DVD replication is a physical
production process that involves actually
pressing the discs during manufacture from
a glass
master. Replicated discs are also
referred to as DVD ROM discs, with the 'ROM'
standing for 'Read-Only Memory' (as opposed
to DVD-R or DVD+R where the 'R' stands for
'Recordable').
The glass master is made
of glass that has been coated by a chemical,
which is burned off with a laser. The glass
master is a 'negative' of the DVD and it is
then coated with a molten nickel compound
and turned into a 'stamper'. The stamper
punches tiny pits in the production DVDs that
use molten aluminium as the reflective surface
and polycarbonate for the remainder of the
disc.
DVD replication is a very quick and cost-effective
production method for larger quantities of
discs (1000 or more). Due to the high setup
costs this type of production is not suitable
for smaller production runs. Replicated DVDs
are then printed using a five colour silk
screen or offset lithographic process, resulting
in a very high quality disc.
|
| |
Advantages: |
• |
Ideal for print runs of more than 1000
discs with much lower costs for high volumes |
• |
Silk screen or offset lithographic printing
for top quality results |
|
|
|
Disadvantages: |
• |
Longer turnaround times (typically 10-12
working days) |
• |
Cannot be left blank for you to burn
your own content onto |
|
The other main
type of CD or DVD production is referred to as CD
duplication or DVD
duplication and is suitable for
smaller production runs with quicker turnaround times.
CD and DVD duplication involves burning blank CD
and DVD media with a laser to add the file contents
onto the discs.
View other CD
and DVD production FAQs.
| 
