Re: Difficult Bride + Discs Not Working
 

That's so unlikely and unreasonable that I would put the probability at zero. But if that ever actually happened, I'd tell them the make & model of the player and where they can buy one of their own.

She's going to call the customer service / warranty return number included with the player's paperwork. If she calls you, you'll apologize for the trouble and politely direct her to that information.

If you read my post, you'd see that this is indeed the general idea, since your total package price has the BD player cost built right in.

If that happens, you're doing it wrong. Cheers,

Re: Difficult Bride + Discs Not Working
 

It's because you are using DL. I am surprised you haven't had problems before. We only ever used single layer DVD as there are often comparability problems with DL. Early DVD players often baby or stutter at the Mayer change even with pressed commercial DVDs. The other reason to use single layer is that they are cheaper, burn at a faster speed so burns are quicker plus the client sees more value in two DVDs in a double case rather than a single DVD.

Re: Difficult Bride + Discs Not Working
 

I just find the idea of including a player as standard silly, it's my opinion the playback hardware is not our responsibility, it's just too much of a hassle if they have problems with it afterwards because over here I take responsibility because I sold them the player and I have to take care of sending it back to the store where I got it from. I also expect clients calling because something is not right or working, eventhough nothing is wrong but because they are too stupid to RTFM, before you know it I loose a lot of time acting as helpdesk. Telling the bride to contact a store herself with her problems of the player I sold her is even worse and it won't make me popular, in such a case I rather just try to make a new dvd for that rare client that has playback problems.
The cost is cheap but do you really need to include a player to get a booking?

Re: Difficult Bride + Discs Not Working
 

So you would give the bride a brandnew BR player for free to solve her playback problem but for the family you would say they would have to buy a new one for themselves? how do you think the bride would react on that comment? Then your "big gesture of goodwill" is suddenly turned into a 'it's not my problem anymore" :)

It's not unlikely nor unreasonable that this would happen, I have had a bad batch of dvd's in the past that did cause problems and on a very rare occasion 2 out of 3 dvd's might cause playback problems as well. You won't make the bride happy if you only help her out but not her mom if she has playback issues as well, the question is how far are you willing to go.

Re: Difficult Bride + Discs Not Working
 

Op: I would split it into 2 single layer dvds: Ceremony on one and reception on the other. Pain but you know its guaranteed to work and make the client happy.

Re: Difficult Bride + Discs Not Working
 

Hi Pete

I have always done it that way too ..from day 1 and it really isn't a hassle ..blank DVD's are 30c each so for a set of three you are 90c out of pocket and a bit of ink to do the extra covers and around 3 extra minutes of time to actually write the disks (per disk) ..it's a small price to pay for peace of mind and dual or single DVD cases also cost the same.

For me the perceived value of a "double DVD set" is plenty enough to secure a booking ... I actually tried a few marketing tactics a couple of years back like supplying a media player pre-loaded with the wedding and brides simply were not interested. Supply DVD's that work and your job is done ..brides funnily don't seem to mind that they are SD .. I supply 3 x double DVD sets plus a USB with the video in 1920x1080 and the only feedback I get is "We watched the DVD's last night and loved them" ..never a mention about the HD quality USB files ever so I really wonder if they even watch them???

Re: Difficult Bride + Discs Not Working
 

Chris I couldn't agree more. That has been my experience too. I put a hd copy of the highlights on the disc with the label "includes hd movie for playback on a computer" but never hear feedback about it.

They only care if the Dvd works. Never heard a complaint if it was broken up into multiple disc. They probably feel they are getting more for their money.

Re: Difficult Bride + Discs Not Working
 

Hi guys,

Thanks for all the helpful advice on this one. I've given her a single-layer DVD x 2, and also the files on a USB (which I have actually frequently been giving clients).

As a side, to all those who have been doing this for a long time and have been delivering the product on DVD, are you worried about the day when previous clients from many years ago start emailing with the dreaded "DVDs no longer working" complaint? This has yet to happen to me, but with DVDs easily scratched, and having a shelf life, it's an inevitability. Do you simply charge them for new copies if you have retained the original ISO file?

I'm gradually moving to USB delivery.

Chris

Re: Difficult Bride + Discs Not Working
 

You might want to look if your burner firmware is up to date. A few weeks ago I burned a few discs for a client and though they played fine in all my players they would not play at all in his Samsung Bluray. If he copied the disc on his computer it played fine. If I copied the disc in another PC the copy played fine. I could not figure out why the discs would play in some players and not others but the copies worked. I updated the firmware in my LG burners and they now all work. I thought the firmware was up to date but it wasn't !!! Discs were all quality JVC/Taiyo Yuden hardcoat or Watershield.

Ron Evans

Ron Evans

Re: Difficult Bride + Discs Not Working
 

As far as I am concerned, once the finished product is delivered and accepted, it becomes the client's responsibility. If they scratch it, break it of the dog chews it, it is their problem not mine, although I have a backup copy of every DVD I have produced. I would charge them for a replacement though.

If a DVD simply stops working because of degradation over the years, then surely that is down to the manufacturer of the DVD not me as I have no control over manufacturing processes any more than I have over how a client uses or stores their DVD. For the last few years, DVD has the the delivery media of choice for most people, but it is a consumable item and clients need to take responsibility for looking after it.

Roger

Re: Difficult Bride + Discs Not Working
 

100% agree with Roger, once they have the DVD and are happy with the finished product, its up to them to look after their DVD, not me.
I also keep a backup copy of the DVD and nothing else.
If by any chance the DVD RW might be to blame bin it and get another. Dirt cheap now compared to what they used to be.


They are advised to make backup copies but that's up to them.

Re: Difficult Bride + Discs Not Working
 

I give my clients a copy of the iso file as well including the dvdprints, before I did this I never got a request for extra dvd's so didn't see any reason to hold on to it myself.

Re: Difficult Bride + Discs Not Working
 

I fourth it, buy a DVD player, test the disks and send her the DVD player.

Re: Difficult Bride + Discs Not Working
 

I really did have a bride who's dog ate the DVD set.. it ripped the case as well as both disks. so I do keep a copy of the client's DVD on by backup drives. In fact I supplied a bride from a 2014 wedding a DVD set just a few weeks ago but she never said why she wanted it!