Media that plays on all standalones?

[webcombo]

I am starting a small business creating video montages for people for graduations, anniversarys, wedding, etc. and need to make sure that I am getting the right media.

1. Am I safe with burning all videos to DVD-R, unless I know for sure that they bought their player in the last year. Than I can use DVD+R?

2. I was going to get the Maxell DVD's from Office Depot this week because of how cheap they are, for a name brand. Would this work on most all players?

3. I am contimplating getting an inkjet printer that prints pictures onto the media. Do any of you do this, and is it better than putting labels onto the actual disc? Any suggestions on media, or even a printer for that matter?

4. There is a local company that guarantees that every DVD they create will play in any DVD player. Any ideas on how to get that guarantee?

Compared to the awesome posters on this board, I am definitely a newbe. But I have been trying out different editing software and have created some pretty cool DVD's so far. Even using "Value Disc". Any and all help is much appreciated.

PS. This is my first post, so sorry for the length

[setarip]

Welcome to the Digital Video Forums of Digital Digest

If your burner supports "bitsetting", purchase only DVD+Rs - and by "setting the bit" supposedly all DVD players will "see" the disc as a commercial "DVD-ROM". True DVD-ROMs are playble on ALL DVD players.

Realistically, both DVD-Rs and DVD+Rs are playable in over 90% of the existing standalone DVD players out there. So you could probably just blindly burn one or the other - and be ready with a supply of both formats for the isolated phone call that, "It won't play on my player".

A bigger concern than "which format?", is "which brand of media?"
Unfortunately, not all standalone DVD players recognize all brands of burnable media. I'd suggest laying in small supplies of Maxell, Verbatim, and Ritek/Ridata burnable media, all of which have high rates of recognition.

Another possibility that might be worth exploring is using ReWritable DVD+R/W media. These too, just like "bitset" DVD+Rs, supposedly are "seen" as DVD-ROMs by standalone players.

To determine the capabilities/limitations of specific brands and models of standalone DVD players, as well as media compatibility, go to:

https://www.dvdrhelp.com/dvdplayers

Of course, you could appear generous - and simply provide ALL customers with one of each...

Good luck with your business venture ;>}

[webcombo]

Thank you!

Thank you so much for the quick response. You guys are just so awesome in helping us amateurs out. One last thing, any advice on the inkjet printing the labels instead of using actual paper labels??

[setarip]

"Thank you so much for the quick response."

My pleasure ;>}


"any advice on the inkjet printing the labels instead of using actual paper labels??"

Avoid adhesive labels like the PLAGUE!