About DVD Recordables

• Lets first look at Commercial DVDs - afterall these are the ones that have inspired us to transfer our videos to DVDs.
  The DVDs that you hire or purchase tend to play on all DVD players. These DVDs are produced with a special process and could literally cost you many hundreds of Pounds/Euros/Dollars! This type of conversion is generally suitable and economical if you wish to have a few hundred or more DVD copies produces.
  
  
• So what is the most economical way of achieving the similar results?
  One answer is to have your videos recorded on "DVD Recordable" format for a fraction of the cost. Currently there are 2 main formats of DVD Recordables.
  > The format (by Panasonic) is called DVD-Minus-R (or DVDR-Minus or DVD-R for short).
  > The other format (by Philips) is called DVD-Plus-R (or DVDR-Plus or DVD+R for short).
  In terms of quality both these formats can store as good a quality as you can throw at them.
  
  
• Will all DVD players be able to play DVD Recordable discs? Because these formats arrived later than the Commercial DVD format, some DVD players may not recognise DVD Recordable discs! The good news however is that an estimated 80% (or more) of DVD players support either or both DVD-R & DVD+R formats today.
  
  BUT... different methods of DVD-R or DVD+R production present different compatibility levels! Please read on ...
  
  
• How is a DVD Recordable disk produced in the first place? A movie is recorded on DVD recordable disks using two main methods:
  
  (a) using a PC based DVD recorder with appropriate software (Recommended)
  
  (b) using a DVD Recorder (generally not recommended)
  .

  • PC Based DVD Recording Method (Recommended): This method produces the most compatible DVDs that work on almost all compatible players. Besides ability to produce highly compatible DVDs this method also allows production of highly customised DVDs (Hollywood style!). Our "Video to DVD PRO" services use this method of recording to provide highest levels of compatibility expected from DVD recordables.

  .
  This is an example of DVD menu produced by our Video to DVD PRO Service
  using Professional DVD Authoring Decks.

  • DVD Recorder Method (generally not recommended): Our experience with DVD Recorder method (through our Standard Service) is that a number of players (around 15%) that claim compatibility with DVD-R or DVD+R still do have some problems such as "sticky" playback. If your DVD player falls within the fully-compatible players then our "Video to DVD Basic" service provides you with the most economical solution. The quality is as good as your original and you get very basic text menus (see below).


This is an example of the DVD menu produced by our Video to DVD Basic
service using a DVD Recorder.


IMPORTANT: If you want to produce multiple copies of your video to DVD for wider distribution or if it is a gift then we do not recommend using the Basic service and strongly suggest that you should use our PRO Services.

• How will I know which format would work on my DVD player? Your DVD player user guide, your supplier or even the player manufacturer are best starting points. You can also search for your DVD player at www.dvdrhelp.com to find out more about compatibility of your player and read other users' feedback and experiences.
  
  
• What if I use your Standard service and find that my DVD player is not correctly playing the DVD? First thing to do is to tell us the problems you are experiencing. We will then investigate and if the DVD is suspected to be faulty we will ask you to return it to us for testing. Should the DVD be undamaged but faulty it will be replaced free of charge. If the DVD is not faulty you will have the option to upgrade to our PRO service and only pay the difference between the cost of Standard and PRO services. Note that our PRO service guarantees compatibility on your nominated compatible DVD player or Your Money Back!
  
  
• What if I am not sure what DVD player I am going to play my DVD on? We would recommend you use one of our "PRO Services". As we are equipped to produce both DVD-R and DVD+R formats we can also offer you a "Double-Compatibility Pack". This contains both DVD-R and DVD+R in a neat double DVD case. Perfect as a backup and also for surprise Gifts, Business Presentations, Corporate Videos etc.

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