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CD DVD Duplication Guide





We have compiled these pages to give our users, visitors and customers access to some useful web resources and information pages. Content in these pages is provided by CD-writer.com Ltd and is based on our opinion only and should not be considered as legal advice.

By using the pages and information on the CD DVD Duplication Guide we hope that you start to build more knowledge about your requirements when considering CD DVD Duplication. With the market being such a dynamic place at this time, with so many products and services available it can be hard to make the right decision.

We will be updating the CD DVD Duplication Guide pages regularly, with more information and links to try to help you get to the right decision.

Questions and Answers



What is a PC Connect CD DVD Duplicator?
What is a Standalone Autoloader CD DVD Duplicator?
What is a Network Duplicator?
What is a CD/DVD Tower Duplicator?
What is a CD DVD Disc Printer?
What are the different kinds of CD printer?
Is a thermal printing better than inkjet?
Will my inkjet printed discs smudge?
Do any printers print discs and paper?
Can I use 4X CD media on a 52X CD Duplicator?
What Audio/Video duplication solutions are available?
What type of Recordable Media is available?
What CD DVD Disc Printer Supplies are available?
What CD/DVD Packaging Supplies are available?
What are the different kinds of duplicator?
How are duplication and replication different?
Which is better, an automated or manual system?
What is a CD/DVD Tower Duplicator?
What is the fastest way to make 1000 CDs or DVDs?


Different types of duplicator
In recent times a broad range of CD and DVD Duplication, printing and production systems have become available. Manufacturers including Rimage and Primera manufacture automated combination CD DVD Copy and print solutions. Other companies including Microboards license and manufacture automated CD DVD printers and batch copiers. Several companies specialise in tower duplication systems, that produce large volumes on tighter budgets; take a look at Foruna, Rquest and StorDigital Duplicators.

We offer the folowing advice: For customers who need to produce large volumes of CD and DVD, quickly at low cost the best option is a tower duplication system. Containing upto 14 drives StorDigital tower duplicators can burn upto 300 full CDR's per hour. For customer who require out of the box copy and print publishing solutions run via a PC we suggest either the Primera Bravo of the Rimage 2000i. Produce upto 100 disc automatically including full colour printing. (05/01/05). Customers that require moderate volume, unattended operation might consider the purchase of a CopyDisc Opti Pro system. 400 Disc Capacity with 4 recorders and onboard inkjet printing.

How are duplication and replication different?
Replication is a process for producing CD and DVD products using a physcial production process. Using a glass master CD and DVD discs are pressed on machines. CD and DVD duplication processes produce discs using a red laser to record on recordable discs including CDR and DVDR.

What is a PC Connect CD DVD Duplicator?
Some CD and DVD duplicators are manufactured to operate via a PC connection and may incorporate an auto loader. The PC connection would allow you to master/create your CD and DVD directly from a host PC, ususally running windows. The device will connect either via USB, Firewire or a combination of the two. The autoloader function will allow the CD DVD duplicator to operate automatically without human intervention. The auto loader will insert and remove discs in the copy and print cycle.
What is an autoloader used for?
CD DVD Duplicators that operate via a host PC ususually allow for greater control over operation. The duplication system will utilise the capabilities of the hosts operating system. By using a host PC the user can queue up multiple jobs, often as many as 10,000. The unit could then be left to process ALL jobs without further intervention. There is therefore no need for the operator to burn a master disc prior to the start of the duplication process. The system will create disc images on the host PC hard drive. This disc image (data) is then sent to the duplicator and printer along with the artwork for the onbody print (in the instance of a combined copier and printer). The two elements will then be combined to creat the finished disc. The use of a host PC on a network will also offer further advantages. Although not operating as a networkable duplicator the host PC will allow network users to dump their disc content on the hard drive of the host PC.
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What is a Standalone Autoloader CD DVD Duplicator?
Whereas an autoloader minimises the requirement for human intervention in the CD and DVD production process. The use of a standalone autoloader may offer further advantages to some user groups. For example a standalone autoloader that can be used in remote locations where there is no access to a host PC. At live events a live audio CD recorder may be used to creat a master disc. This disc can then be used in the standalone duplicator with autoloader device. So the key advantages would be portability with the benefits of unattended operation.
What is it used for?
Standalone CD and DVD autoloaders are used for a range of reasons in a variety of different environments. An autoloading duplicator will be used where a non intrusive duplication process is required. Small units are compact and portable and can be move and relocated according to production requirements. The MicroOrbit from Microboards is an ideal entry level autoloading CD DVD duplication system. Large Autoloading CD DVD duplicating systems including those from Verity Systems are ideal for large scale production requirements, day in and day out.
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What is a Network Duplicator?
Networkable CD DVD Duplicators open a whole new world to organisations and companies where its is a requirement that CD and/or DVD production is fully intergrated with the business model. Using development toolkits inhouse programmers are able to develop bespoke solutions that fully meet a companies individual requirements. Networkable DVD CD Duplication systems will allow network wide access from multiple clients to the automated CD DVD production process.
What is it used for?
The network attached CD DVD duplicator will offer a world of possibilities to the business environment. Custom discs can easily be created by feeding data files from traditional commercial processes to create 1000's of custom discs with very limited human input. Ideal for Disc on Demand systems.
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What is a CD/DVD Tower Duplicator?
Tower CD DVD Duplicators are entry point CD DVD duplication systems. They are widely used at all levels of productions. They offer large output potential at a very low cost. The units are usually standalone and feature an array of high speed optical recorders. The CD or DVDs are created from a master Disc that has been produced on a PC or CD DVD recorder. Burn for Buck the tower duplicator such as the range from StorDigital offer the best entry point to companies that need to explore the benefits of in-house CD DVD production.
What is it used for?
A 14 drive tower duplicator can produce up to 2500 CDs per day. A smaller single drive unit can produce around 50 CDs per day. Whatever your in-house productin requirement you can be sure that there is a tower solution to meet your needs. When considering an inhouse solution that needs to help your business turn a profit NEVER discount tower duplicators. If you are sure you want an automated solution then be sure to consider running a tower alongside or as back up. When a deadline fast approaches and you find the disc that you just auto copied has a file missing an automated solution is unlikely to get you out of the whole. A low cost tower copier will likely have 5 times the output of an auto copier that comes in at 5 times the price. Think about that.
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Which is better, an automated or manual system?
If you need to produce large volumes of discs in the fastest possible time then you will be wise to invest your money in a tower based CD and DVD solution. A real low cost solution with flexible output that will likely become the workhorse of your operation. If you need a duplication system to work in the background that might also finish the disc with a print you should consider an automated duplication system.

What is a CD DVD Disc Printer?
CD and DVD Disc printers have become VERY popular in recent times. The Direct to Disc CD and DVD printer uses either thermal or inkjet techniques to apply graphics and text to the surface of special discs. The finshed results vary according to the quality of the printer, the time spent preparing the grahpics and the concessions made by clients and designers. Printing CDs and DVDs in house does open up a world of opportunity where creativity and flexibility are important requirements. In house printing solutions are VERY different to those used in traditional commercial replication processes.
What printing methods are available? What is the quality of each?
CD DVD Printers are available in three types:
Inkjet - Most common and most poular are inkjet CD DVD printers. The inkjet technology is used in the same way as inkjet paper printers work, ie by spraying droplets of ink onto a printable surface. Inkjet CD DVD printers are used in a variety of systems at all price points, from £100 Epson printers to £4000 automated solutions. However much you pay the results will ALWAYS be similar and often determined by the quality of the printable CD surface. Printers to consider would be the MicroBoards Print Factory, Primera Signature Z6, Seiko CDP2500 and the Verity Vision. Pros: Low cost and accesible. Cons: Ink will smear when in contact with moisture.

Thermal - Traditionaly where low DPI printing on silver or white top discs is required a thermal printer is used. Thermal CD DVD printers are fast and relatively cheap to run. However they are restricted in their output by their method of printing, ie the use a ribbon that is usually just one colour that will support line art and text only. If you wasnt to do multiple colours you can over print after changing the ribbon. Print on any brand of blank CD or DVD media. Pros: Permanant printing, Very inexpensive when used for monochrome printing. Cons: Low print resolution 600dpi, More expensive than Ink-jet printers. You might want to consider the Rimage Prism Plus or the Primera Inscripta.

Thermal Re-transfer CD DVD printers are capable of printing much higher resolution photo type quality prints. They use heat and pressure to bind a very thin thermal transfer onto the top of the CD or DVD. The thermal transfer applied image is permanent and durable. It will be resistant to abrasion and waterproof. However, the Thermal Transfer print method is choosy regarding campatible thermal printable disc. Pros: Permanent photo realistic quality. Cons: Choosy media requirements, higher printing costs. Look at the Rimage Everest2 and Teac P55.
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Is a thermal CD DVD Printer better than an inkjet printer?
By definition a thermal printer operates in a very different way to an inkjet. Because the inkjet printing process coats a special printable CD DVD with a thin layer of ink it may be damaged under certain conditions. Inkjet CD DVD printers are bought by 70% of our printer purchasers. The advatnages inkjet CD DVD printers offer include; low entry price, low consumable costs, varied product options, based on popular and servicable print engines, flexible print output, high quality print. Some disadvantages to be considered are, potential for moisture damage, potential for damage by abrasion. potential for photo damage.

Generally inkjet printer are low cost, flexible, durable and maintainable. By having inkjet CD DVD printers in your arsenal you have true flexibility with low overheads. It is difficult to achive low cost printing with athermal re transfer printer, while with inkjet you can, using the right techniques and hardware, creat full face, full colour hi res prints on CD and DVD for £0.04 UKP per unit. Whatsmore you can upsell for specific clients to include laminating services, either using a DVD CD laminator (like the Primera Accent) or a CD DVD laminating spray that will enhance your low cost inkjet printed disc with a gloss like reflective finish that resists water, resist UV's and alows for more handling.
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Will my inkjet printed CDs and DVDs smudge?
The inkjet printing process coats a special printable CD DVD with a thin layer of ink it may be damaged under certain conditions. You CD or DVD will smudge if the disc becomes wet, if the disc is handled excessively in moist conditions. 70% of our printer customer by inkjet. Laminating solutions are available and offer a tangible upsell opportunity.
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Do any printers print discs and paper?
Most inkjet CD and DVD printers on the market today are based on engines, software and mechanisms designed for printing paper. In many instances the units are then modified either to become Disc only manual printers, disc only automated printers and paper and disc manual printers, such as the Seiko CDP2500 and the Davinci.
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Can I use 4X CDR media in a 52X CD Duplicator?
Generally speaking you do not have to use media that matches the top speed of your duplicator. High speed CD DVD writers and duplicators might be advertised or sold as writing at up to 52X, however; you can lower the burn speed to match the media you have purchased, or rely on the recorder/writer to detect and burn at the correct media speed.

Some writers may not be compatible with all media, and will require a firmware update via a PC connection. DVD writers, recorder and duplicators seem to offer slightly more issues for consideration when buying media. Please consult your manufacturer for advice.
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What is the fastest way to make 1000 CDs or DVDs?
Without doubt the fastest way to produce 1000 CDR or DVDR is via the use of multiple tower duplicators. A 7 drive 52X CD duplicator can create 7 CDR every 3 minutes the price would be under £500 plus human assistance for loading some 130 times. Taking 7 hours to record 1000 discs. An automated CD duplicator for £2000 would make 4 CDR every 3 minutes and would require a human to reload the unit 10 times with 100 discs. Taking 12.5 hours to record 1000 discs. Burn for Buck, tower duplicator option always wins, even with human intervention the cost benefits and flexibility are clear.
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What type of Audio and Video duplication solutions are available?
At CD-writer.com we offer a range of solutions that companies and individuals can use to make live audio and video recordings, or make multiple copies of audio and video discs. CD duplicators are capable of copying large volumes of CDs that contain music of video (in the form of VCD). If you need to create multiple copies of DVD video you will need a DVD duplicator. DVD Duplicators can also copy the common CD formats including audio CD, data CD and Video CD. New DVD duplicators are capable of recording 9.4Gb Dual layer DVDs as typically used for Blockbuster type movies.

Duplicators are not usually used for recording. If you wish to record live audio or video you will need a CD DVD recorder, such at the BurnIT 830, Tascam CD recorder or Pioneer DVD recorder. Live recorders usually enable users to input feed via analogue and digital to create realtime recordings of live events. These recorded discs can then be used as masters from which multiple copies can be made for distribtion.

Some CD DVD Duplicators can now be used for live recording and duplicating. Look at systems from MFDigital such as the Escribe.
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What type of Recordable Media is available?
At CD-writer.com we pride ourselves on offering a select range of CD and DVD recordable media, that offer unbeatable value and quality whatever your budget or requirement. Our range includes Branded CDR and DVDR products, Inkjet Printable solution in white, silver, and 8cm. Thermal printable discs, business card media and much more.
How do I decide if a media type is right for my needs?
When determining your media requirements you need to consider the following;

Do I have a budget requirement?
Do I have a user compatability requirement?
Do I have a hardware compatability requirement?


All media sold at CD-writer.com is certified A-Grade, so even when you pay the least money you can be assured that the product will be reliable. If you do have compatability issues with your system it may be necessary for you ro upgrade the firmware on your recorders. Also be aware that the price of media DOES determine its aesthetic qualities and durability. A cheap disc might feel (in the hands) quite simply cheap. Also a cheap disc is unlikely to offer protection to the silver data layer. ie It will not be over coated or laquered on the top surface.

When buying DVD media the most important consideration is playback compatability. Lots of budget DVDR is recognised as recording on anything while playing back on nothing. So before you buy check out what is being said in the forums. And be sure to download a disc identifier application that will allow you to find out what you are really spending your money on.

Regarding hardware compatabilty, if you have an inkjet printer, buy inkjet printable discs in either silver or white. For thermal CD DVD printers you can use any silver or white top discs, but for best results use a thermal printable laquered disc. Dont try and use DVD-R in a DVD+R writer since it wont work. Also be sure to buy Digital Audio CDR for your CD rack mounted, or Hi Fi based CD recorders. Note that a CD recorded on a Digital Audio CD can be copied onto normal CDR via our CD duplicators. Similarly you can copy from DVD-R to DVD+R and vice versa via our CD DVD Duplicators.
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What CD DVD Disc Printer Supplies are available?
At CD-writer.com we offer a range of solutions that companies and individuals can use to make live audio and video recordings, or make multiple copies of audio and video discs. CD duplicators are capable of copying large volumes of CDs that contain music of video (in the form of VCD). If you need to create multiple copies of DVD video you will need a DVD duplicator. DVD Duplicators can also copy the common CD formats including audio CD, data CD and Video CD. New DVD duplicators are capable of recording 9.4Gb Dual layer DVDs as typically used for Blockbuster type movies.

Duplicators are not usually used for recording. If you wish to record live audio or video you will need a CD DVD recorder, such at the BurnIT 830, Tascam CD recorder or Pioneer DVD recorder. Live recorders usually enable users to input feed via analogue and digital to create realtime recordings of live events. These recorded discs can then be used as masters from which multiple copies can be made for distribtion.

Some CD DVD Duplicators can now be used for live recording and duplicating. Look at systems from MFDigital such as the Escribe.
Where can I get supplies for my CD DVD printers?
At CD-writer.com we offer ink supplies and consumbales for all the leading and most popular CD DVD printers. These include, MicroBoards print factory, Matisse Gold, Prism Plus, Everest, Everest 2, Teac P55, Primera Bravo, CDP2500, Inscripta, Rimage 2000i, Rimage 480i and more. Additionally we can supply print heads for thermal printers along with adaptors to convert some printers to support 8cm and business card CDs.
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What CD and DVD packaging or storage solutions are available?
CD-writer.com offers a wide range of standard and non-standard packaging solutions for CD and DVD. Standard cases include jewel cases, vinyl wallets, double and quad cases, paper and card sleeves. Non standard cases include slimline DVD cases, half size DVD cases, C-shells, trigger packs and more.
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CD DVD Duplicator support pages

Customer Testimonials

Example Customers

CD DVD Thermal Printer running costs

CD DVD Printer Comparison guide

CD Duplicator comparison guide

DVD Duplicator comparison guide

CD DVD Printer comparison guide

CD DVD Copy protection

Drivers and Firmware

Links

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Glossary of Terms - coming soon.