What is a DVD/CD Publishing System?
A DVD/CD Publishing System is a device that is a disc duplicator, disc recorder and a disc labeler built into one unit dedicated to making as many disc copies as you need, each with custom printed disc labels. The 1:4 DVD/CD Tower Publisher LS is a small and compact enough to fit on your desk, yet it is a production Publishing System.
What kind of printing supplies will I need?
Really “none” is the answer. Most publishing systems require proprietary supplies, especially expensive ink cartridges or ribbons and most desktop label solutions require difficult to handle adhesive labels. With the 1:4 DVD/CD Tower Publisher LS there are no expensive ink cartridges, no messy markers or adhesive labels. All you need is easy to use LightScribe DVD or CD media.
The 1:4 DVD/CD Tower Publisher LS is value priced, compact and lightweight with a desktop footprint. Most publishing systems are complex, bulky and expensive. How does the 1:4 DVD/CD Tower Publisher LS work?
The 1:4 DVD/CD Tower Publisher LS combines simple components, 4 LightScribe DVDRWs, a USB hub, and our exclusive Droppix Label Maker and Droppix Recorder for Towers into a powerful production DVD/CD publishing system. It duplicates up to 4 DVDs or CDs, or it LightScribe labels up to 4 discs simultaneously, all in the same machine, so you have finished discs ready for your customers or staff. LightScribe media has a special label side and a data side. The built in LightScribe-enabled DVD/CD recorders have special lasers that pumps light energy into a thin dye coating on the label side of a LightScribe disc. The light from the laser causes a chemical change in the dye coating that shows up as a visible point on the disc thereby creating high resolution laser burned labels.
Can I connect more than one 1:4 DVD/CD Tower Publisher LS to a PC?
No, the software bundled with the 1:4 DVD/CD Tower Publisher LS allows a maximum of four (4) recordable devices to be utilized at any one time.
When I want to print a label, how does the machine know I want to print or just write more data to the disc?
LightScribe media has a special label side and a data side. You simply flip the disc over in the drive so that the label side is down and the data side is up. The LightScribe printer will not attempt to print on the data side of a disc or on the label side on non LightScribe disc.
Does 1:4 DVD/CD Tower Publisher LS require a PC?
The 1:4 DVD/CD Tower Publisher LS is a PC connected duplicator. There is a USB 2.0 port for connection to a PC for use as a duplicator, an external DVD recorder and a LightScribe Labeler.
What are the minimum system requirements for a 1:4 DVD/CD Tower Publisher LS?
Minimum configuration
CPU : Pentium ® 350 Mhz
RAM : 256 MB
Hard disk : 64 MB for the application and 4.8 GB for DVD images
CD/DVD drive : One or more CD ou DVD burner drives
Video : Video card with 65636 colors - 800x600
Operating system : Windows ® XP or Windows ® 2003 Server
Other software : Microsoft ® Windows Internet Explorer 5.01
Microsoft ® DirectX 8.1, Microsoft ® Windows Media Format 9 Series Runtime
Recommended configuration
CPU : Pentium ® 3/4 or AMD Athlon CPU - 500 Mhz
RAM : 512 MB minimum
Hard disk : 64 MB for the application and at least 10 GB for CD and DVD image storage
CD/DVD drive : One or more CD ou DVD burner drives
Sound card : 16-bit Windows ® compatible sound card with speakers
Video : Video card with 16.8 million colors - 1024x768
Internet : Required for CDDB updates and support
Operating system : Windows ® XP or Windows ® 2003 Server
Other software : Microsoft ® Windows Internet Explorer 6
Microsoft ® DirectX 9b, Microsoft ® Windows Media Format 9 Series Runtime, Microsoft ® Windows Media Player 9.0
My recording speeds vary, is this normal?
Recording Speeds may vary substantially from disc to disc depending on the quality of the recording media or the quality of the original file or original disc.
How about the quality of 1:4 DVD/CD Tower Publisher LS's printed labels?
The 1:4 DVD/CD Tower Publisher LS produces very clear silk screen quality labels.
Does the 1:4 DVD/CD Tower Publisher LS require special media?
Yes, LightScribe media has a special label side and a data side. The label side has a special dye coating that reacts to the same laser in the LightScribe-enabled DVD/CD recorder that writes data to the data side, producing a remarkably clear, high quality, disc label.
Can I “print only” with the 1:4 DVD/CD Tower Publisher LS?
Yes, you can”print only” by using the Label Maker software included. Just attach your 1:4 DVD/CD Tower Publisher LS to your PC with the USB 2.0 cable provided. This is especially useful in preparing discs with labels, eg. your company logo, to be used later for writing data.
Can I add to a LightScribe label I’ve already burned?
Yes. If you decide to add content later, it will be correctly aligned with existing titles and images.
How do I use LightScribe to label a disc?
To burn a LightScribe label, simply follow your Label Maker software instructions. Simply launch the software and design the label onscreen by typing in the title information and choosing or importing graphics. Once you have finished with the design, simply insert the LightScribe disc label-side down. Then click “Print” to send the image to the drive. After the label is burned, the disc is ejected and your LightScribe label is complete.
What types of labels can I burn on a LightScribe disc?
Text or graphics or both. Droppix Label Maker software comes with a variety of backgrounds to help you create great-looking labels, or you can import digital photos, or your own images.
Does LightScribe print in full color?
LightScribe labeling is currently available in grayscale.
Will the LightScribe image cause imbalance when the CD or DVD is spinning in the drive, the way a paper label can?
No. A LightScribe disc is as evenly balanced as any high-quality CD or DVD, and it spins evenly within the drive. Burning an image onto the disc does not change its balance, nor does it impede the disc’s ability to spin properly.
Can I use my computer for other things while the LightScribe label is burning?
Yes. The labeling runs in the background, so your computer can be used for other tasks while the process is underway.
Can I leave my computer unattended while the LightScribe label is burning?
Yes. LightScribe doesn't require your presence during the burning process. In addition, a LightScribe system will not go into sleep or power-save mode while it is burning a label.
Can I rewrite or erase a LightScribe label?
No. Current LightScribe technology is not erasable. Once the image is burned, it’s permanent. It will not smear, rub off, or fade (unless exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods). The Label Maker software is designed to preview the image onscreen before it is burned—you can accept or make changes to that image before moving forward, so unplanned or undesired images will not be sent to the disc for burning.
What happens if I forget to flip the disc before burning the label side?
The LightScribe system recognizes whether or not the disc is label-side down, and it will not try to write a label to the data side, nor will it attempt to burn data to the label side. If the wrong side is presented for either data burning or label burning, your disc will be ejected and a software message will be displayed.
What if I make a mistake and try to burn a label on a non-LightScribe disc; will non-LightScribe discs work in a LightScribe drive?
The data side will work. But the software will not send a label image to a non-LightScribe disc, so no label will be burned if it is not a LightScribe disc.
Will LightScribe discs work with non-LightScribe drives?
Yes. The data side will work as it always has. But LightScribe discs cannot be labeled in a non-LightScribe drive.
Does the additional use of the laser in a LightScribe-enabled drive shorten its life?
Under typical labeling circumstances, there is no significant reduction in laser life.
Do slot-loader players affect the coating of LightScribe CDs and DVDs?
No. Scratch testing has shown that the coating on LightScribe CDs and DVDs is robust and should not be affected by slot-loader players.
I have noticed that, after awhile, some of my labeled discs get a whitish powder on them. What is it?
The white powder you may see on some labeled discs results from crystallization of the label-side coating. It is not harmful and can easily be removed with a water-dampened cloth. Wiping the disc with a damp cloth will not harm the label.
How should labeled discs be handled and stored?
To ensure maximal life for both data and label, hold discs on the outside edge or through the center hole to prevent fingerprints. Keep discs away from extreme heat, humidity, and direct sunlight. Ideally, you should keep discs on a spindle, in a disc sleeve, or in a jewel case, and then store them in a cool, dark place. And be sure to use polypropylene disc sleeves rather than PVC sleeves; PVC sleeves will cause images to degrade over time, while polypropylene does not adversely affect the coating or images.
Do the same suggestions apply to handling and storing unlabeled discs?
Yes, to ensure the longest life, store unlabeled discs in a stack or paper sleeve, and keep them away from direct sunlight and extreme heat. Handle them as suggested above.
Can LightScribe discs be recycled?
Yes. CDs and DVDs contain polycarbonate and metal films that can be recycled.
Is the LightScribe disc hot or dangerous to handle immediately after the label is burned?
No. Although the terms “burning data” and “burning labels” are standard in the industry, there is no appreciable temperature change involved in either process. A CD or DVD is safe to touch immediately upon being ejected from the drive.
