CD/DVD Recorder
A CD recorder is a compact disc drive that can be used to produce discs readable in other CD-ROM drives and audio CD players. |
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A DVD recorder produces DVD discs playable in stand-alone video players or DVD-ROM drives. ("DVD recorder" may also refer not just to the drive unit, but also to consumer set-top devices which record video onto DVD media.)
Most internal CD recorders for personal computers, server systems and workstations are designed to fit in a standard 5.25" drive bay and connect to their host via an ATA, SATA or SCSI bus. External CD recorders usually have USB, FireWire or SCSI interfaces. Some portable versions for laptop use power themselves off batteries or off their interface bus.
CD recording on personal computers was originally a batch-oriented task in that it required specialised authoring software to create an "image" of the data to record, and to record it to disc in the one session. This was acceptable for archival purposes, but limited the general convenience of CD-R and CD-RW discs as a removeable storage medium.
CD/DVD Duplicators are entry level CD DVD duplication systems. These units are widely used at all levels of productions. They offer large output potential at a very low cost.
These units are usually standalone type systems 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.
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. |
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| Pic 9. CD/DVD Duplicators |
Automated CD/DVD duplicators are designed for those who need to duplicate music, data, video, or documents and have the need for making quality copies quickly. In my setting at a small college, the need for speed, control and convenience is answered by the utilization of a duplicator. This online resource will be helpful to those in an educational or small business setting who are considering the purchase of an automated duplicator. For ease of use, this guide is divided into four major sections: choosing, installation, troubleshooting and resources.
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
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The finished 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. |
| Pic 9.2 CD/DVD Printer |
TIPS: Choosing a CD/DVD duplicator
When choosing a CD/DVD duplicator, it’s important to note that there are two types of duplicators from which to choose: manual duplicators, which do not require connection to a computer and typically don’t include an option for label printing, and automated duplicators, which do require connection of hardware and installation of software and offer label printing capabilities. This guide will addresses issues pertaining to automated duplicators.
Choosing a CD/DVD duplicator requires ascertaining your purpose for utilization. You should determine answers to the following questions to help guide your purchasing choice.
• What is your anticipated volume of CD/DVD output
• Do you require disc label printing
• Do you require dual platform (Windows and Mac) capabilities
• Hardware requirements
• Budget
Volume of output
Autoloading duplicators are available from low volume to high volume output needs. Duplicators range in automated volume output from 20 allowable blank media inserted at a time to up to 1000 blank media.
Printing
Most high volume output automated duplicators come with an integrated media label printing component. Depending on the model, the printing output may be thermal or inkjet-based (Supermediastore.com, 2006). Ink-jet or thermal ribbon replacements vary in price from $10 - $100 depending on your duplicator's printer requirements. Direct print-to-media requires the use of appropriately top-coated media, usually a white-surfaced or silver-surfaced coating to ensure proper ink adherence. DVD-R blank printable media, 100 pack, is priced at approximately $60. CD-R blank printable media, 100 pack, is priced at approximately $35 (ProAction, 2005). This type of media is readily available from many online sources.
Platform
Consider your need for dual-platform compatibility. Do you need the hardware and software for your duplicator to interface with both Windows and Mac platforms? While it’s true that all duplicators are compliant with Windows OS(x), the same cannot be said for compliancy with Mac operating systems. If you have Mac-specific needs, make sure the duplicator's hardware and software support that platform.
Hardware requirements
Review the necessary hardware requirements for the duplicator in question. Most duplicators require at least one USB (Wikipedia, 2006) port on your PC or Mac for a connection. USB ports are standard on both PC and Macs. Some duplicators may also require a FireWire (Wikipedia, 2006) port. If your PC doesn’t have a FireWire port (FireWire is standard on Macs), you will have to install an expansion card to add that capability. Finally, you will want to make sure your operating system is current and compatible with the duplicator’s hardware and software.
Budget
Currently, in 2006, the lowest priced automated duplicators begin in the range of $1200. The top of the line CD/DVD duplicators with printing capabilities are priced around $9000, although professional-grade duplicators with high-output volume are more expensive and beyond the scope of this guide. Add on the cost of supplies, such as ink-jet or thermal printing supplies and blank media for a more comprehensive cost analysis.
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