I don’t know about you, but reading a technical textbook can put me to sleep in a heartbeat. The technique I prefer, is to ask questions and then root out the answers. The problem with learning about DVD burning is, to gain insight you have to already have a base knowledge to build on. Otherwise, the new concepts you are exposed to will be 50% forgotten within a month. For most of us, that would be burning CDs. The problem there is, for most of us, CD is primarily a data storage and music medium. DVD is primarily a video and data storage medium. Sure both will do other things like photo slide shows and backup, but I would have to break out the manual or check the help file to create one of the many other discs that can be created by existing software. My point is, the transition to burning DVDs, with minimum frustration, is much easier if you already have some knowledge and skill in CD burning.

My approach to mining the knowledge in this book was simple. Read chapter 1 for a historical overview of DVD. Skim chapter 2 and 3 for an out-of-date perspective of DVD equipment. The hardware hookup part is good info. Unless you are Apple challenged, skip chapters 4, 6, 10, and 12. Chapter 5 is good stuff unless you plan on using your DVD burner to make an archive copy of an existing DVD. Windows Media Player will not allow it. Chapter 7 is an excellent intro to using a DVD software player and introduces you to the files used in DVD-video. Chapter 8 is where the good stuff is, editing and authoring DVDs. So study it!

Authoring a DVD-video is a fairly simple process if you don’t get wrapped around the axle with the details.

First you move the video to your hard drive in a digitized format that your video editor can work with (usually MPEG2), by ripping, transferring from your camcorder, or capturing.

Then you edit the video, add transitions and sound (if necessary) usually on a timeline or storyboard.

The next step is to encode your video into DVD-video format. The video must be in MPEG2 format. Chapters and menus can be added in some software. The video will be converted to two folders: Audio_TS (which isn’t used for video) and Video_TS (AKA a video title set) which will contain three types of files. First are the .IFO files which are the information files that control the sequence the other files are opened to show the entire movie or activate additional material. Second are the .BUP files which are the backup, or exact copies of the IFO files, used only if the IFO files become corrupted. The third type of files are the .VOB files (AKA video object file) which contain multiplexed Dolby Digital audio and MPEG2 video. In other words, the sound and the video. However, the first VTS_**_0.VOB file in a video title set will never contain video, just menus and navigational material.

Finally, it’s time to burn a DVD-video disc. The DVD burning software (except DVDXCopy type programs) require the video be without CSS copy protection and in the ifo, bup, and vob file format. You see, piece of cake!

Chapter 14, Professional DVD Authoring (way over my head) explains commercial DVD authoring and demonstrates some big bucks, high end software. Great for the medium to large size companies who desire to create their own in-house DVDs.

My thoughts: This textbook answered many of my questions about DVD burning. It should appeal to the nerd who wants to know the nitty-gritty about the DVD burning process. Unfortunately, it will punish you by hiding the gems in tons of fluff about some outdated software. This book is available from Amazon for $24.50 or Barnes & Noble for $35. A lot of great information at a very reasonable price. Some other similar books about DVD Authoring available from Amazon are:

• Sams Teach Yourself DVD Authoring in 24 Hours by Jeff Sengstack $21
• DVD Authoring and Production by Ralph LaBarge $38.47

Have fun, and burn them coasters!