| HD DVD Workflow with DoStudio MX |
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| Overview |
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The process of creating HD DVD discs with advanced content is comprised of:
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- Planning – HD DVD development requires new skills and resources compared to DVD so planning is more important than ever
- Encoding – Encoding video and audio assets
to a format that is compatible with the HD DVD
Specification
- Multiplexing – or “muxing” – elementary
streams and the advanced content are written into a format that is readable by
HD DVD players
- Advanced Content Resources Creation
– Visual layout, navigation
programming, secondary video streams, sub audio, networking features, advanced
applications (scripting)
- Advanced
Content Authoring – Visual layout, navigation
programming, secondary video streams, sub audio, networking features, advanced
applications (scripting)
- Testing & Emulation HD DVD development is more like software development than video production so testing is very important
- Formatting the final process in which the muxed HDDVD_TS folder and the Advanced Content folder or archive file is written to a file format that is ready for mastering or burning to a writable disc format
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| Planning |
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Advanced Content HD DVD development is more like web or game programming than DVD Authoring. This means that to create a successful HD DVD, you will need the skills and resources of others who were not part of the DVD Authoring workflow.
Following a good software development process that begins with a workflow diagram and stresses testing is imperative to a successful HD DVD project.
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| Encoding & QC |
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Both HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc utilize the same types of encoded video streams. The specifications allow HD video streams in Mpeg2, SMPTE VC-1 and Mpeg-4 AVC formats. Audio streams can be Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TruHD, DTS, DTS-HD, PCM, Mpeg-1 Audio, and Mpeg-2 Audio.
There are numerous solutions for encoding HD video streams ranging from inexpensive software solutions to expensive hardware solutions.
Some HD Video Encoders:
NetBlender is constantly testing new encoders for HD DVD compatibility and publishes the updated results on the DoStudio website. Please check that frequently as this is an area of rapid change and improvement.
The primary goal in the Encoding process is quality within the allowable bit rate. This concept has not changed from DVD, but the bit rate has. HD DVD maximum video bit rate is 29.4 Mbps compared to DVD's 9.8 Mbps. The total bit rate for all streams on HD DVD is 30.24 Mbps.
At the end of the Encoding process you will have elementary video and audio streams in their respective formats. Note that DoStudio does not currently include a video encoder. You must encode your video to a spec-compatible stream using a third party encoder before multiplexing it with DoStudio.
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| Multiplexing |
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In this stage your elementary video and audio streams are written into a spec-compatible file structure that can be read by HD DVD players. After muxing you have an HVDVD_TS Folder that is analogous to a DVD's VIDEO_TS folder, however the actual files contained in it are quite different and they do not contain navigation information. Most significant to the authoring process are the .map files, which are pointer files that reference EVOB files that contain the video and audio content. When you set up your play listin the Advanced Content Authoring process, you reference the .map files.
Unlike DVD Authoring, the HD DVD Multiplexing process comes before or in parallel with the authoring (Advanced Content) process.
DoStudio includes Corel's PureHD Multiplexer. DoStudio can also be used in conjunction with a different multiplexer, such as Sonic Solutions.
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| Advanced Content Resources Creation |
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HD DVD menus and special features can include 32 bit graphics that animate on and off screen. Secondary video and audio streams can play in parallel with the primary video stream. Menus can contain sound effects. Games with real logic can be included as part of the viewing experience.
Advanced Content creates new interaction possibilities that were not available on DVD, but these features rely on graphics, video and audio that are in addition to the primary video and audio stream for the disc.
The same people who created the graphics for your DVD menus in the past will use the same tools to create graphics for your HD DVD. Secondary video and audio will need to be encoded at Standard definition resolution using a different process from the primary video and audio's HD encoding.
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| Advanced Content Authoring |
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HD DVD's Advanced Content layer, called HDi, is a combination of scripting and markup files that combine with media elements (sounds, graphics, media streams, fonts) to display next generation interactive content. A common implementation of the Advanced Content layer in HD DVD is the "seamless menu" which superimposes over the video in which the viewer can make navigation selections without interrupting the playback of the disc. More advanced implementations include calling video from the Internet, picture-in-picture display, gaming applications, e-commerce and more.
DoStudio significantly reduces the amount of script you need to write while providing compatibility with the maximum number of set top and software players. DoStudio accomplishes this by writing to its own managed code framework, called DoFramework, which intelligently writes HDi code upon compile.
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Design & Layout
The overall visual presentation of the menus and other content is determined by the Advanced Content developer. DoStudio's layout editor in conjunction with its ability to import Adobe Photoshop graphics makes this process simple compared to hand writing markup pages. DoStudio features Panes in which you include your various Advanced Content Elements.
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Scripts & Events
The dynamic nature of HD DVD's interactivity comes from its ability to utilize script. The scripting framework for your DoStudio Project is called DoScript. DoScript is a subset java script as well as a complete API. Every event in your DoStudio Project can have DoScript associated with it. You can also create DoScript files that you can load into your DoStudio Project and can reference from the various events. A good web programmer will feel right at home in this part of the process.
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Play List Setup
The Play List defines the overall navigational structure of the disc including title sets and their relationship to the Advanced Applications. DoStudio's play list editor simplifies this process with its point-and-click tree view editor. Upon compile, DoStudio writes the HDi play list file for you.
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| Testing & Emulation |
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Testing has increased significance in HD DVD since it is really more of a software development process than a video process. Simple syntax errors can cause otherwise robust Advanced Applications to crash on playback. DoStudio, in conjunction with the MS Validator (which is included in the MS HD DVD Interactivity Jumpstart Kit) will catch 99% of all syntax errors that can cause problems. But you still must test and test and test some more. When you author your Advanced Content with DoStudio, you have the confidence that your code is 100% HDi spec compatible, so you can spend your time testing any custom scripts or combinations that you have created. This reduces your test time dramatically.
When you wish to test your project, DoStudio compiles an ADV_OBJ folder that contains all of your HDi code. When you are ready to publish your final Advanced Content project, Do Studio compiles an Advanced Archive File (.aca). ACA files are used to increase the load time of an advanced application by packaging up all the necessary files into one single file.
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| Formatting the HD DVD |
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The final step before mastering and replication is Formatting. In this stage your multiplexed HD DVD_TS folder and ACA file are written into a CMF or DDP image for mastering or burning to writeable media.
It is common to burn test discs on DVD-R (obviously you can't fit all of your HD video, but you can fit all of your Advanced Content) using burning software such as Nero Burning Rom to burn a UDF 2.5 image.
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| AACS |
HD DVD and Blu-ray use a new encryption scheme called Advanced Access Content System (AACS) AACS is built on the robust Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) that uses 128 bit encryption keys. The keys are centrally managed by the AACS Licensing Agency (AACS LA) and they require a unique ID per title. The hardware license keys ar renewable, so when they are hacked (as has already happened) the AACS LA can issue updated keys for new titles that restore the security.
As a content owner or HD DVD developer, it is significant to note that adding AACS encryption is required to implement the networking features of HD DVD. An AACS license is $1,500 per title.
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