DVD duplication is the answer for a cheaper and different give-away, either for weddings, bar mitzvahs,birthdays, or another memorable occasion.

What does DVD duplication mean to me?

DVD duplication is the act of reproducing optical media through copying. It generally means producing discs in small quantities. The information from the DVD disc is duplicated onto an existing recordable DVD. With all the advent and popular usage of cheaper media, it’s now possible to get the same degree of DVD duplication services to customers who need small as well as larger quantities.

DVD duplication has both cost and quality advantages. Utilizing DVD duplication is a fast, cheap, and convenient way to get products to its intended market. Companies such as Duplication Centre offer the fastest result with a 24 turnaround, which is especially important if your business involves producing music and video products, and you need to reach your intended market quickly and effectively.

Alternatively, replication could be the standard used when creating ahigh volume of copied discs. Once the initial glass master copy is made the replication process is fully automated and the cost per unit will be less.  Try our sister companyReplication Centre for this service.

So here we have outlined a few reasons to use CD/DVD duplication and replication, not only for your business but for your personal life too.

For example, duration of the audio is importance. Although most CD-R’s that are widely available can store 80mins of audio, Red book standards specify a maximum duration of 74min 44secs. In order to ensure that any duplicated or replicated CD plays reliably on all CD players, it is wise that the master CD or pre-master CD (PMCD) never exceeds this specification. Therefore correct PMCD pre-mastering is essential for successful CD duplication and CD replication of audio CDs.

Pre-mastering involves compiling audio tracks onto a playlist, and programming the correct PQ codes. PQ codes are the table of contents, as well as timing information of tracks including start, end, duration, pause and offsets. Other information such as ISRC codes, CD text and product codes can also be added at the pre-mastering stage.

An increasing number of CD players have an integrated CD text facility which display information such as artist name, album name and track titles. If a CD has this information added at the pre-mastering stage then any CD text compatible  audio players will display this information. Many CD burning applications now automatically burn CD text from the names of the audio tracks in your playlist.  As these names may appear on your CD copies as CD text, it is important to name the audio tracks accordingly, and not use working names or abbreviations.

Before having your music CD copied by CD Duplication or CD Replication it is advisable to produce a red book compliant pre master CD or PMCD. If you do not have a PQ printout with your master then it probably isn’t a red book standard. If you are unsure whether your master has been burnt to red book standard it is advisable you contact a company who provide this service for help and advice.

In May of 1994, Sony and Philips announced that they would be cooperatively developing a new high-density medium known popularly as Digital Video Disk. The DVD; a disk the same size as a CD but with five to ten times the data capacity. This infant technology was to be the successor to compact disks (CD-ROM) for computers, and replace VHS tapes and laserdiscs in the entertainment industry.

Then in 2006 came the Blu-ray revolution. The format was developed to enable recording, rewriting and playback of high-definition video (HD), as well as storing large amounts of data, five times more then traditional DVDs

Now it seems there is a DVD being developed based on Nano Technology.

Currently, Blue-ray dual-layer disks that hold 50GB are not even close to projected capacity of these ultra DVDs. Researchers at Australia, have developed a new DVD technology that could possibly boost disc capacity by 10,000 times beyond today’s standard 4.7GB DVDs, according to a study published in the journal Nature.  Researchers have already designed a five dimensional DVD that can store 1.6 TB of data on a standard size DVD. That is as much as 30 Blue-ray disks!  Even a 1TB disc created with the technology would provide enough capacity to hold 300 feature length films or 250,000 songs.

Unlike normal DVDs that have two layers of stacked data, these disk have an additional 3 layers- one data & two for reading wave length & polarization. The layers are made of thin glass films and are coated with gold nano rods of three different sizes. To record data on the disc a laser is focused on the nano rods. Each nano rod melts at different wavelengths into spheres.

The challenge is that since the data is so densely packed, reading it at high speeds will pose a problem.  At the moment a very large and expensive titanium-sapphire femto-second laser is being used in the study. A cheaper laser will have to be developed.

The researches are currently working with Samsung to make the technology commercially viable but this could take anywhere between 5 to 10 years.

In a dual layer DVD-9 disc, two individual recordable layers, like the one found on a standard single/ DVD-5 disc, are joined together with a transparent spacer and a thin metal reflector between the two.  The bottom layer is written and read in exactly the same manner as a standard DVD-5.  The difference with a DVD-9 is that the laser now focuses a fraction of a millimetre beyond the first recording layer, giving access to the second recordable layer.  A downside to this is that the layer change can display a noticeable pause in some DVD players, up to several seconds.
Certainly business users will appreciate the increased storage capacity of a dual layer DVD recordable disc especially when distributing a large amount of data on a single disc is needed. It can even be used for desktop system backup and single server backup with time and cost savings over older traditional technologies. IT managers can even create their system “images” for configuring client PCs on a single disc for rapid deployment of new computers on corporate networks.
Independent filmmakers and studios alike will appreciate the ability to author a dual layer DVD video disc and try it out without resorting to expensive and time consuming replication. This set of users can now fine tune their works on cost effective dual layer DVD recordable discs before creating the master for replication.
Dual layer discs are not as common, as the single layer format as the 4.7GB capacity of the single layer discs is usually sufficient for most business uses and dual layer discs are also a lot more expensive.  Also the question of compatible software arises. Typically only newer DVD recorder drives will be able to write to dual layer or double layer discs. Many current DVD recorders support dual-layer technology, and the price is now comparable to that of single-layer drives, though the discs remain more expensive.  However, the recording speeds reached by dual-layer media are still well below those of single-layer media.

In order to facilitate and speed the adoption of 3D technology in the home, it is of paramount importance that the viewing experience is of the highest order. The early adopters of 3D in the home will view it and share their opinions – bad as well as good – with their friends. These early adopters should receive the best possible 3D experience, and it is up to the industry to ensure that the 3D content delivered during these early stages and beyond is of the highest possible quality – and that can only be achieved by a detailed understanding of the obstacles and pitfalls which will allow these to be avoided.

The biggest problem is that we are trying to create the illusion of 3D from a flat source, whereas in nature, our 3D perception is the result of viewing truly 3-Dimensional material, and our senses are optimized for that.  It is not just a case of presenting a slightly different image to each eye and leaving the rest to the brain’s processing: there are issues of focus and convergence which can upset the viewing experience and, in a significant number of people, lead to unpleasant side effects which persist beyond the viewing.

‘Cardboarding’
This occurs a lot with movies that have been converted from 2D to 3D – objects on the screen appear to be at different depths, but are themselves totally flat, just like a series of cardboard cutouts.

Extreme Divergence
Divergence is the turning of the eyes inward or outward together to look at close or distant objects.  Objects which appear to be well behind the screen require the eyes to turn outwards, which is normally accompanied by distance focusing, but because the image is still at the same distance (the screen), this can make it difficult or impossible to focus on the object.  This is especially significant with children whose eyes are closer together, and often results in eye-strain and / or an uncomfortable viewing experience.

Extreme negative parallax
This is the opposite condition where the object appears well in front of the screen, causing the eyes to turn inwards and the brain to assume that it needs to focus closer – which is at odds with the image still being at the same distance from the viewer.  Again, an uncomfortable experience can result, and the effects on children’s eyesight development are still by no means fully understood.

Abrupt depth changes
When there are abrupt scene changes and the accompanying depth change is significant, the viewer’s eyes must quickly converge or diverge while at the same time resisting the natural reflex to refocus, again leading to an abrupt and uncomfortable experience.

Multiple reference points
This occurs when additional objects, such as titles, burned-in text, menu buttons, scores, statistics etc. and the depth of these does not correspond with the video content which is playing. It is then very tiring for the viewer to constantly select and change what he is focusing on.

These are only the major pitfalls from a much longer list, and highlight just how difficult it can be to create the optimum 3D experience for the viewer. Even with all of the planning and attention to both creative and technical details, issues can still arise which can negatively impact the 3D experience for the viewer, and it is in this respect that there is sill a fair way to go.
Avoiding and correcting these issues as much and as soon as possible is paramount in ensuring the quickest adoption of 3D technology in the homes of consumers.

Looking to woo your fans? Consider rising above the competition with a fresh idea like eco-friendly packaging. A CD completed with recycled materials and attractive case-art can give you the edge needed to one-up your competition. Professional CD packaging will leave a lasting impression, giving the artist a chance to shine. A quality CD does wonders for a band’s reputation. Make a lasting impression. One that will keep them coming back for more.

Thinking of doing this from home? Think again! A home computer can take a lot of time and be less cost-effective than hiring a CD duplication company to offer quick turnaround, short run product. You want your project to look professional? Take it to a professional to duplicate it. Indie artists can definitely make it in today’s music scene with the right marketing and quality CD duplication services. After spending a lot of money on studio sessions to get the perfect tracks, sending out less than optimally duplicated discs is a definite mistake. Sending out premium duplicated discs to radio stations and fans is the only way. Always put your best foot forward!

Indie artists, writers, software programmers, businesses, and graphics developers often require manufactured CDs and trend-setting packaging. Professional CD manufacturing need not be a method open only to big name record companies and software manufacturers. Unfortunately, some CD manufacturing companies still require a large minimum quantity to place an order or only deal with lengthy and detailed contracts, leaving individuals who need these sorts of services with few choices. Luckily, here at DuplicationCentre, even the smallest jobs are important to us, and are very affordably priced.

When it comes to CD Duplication and printing, leave it to the pros. You’ve created the content, we can take it from here. Here at DuplicationCentre, we offer personal attention to even the smallest order, and we will take the time to explain the processes, options, and provide you with excellent customer service from start to finish.

One case in point is promotion / marketing: for a business wanting to promote and present themselves, their products and the services they offer in a unique way, there is little to compete with the style, appeal and simplicity of a promotional CD-ROM, DVD etc…

Sending out a mailshot of promotional discs to a carefully-targeted list of potential clients and existing customers alike is a very effective way of generating interest – holding attractively-packaged physical media in the hand encourages viewing of the contents in a way that browsing online can never compete with. Instead of waiting for potential clients to stumble on your website, a promotional disc can present your product or services right on their desks and also then direct traffic to your website.

Promotional discs (whether CD-ROM; DVD or even Blu-ray) offer an ideal way for a company to circulate their corporate information on a once-off or regular basis.  The format will allow for the electronic reproduction of a complete catalogue if required, and could even be used as a replacement for a printed brochure, with a large saving on printing and postage costs.

Free from the limitations if the internet, such promotional discs can contain video documentaries, animated and musical introductions and other “bandwidth-hungry” forms of visual entertainment.

It is now easy and cheap to produce the material with interactive and animated menus, attractive sleeve artwork, and duplicating costs are very cheap – small wonder that so many businesses and institutions are taking advantage of the edge that promotional discs can give their businesses:

University / school prospectuses;

Charity promotion and awareness;

High-value Property marketing;

Religious;

Advertising;

Fashion…

Duplicationcentre can help with all aspects of design / production, so give us a call now to see how easily your business could get the edge.

But, specialist record shops are disappearing fast, and the large distributors such as Amazon are offering more and more titles as downloads only.

It’s obvious that many minority-appeal CDs will only be available as discs for as long as already pressed batches last.

Impulse buys

But, downloads are generally the result of a conscious online search for a specific title, and offering downloads only would kill the very significant Impulse-Buy market.

A survey in the UK in September 2010 found DVDs to be women’s second-favourite impulse buy, after shoes.  The demise of UK home entertainment chains Woolworths and Zavvi at the beginning of 2009 was acutely felt by the video industry, and it has struggled to regain those missing impulse buyers who made up a significant proportion of the £30 million of lost video sales that year.

Other attractions of packaged media

Packaged media are so much more than the core-product which is being sold – the packaging itself is a desireable item.  The artwork and accompanying booklets are still very important to customers, and it would be unwise to underestimate the “hold-in-your-hand” factor which is so important in impulse buying.  If people can see a large display of different titles, pick them up and handle them, they are far more likely to buy than if looking to download something from an online distributor.  Similarly, giving films / games / music as a gift can only be done with a packaged product.

Until the price of downloads becomes significantly cheaper than buying the physical product, the demand for packaged media will remain strong and reliable, as customers are happy to pay extra for the convenience of being able to pick up a product which they can use instantly, and swap or share as they wish.

Impulse-based selling: a daily routine for packaged media and a challenge for online retailers?

But once diagnosed, the spontaneous gap in consumers’ rational behaviour, the scientifically proven state of psychological disequilibrium can’t be left unmanaged. It’s all not about answering consumer needs instantly, but rather anticipating them. Here is the review of some popular tricks used by sellers to transform a sudden and spontaneous desire of buying into a solid part of volume sales.

The peak season for impulse-buying for packaged media is of course November and December which generate 40% of annual sales. In the holiday periods, the standard amount of shoppers increases and so does the likelihood of following the consumer choices made by others. Supermarkets are the crucial facilitators in driving these kinds of impulses through catalogue promotions, special events, sales and POS (Points of Sale) installed in the checkout space.

No doubts it is far easier to allure those customers who can touch the item before definitely parting with their money. Online retailers have a more though clientele to allure since those who buy online seem to do so in a more structured and responsible way. Besides, there are still no sufficient tools developed to boost the emerging phenomenon called ‘online impulse buying’. Recommendation engines, previous order history, reviews etc. are not enough. Online selling is 100% different from the high- street retail where you can reach consumers directly. And even the widely blessed advantage like offering a countless amount of products is limited by…the size of consumer’s computer screen! Since it turned out to be a fallacy that impulse – buying is driven entirely by price, maybe creating a fully bespoke online stores could tap all the impulses effectively? Price is important for those who are sensitive to it and therefore shop at supermarkets, but there are many other factors at each stage of the consumer segmentation. For example, those who pay attention to product’s quality are the most demanding and picky.

If you have ever found yourself trapped by any of those selling strategies you can be sure that your buying choices had been planned far in advance and there is hardly anything spontaneous when comes to marketing and sales.