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Video DVD vs. Interactive CD-ROM vs. USB Drive

Which format is best for my project?

When planning a project that primarily involves video content, one decision that needs to be made early in the process, and before production begins, is determining what format the final piece will be delivered on. It is important to identify who will be using the final piece, how they will be displaying it, and on what type of computer it will be used. This white paper aims to assist in deciding when to produce a video DVD, when to produce an interactive CD-ROM, and when to produce as a USB Drive. Below is an explanation of each format, along with the specific pros and cons for each.

Interactive CD-ROM:
Interactive CD-ROMs are essentially applications that run from a CD once it is placed into the user’s computer drive. Their design and functionality can be fully customized.

Pros:

• Can contain any number of interactive features, such as games, slide sorters, posttests, file downloads, scrolling transcripts, links to websites, etc.
• Allows complete control over design and branding.
• Compatible with all PCs and Macs with CD Drives.
• CDs can hold a great deal more video footage than a DVD, depending on the size and quality of the video.

Cons:

• Video is slightly compressed and generally not full-screen.
• Video content can’t be watched from a television.
• Additional cost associated with making the CD hybrid.

Video DVD:
The most common example of video DVDs would be the thousands of Hollywood movies released to DVD. They contain primarily just video content but also very simple navigational menus. The video DVD format also allows for subtitles and chapters.

Pros:

• Video can be displayed full screen in the highest quality, standard definition video available.
• Compatible with all home DVD players to enable viewing on a television.
• Compatible with PCs and Macs with DVD drives for no additional cost.

Cons:

• Lack of interactive features such as games, slide sorters, posttests, file downloads, scrolling transcripts, links to websites, etc.
• Not compatible with computers lacking a DVD drive.
• DVDs typically hold only 2 hours of high quality video footage.
• Higher duplication costs than CD-ROMs.

USB Drive:
USB Drives are very similar to Interactive CD-ROMs only instead of running from a CD they run from a USB drive. Like CD-ROMs, their design and functionality can be fully customized.

Pros:

• Often more popular than CDs or DVDs with users because they can reused for other things once the user has viewed the program.
• Can contain any number of interactive features, such as games, slide sorters, posttests, file downloads, scrolling transcripts, links to websites, etc.
• Allows complete control over design and branding.
• Compatible with all PC’s and Mac’s USB ports.
• USB drives can potentially hold more data than either CDs or DVDs, maxing out around 16 GB.

Cons:

• The cost of duplicating the drives is higher than either CDs or DVDs.
• If a user does not have a USB 2.0 port on their computer then any video playback will be very slow. (Most computers manufactured after 2001 contain this port)
• Video is slightly compressed and generally not full-screen.
• Video content can’t be watched from a television.
• Content can be easily deleted from drive.

If you have questions about how CMW can assist you with creating an Interactive CD-ROM, DVD, or USB Drive project, please call 800-737-1123 and ask to speak with a multimedia developer.

About Creative MediaWorks, Inc.
Creative MediaWorks is committed to being a full service graphics provider—offering creative design, digital imaging and multimedia services. The goal of each project is to achieve the highest levels of client satisfaction while producing excellent quality graphic media on-time.

For over 20 years we’ve built a solid reputation as a trusted multimedia partner in the healthcare community. Creative MediaWorks specializes in the development and production of compelling visual graphics for healthcare meetings, which include: interactive CD/DVD-ROM programs, website development, mechanism of action animation, animated directional signage, multimedia presentations, scientific poster layout, large-format digital printing, dynamic PowerPoint presentations and more.

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