Brian,
I'm not clear on the exact process, but the glass master is a laser etched glass, that has PHYSICALLY different heights regarding the digital information. This master is then used to PRESS the copies so the 1's and 0's (or "Hi's and "lows") are physically pressed into the media, which is more accurate than burning it in by changing the temperature in the dyes.

It's really more akin to the old process of pressing vinyl records from a master disc... though the technology is vastly superior.

Glass masters are made at replication facilities. The info from your DVD is uploaded to their servers, then that info is etched into glass using photo-resist technology and the very expensive machines the previous poster mentioned. Then a metal "mother" is made from that glass master. From these "mothers", metal stampers are made. Then in replication, melted polycarbonate (plastic) is shot against the stamper (which is a "negative" image of the DVD), and then a reflective layer and a plastic coating are added. I've left out a LOT of details, but that's the general idea anyway. For more specifics, I'm sure you can Google search DVD replication or go to a web site for Sony or some other DVD replication facilities for more detail.

So as was said earlier, "replication" means creating a glass master and pressing discs from scratch. "Duplication" means using DVD-Rs or DVD+Rs and burning them. And replicated discs are defintely more compatible.

Hope this helps. Have fun!

Rob

On the other side of the equation, your DVD authoring package needs to support output for glassmastering. In the past, all of the output had to be to DLT tape and sent to the manufacturer. The $59 DVD packages do not have this capability. In recent times, I think I remember seeing some folks now accept the file sent via FTP. Some facilities may accept Dual Layer DVDs, but there is a bunch of work involved to correct the format (and it usually has errors) to be converted to DVD-ROM (I saw it explained by a mfgr once at MediaChance's forum, but I cannot remember the location of that explanation.)

I sent Pacific Disk my DVD-R master, and they pressed the glass master from that data. To be sure, they asked for TWO copies, and I tested my copies on five different players. Actually had to run through several different media to get a copy that would play on the five different players. Wound up going with a TDK disc, if I recall correctly.

Some manufacturers will make a test press for you, for an extra charge some -won't charge you. The thing is to get several quotes from different replicators before going forward.

So no matter how the process is, everyone agrees replication is better than duplication? How much more does replication cost compared to duplication?

I don't have specifics in front pf me but for my clients it starts to make sense to replicate around 1000 units.

Different companies have different packages, which make the price point slightly different. But generally speaking, 750 to 1000 + is going to be better with replication.

It really does pay to shop around, get quotes from several different replicators, and make sure you compare apples to apples.

Hello all.

I'm looking to make a glass master but would like to be able to also make the DVD artwork there as well. I'd like a place where I can sit with the designer.

I'm looking for a place in Los Angeles, any suggestions?

Yeah, price matters.