PRIORITY: TIME

Duplication offers faster delivery of product without incurring rush charges.  2,500 to 5.000 units can be done in 1 to 3 business days. Duplication is typically a better choice when timelines are out of control and rapid delivery is critical.  However, keep in mind that the disadvantage here is that the cost per unit for duplication is higher .

PRIORITY: COST CONTAINMENT

Replication offers a more cost-effective cost per unit, but is a longer process than duplication. 2,500 to 5,000 units can be done in 7 to 10 business days. When containing costs is of utmost importance, keep in mind that volume is tied to cost per unit.   Higher volumes can translate into lower costs per unit.

In the end, remember that there will always be an option to best meet your project’s time, cost and delivery needs. Understanding that all projects are different, please review the following article for more detailed information on replication versus duplication.

What you need to know is that different countries have  different standards. This means our TV screens here in the US use a different number of lines to make the picture than that of other countries.  The number of lines a screen uses differs from country to country. The three main current standards are : NTSC (National Television Standards Committee. The oldest existing standard) , SECAM (Système Électronique pour Couleur avec Mémoire. Developed in France), and PAL (Phase Alternating Line)  .

• NTSC consists of 525 horizontal lines of display and 60 vertical lines
• SECAM  uses a 625-line vertical, 50-line horizontal display
• PAL  uses a 625/50-line display and variant of NTSC. Different types use different video bandwidth and audio carrier specs.  Common types are B, G and H; less common types include D, I, K, N and M.  The different types are generally not compatible.

Here in the United States, our standard is NTSC.  So remember.  if you are buying DVDs while you are out of the country, find out what DVD STANDARD it was made to. If it’s anything other than NTSC, and most likely it is, don’t buy it.  While it may only be a few dollars/euros/pounds/yen or whatever…it will be a few less you have in your pocket and you’ll be carrying back a useless DVD that you can use as a drink coaster to remember your trip.

There are some new players recently out that may have the capability to play DVDs with other standards, but it’s not the norm, so play  it safe and buy your DVDs in the country you live in.  This will guarantee you’ll see what you get!

I hate to be the bearer of bad news folks, but you can’t call me to help with this form of cd and dvd duplication.  In fact, you shouldn’t call ANYONE  to help.  Copies of a disc that were produced by someone else and are copyrighted are illegal to copy.  End of story.  I’m still surprised by how many people contact me looking to see if I can make a quick personal copy of their computer software or videos.  Just because you purchased a copy and own that disc, does not mean you own the rights to the content.  Yes, the disc is yours, but the content is not and never will be. An individual or business took time and money to create, produce, replicate and market the discs you purchased.   I know it’s convenient for you to have spares and in this economy, cheaper to make a quick copy rather than buy into a brand new second copy, but that’s how the cookie crumbles.  The bottom line is that dvd and cd duplication for personal discs is illegal.

Most larger creators of media usually place some sort of copy protection within the content, making it impossible (or nearly impossible) to render a copy. They will clearly print this notice somewhere on the label or packaging. This should enforce the sentiment that you shouldn’t even try.  But yes, there are some videos and software that are not copy protected.  Just because they are not, still doesn’t mean it is available for you  to freely copy.  Again, it has been produced, duplicated, paid for, and marketed by that owner and you only have the right to your one copy to view or use.

I like you…really,  I do!  But I’m not getting in trouble for you. The government says ,”no, and if  we catch you there will be heck (this is a family friendly blog) to pay”, and they mean it!! Don’t ask me to make copies of your purchased, copyrighted software and movies.  I won’t do it!

When you submit a CD or  DVD replication job, the project timeline depends on the quantity and the packaging.  On a general note, discs that are packaged in custom printed sleeves take the longest because of the prepress, printing, cutting, and gluing that need to happen.  Discs that are packaged in standard, in-stock packaging or that are bulk, obviously take less time.  What kind of time are we talking about?

Generally, the standard turnaround is 3 to 5 business days for media replication runs of less than 1,000 produced as CDR/DVDR.  For quantities of ROM 1,000 and over, the standard turnar0und is usually 7 to 10 business days.

Let’’s clarify  business days;  this means Monday through Friday, excluding most holidays. We start the turn on a day 0.  How can you have a day 0?  Well, this is the day your materials arrive.  We take this day to submit everything and process the order.  The last day is the day it ships, not the day delivers.  To calculate an accurate project timeline, consider the transit time for the discs going from the plant to your destination.  We can give you the exact transit time once you supply us with your shipping address.

A big part of sucessful DVD or CD replication is solid project management.  If you need discs for a certain date,  go over the calendar with your media replication provider to help you determine how much time you need.  If you have less time in your window than the expected standard turn, ask what arrangements can be made to meet your date!

Sometimes a rush fee will be incurred..sometimes not.  Every job is different. Some jobs require hand assembly into custom packaging.  Some jobs just might need extra time because they are so large, but there is always a solution.  Sometimes your media replication provider can ship a partial to hold you over until the remainder of the job is finished.

When in comes to managing a CD or DVD replication project, don’t be afraid to get creative or try something different!

Not getting the info you need from your media replication provider?  Call us with your project specs, and we’ help you find the best schedule or solution.

We have a lot of clients that supply us with disc masters for CD and DVD replication and duplication.  We have to admit, we’re sometimes surprised that we are able to make copies and glass stampers from these.  What are you folks doing to these discs?  We receive discs that are scratched, dirty, cracked and sent  in wrinkled sleeves, cracked cases and sometimes in nothing other than a plain envelope.

Let’s remember that the information & content is physically present on the disc and needs to be read by a laser.  If it’s covered in a greasy fingerprint, altered by a scratch, or melted from heat let’s face it ; it’s just a useless drink coaster.

It really is true that you have to handle these products with care, doing your best to keep them clean and scratch free. Use proper and strong protective sleeves and cases, and when handling, hold the discs from the center hole and outer edge.  If you are writing on the top of the master to label it, do not use sharpies or ball-point pens. Most of these writing instruments contain  chemicals that can causes oxidation and possibly  deteriorate the aluminum on the surface of the disc affecting the data and physical integrity. Make it worthwhile and spend a few dollars on a pen made specifically for writing on discs.  They exist now.

A CD or DVD replication project can really be derailed by a damaged master disc.  If a DVD replication provider needs to request a new master, the project  schedule is derailed. Sometimes the budget is blown by having to master again or pay rush fees to stay on schedule if there is a non negotiable  required date for your product!  How well your CD or DVD replication master is treated from the start really can determine your project’s outcome.

Play it safe by treating your media well and keeping it safe!

If  you are replicating a large quantity of CD-Roms or DVD-Roms (1000 +), you  will have a professional label inked directly to the surface of the disc.  There are two types: silk-screened and offset print. What’s the difference and which should you choose?

• Silk-screened labels are labels where ink is literally pushed through a screen onto the disc.  You can typically use up to 5 or 6 colors and each screen represents a color.
• Offset printed labels are labels where ink is placed onto the disc using special printing pads.  The artwork will always be printed 4 color process over a flood of white ink.

Does it matter which you  choose?  Of course. You want to choose the method that will best represent your artwork.  Silk-screening works well for art that has large areas of solid colors or does not contain a lot of complex detail. Art that is designed using all spot colors (PMS - Pantone Matching System) must be silk-screened.  You can silk-screen art designed in 4 color process (CMYK), but the ink is a bit thinner so sometimes the colors are not as vibrant.

Offset printing has a higher resolution than silk-screening, so art that is more complex containing a lot of detail prints best with this method. This includes  photographic images.  Offset printing yields much crisper and sharper images and overall look.

When getting ready to submit your label art. Talk to your CSR to discuss how this will best print!

When packaging, your options are many, but consider your needs before making your choice. You need to answer a few questions:

• What is this for? (retail? trade show? Will you need to transport them with you? Do you want to carry around large, heavy boxes ?)
• How will this be distributed/delivered? (By mail? by hand? in a media kit with other collateral? will it fit in with other materials?)
• What’s my budget? (standard, in-stock packaging is always more economical than custom printed options, is this a DVD that will be kept around for long term? if not, do you want to spend a lot on something that will inevitably become disposable? )
• What’s my time frame? (Custom items take longer than standard in-stock choices)

Also, if  you are placing a DVD into a sleeve or envelope, you may want to  mention somewhere on the label of the disc that it is a DVD.  This way people don’t mistake it for a CD and know they can view it on a tv player as well as a computer!

If you  don’t have a clear objective, take time out to call us and talk about the project. As specialists in media replication project management, we’ll discuss your goals, your needs and how to find the best solution for your product, timeline and budget!

Data stored in an analog format, such as film (VHS) and video tape, is less secure than you may realize.  Over time, analog media degrades and can take your information with it in the process.

In addition, libraries of analog media become a nightmare to manage as they grow.  The format has a limited storage capacity, as  a result, a large number of tapes are required to store data.  Sheer volume alone complicates the steps involved to manage this data, let alone access it when needed.

Media archiving is the process of migrating analog-based media to digital format.  Common digital formats include DVD,  hard drives, Flash, Windows Media, Quicktime, Realplayer or podcasts for use on the web.  In addition to the transfer of data, media archiving also includes the creation of database-driven information management.

So when should media archiving be a consideration?  If your  data is currently stored in an analog format, difficult to access on an as-needed basis, taking up too much storage space or if you lack an information management system, media archiving can very well be the solution you need.

Production and mastering need “apples to apples”.  When  making CDs with CDR (Recordable CDs), the recording drives for CDR will only accept and use the same type media. The source to be read, and  the target to have the info recorded to have to match. When mastering for CD-ROM, we make a physical mold of the disc, so if you are making CDs, we need to start from a CD!

When you send out  a DVD master for a CD replication job, we’ll need to ask you to resend it again on CD and that will eat up time from your production schedule.

Stay on course and make sure for your CDR and CD-ROM duplication and replication jobs to send us a CD master!

Each piece has a different surface and uses different printing processes. Plastic does not absorb ink. When the ink goes down on a disc via silk-screening where ink is pushed through screens, it sits on the surface and spreads, creating a fairly thick layer. When ink goes down on paper via offset print with special printing pads, it gets absorbed into the paper to a degree, causing the color to sometimes look less vibrant. The colors on the disc will often look darker. If you are using the same image or artwork on both pieces it can be very difficult to match the two.  A shade or two in comparison can  make a very  big difference in the result of color.

Mix it up a bit and try  not to use the same artwork on all pieces. This will ensure you have no obvious differences in the overall  look of the final piece and will help keep your project on schedule.  The more time  the plant has to take trying to tweak and match colors, the more time it takes to turn the job around!