How do I copy/create DVDs in Primo DVD?
The Primo DVD software was not meant for authoring DVDs. You must use another software to burn a master DVD first. Make sure that disc plays and the menus work on all systems. Now do one of the following three Job Types listed below.
Note: This is a brief overview of the process specifically for DVDs - For more information on each of the following Job Types, please refer to the specific job types in the Primo DVD section of this Knowledgebase.
Global Image
Start with a known working master DVD that you have tested in one or several regular DVD players. Create a global image by putting the master in the Primera drive. Click on the Drive menu - Build Global Image. Choose the name and location of the Global Image file. Click Build. It may take several minutes for the image to build depending on the drive DVD read speed. Once it has finished. Go to the File menu - New Job - Global Image or Other Image. Now browse to the location of the Global Image. For more information about Global Image Jobs see the Global Image article.
Note: A two hour DVD set to the highest possible DVD quality will use approximately 4.7 GB of space on your hard drive. If you plan to store several master DVDs on your computer you will need a very large main hard drive or a second hard drive.
Disc to Disc
Start with a known working master DVD that you have tested in one or several regular DVD players. Put your master in the duplicator drive in the unit. Go to the File menu - New Job - Disc to Disc. Select your reader and recorder by right clicking on the drive(s). When using Disc to Disc, make sure you choose to create a temporary image on the hard drive. This can prevent issues where one drive is sending information faster than the other can receive it. For more information go to the Disc to Disc Job article.
Data Job (Use this method if Disc to Disc or Disc Image Jobs fail to record properly or if you do not want to create DVD master)
This method involves extracting the Audio_TS and Video_TS folders from the master DVD. It is especially useful if you are having compatibility problems with the formatting created by the DVD authoring software or with the media type of the master disc.
- Using Windows Explorer, copy the Audio_TS (optional) and Video_TS folders from the master DVD to your hard drive. Or, use your DVD publishing software to create an output format in Audio_TS and Video_TS folders. A Video_TS folder must be at the root of any DVD. Inside the Video_TS folder are specific DVD files shown below that are created by your authoring software.
- Select File - New Job - Data Disc. A Data Disc job setup panel will be created in the job setup panel.
- Right click in the data window and choose Add File / Folder. Select the Audio and Video TS folders. Make sure that the Audio_TS and Video_TS folders are at the root of the DVD. Use the Modify Folders on Disc feature to change the folder structure if necessary. For more information and complete data job instructions see the Data Job article.
- Primo will recognize the Audio_TS and Video_TS folders and automatically format the job to create DVDs.
Other Considerations
There are many variables involved in a DVD duplication job that can affect the quality of the copy or whether the copy is successfully recorded. The following are a few of the variables to keep in mind with duplicating DVDs. Any one of these can affect whether a DVD successfully records.
- Source file (mini DV camcorder)
- Mastering software
- Master recording software
- Master recording drive model
- Media brand of the master
- Media brand, speed and type (DVD-R or DVD+R) of the copy
- Copy software burning engine
- Copy recording drive model. DVD-R media, DVD+R media
- DVD Player playing the copied DVD - Many players are not able to play certain brands or types of DVDs