292 ABSOLUTE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TODIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
FIGURE 19.5
Importing a
video clip into
Windows XP’s
Movie Maker.- Put all the elements together. Authoring software such as Apple’s iDVD
enables you to author CDs and DVDs. Similar programs on the PC include
Sonic MyDVD, Pinnacle Studio, and Nero 6.
Use one of these tools to build your CD. You can import all the media you’ve created
and organize it into an interactive CD. For making test disks or small editions, a CD-R
(CD-recordable) drive will record the material onto a blank CD. For larger editions, the
obvious choice is DVD. Current DVD-Rs and DVD-RWs store up to 4.7GB. New dual
layer technology will double that number, enabling you to store four hours of uncom-
pressed video. After that, any number of disks can be produced at a low cost per copy.The Absolute Minimum
This chapter focuses on preserving your images in places other than your computer’s
hard drive. The best method for backing up images is DVD-ROM or CD-ROM. The price
of CD-ROMs is so small now (lower than five cents each) that they are excellent,
portable storage media. Photographic prints are fine but fade unless you purchase spe-
cial dye inks or pigment-based inks. Follow these tips to preserve your images on media:
■ Typical photographic prints do not last forever, nor do the inks that print the
photo. If you are looking for longevity, consider higher-end pigment-based
inks and cotton-fiber papers.
■ The average cost for CD-ROMs is four cents when you buy them in a promo-
tion or in a spindle of 100.
■ CD-ROMs are an excellent backup medium for images. Just be sure to keep
the CDs in a padded binder in a remote location.
■ Photographic prints last longest when printed on matte paper.