Thomas D Abraham, 5512889 Lime Kiln Rd, Highland, MD 20777

6829618, Dec 7, 2004

Jun 4, 1999

09/325346

Thomas D. Abraham - Richmond VA
Scott E. Levine - Midlothian VA

Digital Video Express, L.P. - Herndon VA

G06F 1700

707104, 707 7, 707102, 386 95, 386 98, 369 3009

A method and apparatus for Disc Layout and Optimization (DLO) receives input such as a list of disc elements, a list of scene links, compiled code files, and still media files. The DLO also obtains information, e. g. , from a work order, regarding the size of the target DVD disc, the number of layers on the disc, and whether the disc is a dual layer disc, the type of tracking used, i. e. , parallel or opposite, etc. A scene is made up of one or more JARs, which are hierarchical. Navigation information from the scene code builder informs the DLO of the JAR types and scene flow. This allows the program to arrange the JARs and content to minimize the elapsed time between scenes. To accomplish this, a called JAR is placed within a reasonable distance of its calling JAR. If necessary, JARs will be replicated on the disc so as to keep the elapsed time as short as possible. Furthermore, replicated JARs that have no use will be deleted.