DVD Replication vs CD Duplication
Many people don’t really know the main difference between replication and duplication in the CD / DVD industry. Media replication vs duplication each has it’s positives and negatives. To be aware of what things to choose for your needs lets explain the gap:
Replication
You start with a glass master, your discs are replicated by “stamping” crucial computer data into melted polycarbonate because they are molded.
- Just the thing for vast amounts
- Playable on all readable devices
Starting with a glass master which has the data to the disc, a metallic stamper is formed. The stamper is loaded in a molding machine and polycarbonate is injected to the mold thereby manufacturing the disc using the data “stamped” to the disc. The mastered information is then protected by layers of polycarbonate plastic. It is then lacquered, usually screened, and ultimately packaged. Since most on this process is automated, the fee per unit becomes factored in and incredibly affordable on orders generally in excess of 1000 pieces. Normally, the information side of your CD replication disc is prismatic shiny aluminum without color inside plastic like recordable discs have.
Duplication
Starting with blank recordable discs, your discs are duplicated by “burning” your data onto them.
- Just the thing for smaller quantities
- Quickest turn times
Beginning with pre-manufactured blank recordable discs, the info is “burned” on the discs one at a time. When quantities between 25 and 900 are required, a “duplicator” can be used. Your information is digitally obtained from your master source (often a master CD-R or DVD-R) and transferred to the blank discs. The information you have is usually verified along with the copy then accepted or rejected. The information side of your recordable disc commonly has a little color to it, (yellow, green, blue, or purple, depending on the form of media.)
If you don’t difference from each one of these methods about the finished product. Both processes extract the information in the very same method. The most important factor on choosing weather to CD duplication or replicate may be the quantity you would like to make. Replication is normally used by quantities over 1,000 and dvd duplicator can be used for anything less then that. For those who have some other questions about which solution to use please e mail us