Duplications & Replications 
Did you know Sunray Video has produced thousands and thousands of DVDs and
videotapes?
Here are some commonly asked questions regarding duplication and replication.
Question: "What is the difference
between Duplication and Replication?"
Answer: In case you're not familiar with
both of these terms, Duplication is where we
make one or multiple copies of the same video. Most of the time, our
customers ask for these copies to be produced on DVD, VHS, or CDrom. VHS
copies are created using this process. Replication
is a process sometimes used for DVD or CD duplication. It begins with the
creation of a "glass master". Once the glass master is created,
it is used to stamp out the DVD copies, where the information is put onto the
disc as the disc is being manufactured. Most of the Hollywood movies are
copied onto DVDs using this process. DVD duplication involves recording or
"burning" the information (using a laser) onto DVDs that have already
been created.
For
DVDs, replication has one undeniable advantage over duplication,
replicated DVDs are capable of being played on virtually all DVD players out
there. DVDs that have been copied or "burned" may not play in
every DVD player. Thus, we enter the format wars. Panasonic decided
to promote a DVD format known as DVD-Ram. You'll notice all Panasonic DVD
players can play- and some will record onto- DVD-Ram discs. Phillips had
shown a strong support for DVD+R and DVD+RW, while Pioneer and Sony tended to
support DVD-RW. You don't need to concern yourself with knowing what the
differences are between these various formats; all you need to know is that, as
of this writing, DVD-R is the most compatible format for playing on most brands
and models of DVD players being used today. For this reason, Sunray
exclusively uses the DVD-R format of DVDs for duplication.
Question: "What format of DVDs are
used for replication?"
Answer: DVD 5 and DVD 9 are the most
commonly used DVDs for replication. They do not have the same
compatibility issues as the previously discussed DVD formats but, they are only
available for replication. The other DVD formats listed above are only
used for recording (or burning) of DVDs.
Question: "If replicated DVDs are
more compatible with DVD players than duplicated, why wouldn't I want my DVD
replicated?"
Answer: Cost. You have to have a
minimum of 1,000 copies made in order to use the replication process.
Using duplication, we can make any quantity of copies up to 1,000 DVD copies
without any minimums to order.
Question: "Should I be concerned
that my video won't play on other DVD players if I duplicate my video onto
DVD-R?"
Answer: Not really. We've found
that most of the players out there are playing DVD-R just fine.
Question: "What if MY DVD player
won't play DVD-R?"
Answer: You can buy new DVD players
that will play DVD-R for less than $50.
If I have a DVD burner in my computer, can I make
DVD copies myself?
As long as you have the appropriate software, yes.
WARNING:
Here are the most common problems you need to be aware of that have
actually happened to people who have duplicated DVDs.
A. They used the wrong format of DVD and it won't play in some players.
B. They use cheap blank DVDs that start falling apart within a few
years.
C. Most people who make their own DVD copies have
been using press-on labels
- If the labels are not perfectly centered on the disc,
the DVD will be unbalanced, causing it to "wobble" during
playback. This can lead to read errors by the DVD player that may keep
the disc from playing correctly.
- After several plays, some labels have started to
separate from the disc. Since the disc spins at several hundred RPMs
(revolutions per minute), the label may separate even more while spinning
inside the player. This increases the possibility of the label getting
snagged inside the DVD player. If this happens, it will not only ruin
the disc, but could damage the DVD player as well. Sometimes, just the
separation of the label from the disc can cause the disc to become
unreadable by a DVD player. Once a DVD is damaged, there is no way to
fix it.
D. Some people choose to use a marker to label their
DVDs. The chemicals in markers have actually reacted with the materials in
some discs causing the materials in the disc to break down to the point of
becoming unreadable in a DVD player. For this reason, we STRONGLY
DISCOURAGE THE USE OF MARKERS ON THE FACE OF DVDs and CDs.
How much does it cost?
This question is more difficult to answer as there are
many variables that can affect the price.
Consumer ALERT:
NOT ALL PRICE QUOTES YOU RECEIVE ARE THE SAME! As you call
around for pricing, you will notice quite a fluctuation in pricing. Here
is the main reason for this, let's look at DVD duplication for
example.
There are several prices involved with a DVD duplication
quote. I recommend that you grab a typical Hollywood movie DVD to follow
along. For each of the following, notice what was done on the DVD you're
holding.
- There is the cost of the actual duplication, how
much it costs to create a DVD with the exact same information as your
original. This amount will vary depending on the actual number of copies
you need. The quality of the DVDs themselves may also be a factor.
Please note that cheap DVDs WILL begin to fall apart within only a few years.
- The labeling of the disc. For the
purposed of titling or describing the contents of the DVD, do you want simple
black letters on a white background or do you want full color printing on the
face of the disc?
- Do you plan on distributing copies of the DVD by
itself or do you prefer to have it put inside of something? There are many
choices for packaging: you could use a paper sleeve with a clear plastic
window, a CD jewel case or slim jewel case, a clam-shell case, a cardboard
sleeve, a custom-printed cardboard sleeve, a standard (amary-style) DVD case, or
a pouch that is to be inserted or attached to a larger binder or package with
other materials inside.
- Will there be any custom printing needed?
The custom-printed cardboard sleeve or the casewrap insert for the standard (amary-style)
DVD case are two examples of where printing may come into play. If you
will require this type of printing, do you plan on having another company do the
printing or do you prefer to have it done by the same company that is doing the
duplication or replication for you.
- Do you need each DVD/package to be individually
shrink-wrapped? This involves wrapping the DVD package with a clear
plastic wrap. DVDs being sold commercially will usually have this type of
wrap around the outside.
- How soon do you need it? Most companies will
charge more for rush jobs.
And, finally, do you require the services of a fulfillment
house? If you plan to sell large quantities of the DVD program, a
fulfillment house will process orders and ship them out for you so you don't
have to worry about boxing them up and taking them out to be shipped
yourself. They can save you a lot of time.
We recommend that you decide exactly what you want before
you start calling around and then be sure to ask about pricing for EXACTLY what
you want. Otherwise, you may find yourself using a company that quoted you
a lower price for duplication but ends up charging you more for the rest of the
process and end up paying more overall for the final products you're ordering.
Answer: In addition to knowing how many
copies you'll need, we'll need to know the answers to the rest of the questions
above in order to give you a more accurate estimate for your job. For this
reason, we only offer quotes by phone. Give us a call today.
DVD
& VHS 
Duplications
Sunray can make DVD, VHS, and even CD copies of your video from several types
of sources. If your original is on DVD, VHS, PAL DVD, PAL VHS, MiniDV, PAL
MiniDV, DVCAM, PAL DVCAM, 8mm, Hi8, and Digital8 video, VHS-C, SuperVHS, Betacam
or even Betacam SP, we can copy it to DVD or VHS. We can even work with
AVI, Quicktime, MPEG1, MPEG2, and Windows Media files. Although there may
be some quality loss when converting web-based compressed files to full screen
video.
Our DVD labels are printed directly onto the disc, no labels that may peel
off and damage a DVD player.
Our VHS copies include face AND spine labels along with a black cardboard
sleeve at no extra charge!
CD Duplications
Sunray can also copy CDs.
DVD & CD Replication
Sunray Video provides professional quality replication services.
Additional Related Services
Sunray offers the following support services to help you with your project:
Authoring for DVDs including setting up the DVD menu/s.
Graphic design for DVD labels and case covers.
Handling arrangements with a fulfillment house.
Marketing advice on how to sell or distribute your videos.
Converting clips of your video to put onto your website.
Here's the best part, when it comes to providing all of the above services, we're not just
saying we can do it, we've done all of them. Give us a call today!
