LightSribe – Disc printing Technology

All these years, the prints on the CDs from renowned recording labels gave you a substantial amount of complex; however, with LightScribe, professional quality disc printing and disc labeling has become yours. Thanks, HP.

Hewlett Packard’s LightScribe Direct Disc labeling technology has caught up sooner than expected into the consumer market. A staple for the personal computers right now, the LightScribe-enabled PCs can be availed through HP’s distribution channels globally. However, that’s going to solve the problems for those who would like to go for a new PC; what about existing PC owners willing to avail the technology?

For them, there are the aftermarket DVD writers installed with LightScribe capabilities. The manufacturers are BenQ, LaCie and Philips apart from HP themselves; the CD-R discs are coming from HP and Verbatim, with the list soon to pull in Imation, Philips, Memorex and TDK.

Now question remains: Who, so far, have incorporated the LightScribe technology? Almost every optical disc drives manufacturers, from the CMC Magnetics Corporation and Cyber Link Corp. to Hitachi-LG and Mitsubishi. Other names include Moser Baer India Limited, Roxio, Nero and Toshiba-Samsung.

A few features of LightScribe disc-coating technology:

• Increases labeling speed by 50%.

• Compatibility with faster media with an existing LightScribe-enabled drive.

• An even combination of creativity and embedded convenience.

• Silkscreen quality.

• Grants at-hand freedom for combining complex text designs and graphics.

The Procedure:

• The data side is burnt as in a normal disc.

• The disc is flipped over.

• The same laser is used to burn a label in a precise and iridescent manner.

• It’s the same laser used for burning the data.

Disc Printing process

Advantages:

• Precision: The laser delivers a precisely-controlled light energy that writes following a circular writing system. The writing is done by incorporating a visible chemical change in the dye coating.

• More saving: No printer required; therefore, no adhesive labeling or marker needs to be used.

CD piracy hits music industry

It doesn’t astonish us nowadays knowing that mp3 is one of the most common search parameters on Internet. Being wired being the common definition now of being alive, the practice has caught up fast and is growing in an alarming rate. Together with easily available CD burning hardware, CD-ripping software and p2p file sharing protocols, CD piracy is now a common trend supported especially by the teenagers and young adults, who are not financially, stable enough to afford legal music. Who is to blame?

• Music Industry and CD piracy

While clichéd opinions are galore (“it’s the people who do it and not the soft-/ hardware”), many are blaming the music companies for putting up an atrocious price for every album released. However, movies do not suffer this drastically; they are priced cheaper and people don’t seem to enjoy the same movie for more than once. Music, on the other hand, is an evergreen phenomenon to the follower of a particular genre; it becomes better with every listen. One may pose a question regarding such a perennial thing – “Then how does it hurt to pay once for years of entertainment?” but fact remains that building a music collection is a passion; if one has to buy every album he/she likes, the passion would run dry within sometime. Again, it points towards the atrocious prices of the music CDs.

The Music companies thought a lawsuit is enough to bar the most popular p2p sites from returning to action; what they didn’t realize is you cannot stop people from copying the legally purchased music. All right, copy-control was introduced to fight the symptom, but there are also present the computer whizzes.

CD duplication

So the next step was to introduce the legal downloads. While this measure has been more or less successful to hit an even point between the music industry and CD piracy in the first world countries, it couldn’t do much for those in the third world. Internet is still a big tool to the music freaks there for exchanging music, thanks (or, curse) to Morpheus.

• How to curb CD Piracy

“It’s a monumental problem; banks won’t even let music companies inside the doors. And I was laughed out of every investment house in America. Everyone wants to see where it’s going.” – says Miles Copeland (Founder, Copeland Group).

Supporters of CD piracy still threat the music industry or the entertainment business as a whole and curbing the ability for copying music/video even for personal usage from a legally purchased album or VCD is not appearing the right solution. Shall reducing the price further for music CD curb CD piracy then?

Not exactly, for there exists a group to whom the fun is to procure without paying. Someone proposed stopping the production of blank CDs, but even that’s an absurd idea. So the next option remains is to introduce a technology (much more advanced than the usual copy-control) for protecting CDs from getting copied. For ordinary copy-protected discs often don’t work on portable/car/DVD- combo players. So how about making them real inexpensive? If an album comes for a dollar (that’s right, for there shall be no printed sleeves, artworks or jewel box), it shall be the best way to make a whole generation go the right way.

CD Piracy

While the music industry worldwide is losing their sleep on the issue of illegal CD duplication, the scene at New Zealand speaks something else. The proposal is to alter the existing copyright laws (granting fair use rights). In other words, it’s making CD piracy legal.

Let’s hear what Michael Glading (New Zealand chief, Sony Music) has to say about it.

“At the end of the day, you’re sending a message that it’s okay to copy, and that is going to kill our business.”

Fair use rights, no doubt, are a plus point to the US consumers who enjoy making a certain number of copies of legally purchased audio/video for personal usage. But New Zealand and UK have no such rights; it is even illegal at these two places to rip a CD for playing the same in an iPod.

But none is going to buy two different copies of the same CD for home and for the car; the New Zealand government understood that part and is going to change the existing copyright laws. But what happens if a person has not bought legally a composition and claims the original copy to be lost? It’s perfectly all right in that case to use a copied version of the same. The music industry is currently afraid of such incidents.

• What is CD piracy?

Contrary to the popular belief, copying a CD or DVD for personal usage is not an act of piracy; selling these copies without the explicit consent of the copyright holder for the work is. Digital technology has added fuel to the fire, but one cannot blame CD piracy entirely upon it. The policy the music companies practice can be held responsible up to an extent; unless the prices are kept low (especially in the third world countries), CD piracy can’t be stopped completely.

One may also blame the advent of broadband Internet connections. Together with P2P file sharing technology, CD downloading has also become a common phenomenon. Agreed that P2P enthusiasts do it only for the love of music, but the artiste loses his/her money. Therefore, this is CD piracy as well.

• CD Piracy Vs Legal Download

There have been blames going to the atrocious price for audio CDs; researchers have found the missing link between a thriving CD piracy market and the legal music industry. But what went unmentioned is downloading music also gives people an adrenalin rush; a large number of people are currently a victim to it. So, it seems that it’s possible to accomplish both the results at one go – making available downloadable music at a nominal price. The concept of legal download has earned accolades because of a number of reasons:

• Since downloadable music is just about the music i.e. there stays nothing like the printed sleeves, the media or the jewel box to incur the cost, prices are bound to come down, encouraging more people to buy compositions legally.

• In today’s fast world, keeping one’s musical collection arranged in a proper format is time consuming; on the other hand, it’s much easier to keep them arranged in a mp3 player.

The only glitch that lies here is to lock the music i.e. it cannot be stored on a media unless the license code is provided. We hope that technology shall soon become able to provide that as well.

CD R Business Card Duplication

Business Card CD

What is CD R business card duplication?

We know how versatile CD duplication technology has become in the past few years. Creating personal music or video CDs or storing important data is where it all got started from; the trend has extended itself to the creation of CDs that can be used as business cards. The process is a simple one; your designer formulates how your digital representation shall look and sound; once that’s finalized, it’s time to make multiple copies (as per your need) of the same. That’s CD R business cards duplication in a nutshell; for further details, please read on.

Business card duplication process

CD-R business cards are either molded or cut; the first variety can store near about 50 MB of data in a dimension of (80 X 59) sq. mm, while the latter, is renowned for delivering additional flexibility and can be given any desired size, depending on the amount of data that shall go in.

From the simplest to the most sophisticated and complicated, CD R business cards duplication procedures make use of hardware and software that goes beyond the usual CD burner that we are so used to. Hi-end CD copiers fit the bill nicely; they are attached through the SCSI port of a computer. But they only suffice for small quantity business card replication; therefore, CD R business cards duplication companies have now opted for the stand-alone tower copiers for moderate quantities. These do not require a computer to operate and can burn multiple copies in a single session. However, for large-scale CD R business cards duplication, CD duplication companies prefer automated CD copiers with input and output spindles and robotic arms.

Advantages of hiring a professional CD R Duplicator

CD R business cards duplication is a tiresome process that can well eat into your patience if you are trying it at home. Besides, your money shall be lost if any of these digital media turns out to be defective. With a professional CD R duplicator, you do not require worrying about all these factors; settling the deal means you are going to receive fully functional copies of CD R business cards. For, if there is a defective output, it’s the responsibility of the digital business card replication professional to replace it and provide one with zero-error. Besides, you won’t require investing and blocking your money over costly equipment.

CD Duplicators burning the doubts

CD DVD duplicators in USA

Whoever thinks it’s just an attempt to camouflage piracy is wrong; media replication goes way beyond that especially if there is something to do with multimedia and studio works. Of course, there’s no denial to the fact that the seedy infest royally the CD duplication industry, but as it is said, they are the seedy ones and not the honest concerns that come forth as the messiahs of data storage. With that much of wisdom, now we may have a look at the media duplication sector.

Separating the best from the better

To do that, one needs to scrutinize thoroughly the quality of the service provided as well as the turnaround time; often, the CD duplication (or DVD duplication) companies are found clustered together in the pages of websites that work as a common platform between service buyers and sellers. One thing that a person need not worry about if choosing from such a roster is credibility; these kinds of websites do that scrutiny part on the service buyer’s behalf to reinforce as well their own goodwill.

Who can benefit

Apart from them in the music, film and software industries, DVD duplication and CD duplication services have also solved data backup and storage related problems for multimedia professionals, accountants and photographers; the CD duplication services have also satiated the sudden whims of the couple who got married all in a sudden and wanted to send the marriage videos back home to friends and relatives. It’s for everyone and everything including the former videocassette manufacturers who want to retain in a digitized form their entire database.

Choosing the quality of service

The rule of thumb for any CD/DVD duplication company is to keep available all equipment directly or remotely related to the media duplication. That brings into account everything between standalone tower recorders to the most commonly available one-at-a-time CD/DVD writers, the whole motto being revolutionary refinements through reliability and simplicity. And if the media duplication service provider offers added features, then it’s a mark denoting increased flexibility.

The Technological Advantages

A stand alone tower can replicate or make copies less than half the time taken by normal CD Duplicators. The new Japanese technology based on multiple tower integration is by far the best and affordable.

Media replication Business in US

Apart from the big names in the field who are bagging millions of dollars worth of contract every month, there also remains a market dominated by smaller duplicators. But small doesn’t depict dishonest; there are these honest businesses and that’s why frauds get the chance. The smaller duplicators are, however; are experiencing a steady growth of recent and what’s more impressive is they are mostly picked by people looking forward to compact one-to-one sort of deals. Their armaments include copiers and units that house a max of four recorders. The 4X EIDE/ATAPI recorders have turned inexpensive and as a result, they are currently pushing into the corporate market.

Where to find one?

A visit to Respond can make you reach a plethora of CD duplication, Blu-ray duplication, VHS duplication and DVD duplication professionals with whom, you shall be confident about where your money is going. Over 3 million consumers have found their preferred media duplication service providers at Respond after landing up at nowhere with the regular CD/DVD shops. If interested, you may also go through the entire roster of offers that are between (and beyond) media duplication and soft/hardware or anything that might stay inter-connected with the media duplication industry.

Hexalock DVD media copy protection software

There has been much discussions held on CD and DVD protection till now, but the piracy industry seems to be flocking with geniuses whose destructive creativity seems to know no bound! This created somewhat of a challenge to a handful and a newer DVD protection measure was the result. Over the following paragraphs, we shall discuss the HexDVDR and how Hexalock, the developer of the protection measure made it through.

What is Hex DVD?

Hex DVD is the colloquial term for HexDVDR-Video developed by Hexalock, who now stand supreme in the realms of digital copy-protection solutions. The HexDVDR-Video bars DVD videodisc to be copied, both by copying the entire disc image and through file based copying. Additionally, attempt to rip the video titles results in a distorted video.

To stop DVD duplication, HexDVD-DATA applies a mass-manufactured signature that’s unique for every software/data/video DVD. This signature cannot be physically extracted and re-used by the burners and software for creating a copy. Those thinking about applying reverse engineering; HexDVD-DATA also makes algorithm theft an impossible deal by encrypting the programs and disabling securely the debugging mode.

Contrary to many of the currently available CD or DVD protection software, HexaLock CD-ROM Copy Protection, if fully implemented, occupies less than 1024 Kb of space; on CD-RX discs, the occupied space becomes 30Mb because of the industry-standard lead in and lead out requirements. The HexaLock Virtual Digital Hologram or VDH copy protection technology is based on these as well.

Supported by every version of the Windows (Win 95 and above), the protection is offered for files with extension DOC, PPT, PPS, HTML, PDF, MPEG and JPEG; however, the most common file type protected with HexaLock are the Program executable or .exe files.

Those who are thinking about copying a HexaLock copy protected file to a hard disc, they shall be utterly disappointed knowing that every HexaLock copy-protected file comprise certain unique elements that facilitate the execution of a protected program. Copying the content to a hard disc thus becomes impossible, since the elements shall miss out, causing the program to stall in the absence of the original CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive. In case there are program files that need being copied to a hard disc due to performance reasons, it can only be done at the presence of the original CD or DVD in the drive. This shall allow for a proper authentication and content protected files can thus be read and copied.

How HexDVDR protects against copying video DVD-s?

- As mentioned in their own website (http://hexalock.co.il/products/DVDRV/): HexDVDR-Video effectively protects DVDs against:

- Duplicating the complete DVD by copying of the disc image – The copy program will either stop or take a very long time (multiple hours) to copy. The result will not play back in any of the commercially available or custom made players.

- Duplicate the complete DVD by file based copying – The copy program will either stop or take a very long time (multiple hours) to copy. The result will not play back in consumer and software players.

- Rip separate titles from the DVD HexDVDR-Video will protect one title on the disc against ripping (typically the main movie) – trying to rip this will result in a very long ripping time (multiple hours) and distorted video.

- Emulate the original DVD – not possible, because ripping programs will not create a valid image.

- Professional piracy through mass replication is much harder (* although with good equipment possible – we don’t believe any other claim from competing products).

The procedure of data securing

Instead of spinning lengthy yearns on how the procedure of data securing functions, it’s easier to break up the process into the following steps:

- Files to be copied are encrypted and stored on the disc.

- A small autorun file (the HexaLock content manager) is then added by the AutoLock Wizard.

- The file starts executing automatically when the protected disc is inserted into the disc’s drive by acting as a mediator allowing a 3rd-party application to read the encrypted files.

- The file blocks any attempt caused by any other application to read the protected files.

- This also stops the encrypted files from being saved to another location/storage medium; however copying and pasting is optionally permitted. The AutoLock wizard blocks even printing/print screen operations if the features are selected prior to the application of the safety measures to the master disc.

CD/DVD Printing and Packaging

CD printing, CD packaging, CD labeling, DVD, offset printing, silkscreen printing, thermal printing, assembly, CD tower

A flourishing industry as of now, CD and DVD ROMs are still pushing their limits beyond the sky; what remains an oft overlooked factor is the labor that goes behind making every piece of them marketable. No, we are not talking about the marketing executives pushing their products to the market; on the contrary, it is about the wrapping that makes their job a few hundred times easier. So welcome to the realms of DVD and CD packaging, where printing technologies merge with the digital and we shall take a step a time.

• What is CD packaging?

The term CD packaging encompasses a number of processes that merge as one; that includes CD printing, CD labeling and finally, putting them together in the box. But then again, the boxes have defied the limitations of the traditional hard-plastic jewel cases; while many consider the changeover to be a direct influence of data sensitivity and handling costs, the new concern about ecology also stays a major influencing factor. Therefore, smarter, better and lighter cases are still getting evolved; from expensive and high end CD packaging to the cheap run-of-the-mill types, each comes with its own sets of pros and cons.

The jewel boxes come in single-CD/DVD or in multiple disc formats; often, they remain combned with printed, retail boxes; then there are the variations in plastic trays and paperboards and logically speaking, the changing needs for the CD or DVD ROM-s shall continue to increase in terms of variety. Right now, the standard in the DVD and CD packaging is they should be strong and durable enough to protect the virginity of the data. But what about the printing part?

• What is CD/DVD printing?

It’s nothing but putting the colors and graphics on the opposite side of the data surface of a DVD or CD. Till sometimes back, CD and DVD ROM publishers used to make use of adhesive labels that were printed using the offset printing, silkscreen printing and even thermal technologies; what caused the major trouble was a proper label placement. These processes often caused irreversible damages to both the CD/DVD drive or to the player as the labels peeled off due to heat and wear. But now, thermal printing technology blended with inkjet printers, opening the doors for a more cost-effective and durable DVD and CD labelling process. However, ordinary thermal printing is good only for applying the basic text and graphics in monotone including black. A preferred choice for those on a shoestring budget.

• What are the packaging options?

Those looking for the most basic packagingcan opt for plain CD/DVD spindles and envelopes; jewel cases come a little more pricey. Thus, printed cardboard sleeves are considered the midpoint for CDs whereas Digipaks are the best option for DVDs.

But then again, this is what that goes in the normal market; for a professional look at the minimum cost, Respond can offer hundreds of DVD and CD packaging in four colors and a branding even to those in a tight budget? Sounds incredible? Well, it sounded the same at first to the other three million customers as well.

Source Info:
• cd-info.com/CDIC/Technology/Packaging.html

• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewel_case

CD/DVD duplication associated services

Authoring, mastering, design and reprography – these are the four that rotate around the term associated services in the CD/DVD duplication/replication industry. However, before we proceed any further, it’s essential to have a glimpse into the terms and delve their inner meaning.

- CD mastering: Though considered largely an art form, mastering is all about the post-production of an audio recording; it is the process by which the recorded audio is prepared and transferred to a data storage device after the final mix. The data storage device is then called the Master.

- DVD authoring: It is the process by which a DVD video is created for the end user to view. However, due to the involvement of a large number of companies, the specifications for DVD authoring are more complicated that that of the CD. But DVD authoring is different from MPEG encoding; if it’s a separate encoder being used (DVD authoring software come equipped with built-in encoders), the lack of proper compression settings may turn the whole show sour.

- Design: Had we mentioned album art, there would have been no need for elaboration; however, since all CD-s and DVD-s do not fall under the category called entertainment, a more broader term that can be used is CD cover designing. Long live the graphic designers!

- Reprography: This is a process that comes under the jurisdictions of the graphic artists as well; it is reproducing the same graphics through an electrical or mechanical means.

• Additional features of CD / DVD Duplication & Replication

How would you like the content of your master disc being tweaked to an optimum quality? Yes, we are talking about enhancement, the stuff that stays responsible for the creation of E-CDs. The additional features don’t end there; they go up to inventory tracking as well as fulfillment services, which are defined below.

• Other Disc Duplication Services.

- Inventory Tracking: This is all about tracking the number of duplicated/replicated CD/DVD and making the accounting entries. Usually, it’s the RFID chips with barcodes that are stuck on/inside the covers.

- Fulfillment services: The CD/DVD duplication company may also provide certain facilities and systems to deliver the packaged products to a destination as well as entertain other requests from the customer. This is fulfillment service and the way to bring in more customers.

• Disc protection

Nobody likes their stuff being taken away and more so when it comes to original digital content. Therefore, encryption was invented for protecting the discs against such malicious activities and stuff like the 40-bit CSS are now widely used on DVD-s to stop the copies from being played. For HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc it is the Advanced Access Content System that’s employed and a good CD/DVD duplication service shall offer it either for free or at a very nominal charge.

But question remains, where to find a service provider who offers anything between CD/DVD duplication/replication and effective disc protection? At response, if you want a sure hit; after all, over three million people can’t go wrong at once in making the right choice.

CD Replication Vs Duplication

Often the terms media duplication and replication get us confused and while we intend something else, the wrong one takes its toll. But that doesn’t mean you shall be put behind the bars just at the mention of it, but a legitimate media duplication service may well sport you a stiff upper lip. There goes down the plan of sending your folks the video recording of your house-warming party. To escape such calamities, one must know the differences between the two.

- Duplication: If a copy of something corresponds to an original exactly, the process of making the copy is duplication. That simplified, it’s copying the content in a media with the consent of the producer of the work with the quality intact.

- Replication: If a copy of something does not have exactly the properties of an original, the process of making the copy is replication. This is the same thing as making copies in large volumes of the latest release from Metal Blade Records and making it resemble the original CD or DVD, either wholly or partially.

But it’s needless to say that the processes burn/etch information on a blank, write-enabled CD or DVD; it’s just a matter of perspective which one serves the need.

Quantity Considerations

While modern technology has gifted us our personal CD and DVD burners (a DVD writer burns both), these are not the appropriate ones when it comes to mass production. Burning multiple copies are only possible with towers that remain linked together, with each tower containing several CD or DVD trays for simultaneous creation. 50,000 or more CD or DVD are just considered the starting point in the tower process and this is what defines the profit margin. Anything lesser than that falls under the short run CD or DVD duplication.

Process considerations

If a blank CD is burned in a CD/DVD writer on a personal computer, it is as good as a professional duplication process (done with CD towers) though the stamping might be absent; duplication is done by extracting the data from a master disc and writing it into a blank media (the disc).

But a CD or DVD replication process also involves manufacturing the disc i.e. the information is not burned into an existing blank disc. Ideally, there follows a painstaking evaluation process that checks for corruption of data after which, a flawless glass master disc is created. The replication process begins from here by using the glass master disc to develop the stamper, which is then loaded into an Injection Molding polycarbonate disc manufacturing machine and an aluminum layer (few microns in thickness) is applied to the polycarbonate discs. Lacquering and printing finishes the process.

Now, this intricate a process must be run by efficient hands; can you stay assured on that part with anybody offering the service? This is why Respond has brought together all those who have made their name in the media duplication and replication industry. How reliable they are? You may ask any of the three million satisfied customers who never found their projects to be handled with so much care.

Preparing for CD Replication services

Hey, that’s indeed good thinking; if there remains the amount to invest for the software, hardware and legalities, setting up a DVD or CD duplication and manufacture set-up is the sanest choice. The manufacture part, though, comes later; for the time being let us get started with the nitty-gritty of DVD and CD duplication.

Before you pile up the required software and hardware, the legal aspects must be in place; that is to say the licenses for running a CD duplication business. Skip that step and you shall be the owner of a DVD and CD replication business – if caught, it may translate into a fine and imprisonment apart from the confiscation of everything that you invested upon. If a copy of an original work is to be made, it should be made with the consent of its owner and keeping all legalities spic-n-span is the first step towards attracting your clients. The other aspects of a CD duplication business are as follows:

• Turnaround time

Give what you promise. If a thousand copies are promised by the end of the week, they should be ready a day prior to the deadline; a day should be kept as a buffer in case technical problems show up. A fast turnaround time is what that attracts clients in the DVD and CD duplication business! That way, they feel assured they have approached a professional.

• Number of Copies

The recent technological advancements have made possible to increase the number of copies of a CD or DVD to be produced everyday; with a standalone tower system, the time required for burning multiple copies of a CD or a DVD is bound to lessen. Done that way, a DVD or CD duplication business can manufacture a large number of copies at lesser price, adding to the profits in the balance sheet.

• Format – CD/DVD

It’s said that variety is the spice of life; in this case, it is the spice for the DVD and CD duplication businesses as well. Sticking to the old 700 MB CD duplication format is not going to help; since this is the age for everything that high definition, it needs to be reflected in the formats that are supported for duplication and manufacture. The more, the merrier!

• Copyright Issue

This is where the legalities peer from their respective coils; if the copyright issues are not verified and documented properly from the organization or an individual placing the CD duplication order, then keep aside a few million to pay for the lawsuit.

• Additional Services

What would you expect if you were to join a gym? Apart from the equipment, you would give a big nod for the spa, sauna and the full body massages. It’s the same with the DVD or CD duplication services; everybody expects things to come in a shiny, glistening package. So throw in a printer for CD and DVD printing; tie up with a printing press for getting ready the sleeves; collaborate with a CD/DVD manufacture setup to get them for cheap and of course, get hold of a CD jewel case and DVD cover manufacturer. Your client shall definitely be happy to drop off the master disc and go home!

• Affordable Duplication/Replication

However, if you need to get your own job done, then you shall definitely not take all those hassles; instead, your requirements can be well handled by a professional and affordable CD/DVD duplication setup, with all the qualities elaborated above. But where to find one like that? At Respond, where more than three million people found peace of mind and that was an extension of the additional services.