Burning DVD Labels?
I finally got around to reading last month’s PC World issue and I came across a small article (is it really an “article” if it only takes up around a third of a printed page in the magazine?) that discussed a new method for creating labels for your custom :DVD:s.
Instead of using those nasty press-on labels (which can degrade the disc integrity) or ink-jet printable discs (which require ink and a compatible printer), this new LightScribe technology (developed by HP) allows you to burn a label directly onto the top disc surface using the DVD burner’s own laser (and a special disc, of course).
The results are described as “silk-screen-like” and the example disc does look really good. The downside to this technology, of course, is that it isn’t full-color, but more of a greyscale (or perhaps “goldscale” would be a better description based on the examples) image. Still, the quality shown in the images looks really impressive. Maybe it’ll be something to upgrade to in a couple of years, Derek…
Posted Wednesday March 10, 2004 in Interesting by Chris Curtis
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Comments
^--- yeah!
By Greg Ferrell on March 12, 2004 at 09:37pm link
Yeah, there’s been a lot of recent discussion among videographers regarding this product. The concensus right now is cautious optimism. Primarily because it’s not likely that you’ll have a choice on what discs to use, and HP’s not exactly what one would call a media manufacturer. Which means that they’d probably be using a cheaper outsourcing manufacturer to make the discs for them, and then sell them at exorbitant prices since they’re the only choice.
I really do like the way the discs look though. Even though there’s no color (only gold, or silver, depending on what color they make the discs), I think they still look more professional than any printed label. Right now, none of the options, even what I’m using, mimic the silkscreened look and feel.
Back to the cost issue though--if I can ensure that I’m getting quality media, I’ll gladly pay for it. No one ever factors in the price of ink, and it’s *very* expensive on a per-disc basis.
By Derek Jones on March 10, 2004 at 12:09pm link