If in doubt please ask!

To avoid delays and extra charges, please ensure that the CDs and DVDs you send to us comply with these specifications.

File structure and file names

Both CDs and DVDs must be formatted to ISO 9660 so they can be read on both Macs and PCs. And once you’ve selected ISO 9660 make sure you then check the Joliet option to allow long filenames.

The original ISO 9660 standard allowed for 8 characters (plus a 3 character extension). Joliet is an extension of the original ISO 9660 to allow for file names up to 64 characters including spaces.

This is very important if you’re using Photojunction. Truncating filenames will destroy the linkages between high-res files and proxies that Photojunction depends on to function.

While Joliet format will enable you to use very long filenames, bear in mind that these must also be compatible with our DP2 software. For that reason your filenames must be no more than 31 alphanumeric characters - preferably much shorter! - with NO spaces or special characters (see our File Specifications for details).

If your software does not allow long file names you will need to upgrade.

Media

Before you buy, make sure your blank DVDs are either DVD-R ("DVD minus" format) or DVD+R ("DVD plus" format). These are the standard DVD media for Macs and PCs.

Please do not copy your files to DVD-RW, DVD+RW or DVD-RAM disks.

When you burn

Please play safe. Avoid cheap, unreliable media. Always verify your disks after burning them - and before you send them to us! Opening the files to double-check is a lot less hassle than burning and sending a whole new disk when we find we can’t open the original.

Burning at less than the maximum speed may result in a more reliable disk.