There are two distinct technologies available for producing Optical Discs, whether CD, DVD or Blu-ray, and the choice of which to use for any given project is not always immediately obvious.
In order to help with that decision, it is important to understand the differences and the effects that those differences can have:
The first thing to remember is that whatever process is used, the data at the beginning and end are exactly the same, though there will be slight differences in the appearance and performance of the finished product.
Duplication is the name given to the process whereby the data are written to individual blank recordable discs using banks of high-speed writers. Artwork is then typically thermal printed or paper labeled.
Replication is a much more involved process in which a glass master is first created from the original data. This master is used to make metal stamping discs which are used in presses to press the data wholesale onto polycarbonate blanks. A reflective aluminium layer is then applied, and the discs are then lacquered, sealed and artwork typically silk-screened or offset printed.
All retail discs are replicated.
Replicated discs have no compatibility issues – they will play in all players and drives, whereas duplicated discs will sometimes not play on older stand-alone players or set-top boxes. Recordable media are also more vulnerable to damage by prolonged exposure to sunlight.
The big advantage of Duplication is very quick turnaround time, and digital printing with no prepress charges, BUT the unit cost is higher than for replication, and duplicates can only have one layer of information, meaning their data capacity is up to 4 times less.
With Replication, the unit costs are lower (after mastering and other setup costs are taken into account), and multilayering is possible so the data capacity is much greater.
Because of the need for mastering etc., however, the turnaround time is longer, and the setup costs make it uneconomical for runs less than 500.
So, the ultimate decision is yours: is a lower price or time more important to you?
In general, though, up to 500, discs will be duplicated; over 10,000, discs will be replicated. In between, the decision is yours!
Please do not hesitate to call Replicationcentre where our knowledgeable staff will be pleased to advise based on your individual requirements.
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