FAQs

[Update 8/25/04] DCA has qualified the Quantum SDLT 320 DLT tape drive for input and output in DCA products, and can recommend it as a replacement drive for the Quantum DLT8000. It is important to note that while the SDLT 320 offers backward read compatibility to the DLTtape IV media, it cannot read Tape II or Tape III media. These tapes will need to be read with a DLT4000, DLT7000 or DLT8000 tape drive, or converted to Tape IV media in order to be used with the SDLT320 drive. The SDLT 320 writes to Super DLTtape I media, which is also supported for input into DCA products.

The Quantum SDLT 320 has been qualified for the following DCA products:

MIS V6
MIS V8
XCheckup & Xbox Encoder
DVS+ and SVS+
DDP Archiver and DDP Pro Tools
ITS

For more information, DCA has issued a document describing your migration path and support options. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

Alternatively, you can take advantage of DCA's DDP Pro verification and loading tool, which has an optional output to recordable disc, such as a DVD-R. The complete DDP fileset is saved on the recordable disc for storage and mastering. Read more about this option.

Top

White Paper: Virus Checking for CD/DVD Optical Media Producers

In this White Paper, Doug Carson explains why virus checking is important for optical disc manufacturers, and gives some recommendations for handling virus checking within the facility.

Click here to read the full White Paper (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Top

Q: What is DDPi?

Answer: Recently, customers have been asking whether we support a type of input media called DDPi. DCA, as the creator and authority on DDP, would like to take this opportunity to keep our customers and the industry properly informed on all things DDP.

Universal Music uses the term DDPi to refer to a set of DDP files including the disc image data when DDP is stored on a randomly accessed storage device, such as a hard disc. Therefore, tools or products which create DDP data sets directly to a hard disc can be said to support DDPi. DDPi covers regular single session RED BOOK CD-DA discs as well as two session BLUE BOOK Enhanced CD discs. DDPi is not currently used to describe CD-ROM, DVD discs or DDP data sets on Exabyte tapes.

A DDPi file set for CD would consist of:

DDPID (Mandatory)
DDPMS (Mandatory)
PQ_DESCR (Optional)
One or more Image.dat file(s) (Mandatory)

DDPi files from Universal may be delivered to their replicator customers electronically via Wam!Net, FTP or DCA's OptiSend. In these cases, DDPi data sets can be directly mastered or loaded onto your mastering network using standard DCA products.

DDPi files may also be delivered on a Yellow Book CD-R disc. In these cases, you must NOT master or load these data sets using your standard procedures, as this will result in making a perfect copy of a CD-ROM disc, and not a CD-DA disc. A DDPi CD-R disc must be mounted as a CD-ROM disc through the operating system of your MIS or DVS+ computer. MIS or DVS+ will then be able to see the DDPi data set contained on the CD-ROM disc and either master from these files or copy these files to your mastering network.

DDPi is fully compliant with DCA's DDP 1.0 and 2.0 specifications. All DCA products, whether MIS, DVS+, OptiSend or other products, fully support Universal DDPi media.

DCA is committed to providing the tools and information necessary for the Optical Disc industry. If you have any questions regarding media, feel free to contact your local technical support analyst.

Top

Q: What is a Hybrid DVD?

Answer: There seems to be more than a little confusion in our industry over the use of the word 'hybrid'. Understanding the term 'hybrid' can help us to understand what is a Hybrid DVD. A hybrid is the product of two dissimilar items. Thus a Hybrid CD-R is a disc which contains both pre-recorded and recordable areas.

The DVD Forum is working on an official Hybrid DVD specification. This Hybrid DVD specification covers DVD discs with one DVD-Audio layer and one CD-audio layer.

However, Hybrid DVD is also being used to describe a DVD disc containing more than one DVD application type such as DVD-Video content and DVD-Audio content or DVD-ROM content (such as PC games) and DVD-Video content.

For mastering and verification, it does not matter what type of DVD content (ROM, Video, Audio) is placed on a DVD layer or in what combination. These are all simply DVD to DCA and all DCA products handle this media.

To ensure that no confusion occurs in describing types of media, DCA uses the term Combination DVD to describe DVD media with more than one type of DVD content on a single DVD disc. This would include DVD media with any combination of DVD-Video, DVD-Audio or DVD-ROM on one or both layer(s).

DCA is committed to providing the tools and information necessary for the Optical Disc industry. If you have any questions regarding media, feel free to contact your local technical support analyst.

Top

Q: Our customer is using a Quantum DLT 1 drive with a type IV tape. Can we read this tape in a DLT 4000?

A: The DLT 1 drive will only write in DLT 1 format. It can, however "read" DLT 4000 format as well as it's own DLT 1 format. So, the tapes your customer is sending will only be in the DLT 1 format. Per Quantum, the DLT 4000 will not be able to read the DLT 1 formatted tape at all. Please refer to the chart below.

Top

Q: Will DCA formatters support a CD-R with a LO start of 90:02:00? In what specification is this detailed?

A: This is a relatively new extension of the Orange book specifications listed as "High Capacity Recordable Disc Systems V0.90." DCA formatters will support CD-R's that go out to 99 minutes in a high-density configuration. One of the primary questions was what happens to the time code when it rolls over at 99:59:74. The answer is on page 4-9 of the new specification-it will roll to a0:00:00.

Top

Q: Can DCA provide the proper recordable specific LBR file parameters for cutting recordable formats?

A: Unfortunately, no. These parameters depend on many other aspects of each facility's process. It is likely that each facility will need unique settings based upon their particular needs. There is simply no way for DCA to supply any defaults.

Top

Q: When cutting DVD-R, why does the pre-pit to wobble relationship not stay the same from one cut to the next?

A: Please ensure that you do not have any 'Stand By' signal enabled. To check this, run the DCA Config utility and go to the 'Output Signal' tab. If the 'Stand By' signal is not set to none, the pre-pit will not be correct.

Top

Q: My customer would like have his company name written in the IRG band using a foreign language font. Is this possible?

A: MIS 6.40 and higher supports True Type fonts in the IRG band. This makes it possible for you to use any language that you have a font for.

Top

Q: What DVD Rom drive is required to master from Authoring Grade or General Grade DVD-R in MIS 6.41?

A: A Pioneer 305 is required for mastering from general grade media. A Pioneer 303 or 305 can be used to master from authoring grade. If you want to master from authoring grade media using a Pioneer 303, it requires a small registry modification. Therefore, Please contact DCA Technical Support for assistance in setting up the MIS registry.

Top

Q: Can I change the size of the barcode I am using in the IRG band?

A: Yes, The barcode font used for irg bands is available in a variety of heights and widths. Please contact DCA Technical Support for the barcode font that is right for your application.

Top

Q: Will watermarking work with MIS?

A: Most watermarking will work properly with MIS. Most watermarking is digitally interleaved into the image prior to mastering. Therefore MIS simply passes it through to the LBR untouched.

Top

Plextor discontinues 40Max SCSI CD-Rom drive

DCA has verified that Plaxtor has discontinued its 40Max SCSI CD-Rom drive. This is part of a larger strategy by Plextor to stop manufacturing read only SCSI drive support.

DCA is investigating alternative replacement drives from Plextor, and has obtained stock of the drives for any customer RMA issues. DCA will keep you abreast of developments regarding replacement drives.

Top

Question: How long can my external SCSI cable length be?

Answer: Several factors can affect the recommended overall cable length, including the number of devices on the cable, the SCSI Card, and SCSI Interfaces of devices.Various combinations of these factors create acceptible cable lengths ranging from 9 to 36 feet. Thus making it impossible to give a specific maximum length.

When connecting SCSI devices to your system, it is important to remember the following:

Keep cable length as short as possible
Cable length includes cable inside the system, between external devices, and inside the external devices
Keep a uniform interface i.e. don't mix SCSI 1 with SCSI 2, or Ultra Wide with Ultra2 Wide
Proper Temination

If you are experiencing problems with an external device, shorten the cable length by eliminating other external devices and/or utilizing shorter cables. If you continue to experience problems, contact DCA tech support and we can help with your specific devices and issues.

Adaptec has a number of very good technical documents on SCSI devices and cable lengths in the Adaptec Support Knowledgebase. Following these hyperlinks will take you away from the DCA website.

To view the following article, click the article title.

What is the maximum cable length I can use on my host adapter?

Top

Question: Is SCSI termination important? Should I use Active or Passive termination?

Answer: Yes. SCSI termination is important as without proper termination, a SCSI bus will create distortions in the data pulses when the pulses 'bounce' off the end of the SCSI bus; this can cause data loss. A terminator absorbs the pulses and prevents the distortion of other data pulses.

Active termination should be used whenever possible. Passive termination only utilizes resistors to terminate the signal. Active termination utilizes a voltage regulator (which is powered by placing the termination power jumper on a SCSI device) to lower the termination resistance so that it more closely matches the cable impedance.

Adaptec has a number of very good technical documents on SCSI devices and termination in the Adaptec Support Knowledgebase. Following these hyperlinks will take you away from the DCA website.

To view the following articles, click the article title.

Top

Problem: When mastering a CD-R with DCA's RFG module, you receive an error at the beginning of the cut "ATIP error 13".

Resolution: Do not use a DCA Clock Board speed setting for the mastering job. Instead, you must use the standard MIS Encoder speeds.

Top

Question: Can I use a PS/2 style mouse on my DCA system?

Answer: It depends on the type of system you are using.

If you have a MIS v6 system, you cannot use a PS/2 style mouse as the ISC card uses the same IRQ settings as a PS/2 style mouse. For a DVS+ or SVS+ system it is possible, though on some systems it may be necessary to enable PS/2 Mouse support in the BIOS.

Top

Question: How can I cut a phantom layer 1 for a DVD5 or Mini-DVD disc?

Answer: It is sometimes useful to be able for cosmetic purposes to make a Layer 1 of a DVD image with only an IRG band and full modulation. Of course, the layer will not be playable and will have no readable information but will appear as a full layer.

This media set will allow for the second layer (Layer 1) of a DVD5 to show full modulation for cosmetic purposes. After downloading the files, please unzip and copy the files to an easily remembered folder on your MIS system. Use this media set whenever you wish to cut a dummy layer. You will use a standard DVD5 LBR file using an NT file-mastering job. Point MIS to the folder where the media set was saved for both the DDP and the file to be mastered. Process the glass as you would for a standard 12cm DVD5.

This media set will allow for the second layer (Layer 1) of a 8cm Mini-DVD disc to show full modulation for cosmetic purposes - the layer will appear as mirror from 20.1mm to 40mm. The primary purpose for this media set is to reduce LBR time to approximately 30 seconds for this cut without regard as to the cosmetic appearance of a fully modulated layer 1. Please copy these files to an easily remembered folder on your MIS system. Use this media set whenever you wish to cut a Phantom MINI DVD layer. You will use the supplied LBR file using an NT file-mastering job. Point MIS to the folder where the media set was saved for both the DDP and the file to be mastered. Process the glass as you would for a standard 12cm DVD5.

In either case, you will need to customize the LBR file as to the .bmp image and/or specific text needed for the IRG band.

Top

Question: Does DCA support the DLT1 tape drive?

Answer: DCA supports the DLT1 Tape Drive, with certain speed qualifications. For further information, contact DCA Technical Support.

Top

Firmware Update: 1.13 Firmware update for the Plextor 40MAX

The following link will take you to Plextor's 40MAX Firmware Version 1.13 Download (File Size: 466k). Download the firmware update to a local drive directory on the system containing the 40MAX drive. Once the download is complete, doubleclick on the executable file and the drive will automatically be flashed to the updated revision.

NOTE: We have heard reports of problems with the 1.13 firmware revision in conjunction with CD-Text discs. From testing different types of CD-text media, DCA Technical Support has determined that there are no issues involving Plextor 40MAX v1.13 firmware, CD-text and the following DCA products: MIS 6.40 SP2 (Build 348.1) and ITS 1.11.

If you are using a Plextor 40MAX drive, and are running CD-Text jobs with it, and you do not have the listed products, then do not upgrade the firmware (leaving the drive at version 1.12). Otherwise, go ahead and update the firmware. [revised 4/17/2002]

This Ultraplex 40MAX firmware update can only be used / installed on drives with firmware version 1.10 or higher. If you are unsure of your Plextor 40MAX drive's firmware revision, select Start>Settings>Control Panel. In the Control Panel, doubleclick on SCSI Adapters.

On the Devices tab, highlight the PLEXTOR CD-ROM PX40-TS under the SCSI Controller. When highlighted, click Properties. This will open the Plextor CD-ROM PX40-TS Properties window. On the Settings tab is the firmware revision. Your drive must have revision 1.10 or higher to use this flash update.

If the drive shows firmware revision 1.01, 1.02, 1.03 or 1.04, click here to obtain the latest Plextor Firmware Version 1.05 Download (File Size: 466k) for the 1.0x series drives. Again, download the firmware update to a local drive directory on the system containing the 40MAX drive. Once the download is complete, double-click on the executable file and the drive will automatically be flashed to the updated revision.

Top

Question: What does the option Read Audio Pauses do in SVS+ and DVS+?

Answer: If Read Audio Pauses is selected as a job option on the Source or Target Device Options screen, then the two media will be synced only once per session - using the CD Silence Threshold at that point.

If Read Audio Pauses is not selected, the TOC Index 1 points will be used to locate the proper sync points at the start of each successive audio track. At the location of each TOC Index I point, the CD Silence Threshold will be used to sync the two media.

Read Audio Pauses should be cleared when an audio disc is not getting a good comparison job, and it is suspected that audio information in the pauses is causing SVS+ to report spurious errors, especially if the errors are at the very beginning of a track.

Top

Problem: MIS Error message "Unable to open control.lim file" on Nimbus LBR.

Solution: When mastering a disc on a Nimbus LBR, MIS reports the following error:

Unable to open control.lim file

Delete the existing control.lim file from the current MIS directory, e.g., c:\program files\mis630. The error occurs because the Nimbus system is trying to overwrite the existing file, however the file is set as read-only. The Nimbus system will recreate the file if one does not exist.

Top

Problem: Slow performance on DVS+ or SVS+, or error message "DVS (SVS) Database: DAO Error(s) Error #3036 - Database has reached maximum size."

Solution: DCA's verification products use a database to record the information retrieved from each job. As the database fills, performance on the system may degrade. Once the maximum database size is reached, the above error will occur.

To ensure the highest performance, it is recommended that the database be both compacted and repaired (both actions taken together as a set) regularly. How often this is done to the database will vary depending on the number of jobs run on a daily basis, as well as how much information is being stored for each job; for companies running many jobs through the verification product, this may mean every couple of days. SVS+, since it saves much more information from each job, will require maintenance more often than DVS+.

The procedure for performing a database compact and repair is listed in the SVS+ and DVS+ Manual Chapter 5: User and Database Management. (Click here for an Acrobat copy of the relevant section.) First compact, then repair the database. Each step takes no more than a few minutes, depending on the size of the database.

Compacting the database also has the additional advantage of greatly reducing the size of the database, improving overall performance. The DCA manual currently states that compacting will shrink the size of the database by reclaiming space made available by the deletion of records. While this is true, the size of a database that has no deleted records can also be reduced dramatically by compacting due to the database releasing temporary file information that is not released automatically by the application.

Top

Problem: CD-XA discs run at 1x when SVS+ is set to AUTO.

Solution: SVS+ uses the Plextor UltraPlex CD-ROM drive, which is a 32x speed drive. Setting the speed of the drive to AUTO causes SVS+ to run the drive at the fastest possible speed, depending on the input media format and quality of disc. While the drive will run at the fastest possible speed for most disc formats, CD-XA discs played in the Plextor UltraPlex run at 1x only.

The cause of this is a firmware revision made by Plextor. Drives with firmware version 1.02 spin CD-XA discs at the highest possible speed, however drives with firmware version 1.03 run CD-XA discs at 1x.

To work around this issue, set the drive to operate at any of the preset speeds (1x, 2x, 4x, 8x). SVS+ will run all disc formats at the selected preset speeds. The drive speed is set for each job in the Job Wizard, under the Device (1 or 2) speed option box. You can also change the speed setting before each job is started by using the OTHER setting button on the Main Screen. Select Other>Speed Limit>8x (or any setting except NONE, which is the same as AUTO in the Job Wizard).

Top