How long does it take to finalize a DVD?

[David Eaks]

Based on my experiences, about 4 minutes if the disc is near full capacity. Finalize time increases with space ramaining.

[Jeff Pulera]

Hi Al,

From my experience using a few different brands on stand-alone DVD recording decks, a couple of minutes is all that is needed to “Finalize” the disc so you can hand it to the customer. Will not play in other DVD players until Finalized.

Thanks

Jeff Pulera
Safe Harbor Computers

[Al Herr]

Well you guys have taught me something. I always ASSUMED that the longer the filming the longer it takes to finalize but I like to assume things.

Can either of you explain what exactly is going on when a disk is being finalized so I can try to get a more intuitive understanding of this?

This is good news if it only takes minutes.
Any recommendation on disks & which input method: RCA, S Video, Firewire ????
If the filming is 2hours long I am going to have to make a tape change at some point and how does that effect the DVD recorder? Do I just pause everything?

Thanks a bunch,
Al

alchemyvideo.biz

[Jeff Pulera]

Hi Al,

When I burn a SHORT DVD in Adobe Encore and watch the progress, at the end it says “Writing Lead-Out”. I guess a DVD has to have a minimum amount of data on it, so with a short recording, the “Finalizing” can take longer as it fills in some blank space.

What does Finalizing do? Closes up the files and menus and table of contents and all the “under the hood” things that makes the DVD compliant and compatible for general playback.

Until Finalized, you can continue adding more recordings to the disc, so it remains “Open” so to speak.

While changing tapes, your camera should continue to output live video, so you should be able to just let the DVD recording keep on rolling. Test it out in the office and familiarize yourself with the workflow before going live in the field when a mistake can ruin the day.

One would think that Firewire should offer the cleanest signal versus analog video, keeping it digital. Again, experiment at home and check the results

Jeff Pulera
Safe Harbor

[David Eaks]

I always thought of finalizing as “closing” the remaining space, but with no technical basis for the assumption. Avoid the yellow composite cable if possible. While changing tapes the DVD recorder should still get a signal, so you shouldn’t have to pause it. Test your workflow before the job.

[Al Herr]

Thanks a bunch Jeff for schooling me.
Will do the tests at home.

I think this thread has been FINALIZED.

Al

alchemyvideo.biz

[Al Herr]

Thanks a lot David.

Al

alchemyvideo.biz