HD DVD Copy

[RonaldPawlak]

I completed a HD program on my S4000/Pro editor, now I want to make a HD DVD copy.
In the settings, in arabesk, there are four settings in "Authoring Mode," DVD Video, AVCHD AVCHD DVD, and DVD Export.
I have no idea what they mean and where to get information about them.
No I don't have a HD DVD burner of a BluRay burner, do I need either? Just a plain old burner that came originally with the editor.

[Charles]

Hi Ronald
There will be others along that can give a more detailed answer but like you i've no Blue Ray burner in my standard S4000 but i can burn an AVCHD DVD on a standard DVD-R disc maxium length of program is 15 to 20 minutes dependent on how much action and effects are in your film.

One drawback is the number of Blue Ray players that will play an AVCHD disc.
HTH

[yennyb]

Hi Ronald,

Just a word of advice about your usage of the term HD DVD.
I realize you are simply referring to the production of a High Definition disc, but the term HD DVD actually refers to the name used by Toshiba's version of a High Definition disc format that competed with Sony's Blu-ray.
HD DVD is now no more, as explained below.

Len Vine

This article compares the technical specifications of two high definition formats, HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc; two mutually incompatible, high definition optical disc formats that, beginning in 2006, attempted to improve upon and eventually replace the DVD standard. The two formats remained in a format war until February 19, 2008 when Toshiba, HD DVD's creator, announced plans to cease development, manufacturing and marketing of HD DVD players and recorders.

[MichaelD]

You should use the AVCHD setting (as it's an HD project) but use the option that says AVCHD(DVD) as you want to use a standard DVD disk.

[RonaldPawlak]

Well that's some great information. Thanks guys.

However I have tried all four of the Authoring Modes. The only one that worked for me, was the usual "DVD Video" mode. None of the ACVHD modes, was recognized with my DVD player. Of course it is just a standard player. Do I need a HD disc blank to record HD on a disc and get the same amount of video that I got with a standard disc, not the usual 20 minutes?
I know about the dual layer disc, will that give me 40 minutes of HD video?

This is getting all so darn confusing. I remember way back when I made a VHS tape, I could stick it in any VHS machine and it played fine on all the TV's in the country,

What kind of player would I need to play a HD disc? I do have a recorder/player tape player. If I purchase a Bluray player, can I play a regular DVD disc on it? I don't need another DVD recorder/player? I have four of them now.

[Charles]

Hi Ronald
You need a Blue Ray player to play AVCHD discs,the only DL disc i used only played in a Sony which didn't even have AVCHD as a playable format.

A Blue Ray player will play standard DVDs

To burn an AVCHD disc you need to select AVCHD DVD

Best bet is take the AVCHD disc you have burned down to a store and try it,if you want Blue Ray you will have to get a B.R. burner installed in your S4000 pro,other option is use 2 discs.

[TimKennelly]

Ron,

Yes, you need a Blu-ray player to playback any disk that is formatted and burned in high definition, such as Blu-ray or AVCHD.

All Blu-ray players are backwards compatible and can play standard DVDs as well as high definition formatted DVDs (AVCHD) and Blu-ray disks.

A standard DVD will hold 20 minutes of footage.

A Blu-ray disk can hold a lot more, but you cannot burn to them if all you have is a standard DVD burner in your unit.

A Blu-ray disk looks just like a DVD, but they are totally different animals just the same as a CD and DVD look alike, but are totally different animals on what can be recorded to them and how much.

[BobFoster]

As has been mentioned, if you decide to purchase a Blu-ray player, take one of your own disc to the store and try before you buy. Not all blu-ray players are compatible with "burned" AVCHD disc even if they advertise on the box that they are. You may have to go thru 3 or 4 brands and about as many models of a successful brand to find one that works. Major drawback in trying to distribute AVCHD to customers. Plus side: When you re-load an AVCHD disc back into your Cassie via usb, the quality is almost like the original footage unlike std DVDs. Most Blu-ray players are advertised to improve the quality of even Std. DVDs. I can't confirm as I have never done a comparison.

[RonaldPawlak]

Last Question.

Thanks to all of you for clearing up a lot of things about ACVHD players and HD recordings. Now I can make a decision as to which direction I will go at the present time. I'm sure in the future things will be different.

Actually, two last questions. If I install a blueray burner in my editor and shoot a wedding in HD as was requested. Would I have to tell the wedding couple to take the disc down to the local electronics store and try it out on blueray players to see which one it will work on, if it doesn't work on the one they have already? You don't really have to answer this one.

Really last question, If I install a blueray burner in my editor. doesn't that also mean that I can't burn anymore SD discs, unless I reinstall the standard burner that came with the unit. If you answer this one, I promise, no more questions.

[Charles]

Hi Ronald
What i would do is burn a B.R. disc and take it round the stores where you live and make a list of which players work then when you ask the couple what player they have you can refer to your list.

AFAIK B.R. burners can burn S.D. discs.

Just an extra titbit if you have a DVD duplicator then you can duplicate AVCHD discs in it but not B.R. discs.