video cover designers?
 

If I wanted to get a cover designed for a DVD case and DVD, is there a service that does it? I know discmakers has templates for DIY, but I don't know much about all that CMGY colors or whatever it's called. I don't need it done now. I'm just looking for reference for the future and my photoshop skills are weak.

You could always place an ad at places like Mandy.com, or... maybe even here, in the helping hands thread? Somebody is likely to be more than happy to offer their service. I have a Graphics degree... and plenty of free time, which I currently use for getting into trouble :)

I use National Media Services, http://www.natlcass.com.

I've used them for several years. They have been good for large orders and also very helpful when I only need a few DVDs or CDs. They do graphics work such as cover design, imprinting the disk, package design, and duplication.

John,
Interesting link. I can't seem to find if they offer REPLICATION as opposed to DUPLICATION. Do you know if they do?

I don't know. The two words sound like the same thing to me. I don't know the difference. But if you contacted them they could tell you (I'm assumping the diffence is a well know concept in that business).

Replication is accomplished with a glass master, and the discs are pressed. This is how commercial DVD's are made. Duplication is accomplished by 'burning' DVD's just as you do with your computer, albeit on a larger scale.

Replicated DVD's are compatible with virtually all DVD players, (provided the region code is correct, or it is region free) DVD-R and DVD+R will have some compatiblity issues with some players.

I don't know the answer. But I've had them make lots of DVDs for me and I've never heard any complaints from anybody about playing them on their DVD players.

I've got a FANTASTIC artist that I use anytime I need graphic design done. He does pretty much all of my cover art and many times does CG stuff for videos as well.

He really is about this best I've seen and is very affordable. I'd be happy to provide his name to anyone interested.

BTW, Discmakers has a graphic design department....

Actually, That is not entirely true. Compatibility depends on the compression technique used. A lot of your DVD's now are Dual Layer due to higher definition and bonus features and just length of some of these movies nowadays. If proper compression techniques are not used, then many models of players will skip when transferring from one layer to the other. However, any good replicating company has software that can analyze your master and tell you if your compression will work.

BTW, we used Tammy Luker at
http://impressionsphotos.com/
to do our last project. GREAT to work with

Bryon <><

Actually Byron, that's not entirely true either. Compatibility depends on a number of factors, compression - yes, but media quality is also a factor. I've burned the same material on different media, and had compatibility issues on different players. Scan the forum for advice on compatibility, and aside from changing compressions settings, switching media is the next best chance at overcoming compatibility issues. Some wedding videographers will even give out NEW players (which, after all can be had for fifty dollars) with their discs to ensure the bride will be able to play them.

DVD-R and DVD+R will play on most players, certainly. But not as high a compatiblity rate as replicated discs.

As Richard pointed out... Dye reflectivity and even the booktype may not be recognized by a player when they are duplicated. Even the dye color can matter (part of reflectivity) for some players. I have come to dislike Daewoo players just for these reasons. I found one that would not play a bit-set DVD+R to DVD-ROM at 6000kbps CBR (after trying 6000-8500 VBR DVD-R, and DVD+R). Fortunately, that customer wanted a DVD Recorder at $200. I gave him directions to Fry's Electronics... ;)

Edit - sorry for the off topic post.

Not really off topic George. The point being that there are a number of factors that make DUPLICATED discs fail to play on some players, while REPLCIATED discs (using a glass master to physically 'press' the disc copies) is virtually faultless. (Please note VIRTUALLY). That's why your mass produced rental movies are replicated... for maximum playability.

It's always a tough call to decide what route to take when self distributing. Sites like Indieflix will duplicate on demand for you... keeping up front costs low. This is a good way to go, if you just don't know what the demand will be, or anticipate a low demand.

I rolled the dice on my documentary "American Jouster" and had 1,000 discs replicated. Got a great deal from Pacific Discs for the whole package, full color discs and covers, barcode and shrinkwrap. They offered cover design as well, but I had someone else do a GREAT job on the cover design.

I got distribution through an international catalogue and retail house, that sells arms and armor all over the world.

I've already sold enough to completely recoup the replication costs, which made the decision to pay upfront the right one. Now I am into recouping production costs, which I expect to happen in a few months.

My experience being - A GREAT cover design is a huge plus for your product. The disc replicators all offer this service, or you can shop around (Craigslist) for a graphic designer. Decide if your disc will sell well enough to cover replication costs, as opposed to duplication costs. At some point, it DOES become cheaper to replicate, which will ensure more playability and if it's 'region free' it will also play on a lot of overseas players.

How do you produce a glass master?

You don't, without lots of money for the machines. I believe the make a stamp and press it. Not 100% here though...

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.