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Whoa! Your boss tells you he needs fifty copies of his presentation on CD--by tomorrow morning. He also wants to impress the clients so he wants labels on the CDs as well. A simple marker won't cut it this time. Maybe it's time for a desktop duplicator or hiring a duplicator service. Since most household computers are now equipped with a drive that has the capacity to burn discs, it is no surprise that disc duplication has become big business. But sorting through the tons of information about formats and CD duplication systems can be a nightmare. And that's why CDDuplicationDesk.com was created to assist you in finding answers to your duplication questions.
Designed in an easy-to-use format, CDDuplicationDesk.com has carefully combed the Internet and discovered a wealth of information concerning CD duplication and replication. This site offers countless tips and suggestions about CD duplication and hundreds of resources to assist you with your duplication processing. If you are searching for current, reliable and useful information about CD duplication this is the site for you!
The term "CD Duplication," taken literally, means to copy CD-ROM's. Actually there are two different methods to make those copies: Duplication and Replication. Duplication is the process of "burning" data onto a pre-manufactured CD-ROM. This process requires the use of CD-Recorder to add data to a blank disc. Recorders are included in many personal computers, but they may also be added to a PC as an external disc drive. These devices require the user to burn one disc at a time, a process that takes between 1 and 74 minutes depending on the speed of the recorder. A more automated form of duplication can be accomplished by buying a stand-alone CD Duplicator (no computer hookup required). This device can make many copies of the CD-ROM master simultaneously and can produce 65 or more CD-ROM discs an hour.
Replication, on the other hand, is the process of "stamping" data onto an injection molded CD-ROM. This process requires the creation of a "glass master" from the customer-supplied disc. Using a high-speed stamping process the data is actually built into the construction of each copy, not added later. Due to expensive equipment requirements, this is certainly not the method used by the average computer owner.
If you have a duplication job at hand, you may wonder if one method is better than the other. Here are some factors to help you decide for your individual copying requirement:
Longevity--If you know that users will need to access this data over a decade, Replication is recommended.
Readability--Pre-manufactured discs are used in the Duplication process, and although the blank discs appear to be "generic," track arrangement can vary slightly from one manufacturer to another. This sometimes results in an inability to read the data. Replicated discs do not exhibit this problem.
Data Access Speed--When you perform a search you expect the data to be retrieved from the proper place on the CD-ROM--and fast. There is no measurable difference between Duplication and Replication.
Cost--An order of 1,000 or fewer copies tends to be cheaper to produce by Duplication. This is mainly due to the fact that no stamping master is required. If you only need a few dozen copies, Duplication is a whole lot cheaper. On the other hand, when economies of scale come into play--you need thousands of copies--Replication is your better choice. Copies made from a master disc get much cheaper as you spread out the initial cost over a larger quantity of discs. For example, if you order 100 copies, each would cost about $4.40, whereas the same disc would only cost about .80 a copy if you ordered 1,000.
Whatever your choice of copying methods, keep in mind that CDs are not immortal. The thin aluminum layer that reflects the light of player's laser, is susceptible to oxidation which causes the discs to "rot." Never use off-the-shelf markers or ball point pens to write on the discs or labels. Most markers contain chemicals which create oxidation, allows air to penetrate the aluminum, which is then eaten up--much like iron rusting in open air. There are special media pens currently on the market. Search those out.
For additional tips, suggestions and advice about CD duplication, please take a few minutes to browse this site and gain the knowledge you need to become a savvy shopper.
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