This document is offered as a Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) document and is targeted toward the employees of commercial and private producers of limited run DVD’s. Using the latest DVD recorders and Authoring Software for the production of custom content to DVD Recordable formats will have profound effects on the quantity of entertainment and educational content available to world audiences. Without respect to what is being produced and to whom the product is being targeted, DVD R will become the medium of choice for the Multi Media revolution.
This document is written for the early adopters as a primary operations manual on the Care, maintenance and methods for handling sensitive DVD Recordable discs. When you integrate this document into your entities operations manual, these particular goals should be met.;
| 1. | Procedures for handling, maintaining and repair of DVD R media will be standardized. |
| 2. | Methods detailing care maintenance and prevention of damage to the media will be established. |
| 3. | Employee awareness and education concerning the media itself will be expanded. |
| 4. | Customer satisfaction will be increased through better education at the point of use instructions. |
| 5. | Productivity of blank media will be enhanced. |
Combined these goals become cornerstones to the successful transition to DVD Recordable for service bureaus, in house corporate production departments, private individuals, as well as commercial or public venue short run productions targeting vertical markets.
If followed accordingly, the utilizing persons should meet two goals:
| 1. | They will get fewer problems and better blank disc productivity than would otherwise take place. ( this SOP will be updated with statistics from Tests being done) |
| 2. | The audience for your productions will get fewer error messages on playback. |
There are many key suppliers of blank DVDR media, all of whom will produce products to industry adopted specifications which guarantee the buyer that the discs recorded with that brand will meet industry standards of uniform compatibility with the DVD reader installed base, according to the format the particular brand backs. We are format neutral; this SOP applies to all optical media in all DVD Formats which are not in a sleeve.
All DVDR media playback performance depends upon the conditions present on
the surface of the disc. Scratched, smudged, dirty, or blemished discs will
manifest playback problems to varying degrees. The must common of these are:
| a. | dead stops |
| b. | pixillation of bit streams, breaking up the continuity of the production |
| c. | audible dropouts |
| d. | Pops and unusual sounds |
With this in mind, pre and post production handling of media, can have a significant effect on the discs readability upon distribution to its target audience.
CD / DVD PLAYRIGHT is a manufacturer of two distinct product categories specifically formulated to assist producers in getting their productions to their target market with the fewest possible problems. Our contributions to the DVDR media world fall under these technologies:
A. Thin Film Coatings for optical media; Currently marketed under the names Quick Shield and Quick Shield, ND. Each has a specific role to play in keeping a disc playable over a longer period of time. Quick Shield has 3 components; Cleaner, Laminate, & slippery surface technology. Quick Shield is a disc laminate only and is used as a base coating upon which layers are built.
All Quick Shield components are safe to use, they contain no harmful chemicals but common sense dictates, and We recommend keeping these products out of the eyes, so check the nozzles direction before spraying. Keep all chemicals out of the reach of children and pets, and wash your hands before and after use. All components are EPA rated as GRAS. Generally Regarded as Safe.
B. Disc Repair Technologies; our CO founder Harald Schmid, holds patents on disc repair which many products in the market are officially licensed, the method of repair as covered in the patents describes the proper method for removing abraded edges of scratches on poly carbonate surfaces using, machines in conjunction with polishes and finishes, or polishes and finishes which are rubbed on the disc by hand to remove surface scratches restoring media playability.
Disc Surfaces have a direct and immediate impact on media playability; therefore producers must standardize procedures, and practice for maintaining disc surfaces both pre and post burn, to ensure playability upon distribution.
Whether you buy your discs as singles, in packs or spindles; we recommend you take the following steps as the first order of business.
| 1. | Persons doing media preparation must have clean Hands, so wash those hands before step 2. |
| 2. | Remove each disc without touching the surface, to a preparation station which is a clean area free from dust, dirt, food etc. Placing each disc down on a secure mat which grips without cutting; its best to lay out the entire lot of media all at once; this helps the user maintain focus on the task to be completed and will actually take less time than random preparation. |
| 3. | Spray the top side of each disc laid out with Quick Shield, ND (QS ND) use between 3 and 4 spritz’ per disc going down a line. |
| 4. | Once done take an approved cloth like our Part number 094; and begin wiping in the QS ND. Wipe from the center edge outward until the disc is fully coated. Turn the cloth to a dry area and repeat this process going around once or twice per disc. Do not worry it gets easier and faster with practice. |
| 5. | Take up your bottle of Quick Shield and repeat step 3 & 4 , spritzing the entire batch then wiping. It is not necessary to change cloths between products. The cloths we provide are semi non absorbent, your objective is to keep the Quick Shield & QS ND on the discs and not in the cloths. If you drop a cloth to the floor during the check in procedure, begin again with a new cloth. You can rinse and dry the dirty one later. |
| 6. | Discs may appear hazy after the first or second application, the difference between a hazy look and a non hazy look is changed by a few more seconds of wiping. |
| 7. | Treated disc are now ready to be stored in your preferred storage cases and turned over to Producers, with the safety of Quick Shield layers built on. |
| 8. | If the discs your recording are double sided; then you must repeat the service for both sides of the media. |
Because your discs have been checked in using the methods above, your producers will have less effect on the discs as they handle them in their environment. Once the production cycle begins and discs are moved around in the department, it is a very good idea to keep a bottle of Quick Shield and clean cloth handy for a quick Spritz and clean if a disc is dropped or touched by dirty hands. Clean cloths with Quick Shield on them can be stored in a clean plastic bag for quick Access.
Each 4 oz bottle of Quick Shield will treat approximately 500 to 600 discs so the costs are minuscule to apply it with some frequency. Quick Shield, ND might be used again before the product is placed in its final package for shipment, if you elect to give each disc two coats of laminate, remember that the Quick Shield should always be the last layer applied.
The Products covered by this part of the SOP document are:
| A. | Quick Shield Formula, ND; An optical Sealant designed for First Use on New media. Formula ND seals the surface of the media so it can enter your rental pool ready to resist the effects of customer handling. Part # 532 |
| B. | Quick Shield 4OZ Bottle contains a cleaner and Protection and should be used as your routine cleaner and Protectant. It will add to the layer of Formula, ND increasing the discs scratch resistance while keeping the disc clean and looking great. Part # 524 |
| C. | Non Absorbent Cloths, are ideal for Quick Shield or Formula, ND use. Part #094 |
| D. | TRIO Plus our Part number CDP 774 which includes a 2 oz Quick Shield and a 2 oz Quick Shield, ND along with a repair Kit and a package of Quick Wipes. |
These 2 versions of Quick Shield are companion products just like a primer and the paint that goes over it. We strongly recommend that all media be treated with this one two punch as your best defenses against the effects of routine handling. Remember that Quick Shield and Quick Shield, ND work together. They build up on the surface making every disc treated better. These products are laser neutral, they cant effect the reflectivity of the laser so they are 100% safe in this regard.
Storage Cases and Mailing DVD’s
An often overlooked component of a successful DVD care and maintenance program gives consideration to the way DVD’s are stored and the effects of the actual storage device on the disc itself.
CD / DVD PLAYRIGHT Recommends that DVD’s treated with Quick Shield and Quick Shield ND should only be stored in cases which lock the center hub in place. Much of the damage which occurs in non locking cases such as paper or cases without a locking center hub occurs when the disc itself contacts the paper or plastic as it moves around in its packaging. Therefore abrasive stock should be avoided as a storage medium.
You can easily tests the various paper options available on the market by securing samples and then proceed to take the following steps.
1. Take an unblemished CD or CDR and place the disc inside the paper sleeve under consideration.
2. Place your hand under one side of the CD so that you have control it and bring the CD into contact with the paper sleeve rubbing it against the paper. Do this for 10 to 20 seconds.
3. Remove the CD and look closely at the surface. Is it scratched from the contact?
4. If the answer is yes, that paper stock should not be used to store your media.
Certain paper mailers in use will damage the discs, therefore you should always use a plastic case or even a jewel case for shipment and those cases should be equipped with a locking center hub.
Taking these steps will reduce problems with any disc being stored and or transported
therein.
Part 2 of this SOP will be published in late February or March; come back soon.