FTP Pitfalls

FTP or file transfer protocol delivery of content (masters) for duplication or replication can be a boon for some and a lifesaver for those with extremely tight deadlines.  While the convenience it affords is unparalleled – it is not always the best solution.

File transfer protocol is a method of transferring large files over the internet, files that are larger than email clients efficiently handle.  While we offer this method of master delivery on our publishing projects it does have a few caveats.

We do everything in our power to make sure that our customers receive the highest quality disc publishing available, but some of the pitfalls listed below are unavoidable.  We realize that many times physical location and near term deadlines necessitate the use of FTP. The items below are simply an attempt to educate our customers of the pros and cons of each master delivery option.

Pitfalls of FTP:

Pops, Hisses or artifacts introduced – we have found that some music files burned with masters created from files sent over FTP have a higher incidence of extraneous artifacts being introduced.

Incomplete transfers are undetectable – we receive thousands of masters and checking each music file or master for completeness is simply not feasible at this scale.  We do everything possible to assure complete files but sometimes it is impossible to determine if a song simply ended abruptly or if part of the file was missing.

Video files may appear stutter – we have noticed increase incidences of stutter, and freeze framing of digital video files on masters created from files that have been sent via FTP.

Track issues – many times files are uploaded at different rates and the order in which they are organized on the client may not be the same as they are organized on the server.  This can cause track ordering issues and potentially increase the turn time on your project.

Importance of working with a local CD/DVD Publisher

Whenever possible it is important to send a physical master for your publishing project.  A physical master alleviates the above issues and is the best method of master delivery. It is one of the many tangible benefits of working with a local CD printer. Make sure to research locations when evaluating your vendor options.

When you are gathering information for your next project, remember this simple message:

FTP delivery is best utilized with data disc publishing, not music or video.

Techware Distribution has been publishing CDs and DVDs right here in Minneapolis, MN for almost two decades and is here for all your disc publishing needs.