Acutrack Book Fulfillment | 888-234-3472 | [email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions
Acutrack’s on-demand manufacturing service allows you to manufacture a disc package when you need one and to fulfil it directly to your end-user.
Browse through these FAQs to find answers to commonly raised questions.
If you are a new customer, we encourage you to read through the relevant articles.
About Acutrack Media
Acutrack's on-demand manufacturing service allows you to manufacture a disc package when you need one and to fulfill it directly to your end-user.
Media Production
Acutrack has developed an Eco disc mailer to support disc fulfillment. These mailers are USPS-approved as automated letter mailers. With inserted disc and/or with a paper sleeve, our mailers are an effective alternative to paperboard mailers. Our mailers are designed to protect the disc and provide a significant reduction in postage costs.
Custom printing is available with a minimum production run of 20,000 mailers.
There are two versions -
ECO Mailer I
This is designed to hold just a disc and ship as 1 oz. letter rate
ECO Mailer II
This is designed to hold a disc in a paper sleeve and ship as 2 oz. letter rate
Acutrack’s MOD (Media On Demand) solution is an ideal solution when one has to manage & fulfill a large catalog of titles and you don’t have any forecast for those titles. Our MOD model has no inventory, no pre-ordering, and no upfront manufacturing costs.
Acutrack’s MOD mode requires that you must use an eCommerce (shopping cart) or marketplace (e.g. Amazon Marketplace). Essentially, we want you to manage your revenue & sales. Acutrack integrates with your eCommerce platform and helps you with production & fulfillment. That’s our value proposition so you grow your sales revenue and brand.
Since Acutrack provide you all the support and services to integrate with your platform and ongoing business support; we require that you have a minimum monthly business. The minimum monthly helps Acutrack to allocate resources and provide ongoing account management and support.
This on-demand manufacturing service allows you to manufacture a disc package when you need one and to fulfill directly to your end-user.
“MOD” has no inventory, no forecast, and no upfront manufacturing cost. We produce a disc package when you receive an order transaction; there is no pre-ordering, no inventory, and always a positive cash flow for you. You can easily change your product, discontinue them, create new ones or even customize each individual package. It is the ideal solution for those items on your media catalog where you have no forecast or where you would like to customize each package with any variable data such as a customer name, picture, or activation code.
Our product quality has a retail finish. Discs are printed with a photo-realistic image quality where the artwork does not smudge, scratch, or fade. Additionally, print inserts are produced with the latest digital print technology.
MOD has limited packaging choices. You can choose either a simple packaging (paper sleeve, clamshell) or retail packaging (DVD case or jewel case). Retail packaging (Jewel case and DVD case) gets assembled with your custom printed cover-wrap. DVD case packages are available in a different configuration with black, white or clear case and can hold up to 12 discs in a multi-disc case.
We are excited to launch our new application where you can set up a new CD, DVD or Blu-ray titles for our disc MOD (Manufacture On Demand) service. Our application requires that you store all files (content and artwork) in cloud storage and pass the link to us as a path. You have the choice to set cloud storage of your choice or use Acutrack’s FTP Cloud Storage. Acutrack’s FTP Cloud storage gives you a dedicated storage space of up to 1 TB. We charge you a flat fee of $35 per month to maintain the storage. This gives you a convenient, secure and simple way to upload files and provide us a link when setting up new titles.
We need to set up an SKU in our system to receive an order transaction.
You have the following packaging options
Single disc:
Paper sleeve
Jewel case with 2-panel insert & tray card
DVD case with custom printed cover wrap
Blu-ray case with custom printed cover wrap
Multi-disc packaging:
ACE3 DVD case which holds up to 3 disc
ACE12 DVD case which holds up to 12 discs
How should you prepare the disc content?
The content must be provided as an ISO disc image or ZIP file. For audio titles, we currently do not support the options to configure using our portal. Therefore, you must choose to configure by sending us your content so the Acutrack team can configure it.
How should you prepare the artwork for disc & packaging?
All disc and packaging artwork must follow our template and should be provided as a JPEG file. You can access these templates by pressing these links:
Disc image
Jewel case
DVD case
ACE3 DVD case
ACE12 DVD case
Blu-ray case
Refer to the attached document for more details.
How do I send all files to Acutrack?
Refer this link for sending files to Acutrack
MOD-SKU-Setup.pdf
You have three options to submit your artwork and content to us. Once you submit your files, our support team will communicate to you via our support ticket system and make sure the files are received and verified according to our specifications.
Upload files to our server:
Go to https://acutrack.sharefile.com/share/getinfo/r06c53c1d5887453ba387d4691dc7b84b and upload your files.
If you have provided the book specification to your Sales / Account Manager at Acutrack via a ticket, please mention the ticket# along with the company name.
Send us the download link:
Upload your files to any cloud such as Dropbox, Amazon S3 and send an email with the download link of your files to [email protected]
In the subject of the email, mention your Company Name - Project Title
Mail the files:
Mail the content and artwork files to the address below. Please send an email to [email protected] with the tracking number. In the subject of the email, mention your Company Name - Project Title
Mailing address:
Project Management
Acutrack, Inc.
350 Sonic Ave
Livermore, CA 94551
USA
Book Print File Specifications:
Please refer to this article to learn about book print file guidelines
Media Artwork Specifications:
Please refer to this article to learn about CD/DVD/Blu-ray guidelines
USB Specifications:
Please refer to these articles to learn about USB
https://support.acutrack.com/hc/en-us/articles/360039768953-USB-Flash-drive-sleeve
https://support.acutrack.com/hc/en-us/articles/360019811814-What-are-different-styles-capacity-of-USB-thumb-drive-
DVD/Blu-ray
BigBox PC is an old 90 style game box to hold a disc package. The box is 7" wide by 9" tall and constructed with 18 pt SBS board stock.
Box has two components, box lid, and box bottom.
DVD Eco-wallet board packaging is an eco-friendly way to package your DVD disc. The wallet is printed on 14 pt C1S board with full-color printing plus aqua varnish.
You have two styles to choose from:
Eco Wallet with a cut-out - download the template here
Eco Wallet with a slit - download the template here
You may download the DISC template here.
Subtitles are pretty much just a translation of the dialog. Subtitles translate the dialogue into other languages so the video can be watched by viewers who don’t understand the language spoken. They communicate solely the dialogue and not the sound effects of the audio track.
Captions are basically just like subtitles except that they include text for both sound effects and dialog. These are typically for the deaf and hard of hearing and are usually required for content on broadcast television.
Scenarist Closed Captions (SCC) file is required for the implementation of closed captions and Spruce Subtitle file (STL) is required for the implementation of sub-titles.
Captions that are broadcast on television are streamed through the data portion (line 21) of an analog television signal. One method requires turning on closed captions in television settings. The other way is to turn them on or off just like any other subtitles. If the video is meant for broadcast, I believe it is then a legal requirement that they are included in the video stream.
Another term that is used (especially on blu-ray, since they are not capable of carrying the closed caption stream) is SDH or Subtitles for the Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing. It is basically the same thing as closed captions with the only difference being how they are displayed.
DVD-5, DVD-9 are the two most common DVD formats.
A DVD-5 is a single-layer DVD that holds up to 4.7GB of data (around 120-133 minutes of standard definition video depending on compression).
A DVD-9 is a dual-layer DVD that holds up to 8.5GB of data (around 240 minutes of video depending on compression). This DVD consists of a solid layer and a semi-transparent layer that allows for almost twice the data of a DVD-5 and is often used to retain a higher bitrate (quality) that may not be feasible on a DVD-5.
Likewise, Blu-ray disc (BD) which is delivered high-definition video content is available in two different formats, BD-25 & BD-50
A BD-25 is a single-layer BD that holds up to 25GB of data (around 120-133 minutes of high definition video depending on compression).
A BD-50 is a dual-layer BD that holds up to 50GB of data (around 240 minutes of high definition video depending on compression).
Blu-ray replication get AACS encryption.
We implement the licensed AACS encryption to the glass master. When replicating a Blu-ray disc, AACS is mandatory, and therefore, we require a BDCMF image. We take this image and implement encryption during the manufacturing process (glass mastering). You incur a one-time fee for AACS and royalty fees per disc are included in our unit cost.
This article explains the acceptable file format for production services
Blu-ray Disc
BDCMF or Sony CMF is an acceptable format.
Please provide Blu-ray master (BDCMF) on a removable hard drive, digital file to download, or as a file on BD-R disc (Playable BD-Rs are not acceptable).
We can also accept the BDMV format. However, Acutrack will take the BDMV file and convert it to BDCMF for a fee of $100
DVD Disc
Send us your DVD master as an ISO disc image. For DVD-Video, we can also accept the Video_TS directory. If you have implemented CSS copy protection, you must provide a disc image as a DDP file set (DVD master on DVD-R is not accepted for CSS copy protected image).
Audio CD
Send us your Audio CD master on a CD-R disc.
If you plan to upload the content digitally, Bin/Cue or DDP file set are acceptable disc image file formats.
USB Thumb drive
Send us the master on a USB thumb drive or a disc image. ISO or IMG is an acceptable image for USB.
This Blu Ray single case has an outer sleeve for your artwork plus literature tabs inside the box for booklets.
A blu-ray case is a smart way to package your Blu-ray disc. The Blu-ray case has the distinctive "Blu-ray blue color, reinforces the message that your customer is receiving a true Blu-ray disc with all the advantages that this high definition format has!
The case has an outer sleeve for your artwork plus literature tabs inside the box for booklets. The case is made from 100% polypropylene and has a silver, embossed Blu-ray logo on the front. The Blu-ray case has an overall dimensions - 5-5/16" X 6-3/4" X 1/2" (135 mm X 172 mm X 12.5 mm).
You can download the template for the outer sleeve and inside insert (booklet) from this link
Production time for any project varies depending on the nature of the project, order quantity, and our production schedule. We quote our production times from the moment you approve your proofs. They do not include the pre-approval process of prepping your art files and/or master, nor the time it takes for you to approve your proofs. Here is some general estimated timeline:
DVD Replication:
The DVD replication method is typically used for high volumes of 300 quantity or more per title. It involves creating a glass master. That master is then used to press the discs.
Production time is 8 to 10 business days.
DVD Duplication:
This DVD duplication method is typically used for smaller volumes of up to 299 quantity per title. The process involves recording the content into the disc with a laser.
Production time is 5 to 7 business days.
USB production:
7 to 10 business days
DVD & Blu-ray case:
This traditional package is instantly recognizable for DVDs & Blu-ray. These Cases are perfect for video collectors. Order your discs with a matching printed case wrap covering the front, spine, and back.
Here are the templates for the DVD case & Blu-ray case.
DVD Case
Blu-ray case
Digipack
A Digipack consists of a rectangular cardboard package with one or more plastic trays capable of holding a disc attached to the inside. Digipack has the same form factor as a standard DVD case or blu-ray case but is made mostly of environmentally friendly material. Overall, it is a sturdy and elegant package.
Please download & use the following template when designing your artwork:
DVD Digipack
Blu-ray Digipack
Americans Use NTSC; Everybody else Uses PAL
NTSC is an analog TV color system used in North America, Central America, and parts of South America. PAL is an analog TV color system used in Europe, Australia, parts of Asia, parts of Africa, and parts of South America.
If you are sending your video files for authoring DVD-Video, you need to specify whether you need Acutack to author DVD in NTSC or PAL format. Blu-ray discs do not use either PAL or NTSC coding but rather are in the 1080p (p: pixels, of vertical resolution) worldwide high definition standard.
The DVD Region system is used to control which DVD movies play on which DVD Players. The DVD regions are broken down as below. Region 0 makes DVD a region Free. By default, we make DVD region free unless otherwise specified.
DVD Region Codes
USA & Canada 1
Europe & Japan 2
Southeast Asia 3
Latin America & Australia 4
Russia, Rest of Asia and Africa 5
China 6
International Venues, Cruise Ships, Planes, etc. 8
Blu-ray Region Codes
Americas, East, and Southeast Asia A
Europe, Africa, Oceania, Middle East, French territories, Greenland B
Central and South Asia; Mongolia, Russia, and People's Republic of China C
Generally, uncompressed video is the best, but submitted video should be at least the same resolution or quality as your edited master without additional compression added.
Uncompressed digital video files HD and SD — AVI (Windows Media Codec, Avid DNxHD), QuickTime (ProRes), and mp4.
Please download and read the attached document for additional details.
Submitting Assets for Mastering.pdf
Global region codes identify DVDs and Blu-ray discs that are compatible with the players typically sold in that region.
The following are the different regions and their corresponding numerical equivalent:
Standard DVDs
Region 1: the U.S., U.S. Territories, Canada, and Bermuda
Region 2: Japan, Europe, South Africa, and the Middle East, including Egypt
Region 3: Southeast Asia, East Asia, including Hong Kong
Region 4: Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean
Region 5: Eastern Europe, Baltic States, Russia, Central and South Asia, Indian subcontinent, Africa, North Korea, and Mongolia
Region 6: China
Region 0: Region free
Blu-ray Discs
Region A/1: North America, Central America, South America, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia
Region B/2: Europe, Greenland, French territories, Middle East, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand
Region C/3: India, Nepal, Mainland China, Russia, Central, and South Asia
FREE: Region free
If you want your DVD or Blu-ray to play globally, you must "Region free" option at the time of disc authoring. DVD or Blu-ray authored by Acutrack is "region free" unless instructed otherwise.
When submitting a master for audio CD, you can either mail us the “master audio CD” or upload “audio disc image”.
We accept audio disc image as DDP or BIN/CUE format.
A DDP file set is the recommended format for uploading the audio CD image. A DDP file set contains the audio and all other necessary information, it also can include CD-TEXT, ISRC codes, etc.
BIN/CUE format is used to store a disc image, which is composed of a cue sheet file (.cue) and one or more bin files. The cue file is a plain-text file, which stores the information of disc and tracks. The bin file is a binary file, which stores the raw sector-by-sector copies of the tracks in the disc.
While most disc imaging software supports the above format, you may choose to use Imgburn (a free version). Download ImgBurn
If you do not provide us “master audio CD” or “audio disc image” and provide MP3 files or WAV files, we can help prepare a master image for a fee of $75
DVD/Blu-ray production services require that you provide us a disc image ready for production services. If you provide us a video file, it requires DVD authoring.
DVD/Blu-ray authoring is the process of taking video material and combining it with images, artwork, user menus, chapter points, text, music, overdubs, commentary, animation, autoplay, repeat settings, and more, via the authoring software to create content capable of being viewed as a video.
DVD/Blu-ray authoring is the final step in video post-production, turning your project into a complete interactive viewing experience.
Acutrack do not provide authoring services. We recommend you contact Vicaps
[email protected] or "Tiffany S. Thomas"
Here are some standard packages.
Straight Play Disc
Standard FBI Warning (as first play)
Your Company Logo
Up to 12 chapter points
Standard Package Disc
Standard FBI Warning (as first play)
Your Company Logo
One page static main menu & one-page static chapter menu
Up to 2 Audio Stream
Up to 2 Subtitle
Up to 12 chapter points
High-End Package Disc
All details related to standard Package disc, plus
Multiple menu pages (static or motion)
Multiple Subtitles streams, audio streams
Custom USB Thumb Drive
You now can make a USB thumb drive behave just like DVD-Video Disc. Just like DVD-Video disc, USB thumb drive has the same menu, interactivity, subtitles or closed captioning and we call is USB-Video.
No need to put MP4 video files on USB. Give your audience the flexibility to deliver your interactive video on a USB thumb drive. If you are already distributing your video on DVD then we assume that you already have an authored DVD-Video disc that has the right file structure - Audio and Video TS folders. Audio and Video TS folders are the main contents on a DVD where all video and navigation information is stored as VOB, BUP and IFO files.
Let Acutrack team take your authored DVD content (send us the DVD disc or an ISO image) and make a USB-Video drive for you. Your content is secure and interactive just like DVD-Video
This flash drive sleeve is perfect to protect your flash drive from dust, dirt, and keep it secure. The sleeve has two holes and compatible with a three-ring binder.
Product Features:
Crystal clear 8-gauge vinyl
Opens on the long side
Two holes for use with three-ring binders
Overall size: 3 5⁄8" x 5 ½"
Inside capacity: 2 1⁄8" x 5 1⁄8"
Manufactured in the USA
In addition to a USB thumb drive, you can also add an "Insert". The template for the insert can be viewed here.
Yes, a white album case is a great way to custom package a USB thumb drive.
These attractive cases hold thumb drives that nestle snugly in the pre-cut foam. Each case is cut with a cavity to fit your standard USB drives.
The case has a finished size of 7.25" x 10.93" x 0.625" and ships 6 oz. package with a USB. This product has a clear outer overlay to insert your own artwork to customize the cover! You may download the template for the cover-wrap from here.
A write-protected USB (USB-ROM) is similar to CD-ROM, where files can be read or copied from the USB, but nothing can be saved or copied onto it.
This can help prevent you, or anyone else, from accidentally deleting or saving over important files. A write-protected USB is safer as it cannot be infected by any viruses or other malicious activity.
Unlike other storage devices like magnetic tapes, compact discs or memory cards, USB flash drives do not have any built-in write-protection mechanism. Acutrack works on the controller level and will ensure that your USB media is write-protected and your content is secure.
Thumb drives are designed to be user-friendly, both for writing information and access it later. While it is easy to copy and store files on USB by simply dragging and dropping without any special application, USB mastering is important for those who plan to use USB thumb drives for distribution of digital content.
The USB Mastering Process Requires:
Choosing the right USB format
Choice of partitions (if applicable)
Giving the USB a volume name
Assigning an icon image for easy identification when inserted in the drive
Choose whether the USB needs to be bootable (necessary when you need to work on a system that doesn’t have an operating system installed)
Once you prepare the master, the master image can be dumped as an IMG file or ISO file. Once you provide an IMG or ISO file to us for USB production, we can make exact duplication.
There are multiple formats available for storing USB content.
Today, FAT32 is the most common format, compatible across platforms (Windows, MAC, DOS, and UNIX-based system). FAT32 is limited in terms of file size support (no more than 4GB) and can
be limited by certain operating systems. However, Thumb drives allow for customized flexibility options. For window-based machines, USB content can be formatted in exFAT; for Mac OS, HFS+.
Thumb drives also allow for two partitions—one exFAT specific to Window and the HFS+ specific to Mac OS, all on the same USB, catering to all customers.
USB 3.0 is fantastic. Not only does it run at 5Gbps—10 times faster than its predecessor, USB 2.0—but it also corrects a lot of performance issues as well. If you are dealing with content 16 GB or higher, you must consider USB 3.0 as a preferred choice.
Here is the key difference between USB 3.0 compared to USB 2.0
Transfer rates:
USB 2.0 offers transfer rates of 480 Mbps, and USB 3.0 offers transfer rates of 4.8 Gbps — 10 times faster.
Power consumption:
USB 2.0 provides up to 500 mA whereas USB 3.0 provides up to 900 mA. The USB 3 devices provide more power when needed and conserve power when the device is connected but idling.
More bandwidth:
Instead of one-way communication, USB 3.0 uses two unidirectional data paths, one to receive data and the other to transmit while USB 2.0 can only handle only one direction of data at any time.
White Album case is a great way to package both a disc and USB thumb drive.
These attractive cases hold thumb drives that nestle snugly in the pre-cut foam. Each case is cut with a cavity to fit your standard USB drives. The disc gets placed securely on a foam hub on the inside left panel.
The case is the same size and shape as a standard size DVD case and will fit in media storage cases. This product has a clear outer overlay to insert your own artwork to customize the cover! You may download the template for the cover-wrap from here.
Acutrack's copy protection on a USB thumb drive stand-alone solution that does not require an Internet connection or authentication from an off-site server. Everything runs 100% from the flash drive itself. There is no software to install to view the files, and no administrator rights required: just plug in the drive and you can immediately access the content.
Copy-protected USB thumb drives comes with PCViewer and MACViewer which allows you to open and view copy-protected files on a USB. In order for encrypted drives to be usable immediately and without additional downloads, the PCViewer/MACViewer runs from the drive. Since we require a viewer application, our copy-protected USB can run on PC or MAC only and cannot run on smartTV or any media player!
Currently, we support copy protection of the following file format:
Documents: PDF, XML, TXT and CSS
Web Pages: HTM, HTML and HTML5
Image and: Animation: SWF, JPG, GIF, and PNG
Audio Files: MP3 and WAV
Video Files: WMV, MP4, M4V, and MOV
Here are some of the key Features of Acutrack’s USB Copy Protection Services:
The content can be viewed, but it cannot be copied or shared.
Data and files cannot be deleted or formatted from the USB drive.
Copy-protected files formatted in PDF, HTML, and text cannot be printed without permission, which means their dissemination is up to you.
Users cannot select content from one document and copy and paste it into another; this prevents users from performing a “select all” copy and paste from within a PDF.
Users cannot take screengrabs on Mac computers or perform print screens on Windows devices.
Administrator rights are not required because nothing is installed on the host computer; this is ideal for large corporations and government agencies.
A USB thumb drive is available as 4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB or 128 GB capacity.
We commonly stock Classic style USB thumb drives. This is stored in white color and can be customized on both sides full color with your artwork.
We also support Swivel Style or Credit card style USB thumb drive. Based on your specific needs, we can always stock the USB style desired by you.
In order experience, you are facing this problem because the Video files are not optimized for streaming.
Video MP3 files should be correctly encoded with H.264. Here is our suggestion on how to encode MP3 file correctly using VLC Media Player.
Select the option: Covert/Save
Select the profile: H.264 + MP3
On the encapsulation tab, select
MP4/MOV
Keep original audio track box checked
Packaging
White Album case is a great way to package both a disc and USB thumb drive.
These attractive cases hold thumb drives that nestle snugly in the pre-cut foam. Each case is cut with a cavity to fit your standard USB drives. The disc gets placed securely on a foam hub on the inside left panel.
The case is the same size and shape as a standard size DVD case and will fit in media storage cases. This product has a clear outer overlay to insert your own artwork to customize the cover! You may download the template for the cover-wrap from here.
Yes, a white album case is a great way to custom package a USB thumb drive.
These attractive cases hold thumb drives that nestle snugly in the pre-cut foam. Each case is cut with a cavity to fit your standard USB drives.
The case has a finished size of 7.25" x 10.93" x 0.625" and ships 6 oz. package with a USB. This product has a clear outer overlay to insert your own artwork to customize the cover! You may download the template for the cover-wrap from here.
Yes, a white album case is a great way to custom package a USB thumb drive.
These attractive cases hold thumb drives that nestle snugly in the pre-cut foam. Each case is cut with a cavity to fit your standard USB drives.
The case has a finished size of 7.25" x 10.93" x 0.625" and ships 6 oz. package with a USB. This product has a clear outer overlay to insert your own artwork to customize the cover! You may download the template for the cover-wrap from here.
DVD & Blu-ray case:
This traditional package is instantly recognizable for DVDs & Blu-ray. These Cases are perfect for video collectors. Order your discs with a matching printed case wrap covering the front, spine, and back.
Here are the templates for the DVD case & Blu-ray case.
DVD Case
Blu-ray case
Digipack
A Digipack consists of a rectangular cardboard package with one or more plastic trays capable of holding a disc attached to the inside. Digipack has the same form factor as a standard DVD case or blu-ray case but is made mostly of environmentally friendly material. Overall, it is a sturdy and elegant package.
Please download & use the following template when designing your artwork:
DVD Digipack
Blu-ray Digipack
DVD Eco-wallet board packaging is an eco-friendly way to package your DVD disc. The wallet is printed on 14 pt C1S board with full-color printing plus aqua varnish.
You have two styles to choose from:
Eco Wallet with a cut-out - download the template here
Eco Wallet with a slit - download the template here
You may download the DISC template here.
Custom USB Thumb Drive
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