Before we proceed further on the subjects of CD duplication or DVD replication, it is paramount that we understand properly the terms; it is because people often relate these terms with illegal music production or piracy and our preference should be to keep all sorts of controversies at bay.
§ Duplication: If a copy of something corresponds to an original exactly, the process of making the copy is duplication.
§ Replication: If a copy of something does not have exactly the properties of an original, the process of making the copy is replication.
Therefore, if you have a legitimate contract from somebody to make X number of copies of an original CD or DVD, we shall term it a DVD or CD duplication process; if you intend to make several copies of MJ’s BAD with the CD or the DVD’s printing part almost near to quality as the original’s – without a legitimate permission – it is a replication process. Still confused? Look up what the word replica means!
With a standalone tower system (which are also the most popular among DVD and CD duplication hardware) integrating a number of recorders, costs of burning multiple copies are bound to come down; even if the printing costs stay attached, the DVD or CD duplication business can manufacture a large number of copies at a nominal price charged per unit. With seven- or eight-recorder configurations, the productivity rises with a decline in the cost. But chaining technology (one of the most recent improvements) guarantees a larger saving; it involves for DVD or CD duplication by running massive, parallel systems that burn a few hundreds of CD-s/DVD-s simultaneously, handled by automated pick-n-place robots or a similar disc-handling system. Since these systems support multiple disc images and audio read-back verification and also allow importing of both digital and analog audio, costs regarding making use of an expensive host-base system are just a tale of yore. The turnaround time? Well, all you need to do is apply some logic!
Now, regarding the buyers of the DVD or CD duplication services; it is tough to decide in this case whether the supply created the demand or the demand created the supply. It seems the second half of the above statement holds true, for data storage is still an issue on which newer researches are commencing everyday. It also hold true for the replication market though not at such a vast rate, but certain people are always there who would like to possess somewhat of an original copy of audio, video or software. These people emerge as the buyers for the replication services.
Filed under: Media Duplication
