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DVD creation is still going strong, and two of the best tools to get the most out of your DVD authoring is Call Box's DVD Studio Pro: Special Edition training DVD (for advanced users) and the Xerox CD/DVD Duplicator to help burn and copy those discs.
Call Box DVD Studio Pro: Special Edition
If there is one person who I would call a total expert on Final Cut Studio, it would be Noah Kadner, co-executive producer and host of the Call Box training DVDs. His vast technical knowledge and friendly attitude, combined with easy-to-follow instructions makes it easy for just about anyone to dip their toes into digital video and film creation. Because Noah is also a filmmaker, his experience means that much more to me.
I've reviewed some of Noah's other Call Box training DVDs, including the one for the Sony PMW-EX1 and Apple Color, and I learned a lot about both the technology and how I can harness it for my own creativity. So when I got the chance to review his DVD Studio Pro training DVD, I jumped at the chance.
Before I begin reviewing, I have to inform you that this is for advanced users, so I recommend checking out our website on DVD Studio Pro training and tutorials: http://dvdstudiopro.digitalmedianet.com/.
Okay, onto the review: As usual, Noah keeps it simple so we can master all the advanced techniques found within DVD Studio Pro (DVDSP) to make professional DVDs, including creating Director's Commentary, how to create Easter Eggs (hidden menu items that reveal cool little videos and movies), some great ways to encode your masterpiece in Compressor, creating a disc image to test the DVD without actually burning one, some tutorial files to get started with, and more.
Some real high lights for me include his step-by-step process of working in Compressor, and the more advanced features of tweaking the encoding bit rates. Sometimes it's easier to just drag the video and audio settings to the sequence, and hit Submit, but Noah instructs you how to take control.
Director's Commentary is always fun to record, but many years ago I had problems putting the commentary in properly into my DVDSP 2 project. It was an all-new GUI (graphical user interface), and I was having problems. I eventually figured it out after going through DVDSP user forums. Here, Noah tells you how it's all done in no time whatsoever.
Motion Menus? Yes! Where were you when I made my first film's DVD? I had the problem of trying to mix up an animation with a still, and it was two separate elements. Suffice to say, there's a bit of black as the DVD player's laser goes from one point to another on the disc. Noah once again breaks it down in both Final Cut Pro and DVDSP, so you never run into the problems many of us have had. Your DVDs will look more professional, as a result.
Noah and Call Box have done it once again! There are so many advanced techniques you can take utilize to make a professional, Hollywood-style DVD. You can buy the training DVD for only $59.95 at http://www.callboxlive.com/store/studio-special-edition-p-41.html.
Xerox CD/DVD Duplicator
Xerox makes some high quality CD+/-RW/DVD+/-RW (or Blu-ray) Disc Duplicators, and I had a chance to work with their three-tray machine, which gave me full control over the burning functions. There are also units with LightScribe technology to create labels. There are two ways you can utilize the duplicators:
1. Drop a burned disc into the top tray and blanks in the others, and close them all. Either using the â??one button processâ?? or letting the duplicator automatically figure out what to do (AutoCopy), the discs will start burning. In no time flat, you have a DVD or CD. I use this method the most.
2. Hook the duplicator to your computer and use it as a multiple burner solution using software that comes with the duplicator. This is for Windows only, so load up Windows on your Intel Macs, if you're on Apple.
The duplicator can also be upgraded with firmware or hardware, which future proofs it, so you don't have to worry about some other disc format coming out. There are also Blu-ray versions, so you can get to work burning the high definition version of your masterpiece. To get complete details on the Xerox Duplicators, visit http://www.xeroxduplicators.com/ or http://www.vinpowerdigital.com/.
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