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Choosing

When choosing a  CD/DVD duplicator, it’s important to note that there are two types of duplicators from which to choose: manual duplicators, which do not require connection to a computer and typically don’t include an option for label printing, and automated duplicators, which do require connection of hardware and installation of software and offer label printing capabilities. This guide will addresses issues pertaining to automated duplicators.

Choosing a CD/DVD duplicator requires ascertaining your purpose for utilization. You should determine answers to the following questions to help guide your purchasing choice.

• What is your anticipated volume of CD/DVD output
• Do you require disc label printing
• Do you require dual platform (Windows and Mac) capabilities
• Hardware requirements
• Budget

Volume of output
Autoloading duplicators are available from low volume to high volume output needs. Duplicators range in automated volume output from 20 allowable blank media inserted at a time to up to 1000 blank media.

Printing
Most high volume output automated duplicators come with an integrated media label printing component. Depending on the model, the printing output may be thermal or inkjet-based (Supermediastore.com, 2006). Ink-jet or thermal ribbon replacements vary in price from $10 - $100 depending on your duplicator's printer requirements. Direct print-to-media requires the use of appropriately top-coated media, usually a white-surfaced or silver-surfaced coating to ensure proper ink adherence. DVD-R blank printable media, 100 pack, is priced at approximately $60. CD-R blank printable media, 100 pack,  is priced at approximately $35 (ProAction, 2005). This type of media is readily available from many online sources. Check the resources section for links to media and ink replacement vendors.

Platform
Consider your need for dual-platform compatibility. Do you need the hardware and software for your duplicator to interface with both Windows and Mac platforms? While it’s true that all duplicators are compliant with Windows OS(x), the same cannot be said for compliancy with Mac operating systems. If you have Mac-specific needs, make sure the duplicator's hardware and software support that platform.

Hardware requirements
Review the necessary hardware requirements for the duplicator in question. Most duplicators require at least one USB (Wikipedia, 2006) port on your PC or Mac for a connection. USB ports are standard on both PC and Macs. Some duplicators may also require a FireWire (Wikipedia, 2006) port.  If your PC doesn’t have a FireWire port (FireWire is standard on Macs), you will have to install an expansion card to add that capability. Installing a FireWire card is beyond the scope of this guide, but you can find some FireWire resources in the resources section. Finally, you will want to make sure your operating system is current and compatible with the duplicator’s hardware and software.

Budget
Currently, in 2006, the lowest priced automated duplicators begin in the range of $1200. The top of the line CD/DVD duplicators with printing capabilities are priced around $9000, although professional-grade duplicators with high-output volume are more expensive and beyond the scope of this guide. Add on the cost of supplies, such as ink-jet or thermal printing supplies and blank media for a more comprehensive cost analysis.

Next section: Installation