The What Why And How of CD Duplication

"The What Why And How of CD Duplication"

- by John Stillwell

CD Duplication literally means making the copy of a CD-ROM. Before we get down into nitty gritty of CD Duplication let's understand what a CD is. CD is an acronym of Compact Disc. It is handy for recording and distributing data/information in an easy and most cost effective manner.

The process of copying or transferring the data from one media (which may be a Floppy, Hard Disc or a CD itself) to CD is known as CD Duplication. In technical jargon, it is known as CD burning. In other words creating CD's by writing (burning) blank disc's using a CD duplicator is known as CD Duplication.

The What, Why and How

CD Duplication may be done in two ways:

* Duplication
* Replication

Duplication - CD Duplication is a process of "burning" data onto a pre-manufactured CD-ROM.

A blank CD is required to copy/add data using CD-Recorder (a hardware/peripheral). CD Recorders are generally part of the Personal Computers. It may be internal or external. CD recording takes anywhere between 1 to 74 minutes depending on the speed of the recorder and size of the data you want to record.

A faster way of CD duplication is by using standalone CD duplicator with no link to computer. Using this device one can make more number of copies than by recording CD one by one. In this process, more data can be added subsequently to the CDs.

Replication - CD replication is a process of stamping data onto an injection molded CD-ROM. This process requires creation of a Glass Master (a master CD). Using a high speed stamping process the data from the master CD is burnt onto the target CD, where no further data can be added subsequently.

Sometimes, it may become difficult to decide which method is better. Following factors may help decide which process should be used:

Longevity- If the data is to be maintained for longer duration say over a decade than Replication is a better option.

Readability- Readability is an issue with pre-manufactured CDs but these are used where smaller number of CDs needs to be duplicated. However, Replicated CDs are generally of good quality.

Data Access Speed- Speed is another issue. One would always like to complete the task in hand at the shortest possible time. In this case, also retrieval of data is found to be faster on replicated disc than a duplicated disc.

Cost- The volume generally guides the Cost. If the number is more (more than 1000) replication may be cost effective otherwise Duplication may be cheaper option.

Other factors that need to be taken into account for CD duplication process are the requirement of number of CDs, the number of titles, turnaround time and of course print quality.
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