What is the difference between duplication and replication?
There are two ways of making a disc (CD, DVD or Blu-ray). Duplication means recording on a CD-R, DVD-R or Blu-ray disc, just like you would a tape. A laser on the recorder drive burns the data on the recording dye layer of the disc. This process is good for smaller jobs or jobs requiring fast turnaround time. Replication means the data is stamped on the disc, right into the plastic. Discs you would buy from a retailer or rent from video store are replicated.
CD-R and DVD-R Duplication: This method is perfect for small copy jobs, or when a quick turnaround time is needed. We use blank recordable media where the data or audio is perfectly duplicated on the playing side of the disc by a series of dark dots and dashes burned into a photosensitive layer by a laser beam at a high temperature. When the recordable media is played, it translates the dots and dashes back into the original data or music from your master. CD-R discs can be read back by any CD or CDROM player. DVD-R discs can be read by DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-R and the most recent DVD players. CD and DVD Replication: When you have a large copy job, it’s best to use this method because the cost per disc is less expensive at higher volumes. The minimum quantity is 500 discs. Your master disc is used to create a glass master, which is then in turn used to create stamper molds. Plastic is injected into the molds, and an exact copy of your master disc is ‘pressed’ just like a cookie cutter.
DVD duplication (a.k.a burned DVD) is the process to create the content of the DVD using DVD-R media. In other words, a DVD duplicator is used to create or “burn” the source image to another pre-manufactured DVD-R. DVD replication (a.k.a manufactured DVD) creates a glass master from a pre-mastered image. Stampers are subsequently created from glass master. The stampers will then be used to press the discs with injection molding made of raw polycarbonate plastic.
CD replication is the process of making a glass master from a pre-mastered image, creating stampers from the master, then pressing discs with the stamper using injection molding of raw polycarbonate plastic. CD replication requires millions of dollars worth of equipment, a specialized dust free environment, and highly trained technicians. Because of the initial set-up cost, this method is best suited to runs of 500 or more. Our manufacturing plant in North Carolina has lots of people walking around in white lab coats looking very technical. Replicated discs are more reliable and more durable than duplicated ones (replicated disks will last about 300 years – duplicated disks only about 100 years – go figure). They are also significantly less expensive in anything other than the smallest quantities. CD duplication is the process that uses pre-molded CD-R’s which have a laser sensitive organic dye layer embedded under the reflective layer. When it is recorded, the laser “burns” the dye so
