2B. USING PTPUBLISHER
PTPublisher allows you to record and print CDs, DVDs, and BDRs (Blu-ray) using a variety of project types described below. When the software is opened these projects will be available from the main starter menu. At any point you can access these project by clicking the project in the New Projects area on the left.
B1. Project Types
Note: “Print Only” Project is the only project available for AutoPrinters.
Copy Project
A Copy Project can be used to copy any CD, DVD, DVD-DL or Blu-ray master. This job type reads the master disc from the Disc Publisher drive to the hard drive of your computer. The master is stored in the Global Image format (*.gi) in a temporary location on your computer. PTPublisher uses this temporary file to make all subsequent copies that are requested. The master disc is read only once to create the initial temporary file.
Recommended for: All CD, DVD or Blu-ray content or disc types (Audio CD, Data CD, Software Install Disc, Video CD, DVD Video, Blu-ray Video: CDR, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-ROM, DVD+DL, DVD-DL, BDR, BDR-DL, etc.). This is best used for single runs where you will not need to make additional copies of the master disc at a later time.
This project requires a master disc. If you do not have one use another project type.
Data Project
A data disc project allows you to create a data disc on a CD, DVD or BDR using files on your hard drive. You can replicate the file structure on your hard drive or you can create your own customized file structure.
Recommended for: Creating software installation discs, or data discs containing image files, presentation files, PDFs, documents, MP3s or any other file type. Data discs can generally ONLY be read by computers.
Audio Project
This project allows you to create an audio CD using WAV, MP3, AIFF or WMA files. Note: this procedure is not for copying already created and mastered original audio CDs. If you have already created a master audio CD in another application or this application and you would like to make additional copies, please use the Copy project.
Recommended for: Creating Audio CDs.
Video Project
This project involves extracting the Audio_TS and Video_TS folders from the master DVD or directing your DVD authoring software to output into Audio_TS and Video_TS folders instead of burning a master disc. For Blu-ray Video, this method involves extracting the Blu-ray folders from the master DVD or directing your Blu-ray authoring software to output into Blu-ray folders instead of burning a master disc. Note: The PTPublisher software was not meant for authoring DVDs or Blu-ray. You must use another software to burn a master DVD first. Make sure that disc plays and the menus work on all systems. You may also copy a master DVD using Copy Project or Image Project. However, the video project is the recommended method since it is faster and more reliable.
Recommend for: Situations where you are having compatibility problems with the formatting created by the DVD/Blu-ray authoring software or with the media type of the master disc. This method removes some potentially complicating variables from the DVD/Blu-ray Video creation process. This method eliminates the need for a master disc. Error or incompatibilities can be introduced into your master by the drive burning the master, the disc the master is burned on or the software burning the master. Instead masters can be stored on a large hard drive. This allows you to burn additional copies at any time without locating the master. If a backup strategy is employed, hard drive storage is more reliable over the long term since it is not susceptible to scratching like a master disc.
Image Project
The Image Project allows you to copy any CD, DVD, or BDR master. A disc image is an exact copy of your disc that you can save on your hard drive for later use. You can use an existing image or create an image and then use it in the project. The master disc is read from the specified drive to the hard drive of your computer. The master is stored in the Global Image format (*.gi) in a user specified location on your computer. PTPublisher uses this file to make all subsequent copies that are requested. The master disc is read only once to create the initial file.
Recommended for: All CD, DVD or Blu-ray content or disc types (Audio CD, Data CD, Software Install Disc, Video CD, DVD Video, Blu-ray Video: CDR, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-ROM, DVD+DL, DVD-DL, BDR, BDR-DL, etc.). This is best used for jobs that are repeated on a regular basis where you will need to make additional copies of the master disc at a later time. This project type stores the master on your hard drive. This saves the time it takes to read in the master and reduces the possibility of defects being introduced into the master disc.