Minnetonka Audio Software -- discWelder

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This is a must read article for anyone authoring DVD R's or RW's. There is a log in, but the info is worth it.

Why can't I make a high resolution surround DVD-Video disk. Why do I need DVD-Audio?	Because DVD-Video MUST have some type of video, it does not leave enough room for uncompressed high resolution surround sound. The audio in DVD-Video must be lossy encoded into Dolby Digital or DTS which reduces the audio quality. The DVD-Audio format was specifically created for high resolution stereo and surround sound on DVD disks.
Is SACD the same as DVD-Audio?	SACD is developed by Sony as a competing format to DVD-A. SACD records it's own format audio files called DSD (not PCM audio wav/aiff) using special hardware/software. The discs can only be mass produced disks, they can't be "burned" from a DVD burner. Our discWelder CHROME software can take the DSD audio files used in SACD, convert them and burn to the DVD-Audio format, so SACD producers can listen to their mix outside of their workstation/studio.
I hear that a DVD has "zones". How many "zones" are there and what are they?	The DVD specification allows for as many as three zones on a DVD. They are: The Audio Zone (for high resolution audio); the Video Zone (where your movies live); and The ROM Zone which is only accessible by computer. Each "zone" is separate format and requires a compatible player.
What is a "universal disc"?	A "Universal" DVD disk is one that will play both in a DVD-V player and in a DVD-Audio player. It has both a DVD-Audio zone and a DVD-Video Zone. Most Commercial DVD-Audio disks you purchase are actually "Universal" disks.
What is a dual disc?	A "dual disc" is a two sided disc that is DVD on one side and a CD on the other. Many companies like 5.1 entertainment and Silverline produce dual discs putting high resolution surround DVD-Audio on the DVD side.
Does your discWelder products play my DVD-Audio disks on my computer?	No, our discWelder products author DVD-Audio disks. However, there are DVD-Audio software players by WinDVD, PowerDVD, and by Creative Labs (included free with many of their surround cards).
Can your discWelder products "rip" commercial DVD-Audio disks?	We do not make any "ripping" software, just DVD-A authoring tools. As commercial DVD-Audio disks have copyprotection, this is illegal in most cases.
What DVD burners does discWelder support?	Any DVD-R/RW or DVD+R/RW burner that supports the MMC (Multimedia Command) standard is supported in all current discWelder products. Dual Layer drives are supported. Dual Layer +R/RW burning is supported by discWelder STEEL and discWelder CHROME II.
Can I use MP3's with discWelder ™?	The DVD-Audio format does not support lossy compressed audio formats such as MP3, WMA, etc. Although great for the internet, these are far inferior sounding compared to the sound of DVD-Audio. You can import uncompressed .wav or .aiff files in our dicWelder products (and lossless encoded MLP files with discWelder CHROME). Our CHROME software can import any type of data files, including MP3's, WMA's, etc. into the ROM zone of the DVD disk for playback from the appropriate software in a computer.
Can I use Dolby Digital in DVD-Audio?	DVD-Audio is a format designed to use all of the space on the DVD for audio. DVD-V uses almost all of the space on the DVD forits video, leaving very little space for audio. DVD-Video needs Dolby Digital to shrink the file size down so the audio will fit. Since DVD-Audio is using all the space for audio, doesn't depend on lossy compression such as Dolby Digital. No lossy compression is accepted in DVD-Audio as it is a format designed for high resolution stereo and surround audio.
Will a DVD disk I created in discWelder BRONZE play in my DVD player?	discWelder BRONZE creates DVD-Audio discs. The discs require a hardware/software DVD player that supports DVD-Audio. If you wish to create "Universal" discs that will play on DVD-V player as well, we suggest you upgrade to discWelder STEEL( with the Mirror option) or to discWelder CHROME II
How do I know if my player plays DVD-Audio?	Look at the official DVD logo. If it says DVD-A or DVD-Audio it can play the disks. If it just says DVD-Video it can play movies, but can't play DVD-Audio zone on the disk.
discWelder burns the disk fine but it doesn't play in my player.	Check to make sure the player is a DVD-Audio player. If the official DVD logo doesn't say DVD-Audio, it will not play the DVD-Audio format disk. Compatibility of the DVD R/RW media might also be a factor. There is still a fair amount of non-compatibility between types/brands of DVD media and players/burners. You may need to experment with different type and brands untill you find one that works best with your burner and players. Check with the burner and player manufacturers to see what types(and brands) of R/RW media is compatible with their models.
With my Mac version discWelder BRONZE, if I open BRONZE up with a disk already in the burner, BRONZE gives me an error.	In your Mac's "System Preferences" under Hardware, "Cd's & DVD's" make sure other aplications are not selected Under the "When you insert DVD" questions. If so, that program will grab the burner, and not allow our program to access the burner. Otherwise wait untill our program is opened until putting in a DVD into the drive.
What is "mirroring" or "auto mirror"?	"Mirroring" or "auto mirror" is a feature of discWelder CHROME II and an option in discWelder STEEL that automatically creates a video zone and menu structure on a DVD to create a "universal" disc which is playable on any DVD player. It includes a Dolby Digital encoder to encode all audio to Dolby Digital for playback on DVD-Video players
Can I create a surround disc in 24/96 using discWelder?	Yes, if the sound files are lossless encoded with Meridian Lossless Packing (MLP). The 13.8mbs data rate of uncompressed 24/96 surround audio far exceeds the 9.6mbs maximum data rate throughput of DVD players. MLP is needed to bring the data rate below the limits of the DVD player without changing the audio quality (bit for bit). Only discWelder CHROME II can import MLP files.
What happens if I try to create a surround disc in 24/96 without MLP?	discWelder will automatically resample the file to 24/48 with its Resolution ™ feature.
Can I create a disc image using discWelder?	Yes, both discWelder STEEL and discWelder CHROME II support the creation of disc images.
What is the size limit of each of the DVD "zones"	The size of any or all of these zones is not pre-determined. You can make then as larger or small as you want. The only size limitation is the DVD disc itself.
Once I purchase your software, how many copies can I install?	The EULA license agreement for all products is for 1 copy. Many of our products used licensed code from other manufacturers, and we must pay royalties for each license distributed. I'm sorry, but we will not make exceptions (back up machine, dual boot system, personal machine, laptop, etc.). We integrate copy protection from reputable manufacturers that use a computers ID "System Code" and create unique "Activation Key" response to activate the software.
Where can I find your software?	We sell our software directly, or through dealers. Please check our www.minnetonkaaudio.com site for a list of dealers, or if you don't see one in your area, please have your favorite pro-audio dealer call us to order a copy.
What if I want to sell my registered software to someone else?	Please contact support with your registration info and the new owners info and we will transfer the licence into the new owners name. You will not be able to use the software once you have sold it and the license is registered to the new owner.