There are many CD and DVD duplication systems on the market today, and without good CD and DVD duplication education and training, you might end up purchasing or using the wrong type of system for your business. Before you begin your search for a new or upgraded system, evaluate the needs of your company.

One type of CD replication system or DVD replication system, does not fit all. To make an educated choice that will help your company increase it's output or just keep up with demand, you need to have an idea of the choices available to you and what the new systems can offer you. While classes may be hard to find, there is still a wealth of information available to you.

1. Get a complete overview of the basics in DVD and CD duplicators.

2. Find out how automated DVD and CD replication systems work.

3. Learn how to correctly operate manual CD and DVD replication systems.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn the differences between automated and manual CD and DVD duplicators and replicators

There is a big difference between the output of an automated CD and DVD duplicator/replicator and a manual CD and DVD duplicator/replicator. Where this difference lies is in the amount of time it takes to create the end product and how many of the end product you can produce in a certain block of time.

I recommend: Getting a solid overview on the differences between CD and DVD replication systems and CD and DVD duplicators by watching an education video by Replication Asia. The people at CD-Writer.com have compiled information to help you build your knowledge about the differences between the various types of CD and DVD duplication systems.

Gain knowledge in the benefit of automated disc duplicators

If you have the need for high output and fast turnover, you probably have or are looking to purchase an automated CD and DVD duplication system. These types of systems take little to no manual operation, but they are also more technical and tricky than a manual duplication system. Take the time to know the product you are working with and what to do if something goes wrong.

I recommend: Visit Disk Makers and check out their instructions and videos for issues with automated CD and DVD duplicators, ranging from creating CDs and DVDs to adjusting print quality. Media Technics Systems has manuals and frequently asked questions on their site to help you with your automated DVD replicators.

Broaden your information base on manual disc duplicators

If your operation is mainly a low output and slow turnover business, you most likely have invested in or are looking at manual disc duplicators. There will be more steps for you to perform versus using an automatic disc duplicator, but the end product will still be the same. However, it's important to learn the steps correctly and in the order they need to be performed.

I recommend: The folks at ProAction Media CD and DVD Duplication have a good background on the ups and downs of stand alone manual CD and DVD duplicators. For a more video based CD and DVD duplicators education and training, visit Primera and view their tutorial videos operator manuals, upgrade notices and knowledge base.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Classroom based CD and DVD duplicators education and training is not easy to come by. Speak to the manufacturer or distributor of the replication or duplication system you purchase or lease to see if they offer training or support for their product.

New equipment and software have made CD and DVD duplication cost effective and convenient. There are several different methods for duplicating and labeling CDs and DVDs. The option you choose will depend on your budget, your time constraints and the quantities you're producing. You can use:

1. A standalone DVD duplicator tower. This is a manual system that works well if you're producing small quantities. No PC or software is needed. The tower copies the CD or DVD master to four to14 discs at a time.
2. An automated DVD duplicator. For larger quantities, consider an automated duplicator. Insert the CD or DVD master and the system copies hundreds of discs automatically.
3. An automated DVD duplicator with a printer. Some duplicator models include a print function, automating the entire duplication and labeling process.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Burn your master CD or DVD

CD/DVD burning software is readily available and easy to use. Computers with integrated DVD burners come bundled with DVD/CD burning software.

I recommend: Apple's Macs include iDVD with their iLife software. Among the CD/DVD burning software choices for PCs are Roxio's Easy Media Creator and Cheetah DVD Burner.

Make copies of your master

Your next decision depends on how many copies you need. Choices range from single DVD burner drives to completely automated duplicators that will copy and print up to 1,000 discs automatically. For less than 300 DVDs, a manual tower is best. For larger quantities, you're better off with an automated duplicator with an autoloader.

I recommend: Online retailer ProActionMedia offers a comprehensive comparison chart listing various CD/DVD duplicating equipment options and prices. Disc Makers offers all-in-one burners/printers. Primera and Rimage sell higher-end DVD duplication systems, such as the Bravo XR Disc Publisher and the Rimage Desktop1500.

Outsource to duplicate or replicate

If you are sending your copying job out, you need to choose: duplication or replication? There's no difference in quality; it's a quantity issue. Duplication is quicker, cheaper and better for quantities under 500. Replication is a physical production process that uses a glass master; discs are 'pressed' on machines. Replication is more economical for larger quantities.

I recommend: Disc Makers will duplicate 100 DVDs with color inserts and cases in five days or can replicate 1,000 DVDs, including cases and color printing, in 10 days.It's an online service, so you can simply email or upload your content. SuperMediaStore also duplicates and replicates and has some handy information for helping you choose.

Review labeling options and print your labels

Options for labeling your CDs or DVDs also run the gamut, from ultra low-tech Sharpie markers to label-creation software and direct-to-disc printers.Some consumer inkjet printers now include a dedicated CD/DVD tray for printing right on a disc's surface. Higher end duplicators provide thermal printing direct to disc for a more polished and professional look.

I recommend: Verbatim's 'Touch-Less' labeling system packages labels and software. Print on the disk using a keyboard with Casio's Thermal Transfer printer. Design a label and print it on the disk with Epson's Stylus Photo 900. Primera's Bravo DVD Publisher is an all-in-one duplicator/printer. LightScribe is a DVD burner and monochrome printer all in one.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Start with good quality media – don't skimp on CD or DVD blank discs.
• •  Handle discs with care. Keep them clean and dust-free.
• •  When burning your master disc on your computer, turn off all other programs.
• •  Slower burning speeds may result in higher quality and fewer burn errors.
• •  Never print or label your discs before burning.
• •  Don't mark or label your disc with a pen. Sharpie markers are usually OK.

When you have a CD or DVD you want to copy, consider working with CD and DVD duplicators services or purchasing replication equipment. Understand CD and DVD duplicators key terms to make the optimal purchase for your unique purposes. Duplicators, also called replicators, take a CD or DVD and copy them onto blank discs without error.

The CD and DVD duplicators index titles and prepare them for general consumer usage, complete with security encoding when applicable. Duplicators come in several categories ranging from automatic to manual. Some use personal computers (PCs) for programming, and others work alone.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Replicator, duplicator

If you want a couple of copies of a CD or DVD, or even if you want thousands of copies of a CD or DVD, you want to find a replicator. This is a device that copies something already in existence. CD and DVD replicators come in manual, automated and towered units.

I recommend: Cine Magnetics Digital and Video Laboratories provides information on DVD replication and duplication legalities and options.

Outsource

CD and DVD duplicator suppliers sometimes work with other companies to provide greater volume or to customize CDs and DVDs. Contracting with a supplier that is not a part of its company is outsourcing.

I recommend: Go to VendorSeek to learn about using various services for your CD and DVD duplication needs through outsourcing.

Labeling

It's important for consumers to know what is on a CD or DVD, so labeling a title is very important. Labeling a DVD or CD includes writing a name, producer information, image and/or index of selections on a paper that adheres to the duplicated disc.

I recommend: PC World recommends various ways to label CDs and DVDs, from case inserts to using software and setting up a printer.

Automatic duplicators

An automatic duplicator is an ideal tool for those who want to avoid manually feeding a duplicating device. Using robotic engineering, an 'arm' takes blank discs off a pile and places it into the burner for replication. Other types of automatic dispensers use gravity to transfer blank discs into the burner. Most automatic duplicators work with a PC.

I recommend: YouTube offers a visual explanation of an automatic duplicator for DVDs and CDs. It demonstrates the process on an Epson duplicator.

Manual duplicators

Favored by those wishing to reduce productions costs, the manual duplicator copies CDs and DVDs without robotic or gravitational assistance. The user loads each blank CD or DVD then unloads it. Usually this type of replication does not require a PC connection.

I recommend: Videomaker defines the manual duplicator in great detail and compares it with other types of duplicators.

Duplication tower

A duplication tower copies CDs and DVDs without the use of extra software. Generally a stand-alone unit, it stacks writers of CDs and DVDs in a vertical unit called a tower.

I recommend: New Cyberian Systems explains duplicator towers in detail, including common configurations and mechanics.