Wednesday, November 7, 2007

“CX-1” A Rock Solid Combo DVD/CD Duplicator & Printer





Noble House recently inspected Microboard's new CX-1 DVD/CD Publisher ( 1 Recorder Duplicator & Printer combo) and were very impressed. The CX-1 has an automatic 100 disc loader that uses an entirely new "elevator shaft" type mechanism to load discs. This mechanism is called DiscPlace Technology, by Microboards, and it is fast and reliable. Our impression is that no one in the business has a better loading method.

Microboards also uses DiscPlace Technology in the new Printfactory 3 100 disc DVD/CD printer. The Printfactory 3 printer and the CX-1 Publisher both use Sure Thing 5.0 printing software which allows, in print only mode, to print straight from another program such as Photoshop. Prior files can be used without changing them, and the thru-put is increased in the printing cycle. The Printfactory 3 can be daisy chained, up to 5 printers, from one Windows PC with a USB 2.0 Hub.

The CX-1 DVD/CD Publisher and Printfactory 3 disc printer both have a HP 4800 x 1200 dpi color print engine built in. They use both a CMY Color and Black cartridge which are specific to the CX-1 and Printfactory 3.

We estimate that printing costs may vary from 4 cents each disc for black only printing to 21 - 25 cents per disc for full coverage color printing. Printing costs per disc are a moving target as they will vary depending on image and coverage.

If you are going to be printing DVDs or CDs or copying and printing discs on a regular basis, the CX-1 priced at $2095 and the Printfactory 3 at $1895 are well worth the money.

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

DVD and CD PRINTERS - Ink-Jet, Thermal, Dye Sublimation


H3000 Flashjet 220 Disc Autoprinter

What printing technologies and printers are available for printing directly onto a CD or DVD?

There are three printing technologies used for CD and DVD disc printers.

Ink-Jet Printing: These printers are designed specifically to handle CD/DVD media and print directly onto an "Inkjet printable" disc.

Automated Inkjet Printers Include:
GX Autoprinter (MAC or PC connect 50 Disc) $1195,
Nexis Autoprinter 50 Disc $1350, optional 100 disc Adapter, (PC connect uses "off the shelf" Lexmark Cartridges),
Print Factory 3, 100 Disc (PC connect for heavy use, can daisy chain 5 printers together) $1985,
H3000 – Flashjet 220 Disc using "off the shelf" HP cartridges $2395, with current rebate,
Apollo Dual Printer 600 Disc Autoloader with either dual (2) HP or Lexmark Printers $5000-$5500.
Manual printers, 1 disc printers, provide good quality and are less than $1000: Flashjet HP (PC connect $875) and GX, one disc printer (PC or MAC connect $750)

Pros: Full Color Printing, High Resolution (up to 4800dpi), Lowest equipment cost, Print Costs per disc vary for black only printing $0.03/disc to $0.20 to $0.30/discs each for full color printing. If printing on less than full discs the cost will go significantly down.
Cons: There is a concern that the ink can smear when in contact with moisture with ink jet printed discs.

The new "Watershield CD" and "Watershield DVD" made by Taiyo Yuden now provides a glossy professional look with a disc that is highly water resistant.

Thermal Printing: Uses heat and direct impact to permanently print to most any brand of blank shiny CD or DVD media in black or another monochrome color.
Pros: Permanent printing, very inexpensive when used for monochrome printing, $0.03 - $0.05 per disc.
Cons: Low print resolution 300dpi and lack true rich color capabilities, cannot print photos. Mostly used for text and simple monochrome graphics. More expensive than Ink-jet printers.

Thermal Re-Transfer or Dye-Sublimation: Photo realistic full color printing, by printing onto a film inside the printer which then is transferred using heat and pressure to permanently print onto CDs or DVDs.
Pros: Permanent photo realistic quality printing (up to 290 lpi)
Cons: Print costs around $0.30/disc. Until recently, needed special coated thermal discs to print on.
Now Teac’s P-55 printer has a new ribbon Versamax that provides great flexibility in disc choices. The Versamax ribbon allows you to print onto many inkjet, some shiny or lacquered CDs or DVDs, and most thermal discs.

The TEAC P-55 printer comes with H3000 –220-disc autoloader connecting to a printer for $6670 with current rebate.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Best Low Cost DVD/CD Auto Duplicators & Printers



Want to know what the best low cost DVD/CD Automated Duplicators and Printers are?
In this short article we are going to let you know based on feedback from actual users.

It is common for a manufacturer to send their latest product to a magazine's product review department for testing. The limitation to this practice is that the product is tested for a few hours or a few days at best.

After extensive use, feedback from Noble House's end users, reflect two products which are worthy of a buyer's consideration. XlntIdea's "Nexis DVD/CD Publisher-Xi100AP"and Microboards GX-2 DVD/CD 50 Disc Publisher have received very good reviews.

NEXIS has a built-in 50 Disc DVD/CD Duplicator & Printer which connects to either a Windows XP, 2000, or Windows Vista computer via a USB2.0 connection. The built-in Printer uses a standard Lexmark engine and commonly available Lexmark cartridges.

The NEXIS has one 18x DVD/ 48x NEC recorder built in. If the 50 disc hopper is not large enough to meet your needs, an optional 100 disc adapter is available. With the adapter you can duplicate mini CDs and hockey rink business cards. The NEXIS DVD/CD Publisher sells for around $1450 without adaptor. The adapter adds $200 to the purchase price.

GX-2 DVD/CD 50 Disc Publisher is a rock solid Duplicator/ Printer with one recorder (NEC 18x DVD/ 48x CD). This Publisher uses a HP print engine which can print normal full discs with a photo in a minute or less. Only one cartridge is required, making this machine very cost effective. The cartridge is estimated to last 200 or more discs when printing 100% coverage in normal photo mode.

The GX-2 is the second generation of this Publisher and it offers users a machine that is virtually problem free (the minor problems with the first generation have been rectified). The GX-2 connects to either MAC or Windows 2000/XP computers via a USB 2.0 connection. For $1495 a user can get a disc publisher that is very reliable and cost effective.

The two machines mentioned above, the NEXIS and the GX-2 are recommended for customers who are regularly producing up to 500 discs per month.