD contains no video, and is completely menu based. In total there are approximately 400 menus per language, with an average of 8 buttons per page. That’s roughly 6,400 buttons that needed to be authored and tested to make sure everything worked correctly.

    Always up for a challenge, DVS developed this unique use of two different types of media (DVD and SMS) to allow our client to reach an audience with no practical access to the internet. This is just one of several challenging DVD authoring projects that DVS has recently completed, with more on the horizon!

4-Color Direct to Disc Digital Printing

DVS 1-Color Rotary Silk Screen Press

For all color CD, DVD, and Blu-Ray printing, DVS will be utilizing it's revolutionary Direct to Disc Digital Print Process.  This unique print process is ideal for printing on CD, DVD, and Blu-Ray - both Duplicated and pre-printed discs.

The DVS 4-Color Direct to Digital Print Process is a 2 stage process.
1.  4-Color (CMYK) InkJet direct to disc print
2.  Clear UV coat to seal the Inkjet

With inkjet printing, ink on the discs will smear when the print gets wet, even from the sweat on your hands. 

InkJet Printed Disc with no protective coat

With the DVS Digital Print Process, the clear UV coat seals the print in, adding contrast, vibrance to colors, a high gloss finish, and durability.  The Direct to Disc InkJet provides image resolution that rivals replicated discs with offset printing.

Water on UV coated discs

Other types of disc print protection on the market are slow, expensive per print, and leave an orange peel look to the disc.  The DVS print process is fast at 1000 discs per hour, has a low cost per print, and leaves a professional high gloss finish to the disc.

Direct to disc printing is essential for the next generation of media like Blu-Ray.  Adhesive labels cause playability and readability issues, and unprotected disc print will smear.

Web Links and ROM data on DVD

Recently we were asked to put a link to a website along with some PowerPoint and PDF files into a DVD for a client. Although adding this type of content is possible using tools like Apple’s DVD@ccess or the Interactual Player, it doesn’t always work as well as one would expect.

When we have the need to add ROM content to a disc, we present 3 options:

1. In the DVD, have a menu that tells the user where they can find a folder on the disc that contains the ROM data. This is the easiest, least expensive way of adding ROM content to the disc. It can be a bit clunky for the end user to go “find” the content on the disc; however it does work – if the user is willing to go find the data.
2. Using additional software like DVD@ccess or the Interactual Player, add a menu that directly links ROM content and web links in the DVD video menu. This type of linking only works in a computer with DVD player software and does not work in set-top players (we can’t magically link to the web from a DVD player hooked up to your TV). While this can be easier for the user, it does require the user to install software on their computer (if they don’t have it already). In a corporate environment, many users don’t have the ability to install software and those who do may not choose to install the required software, which can limit the functionality.
3. Produce a 2 disc set. One disc contains the DVD video which can be played in a set-top player or a computer with DVD player software. In the DVD Menu, direct the user to the companion CD-ROM disc which has the ROM content they’re looking for. On the CD-ROM we can have a simple menu with the options of viewing or saving the ROM content along with web links that work flawlessly. This option is a bit more expensive due to the additional programming of a CD-ROM and the expense of duplicating or replicating a 2nd disc.

The client who had asked us to build the disc with the ROM content went with option 3. Using a 2 disc clamshell and labeling the discs to help the user identify the DVD and the CD-ROM was the best choice for their end client base.

Copy Protection on DVD-R

Over the years, we’ve been asked a lot about adding copy protection to small run DVD duplicates. The technology hadn’t existed up until now to add that protection to DVD-R’s.

DVS now has the capability to add copy protection to the DVD-R Duplicates we make. This protection is stronger than the traditional CSS found on many DVD replicates. Along with better protection, independent testing has shown that our copy protection provides 100% playability on tested DVD players representative of the mass market.

While copy protection on DVD’s isn’t for every project, we’ve had some utilize it when content is of a sensitive nature, the material requires licensing for additional copies, or when the client just doesn’t want their material ripped and put up on YouTube.

How Long Will Your Media Last?

 

Normally we write about what’s new in media, however in this article we’re going back to our roots.  Recently we’ve been asked about proper storage and care of media for archive.  How long will my media last?  What can go wrong?  How should I store my media?  The subject is pretty extensive, however we’ve scoured the internet and other references for you - We’re going to try to answer the most common questions we’re asked about media and storage.

 

The most common formats of media we’re asked about are Magnetic, Optical, and Film (motion picture and still) based.  Each type of media has its own life expectancy (LE) and storage condition requirements.  It’s best if we break down our discussion in to the different media types.

 

How long will my magnetic media last?

The short answer is between 10 and 30 years, however actual LE depends on a few things. 

 

There are 3 primary factors in determining the LE of your magnetic media:

1. Physical limits of the medium (the stuff data has been recorded on to)
2. Environmental factors (temperature, humidity, dust, other materials in the air)
3. Playback devices

 

Physical Limitations

According to manufacturer’s data sheets, thirty years appears to be the upper limit for magnetic media.   This LE will depend on the quality of media and the specific type of media.  IE.  VHS tape’s life expectancy is far shorter than Digital Betacam.

 

Environmental Factors

Temperature and Relative Humidity (RH) are the #1 factor in determining the LE of media.  Varying temperatures and humidity contribute to the deterioration of the magnetic media.  The LE of VHS in typical office conditions (68-70° F at 50% RH) is approximately 12 years.  By raising the humidity from 50% to 80% the LE of that same VHS tape is approximately 5 years.  Again, LE will depend on the quality and type of media.  VHS is more susceptible to these conditions than a Digital Betacam tape.

 

Playback technology

We would be fortunate if a playback technology stays current for more than 20 years.  Playback equipment is getting harder and harder to find – particularly with high end formats.  Like Moore’s Law stating that computing power doubles every 18 months with the cost of the technology staying the same, new playback technologies are getting introduced more rapidly as well.  VHS was introduced in 1976; DVD was introduced in 1997, 20 years later.  HD-DVD/BluRay was introduced this year, a short 9 years after DVD.  If you are looking to store the media, don’t forget to keep something to playback the media too.

 

What can go wrong with magnetic media?

There are 4 primary things that can go wrong with media stored overtime or in less than ideal conditions:

 

1.      Binder Degradation

The tape binder holds magnetic particles on the tape.  If the binder looses integrity, the tape may become un-playable.  “Sticky Tape” and “Tape Shed” are common terms used to describe what happens when deterioration of the binder occurs.

 

2.      Lubricant loss

Bet you didn’t know that tape has lubricant in it did ya?  Lubricants are added to the binder to reduce the friction of the magnetic topcoat layer of the tape.  Lower friction will facilitate tape transport thru the player, reduce tape wear, and prevents overheating of the tape.  Over time, the level of lubricant in the tape decreases.  This loss is due to consumption of lubricant during playback, evaporation, and degradation.

 

3.      Magnetic Coercivity

The coercivity of a tape refers to the tapes ability to resist demagnetization.  Over time exposure of tape to magnetic fields can cause the magnetic particles in the tape to change direction causing signal loss.  A magnetic tape with a lower coercivity, like VHS, will have a higher chance of signal loss when exposed to a magnetic field than say a Betacam SP or other professional tape format.

 

4.      Substrate Deformation

The tape backing, or substrate, supports the magnetic layer of the tape.  Variations in temperature and humidity cause the tape pack to undergo expansion and contraction.  When the tape pack expands and contracts, it causes stress on the substrate causing it to deform.  Non-Uniform winding of the tape pack can also cause deformation of the substrate.

 

When the tape substrate changes disproportionately, the direction of the magnetic materials on the tape move as well.  The head that reads the information on the tape can not track the moved magnetic particles resulting in information loss.  This will present itself as static in video, or loss of volume in audio.

 

 

How Long Does Film Last?

The short answer is 25-50 years, however, like magnetic media, it depends.  When fresh acetate film is stored at a temperature of 65° F and 50% RH, the film should last approximately 50 years before the onset of acetate decay (aka Vinegar Syndrome).  By decreasing the storage temperature 15°F, the film will last approximately 150 years.

 

Film with magnetic audio is susceptible to the same degradation as magnetic tape.  Once degradation of the magnetic audio tracks on film begins, it increases the chances of acetate decay in the film itself.

 

Other factors that affect the LE of film are the quality of the film stock and the quality of the processing.  As an example, according to IMDB.com, 60% of the original Star Wars was shot on a film so prone to fading, the film was discontinued in the 80’s.

 

What can go wrong with film?

There are 7 primary things than can contribute to a films LE:

1.      Mechanical Damage

Mechanical Damage is cause by mishandling of film by people or equipment.  Scratches, tears, and sprocket hole damage are common types of mechanical damage.

In restoring the original Star Wars trilogy, extensive methods were used to recover the original films from mechanical damage. 

http://www.starwars.com/episode-iv/release/video/f20040916/index.html

 

2.      Mold, Mildew, and Fungus

These organic contributors to film degredation are caused by film being stored in humid conditions.  Typically, the organic material starts at the edge of the film and moves into the image area.  The organic offenders feed off the gelatin in the emulsion.

 

3.      Acetate Decay AKA Vinegar Syndrome

Believe it or not, plastic decays.  When it decays, it releases Acetic Acid which is chemically identical to vinegar.  Film will start to smell like vinegar and the film base will begin to shrink causing the film in the reel to look wavy.  The film emulsion may crack or flake off.

 

4.      Shrinkage

No, we’re not talking about George Costanza.  Along with shrinkage due to Vinegar Syndrome, films that are stored in low humidity for extended periods of time loose moisture and contract.  Loss of moisture in the film base can cause the film to become brittle and crack.

 

5.      Color Fading

Over time, the 3 dye layers (Cyan, Yellow, and Magenta) of the film begin to loose their original color.  The yellow and cyan are usually the first to go giving the film a pinkish/brown color – IE mostly the magenta dye is left on the base.  Films with extensive color fading look washed out and loose their contrast.  The damage is permanent to the original; however there are some chemical and digital restoration techniques that may be used to resurrect another print from the original.

 

6.      Nitrate Decay

Older 35mm films from 1893 to the early 1950’s were using a nitrate base.  If you have nitrate based film you’ve got more problems than just preservation.  The components used to make nitrate film are the same as some explosives.

Once you have the explosive nature of the film under control, you have to deal with the decay of the nitrate base.  The decay begins with a brownish discoloration of the emulsion with a faint noxious odor.  As the decay continues, the emulsion becomes sticky, softens, then blisters and the odor of the film becomes more noxious.  Finally, the film will congeal into a solid mass and turn into a brownish powder.

 

7.      Magnetic Track Deterioration

Because magnetic media does not have near the life span of film, the combination of the two can cause problems.  The iron oxide in the magnetic track may be a catalyst to early acetate decay.  The magnetic coating may shed from the film base causing a loss of the audio.

 

How long will my optical discs last?

The quick answer between 20 and 300 years.  That’s a huge range, but again, like magnetic media and film, longevity depends on a number of factors including environment and quality of media.

 

There are essentially 2 types of optical media, Recordable or Dye Based (CD-R, DVD-R, etc) and Replicated media.  Recordable media has a LE of ~ 20 – 250 years according to the official DVD FAQ.  For replicated media, LE runs ~ 50 – 300 years.

 

What can go wrong with optical media?

There are 3 items that contribute to optical media’s LE:

1.      Mechanical Damage

Scratches are the main culprit of problems with optical discs.  Many scratches can be buffed out, however deep scratches or a high density of scratches can cause data loss.  Due to their construction, CD’s are especially sensitive to scratches on the top of the disc.  If a CD is scratched thru the aluminum layer on the top, the data in that section of the disc will be un-readable. 

2.      “Dye Rot”

Dye based recordable media should be stored in little to no light as the dye is photo sensitive and the data may be changed by prolonged exposure to light reducing the media’s LE.  Inexpensive recordable discs with volitle dye layers are more susceptible to data loss than higher quality media.

3.      Delamination

According to the DVD FAQ, delamination occurs partly because some cases or players hold too tightly to the hub.  Other causes of delamination may be due to storage in extreme temperatures, contaminated adhesive, chemical reactions, or oxidation of the reflective layer in the disc.  Delamination may appear as concentric rings or a stain around the center hub.

 

 

How should I store my media to maximize its life?

Temperature and relative humidity are the #1 factors effecting media’s LE.   Rochester Institute of Technology’s Image Permanence Institute (IPI) has come up with 4 temperature categories for storage.  All temperatures require RH between 30% and 50%.

 

Each temperature description is an anchor point with the exception of Freezing which describes temperatures Freezing and colder.

 

Because many media libraries/archives are mixed media, the IPI has come up with a media storage quick reference for how best to store multiple media.  Their chart accounts for less than perfect storage, giving an idea on what will be unacceptable for storage to ideal conditions.

 

 

 

		B&W	Color	Polyester
Storage Conditions	Nitrate & Acetate Film	Polyester Film	Polyester Film	Magnetic Tape	CD's  & DVD's
COLD 68°F (20°C)	No	Fair	No	No	Fair
COOL 54°F (12°C)	No	Good	No	Good	Good
COLD 40°F (4°C)	Good	Very       Good	Good	Fair	Good
FROZEN 32°F (0°C)	Very       Good	Very       Good	Very       Good	No	No

 

Freezing photographic materials is best as freezing slows down the chemical reactions that lead to degradation, however magnetic and disc based media should not be frozen.

 

Lubricant loss and separation from the base can occur on magnetic tape when frozen.  With optical media, the layers that make up the disc may separate causing the disc to become unreadable.  Cool or cold storage is best for archiving of magnetic or optical media.

 

Something to keep in mind with storage, there isn’t a 100% right way.  In an ideal world, we’d freeze film and have an archive cooler for other media, however budgets and facilities dictate how we must store materials the only thing we can do is work with what we have.

 

For more in-depth information on the subject of storage and archival check out these links:

 

                        National Film Preservation Foundation

                                    http://www.filmpreservation.org/

 

                        RIT’s Image Permanence Institute

                                    http://www.imagepermanenceinstitute.org/

 

                        Council on Library and Information Resources

                                    http://www.clir.org

 

                        National Film Preservation Board

                                    http://www.loc.gov/film/filmpres.html

 

 

Optical Disc Care & Storage

The following is a quick one-page reference from the offically published "Care and Handling Guide for the Preservation of CDs and DVDs, CLIR and NIST joint project NIST Special Publication 500-252, October 2003, Final"  If you are a die hard techie you can find the entire 50 page report here: Final PDF version - 50 pages (1.24 MB file)  CD and DVD Archiving Quick Reference Guide for Care and Handling Do: 1. Handle discs by the outer edge or the center hole. 2. Use a non solvent-based felt-tip permanent marker to mark the label side of the disc. 3. Keep dirt or other foreign matter from the disc. 4. Store discs upright (book style) in plastic cases specified for CDs and DVDs. 5. Return discs to storage cases immediately after use. 6. Leave discs in their packaging (or cases) to minimize the effects of environmental changes. 7. Open a recordable disc package only when you are ready to record data on that disc. 8. Store in a cool, dry, dark environment in which the air is clean. 9. Remove dirt, foreign material, fingerprints, smudges, and liquids by wiping with a clean cotton fabric in a straight line from the center of the disc toward the outer edge. 10. Use CD/DVD cleaning detergent, isopropyl alcohol or methanol to remove stubborn dirt or material. 11. Check the disc surface before recording. Do not: 1. Touch the surface of the disc. 2. Bend the disc 3. Use adhesive labels. 4. Store discs horizontally for a long time (years). 5. Open a recordable optical disc package if you are not ready to record. 6. Expose discs to extreme heat or high humidity. 7. Expose discs to extreme rapid temperature or humidity changes. 8. Expose recordable discs to prolonged sunlight or other sources of UV light. 9. Write or mark in the data area of the disc (area where the laser "reads"). 10. Clean in a circular direction around the disc. For CDs especially do not: 1. Scratch the label side of a CD. 2. Use a pen, pencil, or fine tip marker to write on the disc. 3. Write on the disc with markers that contain solvents. 4. Try to peel off or re-position a label. General recommendation for long-term storage conditions For archiving recordable (R) discs, it is recommended to use discs that have a gold metal reflective layer. Archival Storage Facility Recommendation for storing CDs and DVDs together Media Temperature Relative Humidity (RH) CD, DVD Less than 20°C (68°F) 20% to 50% RH Greater than 4°C (39°F) A temperature of 18°C and 40% RH would be considered suitable for long-term storage. A lower temperature and RH is recommended for extended-term storage.

DVD-R Labeling

There are several different labeling methods available for writeable DVD discs ranging from hand writing, to adhesive labels, specialized devices that print directly onto the disc surface and ultimately the various commercial printing solutions. Options are distinguished by cost, speed and convenience as well as by durability and the visual quality of the result.

Hand Writing
By far the quickest and least expensive way to label a disc is to simply write on its top surface. Using a soft fiber or felt-tipped permanent marker is preferable but be aware that the solvents in some types of inks can potentially damage the disc and, even though the plastic dummy substrate of a single-sided writable DVD disc affords some protection, caution is still in order. Avoid using ballpoint pens, pencils or other sharp writing instruments. As with CD-R and CD-RW the part of the disc least vulnerable to injury is the center clamping or hub area. Double-sided writable DVD discs can be marked only in this region. Some discs are specially coated to accommodate handwritten labels and even special markers are available and intended for such use.

Adhesive Labels
A more attractive way to label a disc is to apply an adhesive label. Several manufacturers offer permanent marker, inkjet, solid ink and laser printer compatible products specifically designed for labeling discs as well as positioning devices to help with centering. Other options include various surface colors and finishes including matte, glossy, foil, holographic and glow in the dark as well as special coatings that can be repeatedly written on with permanent marker and dry erased. Full surface or "donut-style" labels are preferable to partial stickers but be careful as any adhesive label can potentially upset the balance of a disc when playing back. This is especially true at high speeds, resulting in excessive noise, vibration and data retrieval problems. Heat, humidity, sunlight, handling and the passage of time can also compromise the stability of adhesive labels resulting in separation from the disc surface and even interference with the drive. Sticky labels may not be the best choice when archiving important data as some types of label adhesives can react with and undermine the disc over time. Remember too that, once applied, labels should never be removed or repositioned. Even smoothing air bubbles can concentrate physical stresses in a small area and potentially damage the disc.

Specialized Disc Printers
Specialized disc printing devices are available to label discs in larger numbers and for imparting a more polished appearance. Currently, desktop products employing inkjet, thermal transfer and re-transfer technologies are available for directly labeling on the disc surface.

Inkjet
Inkjet printing technology has been available for many years and has proven extremely popular with consumers due to its high quality and cost effectiveness. Inkjet printers function by ejecting liquid ink from a print head onto the surface of a specially coated "inkjet-printable" disc. These special discs have an extra coating, called an Ink Absorption Layer (IAL), which receives the ink from the printer and allows it to stay in place long enough to properly dry. Some discs are even available decorated with screen printed images and areas left blank for desktop inkjet labeling. Inkjet printers produce high-resolution full color images but there is a downside in that resulting labels are subject to being smudged by high humidity or damp fingers and thus are not suitable for use in automotive or other harsh environments. Inkjet printed discs should not be stored or shipped in flexible plastic envelopes as the chemicals used to keep the package materials supple can interact with the inks and cause the label to stick to the sleeve resulting in additional physical stresses upon disc removal. Using jewel cases or other containers that do not directly contact the printed surface is best.

Thermal Transfer
Unlike inkjet printers that spray liquid ink, thermal transfer printers convey solid pigment from a coated ribbon onto the surface of a disc through a combination of heat and pressure. Typically used to produce monochrome and spot color labels, thermal transfer printing does not require specially coated discs to accept the ink from the printing process. The results are, as well, reasonably durable. However, some disc surfaces give better results than others. Consequently, discs are available which feature special coatings optimized for thermal transfer printing. But be aware that writable DVD discs often have a raised ring in their center hub or clamping area that interferes with and can damage the printer's labeling head. It is possible to print above and below this area to avoid the difficulty and there are some discs specially manufactured without this ring to provide an unobstructed surface. For labeling situations where discs share a largely common background appearance but vary slightly from disc to disc or among groups of discs some thermal transfer solutions can align and overprint their output onto partial images already printed onto the surface of the disc.

Re-transfer
More recently, re-transfer printers have come to market and function by applying heat and pressure to convey solid resins from an ink ribbon to an intermediate film and then to the surface of the disc. Typically re-transfer systems produce photo-realistic color labels that are smooth and highly durable. Only certain types of disc surfaces are suitable for re-transfer printing including those optimized for thermal transfer use as well as some inkjet-printable surfaces and "crystal" protective coatings. Some additionally offer coated center hubs that allow for full surface printing.

This course brought to you by the Optical Storage Technology Association.  www.osta.org

Do you owe royalties for your DVD copies?

Digital Video services is proud to be an offical licensee of the MPEG LA organization.  MPEG LA licenses the essential patent rights for MPEG-2 technology that is at the heart of DVD technology.

What does this mean to you?  Simply put, if  you make a DVD that has video on it then you owe royalties to MPEG LA for every DVD master and copy you make or have made on your behalf.   

Worried yet?  Don't be.  Since DVS is a offical licensee, we take care of the MPEG LA royalty payments for you.  Does your current DVD duplicator?

Many people think that the royalty is already paid for when they buy blank DVDs, but this is NOT true and the MPEG LA legal team would like to talk to you if this is the theory you have been operating under.

Follow this link to the official MPEG LA website to learn more and confirm DVS's name as a current licensee: WWW.MPEGLA.COM