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• The second layer’s direction must be selected: You need to decide whether to use the
Parallel Track Path (PTP) or Opposite Track Path (OTP) direction. See Setting the
Dual-Layer Direction for more information.
• A break point must be chosen: The point where the first layer ends and the second
begins can be chosen automatically by DVD Studio Pro, or you can select the track
marker that serves as the break point. See About Choosing a Dual-Layer Break Point
for more information.
Dual-layer discs allow you to place nearly twice as much content on a single disc side,
but there is a downside to this method: At some point, the DVD player must switch from
reading the first layer to reading the second layer. Switching between layers requires the
player’s laser to refocus and then locate the sector at which to start playing. During this
time, the video image freezes, which may confuse viewers or make them think the disc
is defective.
There are two things you can do to minimize the effect of this switch time: Use the OTP
direction to minimize how long it takes, and choose a break point where a freeze is not
as noticeable. Alternatively, you can choose to use a seamless layer change.
Choosing Seamless or Non-Seamless Layer Changes
DVD Studio Pro includes a setting that allows you to choose between a seamless layer
change or a non-seamless layer change.
With the seamless layer change, the switch between the first and second layer is less
detectable. With the non-seamless layer change, there is a short pause when the DVD
player switches between the layers.
While the seamless layer change would appear to be the best choice, some DVD players
do not support the seamless feature, and may stop playing the disc once the switch point
is reached. For that reason, it is strongly suggested that you use the default non-seamless
layer change setting.
To change the layer change setting
1 Click the Disc/Volume tab in the Disc Inspector.
2 Do one of the following:
• To use the normal layer change setting: Leave the Seamless checkbox deselected.
• To force a non-standard seamless layer change setting: Select the Seamless checkbox.
Setting the Dual-Layer Direction
The disc’s first layer always starts on the inside edge, near the disc’s spindle hole. The disc
plays from this point toward the outer edge.
581Chapter 22 Finishing a Project