DVD duplicater or changind cd duplicator to DVD??

[overloaded_ide]

Dumb question most likely, but here goes

If a person has original videos they want a alot of DVD copies of is there a good cheap DVD duplicater? If so what and where might I find one to check it out? Prefferably $600 or much less
Nothing over $1,000 for sure

Next question that probably won't work but a thought.
Could you get a cheap CD duplicater like those $300 standalones and pull out the CD burner and install DVD burners instead and it still copy?

I figure the drives are standard IDE so the CDburners could still be used in a computer, but would the duplicater copy the dvds disk to disk or just give an error and lockup or shoot out flames?

I can copy with computers, but interested in a one button setup any dummy could use. Stick in master, stick in blanks, press button, remove copies and reload blanks. Then I would just have to make sure they could remember which tray the master goes in

Some software is almost that easy, but lots of room for errors still, like they start playing a major system hog game durring the burn

thanks and stop laughing

[Cornucopia]

I could be wrong with this, but I can think of a couple of things that might mess up your plans...

1. All CD drives in duplicator towers (THAT I HAVE SEEN) have been SCSI, not IDE. That'll jack up your cost somewhat.
2. Alot depends on how firmware in controller works with the drives. If its just MMC commands, that part is ok, but what about any memory buffers? You'd have to make sure your "source" drive is faster than your "target" drives for sure. Other types of commands based on tracks and bytes or anything having to do with audio tracks won't work right unless you're burning to CD's (which would make this question moot). The firmware may only work with certain types/brands of drives.
3. Does the firmware have an artificial size limit? If it uses images on a hard drive there will also be space issues that need upgrading to be address there too.

4. There may be MMC commands that DVD's use that are in addition to what CD's use, your firmware wouldn't know those commands without getting an upgrade or DVD-aware replacement.

Once you've upgraded the burners and the harddrive and replaced the firmware, the only thing that is still original would be the case. Seems to make more sense to just get a DVD dupe tower. And they aren't cheap.
Most are $2k---$9k, unless things have changed in the last month.

Good luck,
Scott

[Touta98]

Go to the following website or a similar one where you can buy the DVD duplicator controller and the case and the add your own DVD reader and writers, it will save a bundle.
http://shop.ily.com/P_843.htm

[overloaded_ide]

Thanks, I'll check out the link.

[thayne]

most burning apps support burning to multiple drives at the same time. Just get an extra IDE controler and a full size PC tower. Put 2 3 or 4 burners into it and go to town....

[overloaded_ide]

Hmm,
too good to be true??
Found several things I like, including a controller unit for 1/7 system for about $200.

Have you dealt with them or know anythng personally about the controller units?
Looks like I could drop one into a tower case, add P/s and DVD burners 1 DVD rom and be running with it. Does it work that way?
I added the link to my favorites and will give them a call soon and see what info I get from them.

Thanks again! I didn't even know you could get these.

[overloaded_ide]

most burning apps support burning to multiple drives at the same time. Just get an extra IDE controler and a full size PC tower. Put 2 3 or 4 burners into it and go to town....

Thanks Thayne,
I thought of that and will be doing it that way for a little while I think, till I can afford to build the duplicater.

A few small problems for me that way though.

First my trained monkeys couldn't operate the new MS O/s I would have to buy
Just joking about the monkeys, but I do need it simple enough for the computer illiterate, like load disk push button take out disks when done.
For what I have in mind I would need a whole new system really so that's alot more money too than just drives. Like $150 for another MS W2Kpro. System board, CPU, RAM, boot drive, ect..... plus the stuff I will need eitherway like case and drives.
Also I want to be portable, no monitor and such to lug around. Maybe burn one disk as a sample to show a group to begin with and then burn the disks at thier location if they are aproved and bought, while they practice for a few hours. I could easily carry a duplicator and just plug it in anywhere.

The link Touta98 gave me has some neat stuff for about $200-$300, but I still need to know what else I have to have and how to set it up.

This is a long term plan since I don't have the money for everything at once. But my intent is to make and sell orignal DVDs with original materails. Band Videos for locals that write their own songs, Video tape original theater Plays etc.. and even make my own how to do Magic DVDs. Plus other stuff, all legal of course

The Magic DVDs will be MINE, I'll be doing it all myself. Recording, editing, performing, and of course burning. I'll even be showing how to make some props and how they work. So for these I basically want a small burner barn, pardon the expression. I can get em into some magic shops as soon as I get the disks made!
Rather they will sell I don't know yet

The other stuff might be for them to resell, or just for each member to have thier own copy. Like now, if I were set up with everything I could record rehearsels for a small play and sell about 20 copies to just the cast members so they could see how they look and such to improve the play and also all the funny bloopers as they try to get thier "ACT together (pun intended) They are coming up with some funny adlibs when they miss their lines and cues. Just fun amatuer stuff, and their just getting started.

I get my Digital Camcorder Next week, then I can start piecing together a duplicater if I can find all the parts I need at a price I can afford

[overloaded_ide]

Cornucopia,
I think some things might be changing.
Looks like you can build a duplicator yourself for cheap compared to buying one ready to go. Course it's not cheap really, just when compared to a ready made unit.
I never knew I could get a controller by itself.

The link Touta98 posted http://shop.ily.com/P_843.htm has some cheap controller units (around $200 - $300) to build your own.

I need alot more info on them than was on the site, but it is the way for me I think if they are good. And they have IDE ones so no need to mess with expensive scii drives!

If it works like I think, I could take a case and P/s drop the controller in a 5.25 bay, add a DVD rom and 1 burner plus cables and I got a 1/1 duplicater, then add more drives as I can afford them. They have controllers from 1/1 up to 1/14.

Looks like I could build a 7 unit duplitator a few pieces at a time this way. At current prices for drives that would be about $500 maybe for a 1/1 in a tower case to start, then another $150 for each drive I add to that. Figuring I buy a 1/7 controller to begin with.
And the way prices are dropping, by the time I get that 7th drive it might only cost $80??

I have everything except the contoller and burner now just sitting here
I would need my current burner in my main system still to make masters.

That's what I'm thinking anyway.

[Cornucopia]

I'm glad things are changing. Sometimes it takes old fogeys like me a little while longer to catch up. But I work at it...

Scott

[overloaded_ide]

Me too, I been in it since 1988 or there abouts
My how thngs change!