Sony DADC manual Data preparation, Formatting, Input media

DVD-ROM

3. DVD-ROM

3.1. Data preparation

The first step in formatting is the collection and preparation of the input materials. You can submit already formatted data as an image on tape or leave the formatting of your data to us. Unformatted data on storage media as well as backup formats on tape or unformatted data transmitted via ISDN first have to be converted into a DVD-ROM compatible format. Please note that these additional process steps take more time and are more expensive. In order to arrange the data in a desired sequence, please provide a detailed listing of the file and directory structure of the final DVD- ROM.

If you submit a tape, please inform us whether there is a DVD image or a backup format on this tape. According to chapter 3.3. ( image on tape ) we are able to achieve shorter cycle times for your orders and limit premastering costs as long as there is an already formatted DVD image on tape.

When sending hard disks or exchange discs please communicate the number of files and the data quantity. Pack your data carrier carefully to avoid damage during transportation. Moreover, we ask you to mark your input carriers. Please be sure to use adequate fibre pens which do not damage the surface of the disc, particularly with CD-R.

3.2. Formatting

Sony DADC formats data according to the UDF- Bridge ( UDF + ISO 9660 ) standard:

UDF-Bridge Format:

Is a new logical format for volume and file structure on DVD-ROM discs to support the interchange of information between a computer system and dedicated DVD drives or players.

UDF-Bridge stands also for a combination between the Universal Disc Format ( ISO/IEC 13346 ) and the ISO 9660 standard.

Through the naming and file structure of UDF the UDF file system is much more powerful than the file structure of ISO 9660.

However, the UDF-Bridge combines both the UDF and ISO 9660 formats, and therefore the file structure has to meet the ISO-9660 designation agreement.

ISO 9660:

The ISO 9660 (level 1) file structure is limited to the characters 'A - Z', '0 - 9' and. '_' (underscore) with a maximum of 8 characters in length and 3 characters extension and a maximum of 8 directory levels (including the root directory)

To avoid the restrictions of ISO 9660 level 1 and to use longer file names Level 2/3 can also be used. These levels restrict filenames to 30 characters and directory names to 31 characters.

Joliet extension:

To meet the demand for Windows 95 file names there was a extension designed called Joliet format. This file system allows longer file and directory names than ISO 9660 level 1 as well as level 2/3, where file or directory Identifiers may be up to 64 characters.

3.3. Input media

DVD-ROM images on tape

Sony DADC will accept ANSI labelled DVD-ROM images either on DLT or SDX tape. We strongly recommend that any tape compression is turned off. The DVD Data Sector size can be 2048, 2054 or 2064 Bytes/Sector.

The DDP ( level 2.00 ) is either to be placed at the front of the tape followed by the DVD Leadin-data and the DVD Image or on a separate Floppy Disk.

The image is subjected to a logical incoming UDF- check and can be used for direct mastering.

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