Duplication services have been provided for media for many years now and the variety of platforms just keeps changing and expanding since the dawn of the digital era. Prior to this, audio was duplicated onto vinyl or cassette, video onto VHS (or even Betamax) and that was pretty much it. Any documents requiring multiple copies were in print form and duplicated that way.

Now we are totally digital and therefore opens up a vast array of media where duplication services can prove useful. Digital audio came out on CD and popularity for this grew very steadily – although slowly to start with as consumers were simply not sure about this new age but once confidence grew, vinyl and especially cassettes became a thing of the past.

Documents that previously needed printing were created as digital files and could be saved and duplicated. Initially floppy disks were the main media for carrying such ROM files but the introduction of the CD not only provided the ideal platform for audio but for data also. It had far greater capacity than the floppy disks and was more durable so the floppy disk soon became a thing of the past.

It was natural for video to follow suit into the digital age and while a few platforms such as the Laser Disc were trialled, none took off until the development of the DVD. MPEG 2 became the accepted quality for digital video distribution and with the capacity of the DVD allowing feature length movie and more, this was put to the consumers as the new format for video. Because of the similarity to CD and the now 100% confidence in this platform, DVD boomed and practically overnight made the VHS a thing of the past.

Like the CD, the DVD made way to many other uses other than just movies. Companies could distribute corporate presentations and catalogues of products meaning multiple page printed catalogues could be discarded and of course saving huge costs. With interactive features and weblinks easily utilised on the same disc it gave far more scope for providing clients latest information on products and services and more importantly the immediate option to buy without as much as picking up the phone!

This movement has continued forward with flash drives, USB sticks and of course direct download rather than the need for a physical product at all however the need for duplication services still proves strong across all platforms for consumers to have value for money with actual discs rather than downloads and for corporations to be sure clients are seeing their presentations rather than hoping they wil download.

Digital Disc Duplication offers CD Duplication, CD duplicating, duplication services, CD replication, DVD replication, CD pressing & CD duplication services in UK.

DVD replication requirements are still showing strong despite the belief the format will disappear due to blu-ray and downloads. With the current global recession, everybody looks at outgoing expenses – not just individuals but corporations, production companies and of course independent producers. At the end of the day, consumer disposable income ultimately determines how fast new technology is pushed forward and the DVD is a prime example of this.

For quite a few years now, the DVD has been the accepted media platform for movies and as it is the movies that account for the vast majority of DVD use, we will use this as the example.

Let’s face it, we all like and even need to have some “me” time or leisure time to get away from the everyday needs like work and mundane house duties. Unfortunately most of the activities we would like to indulge in cost money and some more than others. Simply an evening at the pub these days would easily set you back twenty pound and while money is tight, the ability to afford such luxuries are limited. With most decent programs on TV being on the channels that cost to view, this also becomes a luxury many are foregoing so what’s the alternative? Well getting stuck into a good movie a couple of times a week is one popular alternative and with a few friends joining you with a few beers and a bottle of wine it makes it as entertaining as going to the pub but at a fraction of the cost.

For the same reason as not going out, consumers are not going to the additional expense of adding blu-ray players at home because let’s face it, we’ve all been more than happy with the quality of DVD for years now so the extra cost while funds are tight is not necessary. Similarly to the pay per view TV channels, decent internet speed is an extra expense and without top speeds, downloading movies simply is not viable so this proves not an option.

For these reasons the popularity of the DVD and therefore the DVD replication requirements remains high at present. Production companies are not going to ignore a platform that generates genuine sales and just as the consumers have to consider their expenses, so do the companies. Licensing and manufacturing costs of Blu-Ray remains far higher than for DVD and if the demand is not significant enough, these are additional costs that are not currently warranted.

Sure the time will come when consumer confidence returns as more disposable income is available and then there is a good chance a swifter change to the Blu-Ray platform will be seen but until that time and as we do not have the ability to see into the future for genuine ends to the recession, DVD replication remains high in demand.

Contact Digital Disc Duplication for a quote on your next DVD or CD replication or duplication requirements and complete your project how you want with the convenience of payment choices to suit you!

DVD Duplication provides a cost effective way to produce low volumes of DVD for demonstration purposes. It is important to note this method does not produce a genuine retail quality product. Only DVDs manufactured by replication will provide the shop ready article.

For replication it is common for the minimum production run to be 500 and in some cases 1000. DVD duplication provides the option of lower quantities. It is worth noting however that it can prove more cost effective to replicate – especially if you are likely to require more copies in the future. Costs for DVD duplication remain similar for each time you order whereas replication unit costs are lower. For example if you ordered 200 duplicated DVDs initially and then had a requirement for a further 200 a short time later, the likelihood is it would be far cheaper to replicate 500 or even 1000 at the outset.

Another important factor to consider is compatibility. Although success rate is very high, it is impossible for any company offering DVD duplication to 100% guarantee that every copy will work in any drive. All discs have errors and although these errors are not determined by the actual data, because the duplicated DVDs are burnt to blank recordable media, every disc will be different. It is even possible some brands of blank media are not compatible with some drives or the speed at which they are burnt can cause issues. Replication avoids these issues because each disc is pressed from a stamper created from a glass master. Because each disc is replicated from the exact same source and are pressed they will all be identical with the purest possible result.

Printing and packaging are also likely to be different. For replicated DVDs, the print is standard as screen or litho. It is not cost effective to print low volumes with these methods and therefore the alternatives are usually digital print or inkjet. Results should still look good however can never truly compare with the professional retail quality product provided with replication.

That said, there are still many advantages for DVD duplication. Not only the option of low volume but the turnaround is usually much faster than replication so for those trade shows or demo copies that are needed within a few days it provides the perfect solution.

Digital Disc Duplication offers DVD duplication, CD duplicating, CD replication, DVD replication, CD duplication, CD pressing & CD duplication services in UK.

CD replication is the only method that will provide genuine retail quality CDs. This is often confused with duplication however there are many genuine differences including the fact that retail stores simply would not stock duplicated media. Apart from the appearance comparisons, only replicated CDs provide 100% compatibility and the last thing any retail outlets need is returns of products that do not work and this can happen with duplication.

The process for CD replication involves creating a glass master from which a stamper is made to physically press each disc. This results in every copy being identical therefore eliminating the chance of a drive not reading the disc. Duplicated CDs are burnt blank media – just as you would write a CD on your computer. Because each burn is a fresh copy on blank media there are always differences with the discs. Burn speed can vary, brands of blank media vary and therefore it is impossible to be sure all will work on any drive.

It is commonly believed that CD replication is more expensive but in fact the opposite is true. If you only need a low volume then yes duplication would be the cheaper method however total costs often start favouring replication over duplication when requirements reach only 200 copies. Although you would likely need to order at least 500 copies for CD replication, this could be cheaper than duplicating 200 copies and it also results in the better quality.

Many packaging options are available for CDs these days and methods of printing also vary. Low volume runs would rely on digital or even inkjet printing which although can produce good quality, it still cannot compare to the professionally litho printed product. Larger volume requirement also means prices can reduce but also enables wider choice due to the price inhibitions for low volume. In conclusion, not only can you achieve the best quality but also the wider options with CD replication.

Why not get a great quote for CD replication from Digital Disc Duplication – where all product is still Made in the UK – and get the best of both worlds for your new release.

CD Pressing is still very much in demand despite what you may hear or read in the news. It seems everybody assumes all media is downloaded these days and while this may be true to an extent, it does not wipe out the demand for discs entirely.

Take the music industry as the prime example. There has always been a demand for singles and albums. Prior to the download availability, both were offered as CDs. When you consider the CD pressing cost of both is the same regardless of if there were 3 tracks or 15 tracks of music, it is natural for consumers to want to pay only pence for a single track to download rather than pay a few pounds for the same track on CD. Imagine how many thousands of singles are bought during a week and then you can see how many CD sales have been lost in singles due to downloads.

Now consider the album. Again the CD pressing cost of the album is the same as for the single but for the consumer it provides far better value to get on average 12 tracks for only a few pounds more than the cost for 3 tracks (and often just the same song re-mixed). Then consider the same cost to download the album and you are likely to pay at least the same as you would to buy the physical CD. With the download you get the same music yes but you do not get the sleeve notes or possible bonus features such as video that is often on the CD these days. When you buy the CD, you still get the easy option to transfer the tracks onto your portable player as well but you cannot create the genuine CD from the downloaded version therefore it is quite easy to see there is far better value to buy the CD rather than download.

Festivals and concerts are more popular today than ever and bands will carry merchandise for sale on tour. If you like what you hear, you are more likely to want to buy that music there and then. If you are in the middle of a field covered in mud with little or no signal on your phone, there is little chance of downloading but the bands merchandise stand will likely carry their catalogue of releases therefore concluding again that the demand for CD pressing is still very much alive.

Contact us for a quote today and join the call to keep CD Pressing in the UK!

CD Replication – Still life left!

Many have assumed the requirement of CD replication will die off now that many manufacturers are stopping production of CD players. Why? One of the main advantages of the CD is it will play on CD players, DVD players, ROM drives and of course now Blu-Ray players so to assume consumers will no longer want to buy music CDs is crazy!

Not so many years ago, home entertainment systems were stacked high with different players for different formats – turntable, cassette player, CD player, VHS etc but as the disc format has evolved, this stack can be compacted to just one unit!

When the CD first launched, although it took a little while for consumer confidence, vinyl and cassette collections were replaced with the new re-mastered digital format. When DVD launch, almost overnight the VHS collections were replaced because the trust in the CD format was so solid, all could see the advantages of using discs rather than tape. CD replication and DVD replication requirements were at an all time high because they were practically the only formats consumers wanted.

What made it better was the DVD player could become the only needed to play both your movie and movie collections and with many all in one surround systems you could do away with that original stack of old Hi-Fi gear taking up space in your home! Now we have Blu-Ray which will eventually replace the DVD player as it can play all of your disc collection.

Eventually it is possible the DVD replication requirement will phase out as consumers buy the Hi-Def platform but there will be no need to replace the old DVD collection in the same way as replacing the VHS collection with DVD. At the same time however, as has been seen with the complete lack of consumer interest in Hi-Def audio only (DVD-Audio for example), it is extremely unlikey for pure audio products to be released on Blu-Ray discs as there will no use for the capacity which is why we believe the humble CD will still be in demand for many years to come.

CD replication has never been cheaper before now and with the guarantee of all CDs made in the UK, Digital Disc Duplication provides the ultimate service and top quality product at great prices.

Music CDs – becoming a thing of the past?

We all listen to music for pleasure or just background but the evolution of how continues. What does this mean for CD manufacturing companies? Let’s check the history first to see if there is a pattern that will continue.

In the early 1980′s, the CD launched offering consumers a cleaner and more durable format to carry music. Vinyl and cassette had been the only format available for many years but these were easily damaged and quite often “noisy” for the sound reproduction. With the evolution of digital reproduction, the CD offered a clean output on a format that was much more durable. After a while of uncertainty and fine tuning for the accepted quality of the digital audio, consumers quickly accepted this new format and indeed began to replace their favorite albums with re-mastered CD versions. This resulted in rapid decline for the demand of vinyl and has practically killed off the audio cassette. CD replication boomed and singles as well as albums were all released on the CD format, in many cases eventually only on CD.

Now we have digital downloads for music such as MP3 and the popularity has grown so vast, the demand for the CD has inevitably fallen – but does this mean such formats will replace the CD? When you look at the whole picture, it is plain to see the main cause for CD sale decline is the singles market. Many will download individual tracks rather than buy the traditional 3 track single (which more often than not consisted of the main track and 2 alternative mixes of the same). It was therefore not considered value for money hence the ability to pay for the track you want only has practically replaced the CD single. But what about albums? Well personally I do not think downloading an album proves value for money. With the CD you get not only a product in your hands that “feels” like you have something for your money but you get the sleeve notes and quite often bonus features such as video on the same disc. Downloads are simply files on a drive and do not provide that feel for value, in my opinion.

With the cost of CD manufacturing lower than ever before, many artists are able to self release their albums and sell them directly at festivals for example – such venues finds the public impulse buying as they like what they have just heard and want to take home a momento. Again a downloaded file does not provide this.

There has also been concern expressed as hardware manufacturers are not producing CD players anymore but there should be no connection with this and the demise of the CD. How many drives do we need in a residence? The DVD drive will play CDs and now blu-ray drives can play DVDs and CDs so as consumers replace the playback source, it does not mean they cannot still play their CD collection. Not like the need to replace the vinyls or cassettes!

In conclusion, there is still a good future in prospect for music CDs and possibly providing greater ability for more artists to make a living through music combining downloads and album sales at gigs. CD manufacturers have naturally reduced capacity to meet the reduced demand however it is my belief the balance between downloads and physical format will be met.

Welcome to the next decade – will requirement for CD replication and DVD replication continue as we progress? While many will probably immediately say no, we have another theory! Yes the download age is here to stay and will continue to grow however there is still a huge requirement for physical product.

Of course there is less demand for physical CDs or DVDs than say ten yeays ago but of course there were no downloads at all then! As the next couple of years progress, we will see the share of the market requirement more clearly.  Just as before CD, there was a market share for vinyl and cassettes!

There are also fears for the CD because many manufacturers are not making CD players anymore but when you think about it, there is no need because a DVD-Drive will play CDs therefore no need for both. Likewise with Blu-Ray, as it can also play DVD there will eventually be no need for DVD drives and so on. It does not mean consumers cannot play their CD collection anymore.

Many also forget the human factor of impulse buying at festivals for example and the simple feeling of having an actual product for their money rather than a file downloaded! As we have seen, for music the physical single product has pretty much died but we believe the physical album will maintain a decent share of the marketplace alongside the downloaded version.

Digital Disc Duplication saw an INCREASE for demand of physical CD product for the last quarter of 2009 compared to same period 2008 so this again points favourably for future CD replication requirements. And with prices lower than ever before, there is no reason to lose potential physical product sales by releasing digitally only.

Why not get a great quote for CD replication or DVD replication from Digital Disc Duplication – where all product is still Made in the UK – and get the best of both worlds for your new release.

Avoid the problems with the current post strike actions with FREE collection service from Digital Disc Duplication.

Digital Disc Duplication are now providing an overnight collection service for all masters and artwork etc.  This service will continue even if the post disruptions are ended and best of all, there is NO charge! It means we will receive your masters in the fastest time and therefore be able to complete your order quicker.

With Christmas rapidly approaching, the time is now to produce your new CD or DVD project to capitalise on sales and while many companies will be waiting for your master to arrive in the post (and at your expense), Digital Disc Duplication will arrange courier collection from you in order for us to receive the next morning at NO cost to you.

Save on time, save on costs but maintain the highest quality of product with Digital Disc Duplication, where all product is STILL MADE IN THE UK!

Call or contact us for a quote today and let us collect your master in order to avoid delays and save on costs.

They say Summer is around the corner so bands,DJs and artists are busy preparing for the Summer festivals around the country. These festivals provide excellent opportunities to sell your merchandise, especially CDs and DVDs! It is now the time to get your cd replication needs arranged so you do not miss a single day of sales!

At gigs there is always the impulse to buy the CD of the band you have just heard – especially if you’ve been left with a great buzz! Add the feel good factor of summertime and being outside for the great festival atmosphere and you add to the impulse to buy more merchandise. So add to your latest CD release, re-presses of earlier releases and even DVD of other gigs!

Digital Disc Duplication provides quality CD and DVD replication services where all product is Made in the UK. Not only does this provide the highest quality and security for your masters but because delivery is overnight to almost anywhere in the UK the turnaround times are quick too!

Contact us for a custom quote of your DVD or CD replication requirments and make the most of your summer festival tour!