CD and DVD duplication. CD and DVD replication FAQs

This FAQ will give you a better understanding of the CD and DVD manufacturing process or assist you in producing your master disc. If you have any further technical questions, please feel free to email our production manager at chris@dvdworks.com

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What is the difference between duplication and replication?
What is the difference between silk-screened labels and ink jet printed labels?
What kind of packaging options do you have?
What is the turn around time for getting a CD or DVD copied?
We don't have a CD or DVD recorder, can you make our master for us?
What input formats do you accept for DVD?
Can you make our master readable on both Macintosh and PC operating systems?
If we make our own master, what recording software do you recommend?
What brand of CD-R and DVD-R media do you use, and what do you recommend?
Can you create our disc label for us?
What software programs do you accept files from for our artwork?
Can you make us a check disk or print proof disc before we start the copy job?
Can we make more copies of our disc at a later time?
Can you copy copyrighted software for us?

ANSWERS:

CD-R and DVD-R Duplication: CD-R and DVD-R Duplication Prices
This method is perfect for small copy jobs, or when a quick turnaround time is needed. We use blank recordable media where the data or audio is perfectly duplicated on the playing side of the disc by a series of dark dots and dashes burned into a photosensitive layer by a laser beam at a high temperature. When the recordable media is played, it translates the dots and dashes back into the original data or music from your master. CD-R discs can be read back by any CD or CDROM player. DVD-R discs can be read by DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-R, and most DVD players.

CD and DVD Replication: CD and DVD Replication Prices
When you have a large copy job, it's best to use this method because the cost per disc is less expensive at higher volumes. The minimum quantity is 500 discs. Your master disc is used to create a glass master, which is then in turn used to create stamper molds. Plastic is injected into the molds, and an exact copy of your master disc is 'pressed' just like a cookie cutter. The data or audio is perfectly replicated by a series of pits and lans on the shiny playing side of the disc. Pressed CDs can be read back by any CD, or CDROM player. Pressed DVDs can be read back on any DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-R, and DVD player.

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DVD & CD Printing for Duplication:
If you have your CD or DVD duplicated here at our facilities onto CD-R or DVD-R, we can put a label onto your disc using several different processes. Inkjet, Adhesive Label, Black Thermal, or Hi-Res Digital Print. Which method you choose depends on your budget, and the artwork files you provide us.

DVD & CD Printing for Replication:
If you have your CD or DVD replicated by us at our pressing plant, a 3 color silkscreen label is included. Your label is painted onto your disc one color at a time. The end result is a glossy high resolution label. We can silkscreen print artwork onto blank CD-R and DVD-R media as well. Which you can use to burn your own discs of your project, and have a nice looking label.

Blank Media Silkscreening Prices

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Insert Printing/Packaging Options: Packaging Options
We have many kinds of insert printing options for your project. For duplication jobs at our facilities, we can print booklets and tray cards. For replication jobs, we can also print onto booklets, tray cards, digipaks, cardboard mailers, etc. We have a large number of packaging options as well.

Turnaround Time:
This is determined by how many copies you need, how quickly you need them, how much data is on your disc, how intricate your label is, and what kind of packaging you use. If your CD or DVD is being duplicated, then the typical turnaround is 24 to 48 hours. If your CD or DVD is being replicated, the typical turn around time is 12 days. Shorter turn times are available but at a higher cost. We strongly recommend that you don't wait until the last minute on a project deadline. If a technical problem occurs, your copy job could be delayed. We take pride in our fast service, but you must allow time for unexpected problems such as corrupted files or out of specification artwork.

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CD Mastering Services: Acceptable CD Data Input Formats
We can make just about any CD format you require. We can transfer audio, video, scan documents, create installation programs, interactive splash screens, etc. We accept data on many formats. Please call us with the details about your sources before you send them to us.

DVD input media/Premastering: Acceptable CD and DVD Data Input Formats
For DVD-R Duplication, we accept DVD, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, and DVD+R for a master source. For DVD replication we accept DVD-R, DVD+R, and DLT. DLT tapes are still required for DVD-9 discs. You will be provided with 5 free check discs if you have your DVD replicated. Please call us with any technical questions before you send your source material to us.

Multiplatform CDs:
We can make hybrid CDs that can be read on both mac and PC platforms.

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Recommended CD and DVD Authoring Software:
Most of our customers use programs such as Toast, Easy CD Creator, Nero, and DVD Studio Pro. Any of these programs produce acceptable masters, however we cannot accept master CDs created with Adaptec's 'Direct CD' or any 'packet writing' software. These programs write the data onto the disc in tiny multiple sessions that cannot be read by our duplication equipment. If you create your master using packet writing, you will be charged $30.00 per platform for remastering.

CD-R and DVD-R Media: Blank CD-R and DVD-R Media Prices
Currently we are using both Prodisc and Taiyo Yuden media for CD duplication. We use Mitsui, Verbatim, and Lead Data media for DVD duplication. We don't recommend unbranded cheap media, as you will get bad burns and corrupted data. If your project is important to you, put it on good media!

Graphic Design Services:
If you tell us how you want the label to look, and/or provide us with a sketch and graphics files, we can create a professional looking label for your disc. There is a charge of $120.00 per hour for this service.

Accepted Files For CD and DVD Artwork: Acceptable Artwork Formats
We accept artwork files from many different software programs for MAC and PC. You must provide us with a hard copy proof, and copies of all the fonts that you use in your artwork. We also have templates available for CD-R and DVD-R duplication jobs, print only, and silkscreened only blank CD-R and DVD-R media. CD Art Templates

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Check/Proof CDs and DVDs:
We strongly recommend requesting a check disk for a copy job mastered from non-CD or DVD sources. This will ensure that your disc functions to your satisfaction before we make multiple copies. Please call us for details and pricing on check CDs and DVDs.

Reorders:
Unless you specify that you want your master disc returned, we keep it with your artwork or film permanently on file. Therefore if you need us to run off more copies, all you have to do is call us!

Copyright Issues:
We duplicate and replicate CDs and DVDs ONLY when you own the material on them, or have copyright permission. You will be asked to sign a form, and provide proof to us that you have the rights to duplicate the CDs and DVDs, and to indemnify us against any legal action by the copyright owner.

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Do you still have questions? Please contact us!
We hope this page answers your questions. Feel free to call us or email our production manager at chris@dvdworks.com if you have any additional questions or suggestions.

Last revised: December, 2005
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DVD\Works and CD\Works are divisions of Zerious Electronic Publishing Corp.
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Webmaster: Chris Coates: chris@dvdworks.com