The answers to everything duplication blog

There are often misconceptions about UPC barcode, here we’ll clarify them one by one -

1. UPC barcode is a unique ID number assigned to a product for tracking retail sales and inventory

2. UPC barcode is not mandatory unless it is required by a distributor, retail store, or if you intend to track retail sales yourselves

3. Generally UPC barcode can be obtained from a replicator with a small fee or free. If you prefer to get your own barcode directly from GS1, and there will be a one-time fee of $750. Check their website for most updated pricing.

4. A barcode needs to be registered with soundscan or videoscan so you can start tracking retail sales. Reports can be obtained from soundscan or videoscan for a fee.

CD audio files come in many formats today, there is the most common mp3, mp4, and also the AIFF and WAV. Which one is the best format for CD duplication and CD replication? Let’s start with talking about the different file formats that can be used to create an audio CD:
MP3 and MP4 are compressed formats that are most popular with online downloads, however not the best choice and quality for duplication and replication.

AIFF is commonly used on Macs and is an uncompressed audio file format that provides excellent sound quality.

WAV is a comparable format that is mostly used on PCs, still an uncompressed audio file format and tends to be large in size.

Therefore, making an audio CD master from AIFF and WAV will preserve the best sound quality. When making a CD master we should always burn as an audio CD, not data CD. Most CD burning softwares today will convert the mp3, AIFF or WAV into an audio CD format when it is set up as an ‘audio’ CD. An ‘audio’ CD will play in any home, car stereo and computer, while a ‘data’ CD containing MP3, AIFF or WAV files will only play in computers and stereos that are equipped to play audio files.

MPEG/MPG: a video file format offering excellent quality in a relatively small file, a family of standards used for coding audiovisual information for the internet, DVD and other storage media. It is the compression standard for SD (standard definition) DVD.
MOV: MOV is a file extension used by the QuickTime-wrapped files, can be created by a variety of video editing software. MOV is a container format and can contain video, animation, graphics, 3D and virtual reality (VR) content or text. It can be used for internet video, or as uncompressed format in editing.

VOB: a container format in DVD-media. It contains actual video, audio, subtitle, menu contents of a DVD. It is created usually by the authoring program.

AVI: a multimedia format introduced by Microsoft. AVI files can contain both audio and video data in a file container that allows synchronous audio-with-video playback. It is usually found on internet video

WMV: is a compressed video format introduced by Microsoft. Originally it was mostly used for internet streaming. Its latest codec is one of the 3 video codecs in Blu-Ray discs.

The ISRC is a unique international identifier for sound and/or music video recordings. An ISRC is required to sell music through a digital retailer – iTunes, Napster, eMusic, and the like.

The code is encoded at the mastering stage of the recording. In the case of music videos, the ISRC appears in the time clock for all analog formats and on the label outside of the box. The code is also included in the metadata when a song or video is delivered to a digital retailer.

This serves as a “fingerprint” for the song and plays a crucial role in tracking song sales and royalty collection.

Membership is free, and a log of outgoing codes must be kept in case of request from the RIAA. Membership form:

http://www.riaa.com/whatwedo.php?content_selector=whatwedo_is_r_c_codes

Digital distributors including CD Baby and Independent Online Distribution Alliance (IODA) do provide ISRC codes to their clients at no additional charge.

For every order we ask the client to fill out an Intellectual Property Rights form, which basically states that the customer owns the rights to reproduce all the materials on the CD or DVD. The materials includes music, video clips and software. Every customer is required to fill out this form for every job that we produce, without it the job will be on hold.

Sampling and other third party materials
If your content contains materials that you do not own, you need to obtain the appropriate license for legally be using it. If you are recording a cover of someone else’s song, then you are required to obtain the Mechanical license in order to legally reproduce it. If your content contains an existing recording, you need to purchase a Master Use Licensing from the record label or the rights owner.

If your content contains third-party software such as Quicktime, Window Media Player, check their website for special licensing agreement for distribution. Even though they are free software for download, a distribution license maybe required to put it on a disc.

Do I need a license if the products are not for sale?
Many clients wonder if can use other people’s material if they are not for sale or for private use only. The answer is no, you need permission to use licensed materials even if it’s not for sale.

DVD-5 is a single layer DVD with 4.7GB of storage. It is the most common type of DVD format.

DVD-9 is a double layer DVD with 8.5GB of storage. It is also very common for a feature length video.

Now, what about DVD-R and dual layer DVD-R (DL DVD-R)? These are blank media formats for duplication only, which is burning with DVD recorders. DVD-5 and DVD-9 are created by molding from glass masters, which does not involve any blank media. This is also known as replication.

Tomorrow we’ll tackle the issues that everyone asks: Are replicated discs better than duplicated discs?

PAL and NTSC are television standards that are used in different parts of the world. United States is a NTSC country while most of Europe and Asia are in PAL. What does that really mean? Well if you bring a DVD or tape from overseas, chances are it will not play in the US. The reason is NTSC DVD players are not compatible with PAL discs. You will need to convert the footage from PAL to NTSC in order to view it. On a contrary, most PAL DVD players in Europe or Asia play NTSC discs, so if you need to send someone overseas a DVD there is usually no need to convert to PAL.

One important note is that all computer-based (PC and MAC) DVD players will play both PAL and NTSC discs. If you are QC’ing a disc on a computer, you won’t know whether it is NTSC or PAL because it will play both! ALWAYS QC your work on both computer and set-top DVD player.

DVDs can be region coded so that a US made DVD cannot be played in Asia, Europe etc. There are currently 6 regions, such codes are established to allow titles to be distributed in different parts of the world at different times.

This is a good option if you plan to have a release for North America, and another release for the same title in Europe or Asia countries. So people can only purchase the DVD that is made for that region

The region code needs to be added at the authoring stage, and cannot be apply afterwards

The region codes are:

1: U.S., Canada, U.S. Territories
2: Japan, Europe, South Africa, and Middle East (including Egypt)
3: Southeast Asia and East Asia (including Hong Kong)
4: Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Central America, Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean
5: Eastern Europe (Former Soviet Union), Indian subcontinent, Africa, North Korea, and Mongolia
6: China

In the world of DVDs, there are many coexistent formats and standards. Here we highlight a few of the most frequently asked questions:

What is a DVD-R and DVD+R?
They are two main formats in DVD recordable technology. DVD-R came out first so it would appear that it has a greater compatibility among DVD players. DVD+R is quickly catching up and it has a similar compatibility. There is no main difference between the two formats, and most computer DVD burners are capable of burning both formats.

Is it true that a recordable DVD must be all region?
Yes. A DVD made with a computer DVD burner or a home recording device will be played in all DVD players all over the world. If region code is a must for your project, DLT tapes should be submitted as replication masters.

NTSC vs PAL
The video on DVD discs is formatted for one of the two mutually incompatible television systems, NTSC or PAL. NTSC is primarily used in United States, Mexico, Canada and Japan. PAL format is used in Europe and the rest of Asia. Most NTSC players do not play PAL discs. However, almost all DVD players in PAL countries will play both formats. If you have a project that will be distributed globally, make sure to consider these different formats.

One thing to note is that a computer DVD player will both NTSC and PAL formats.
If the budget allows, the optimal solution of course is to produce both NTSC and PAL versions. However, if one has to choose between the two formats, NTSC is probably the winning choice because of its wider acceptance among DVD players globally.

For those who prefer to have both NTSC and PAL versions of the video, there are two options: create 2 single layered discs or create 1 dual-sided disc. It is not possible to have both NTSC and PAL on the same disc because the DVD-Video specification disallow it.

DVD recordables vs Replicated DVD
The main difference between the two types of DVDs is the methods behind. DVD recordables are copied with lasers on DVD burners. Replicated discs are made with glass master and molded. For more information see our previous article on replication.

DVD recordables work best for projects that require lower quantity, i.e., below 1000 pieces. It takes less time to finish however the cost per disc is significantly higher than replication. Replication is cost effective for a larger quantity, i.e., 1000 and up. The process is more reliable and controlled for higher quantity. Production time takes longer but cost per disc is much lower and printing quality surpasses DVD recordables.