Tech: duplicating cds with lightscribe

Subject: RE: Tech: duplicating cds with lightscribe
From: mg
Date: 29 Jan 13 - 10:54 AM

thanks all...and maryrrf..I definitely would jump at the chance but I am using an old laptop as well..although I bought an interim refurbished old IBM...in the meantime was given an old laptop so didn't test out the old ibm which seems to be defective but i am past the warranty..plus the clunker was so heavy I dropped it and pieces fell off it..I think it is OK from that..but it was saying no video signal. So underlying problem is I don['t have a good enough computer to start with...time and quality are not huge problems...these will be given to children and money is the biggest consideration....

Subject: RE: Tech: duplicating cds with lightscribe
From: Anglo
Date: 29 Jan 13 - 10:07 AM

The cheapest printer I have found to print directly onto CD is the Epson Artisan 50, which comes with labeling software quite adequate for my needs, mostly printing artist and title and maybe a logo. You'll use a lot of ink if you print a colored background. I use inkjet-printable Taiyo Yuden (JVC) CDs, then burn with Toast, though any CD burning software should work.

All this does need a computer of course, so may not exactly suit your needs.

Subject: RE: Tech: duplicating cds with lightscribe
From: Maryrrf
Date: 29 Jan 13 - 09:55 AM

I had a laptop with Lightscribe and I found it very useful for demo CDs. You could print a legible label in a few minutes using the ordinary setting, but for a better quality label, which you would want if you were selling the CDs, labeling each CD took a LONG, LONG time. Note: "a few minutes" doesn't sound like a long time, but it can get quite tedious, even if you are just burning a few demo CDs. There was also the usual problem with burning home CDs, sometimes there'd be a failure in the middle and I'd have to throw out the CD and start over, etc. When I replaced the laptop I didn't want a Hewlett Packard (which is the only kind that has Lightscribe) so I bought a DVD/CD writer with Lightscribe only to realize it was internal - not external - wouldn't fit in the laptop. I still have new in the box, and if you want to try it I'll be happy to send it to you for the cost of shipping plus $10.00 or so to cover my driving to the post office, waiting in line, etc. Let me know if you are interested. You'd have to install it on the PC, or have someone do that for you.

But having said that, I really don't recommend Lightscribe for what you want to do. If you are talking hundreds of CDs you'd be better off sending them somewhere and having them done. I've used Discmakers but there are a ton of others if you shop around. I found a local place that does a great job, very reasonable and I can drop off the master and pick up my CDs in a day or so. For hundreds of CDs that's the route I would take. T

Subject: RE: Tech: duplicating cds with lightscribe
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 29 Jan 13 - 09:03 AM

Most likely, Joe and John have provided all you have all the information you need, but I can offer some testimony based upon my experience. First, I agree that a label is important. Why go to the trouble of making the CD without a proper marking. To print and label the CD you will need a computer with a CD writer, printer, and labeling software. I have used printed stick on labels, lightscribe, and a printer that prints directly to CDs designed for printing. The stick on labels do not work well on every CD player. In some vehicles with CD players (mine for instance) the labels will cause the CD to not eject. Lightscribe works from the CD writer so a printer is not required. The process is very slow and the result questionable. As John says the choice of printer that prints CDs should be determined by your particular needs. I use an HP D7560 as I may make only one or sometimes several CDs. Cost was around $100. I use software that cost me $20 bucks to design and print the label. I have never used the software that came with the printer but reviews were good for the printer and bad for the software and I already had software when I acquired the printer. The software allows me to print the names of songs directly to the cd when making normal cds to play on any player. When making mp3 cds names can be printed to a paper insert for the CD sleeve or to CD insert in a jewel case.

Subject: RE: Tech: duplicating cds with lightscribe
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 29 Jan 13 - 06:23 AM

Many inkjet printers can print on CDs, although like lightscribe they require "special" CDs with a printable coating on the top surface.

The main requirement is that the CD has to be able to pass through the printer without bending. Usually a "carrier" is used to hold the CD during the pass.

(I haven't used either "printable" or lightscribe disks, so my comments are just what I've read in the news.)

While lightscribe was sort of a fad a while back, the ones I've seen were sort of grey on grey (monochrome) and not particularly legible, although there may have been improvements in the disks to allow better contrast. Comments have been, as Joe mentions, that "burning" the label is a lot slower than most people expect when they take one out of the store.

As far as equipment is concerned, the printers that can do the labels directly on the CDs range from "home style" for a hundred bucks or so, comparable to a lightscribe, that will work for a few disks, up to ten or 20 kilobuck machines that feed the disks automatically, burn the record, and print the label.

If you're making one each of many records, it might be about as efficient to use one of the cheaper setups, but it's going to be slow no matter how you do it.

If you're making many disks all the same it would be a lot more efficient on the high dollar machines. For more than a few "all alike" disks the best option is probably to find someone who has a big machine and hire them to do the disks for you. Reports here have been that there are people who will burn and label them for you for reasonable prices, although each person may have his/her own definition of "reasonable."

There's no question that lightscribe will put a label on made-for-lightscribe CDs, but I'd suggest you also consider "printable CDs" as well. Juat be careful about the printers that advertise CD printing, since some of the ad copy can be a little on the optimistic side. Get a demo if possible before you buy(?).

John

Subject: RE: Tech: duplicating cds with lightscribe
From: Joe Offer
Date: 29 Jan 13 - 04:16 AM

Hi, mg-
I've had Lightscribe CD burners on a number of HP computers I've owned, but I never tried them. The discs are more expensive, and I understand it takes forever to burn a label onto a disc.

Paper labels don't work very well on any player that has a slot for inserting discs, so you don't want to use paper labels.

I understand there are printers that can print directly on special CDs - that sounds like a better option.

Good luck.

-Joe-

Subject: Tech: duplicating cds with lightscribe
From: mg
Date: 29 Jan 13 - 12:43 AM

i am looking for a way to duplicate music cds as cheaply as possible. I am not averse adverse? to doing this at home. I don't have much money for equipment and my computer at home is a refurbished laptop with no programs at all on it. I also got a refurbished pc that tried to chop my foot off so I am probably not going to use it...

I want the cds to have at least some kind of label..otherwise we could all just start copying on home computers..but the label is important..

need special cds..cost about 30 cents vs. 15 cents for regular.

I am trying to figure out if these lightscribe duplicators stand alone or if they need ..what computer programs? i KNOW you can download ligt=hgt scribe software so i guess they are not standalone. i really would like to bypass the computer situation and have a standalone but the lightscribe gives you an etched label. We are talking hundreds of cds being copied.