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06 Jul 04 - 04:36 AM (#1219779) Subject: Tech: All-in-one CD Duplicators Printers From: Nick Has anyone any experience with all-in-one CD writers which automatically print label etc as part of the process (eg Primera Bravo II Desktop Publisher). It is for regular (daily) production of CDs with as little hassle as possible. The model mentioned above has been recommended but has anyone any experience of it or any other similar products? The aim is to produce cds without the current hassle of burning them singly and then dealing with printing labels etc. Prices in UK I believe are in the region of £1200 (2000 euros) so this is a rough price guideline. Any feedback gratefully received |
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06 Jul 04 - 07:11 AM (#1219831) Subject: RE: Tech: All-in-one CD Duplicators Printers From: pavane I might be able to find out, as I think the guy who does our CDs uses one. Don't know which make/model though. |
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06 Jul 04 - 09:53 AM (#1219938) Subject: RE: Tech: All-in-one CD Duplicators Printers From: GUEST,Russ A friend owns one of the Primera models. Uses it all the time with great success. Results look great. The one problem he complains about is the fact that he cannot print to it using anything other than the software created specifically for the printer/burner. He'd rather use Adobe Illustrator to create his CD labels and jewel case inserts but can't. Also read the system requirements (including operating system) very carefully. Make sure your computer satisfies them. Even after talking to the support desk before the purchase he did not realize that he would have to upgrade his operating system until he installed the printer and it didn't work. Mostly trouble free. He has had to completely uninstall and reinstall the software only once so far. |
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06 Jul 04 - 03:37 PM (#1220132) Subject: RE: Tech: All-in-one CD Duplicators Printers From: JohnInKansas About 4 months ago I had an "accidental encounter" with a site that offered an operating manual (.pdf) for a possibly similar setup called the "PoINT Publisher." My impression, based on the manual is that it's somewhat larger (300(?) disk magazines, in multi mag turret) than the Primera, but it might serve as a comparison. The manual was pretty detailed, so it might be helpful even for other machines, since it gives step-by-step walkthrough of the PoINT "suite" of software and seems to cover all the steps. Unfortunately, the site I got it from is not responding now. I can't tell whether it's been shut down or just is temporarily offline. The only thing Google brings up for PoINT today is one 2-page sales flyer in English and a whole bunch of sites in German (or Dutch?). For reference, the site where I got the .pdf op manual was: http://www.storageminds.com/point/point_folders/folders/publisher_manual.pdf The English 2-page brocure was at: PoINT Spec I do still have a copy of the manual, .pdf @ 1,587 KB, and could email as an attachment if you'd like to PM me an email addy and can receive attachments of that size. On the other end of the scale, a recent "First Look" review at PC Magazine claimed that one of the major "consumer electronics" makers now has a "photo inkjet printer" out that can print direct on CDs. I believe the maker was Epson and the price was in the low $-hundred US (under $300, I think). I don't believe that it included a burner, and it was a "photo archive" setup rather than for music CDs. Perhaps best considered just an indicator of the direction the market's moving. During the recent flap over deterioration of CDs (as archival media) I did encounter several complaints about inconsistent "printableness" of CDs. I suspect that the quality is "good enough," since people are doing it; but those printing in large quantities are very conscious of "consistency," and the standards organizations have not produced really useful criteria for printable CD coatings. You might want to look at availability of consistently printable disk blanks as a side issue here, or at least get some input on reject rates from someone who's doing it. John |
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06 Jul 04 - 07:17 PM (#1220247) Subject: RE: Tech: All-in-one CD Duplicators Printers From: michaelr Check out Discmakers (a major US duplication house); they offer a unit called the EliteMicro for $1,990. Click! Cheers, Michael |
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07 Jul 04 - 07:10 AM (#1220522) Subject: RE: Tech: All-in-one CD Duplicators Printers From: Nick Thank you very much for the feedback, most appreciated :) |
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07 Jul 04 - 09:39 AM (#1220642) Subject: RE: Tech: All-in-one CD Duplicators Printers From: dick greenhaus I've been using a Primera Bravo--heavily, and successfully--for about 8 months now. I had one major breakdown, which was repaired by Primera under warranty, and with a total turnaround tme of under a week(!) On-line tech service is excellent. SOme comments: From a very limited amount of experience with the Mac version, I have to say that the Windoze version appears to be more flexible. I can, indeed, use Photoshop to prepare disk print designs--I generally use a combination of the software provided and Photoshop for this job. Disc printing is excellent--professional quality. Inks are not water resistant which may or may not be a problem--one can always overcoat.The same problem exists with all inkjet disc printers. Ink lasts a long time, which is a good thing; replacement ink cartridges aren't cheap. The somewhat Rube Goldbergish mechanical system gave me pause (I'm a believer in simplicity) but I've had no trouble with the machine's mechanical function. While you can record up to 52X, production is still one-at-a-time which translates as slow. On t'other hand, you can set it up to produce up to 25 discs, with no need for attention while you're making them. The Bravo is not a stand-alone unit--it requires connections to your computer, and can slow other operations down while it's running. All in all, I'd say it's a good unit. I'm happy I bought it. |