4.2 User Advice on MPEG-II Decoders
All DVD-Video material is compressed using MPEG-II compression. DVD-Video, with full-motion video and multi-channel
sound (multi-lingual soundtracks, surround sound, etc.), is a data-hungry application. Without compression, you would only
be able to fit a 5-minute movie onto a 4.5GB disc (the DV format is equivalent to 13GB per hour). MPEG-II compression
allows you to fit a full-length feature film, plus bonus material, on just one disc.
In order to play DVD-Video discs using your LaCie DVD±RW Drive, you need to have an appropriate MPEG-II decoder. You
have two options:
1) Install the MPEG-II decoder software if your PC is equipped with a processor that is 400MHz or faster. The decoder
software will give you smoother images when playing DVD-Video discs using your drive (as with any application, the more
RAM you have, the better playback performance will be).
2) Purchase and install a PCI MPEG-II decoder card if your PC is equipped with a processor that is 400MHz or slower. The
decoder card should help you obtain better performance during playback with your LaCie drive.
4.3 File System Formats - Definitions
When writing DVD±R/RW and CD-R/RW discs, you will have the option to assign the disc a particular file format (the way
in which a computer names and organizes files for storage and retrieval). There are essentially three file system formats to be
concerned with when using a LaCie DVD or CD Drive:
• Universal Disk Format (UDF)
• ISO 9660
• Mac OS Extended
UDF -
This file system was developed to ensure consistency between various optical media, compatibility across platforms and
among various CD and DVD applications. UDF is used by DVD to contain MPEG audio and video streams, and is required
by DVD-ROMs.
ISO 9660 -
This is the standard file system for CD-ROMs, which allows them to be read on a Mac, PC or other major
computer platform. Microsoft created an extension to the format, called Joliet, which allows for Unicode file character names
and file names up to 64 characters in length (twice as many as the ISO 9660 Level 2 and 3 specifications).
Mac OS Extended -
Also known as HFS+, this is the file system used by Mac OS 8.1 and higher. If you will be using your
disc only on Macs, this is the preferred file format.
Helpful Information
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LaCie DVD±RW Drive User’s Manual
FireWire
