Pro judging discs always seemed to end up being more trouble than they were worth. I wasn't involved with the first two generations but the last two had me ripping out hair. I tried at least 10 encoding methods/formats, a variety of mastering programs, burners, and media and there was ALWAYS some combination that worked on most but not all of my testing solutions. Ironically, the best DVD player that I tested on was, so I thought when I bought it for that purpose, the 'crappiest' I could get at Wal-mart for like $30 bucks. And it actually performed the best in general =/SailorDeath wrote:
The problem with using DVD is mostly compatibility. DVD-R/+R/DL manufacturers have varying methods on how they make their dvds. Combine that with a wide array of dvd laser manufacturers there are and you're going to find a lot of issues. The biggest problem I've seen is a DVD working in one player/drive but not for another. For example, with AWA's older pro method of judging when they first started sending DVDs in the mail, people have had issues in their players ranging from choppy video to not working at all. Most conventions also get REALLY CHEAP dvd players, and when I say really cheap I mean $30 bargain wholesale players like this: http://www.amazon.com/Craig-CVD327-DVD- ... B002SDCQJK Cons like doing this because 1. it helps cut costs and 2 its expendable.
As for the players used in AWA's video rooms (and by our main events technical contractor) is older but high-end Sony's. Most of these guys have been running events long enough to know not to cheap out on the equipment because it will smoke/stutter at the most inopportune times. You do need to check on the vintage of the gear though because the older lasers DO have media (plus/dash) compatibility issues. Any discs I burn for the awards showing I always use the best burner and media I have available, run 1x, full post-burn test, and immediately place in a tyvek sleeve. Then I burn 2 more =)
