Submitting a DVD Master with Copy Protection By Craig Elliott Hanna Manager, The Authoring House at Disc Makers | August 2008
A few years ago the only way to submit your DVD master for replication was on a DLT (Digital Linear Tape) or CMF (Cutting Master Format). Both have their limitations and hurdles. DLT requires the purchase of a specialized machine and DLT tapes. CMF is a type of DVD-R and requires specialized media and drives. In addition, not all DVD authoring programs can burn to CMF.
With the arrival of DVD-Rs and +Rs, most DVD masters can be submitted on recordable DVDs. However, if you need to submit a DVD with copy protection, region codes, or a DVD-9 with a specified layer break, a recordable DVD will not work. A DVD±R already contains a prewritten lead-in specifying region coding, copy protection, and the layer break (For a more in depth explanation of layer breaks, read "DVD-9 Compatibility: Creating a Suitable Master for Replication").
The lead-in on a recordable DVD is defaulted to all regions (sometimes referred to as region 0) and has no copy protection. Since the lead-in is pre-written when the disc is manufactured, when you burn a master, the layer break, copy protection, and region code information is not recorded. For this reason, in most cases, DLTs are your only option. There is one exception: if you happen to be authoring using DVD Studio Pro?, you can create a master on a DVD±R and include all the aforementioned information.
How to create a master on a DVD±R with copy protection or region coding using DVD Studio Pro (DVDSP)
Follow these instructions when submitting a DVD master that includes copy protection, or when submitting a DVD-9 where you wish to control the layer break or region codes.
Make sure CSS (no copy permitted, format for CSS) and/or Macrovision (type 2) is enabled, if desired. Make sure a layer break (AKA break point – for DVD-9s only) is selected in the inspector, or choose "automatic," and DVDSP will select the layer break. The layer break will always be at a marker position, whether it’s a Dual-Layer Break Point marker or a chapter marker.
Build your DVD as usual. Test in the Apple DVD Player to make sure it is working properly. We also recommend you build a DVD and test it in a DVD player.
Once you are happy with the functionality of the DVD, go back into DVDSP. At the top of DVDSP select "Build/Format." Under the "Disc/Volume" tab, confirm the Dual-Layer Break Point. In the "Region/Copyright" tab, confirm your copy protection settings. Then select the "General" tab (make sure this is the last step). Under "Destination – Output Device" select "Hard Drive." Under "Output Format" choose "DDP 2.0."
Click Build and Format
If you are building a DVD-5, you will have a Layer 0 folder. If you are building a DVD-9, you will also have a Layer 1 folder. Each folder should go on it’s own DVD-R and should be burned to disc as Data (DVD-ROM UDF). Make sure the three files are at the root level of the disc and not in a folder. Mark the disc Layer 1 or Layer 0 and put DDP 2.0 in big RED letters.
