DVD Replication

DVD production is becoming more popular in the corporate setting as high definition video becomes available and professional DVD authoring applications become more accessible to regular computer users.

The quality and creative possibilities afforded by DVD media significantly raise the bar in the corporate identity and presentational stakes. Companies having made professional corporate video presentations can now distribute these valuable assets to clients via the magic of DVD, at a very small premium over the cost to make CD.

In accordance with our own policies on Intellectual Property, and the regulations and provisions of the Optical Disc Manufacturing Act of the Kingdom of Thailand and its revisions, full ownership of data to be duplicated/replicated must be demonstrated and declared through an IPR declaration that forms part of any contract with Ei.

Ei does not engage or support the duplication/replication of data without proper ownership or legal rights to diffuse such data. Our legal counsel will determine the legitimacy of all duplication/replication requests on a case by case basis in accordance with relevant legislation and our principles of corporate social responsibility.

see International Recording Media Association http://www.recordingmedia.org

DVD Replication & DVD Printed Packaging

Digital video disc (DVD) is the big brother of compact disc, overcoming the restrictions of CD capacity (650MB) and allowing high quality video content at definitions above those typically afforded by VCD. There are a number of applications of digital video media:

DVD-ROM: The equivalent of CD-ROM, playing on computers with DVD drives but not on most home entertainment DVD set-top boxes. DVD-Recorable media holds between 3.9-4.7 GB of data. Dual layer DVD writers allow ~ 8 GB of data to be burned on compatible discs.

DVD-Video: A disc with video tracks capable of being played on set-top boxes and in DVD players on computers.

DVD-Hybrid: A combination of the above two types (ROM & video).

DVD-Audio: 5 channel surround format for DVD-Audio/SACD players only.

Within these four classifications of DVD there are three types of disc that differ in their capacity.

DVD-5: 4.38GB single sided, single layer disc. Data is accessed from the underside, only this side contains data (like CDs).
DVD-9: 7.95GB single sided, dual layer disc. Data is accessed from the 2 layers on the underside, the top of the disc is free for screen/litho printing as with CDs and DVD-5.
DVD-10: 4.38GBx2 dual side, single layer. Format uses both sides of disc for data, leaving only a small inner circle for on-disc artwork.

Source Materials

The following are what you need to provide as source materials:

DVD-5 & 10: DVD-R (general or authoring), DVD+R, or DLT.

DVD-9: DLT ONLY

DVD- R Notes: Send us an A1 UDF Bridge format disc that has been verified bit-for-bit. Supply 2 DVD-Rs per job, one master and one back-up.

DLT Notes: Write a DLF III or IV tape in DDP format with compression OFF.

Authoring notes: We will undertake authoring from other source materials.

DVD Face Designs & Packaging

As DVDs do not have a plastic molding groove like CDs, DVD-5 & DVD-9 can be printed without interruption from 18-118 mm. A DVD EPS template is available for DVD on-disc artwork, this contains notes and specifications for minimum point sizes and other important details (right click the file, "save target as" -.zip file 252K). Macintosh users can download a DVD EPS Mac template(.sit file 227K).

Other points to bear in mind:

We prefer native Illustrator/Freehand or EPS files, however, we also accept press ready PDF, QuarkXpress, InDesign, and PhotoShop files, (we recommend PhotoShop for CMYK or monotone/duotone artwork only).
Forward your art files and color proof to us via e-mail, our FTP site, CD-R, ZIP disk, or courier. (Proofs can be either digital files (PDF ideal) or inkjet/laser prints.) Don't forget to embed or send fonts and linked graphics if needed.
Compress files into one archive file (.zip or .sit).
Macintosh users: Name your files with lower case file extensions referring to the application or file type (i.e. "disc_face.ai" - "photo_face.tif").
Colour advice: Only use Pantone Solid/Spot Coated Colors or CMYK colors. (We do not recommend trying to color match CMYK CD and packaging artwork).

DVD-10s are different as both sides of the disc are used for data and therefore only a 4-5 mm circular ring at the inner hub is available for printing. Generally we recommend only characters rather than graphics are placed here, with a maximum of 120 characters. Note that there is normally a slight colour shift between the print on the aluminum and the clear portion of the DVD.

On-disc printing options include:

Silk screen printing on CD surface up to 6 colours (133 lpi max)
Offset litho printing on CD surface at 175 lpi - the totally professional finish and best suited to on-disc artwork with photographs.
Pantone spot colours - upto 6 (usually base is white).

DVD Packaging: (also see of CD packaging page for further options)

DVD Style - Amaray or Alpha style boxes are common for DVDs, they usually distinguish CDs from DVDs yet this distinction is becoming blurred with many authors choosing DVD-style packaging for CD projects and vice-versa. The cover or box wrap (10.75 x 7.188" incl. spine) is normally printed in 4 colours. A booklet or insert can be placed inside the package.
Digipaks -Typically consist of a gatefold (book-style) paperboard or card stock outer binding, with one or more plastic trays capable of holding a DVD attached to the inside. A book style package normally consists of 4 "panels" - 2 outer and 2 inner - all four can accommodate artwork, even the inner panel to which the plastic disc holder attaches. Six panel digipaks are also common, the disc tray is attached to the centre inner panel, with 2 panels flanking the disc on the left and right and folding in and over the disc panel. Digipaks can be covered by a slipcase.

Notes on DVD Replication

The standard turnaround for DVD replication is usually 7-10 working days, depending on time for IPR authorization with government authorities (call for specific dates).

All customers must abide by our **UPDATED CD - DVD IPR/Terms & Conditions (download here - pdf 124k). Please print this, sign, date and send to us with your order.