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? 

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 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.  
   
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.  
  
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. 
 
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. 
 
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. 
 
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.