Greetings,

This might be a strange request, but one of our clients wants us to make a DVD for them printed the same way their current DVD is printed. I have one copy of the current DVD and my boss asked me if it is a DVD-r or DVD5. How on earth do I figure that out since it is labeled and I can't see anything?

I know this is kind of petty, but it is actually really important that I figure it out so my boss doesn't get too annoyed with me (I ask a lot of questions).

Thank you for any help you can give me.

DVD 5 refers to the type and capacity which, in this case, is a standard single-layer single-sided disc (4.7 Gb).
Try DVD Identifier (http://dvd.identifier.cdfreaks.com/) to see if it's a +R or a -R.

Ahh, I don't think I am explaining it correctly. hmm. I'm trying to find out if this is a profesionally manufactured DVD that will play in every DVD player or a standard DVD-R or +R with a very nice label on it.

Thank you for your help with this.

If this was a short program, flip it over and see if you can see a difference in the shading of the underside (light and dark areas).
If you can see something, it's a burned disc (i.e. homemade) as opposed to a replicated (i.e. professional) disc.
My guess is that, unless it's a client with very deep pockets, it's not a replicated disc as those cost $$$ to have done.

A properly burned DVD will play in any player.

I've personally burned thousands of DVDs (always -R) over the years and have never had a return.
As far as a label is concerned, anyone with a good inkjet printer, the right blank media and decent graphic skills can produce a very nice looking label on a DVD.

To add to what Mike has said. You could get Nero to copy to a white ink jet printable DVD-R, use an Epson All-in-One printer that prints on these discs, use the included software to copy the label and print on the disc. You might have difficulty noticing the difference!!!!

Ron Evans

Thank you guys! My boss loves the idea!

I really appreciate your thoughtful responses. I don't look like near the ignorant one that I did yesterday thanks to you.

Oh, that DVD identifier is pretty slick. But on this disk, it says it is an unsuported file type. Do you think that means it is a stamped profesional DVD?

Thank you,

Jason

Oh, and is DVD Architect the best program to burn DVD-r's for maximum playback in different DVD players?

I use Nero, burn at half speed ( ie 16x DVD at 8x etc) and burn with verify. That way Nero will verify that what it has burned on the disc is the same as the image file on the PC. I never use the burn programs in the Authoring programs, just use them to author and create the files. I don't have any authoring programs that will do a verify on the disc they burn, so I use Nero. Also use the best TAIYO YUDEN white ink jet disc too.

Ron Evans