DVD duplication technology uses a red laser to copy DVDs onto recordable discs. DVD duplicators can also be used to duplicate CDs, and most disc copiers have a dual drive that can support CD/DVD-R and CD/DVD+R formats. Some disc copiers can also be used for printing. The main advantage of self-loading (or automated) disc copiers is that they minimize the need for human intervention in the CD and DVD production/duplication process. Unlike manual DVD copiers, they do not require an operator to load and unload the drives. Users just need to load blank disks into the machine, start it up, enter the number of copies needed, and return to collect the duplicates. There are three main classes of autoloading DVD copiers:
– Standalone Self-Loading DVD Duplicators: These disc copiers are easy to use and work much like manual standalone CD or DVD decks, with the added benefit of automation. They are available in smaller models that are compact and portable, as well as larger copiers suitable for duplicating large volumes of DVDs and CDs.
– PC-based auto-loading DVD duplicators: These models connect to a PC via a USB or Firewire interface, or a combination of both. PC connection allows you to create your CDs and DVDs directly from a host PC, giving you more control over duplication/publishing as you can run production software and applications on the PC. The operator does not need to burn a master disk before the duplication process because the system creates disk images on the hard drive of the host PC.
– Network autoload DVD duplicators allow network-wide access from multiple clients to autoload DVD copiers.
Determine which disc copiers best suit your needs
Given the wide variety of DVD duplicators available on the market today, deciding which disc copier or duplication/publishing system to buy can be quite confusing. The general guidelines below highlight some of the factors you should consider when choosing disc copiers.
–> The Speed Factor: Both manual and autoload DVD copiers have drives that write at different speeds. If recording speed is a primary concern, select the disc copier with the highest recording speed you can afford. Note that manual disc copiers are faster than self-loading DVD duplicators because there is virtually no limit to the number of drives that can be added. Also, manual uploading and downloading is usually faster than automatic uploading. If you need to copy DVDs and CDs quickly and cheaply, a manual tower duplication system is probably your best bet.
—> Minimal user intervention, ease of use and portability: There’s nothing better than standalone autoloading DVD duplicators if ease of use and unattended operation is what you need. Compact models are more suitable for use in remote locations as they are easy to transport.
—>What kind of final product do you need? Choose a DVD duplication system that copies and prints if you need custom printed discs, but if duplicates of the master (original) disc are all you need, then a standard disc copier is a better choice.
—>Volume or size of duplication jobs: Autoloading DVD duplicators are recommended for high volume duplication. Although manual disc copiers are usually faster, automatic disc copiers require almost no physical intervention
—> Multiple Duplication Jobs: PC-based or PC-connected auto-loading DVD copiers allow users to run multiple jobs using a host PC, without any human intervention for fast throughput of archived jobs, while provide more control over the production process
—> If your organization has multiple customers or users who need access to DVD duplicators, your obvious choice is to invest in self-loading DVD copiers that connect to the network and make it easy to create large numbers of personalized discs with very little user intervention.
Whether you need corporate disc copiers to distribute business-related information (sales brochures, training manuals, etc.), or simply want to make copies of CDs and DVDs to give to friends, you’ll find exactly what you need among the wide range of manual and self-loading DVD duplicators on the market.
