The public acceptance of the Internet and Digital Versatile Disks (DVDs) in the 1990s has opened up a valuable market for all content providers and advertisers. Fortunately, Point.360 can help you take advantage of these new and exciting opportunities. We provide full authoring and pre-mastering services to accommodate the DVD release of feature film titles. We also provide MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 video compression services for commercial spots, corporate video, viewing disks and a host of Internet-related applications.

DVD Services: Feature films on DVD offer the consumer a multimedia experience that far exceeds the capabilities and quality of VHS. However, a meticulous multi-step process is necessary to bring your film libraries to life on DVD. Point.360 can manage the entire process for you.

Transfer: We start by digitally transferring your original film master (if necessary) to videotape. Our telecine equipment takes a digital still picture of your film, one frame at a time. The resulting master is color-corrected to ensure accurate representation of the original film.

Cadence Correction: For video elements that have a broken 3:2 cadence, MPEG 2 encoding can be troublesome. Using State of the art equipment, we can correct any broken cadence. This will ensure the highest quality MPEG 2 encode using inverse telecine.

DVD Encoding: The video master is fed into an MPEG-2 video encoder, which compresses the data so it will eventually fit on a DVD disk. One of our skilled compressionists then monitors the resulting video to detect any quality problems. This process is repeated when creating an AC3 audio stream for 5.1 audio sources.

Authoring: This is the process of combining the compressed video and audio material with graphic menus, navigation and interactivity. We perform these services in-house on a high-powered Silicon Graphics™ workstation.

Quality Control: The computerized data, stored on a hard drive, is then put through a quality control process. Our technicians watch and listen to every frame on multiple monitors in rooms with surround sound systems.  We check video quality, subtitles, voice tracks and soundtracks. The quality-checked copy is transferred to digital linear tape (DLT).

Mastering: This is the process of taking the final DLT master, creating a software disc image, and creating a glass master. We can also help produce and assemble your desired pit art (artwork on the disc itself) and packaging design. At your option, Point.360 can create a comprehensive DVD disc image and output a one-off DVD for approval before replication.

Replication: Point.360 will coordinate with the replication house of your choice to produce as many copies as you may need. No job is too large or too small for us to handle:

• Up to eight (8) separate audio tracks (either mono, stereo or 5.1 Dolby Digital® surround)
• Up to thirty-two (32) subtitle tracks for language translations
• Near D-1 quality video menus (still or motion with full interactivity)
• Storage of up to 17 gigabytes per dual layer, double-sided disc.

Compression: Digital compression of video and audio is vital to prepare content for the Internet and other computer applications. Sample applications include:

• Compilation reels
• Broadcast-quality demo disks
• Corporate video (with optional interactive features)
• Review copies of unfinished material

Point.360 performs all types of compression and can capture uncompressed Standard and High definition video for editorial or any other uncompressed needs. Some examples of compressed files are MPEG 1,2,4,H.264, Windows Media, Quicktime and Real Media. MPEG-1 compression, which is the most universal format, produces video resolution that is less than full-screen in size and non-broadcast quality. MPEG-2 compression is the standard used in broadcasting, DVD and other final delivery products. MPEG-2 compresses multiple frames of video at the same time and therefore is not edit capable. The delivery quality, however, can be quite good depending on the bit rate.

Internet Services: Taking your compressed video and/or audio material, Point.360 can post this content on our secure, password-protected website. We can archive your program material, allowing you to search on-line by any number of search criteria (title, date, keywords, identification codes and more). Internet access allows for instant availability and secure access throughout the world.