Why use lightscribe?

[CRVLSPE]

Hi, I have a lightscribe drive at home and I was wondering what everyone else used it for? I usually use it when I want to present a gift or show someone something but for personal use, I usually take the arch enemy to it...a sharpie. To me, it might be quicker just to simply label the disc using a sharpie after I burn something for personal use unless its something particularly special. So to the point, the question that I would like to ask everyone is does anyone use lightscribe everytime or do they just use it for something special and take the sharpie to everything else?

[jman98]

I use Lightscribe most of the time. I just like the somewhat professional look of the discs better than using a sharpie. I've made a few discs for friends/family and they have also been pleased with the results. However, it takes about 20 minutes to burn, so there are times when I have to admit it's just not worth the effort and I write on the disc with a sharpie or some similar pen.

[CRVLSPE]

Yeah, for family and friends I usually make lightscribe discs and use an image. However, some of the time its just simpler to use a Sharpie. A tip that I have found for getting better images is going to www.lightscribe.com and getting the lastest Lightscribe System Software update and then right after that, get the Extended Contrast Labeling Utility. It increases the time but you get a darker image.

Anymore thoughts?

[ROF]

Lightscribe = Waste of time and Laser life.

[handyguy]

& disks COST more......

It does make a pretty b/w picture on your disk but I don't know if its worth the extra hour to do it, assuming you write it 2-3x for a better picture.

[ROF]

Two things that do damage to Lightscribe images which does not effect most other forms of of labeling:

Fingerprints
and Exposure to light or heat.

So not only is the data side untouchable but the label side too? Jeez, and some people are worried about not being able to swim with their discs. You can also not watch DVDs outdoors on portable DVD players that have a partial window showing the spinning disc or the player is in the sun. No LS Discs on the beach.

[jsmithepa]

Well, I just printed a Phil collins album with the 12 songs title on it. Even if there is a sharpie that fine, I wouldn't trust my dexterity.

I use sharpies sometimes too, for s'thing quick&dirty.

BTW, using a sharpie on a DL sux... the surface is TOO slippery, I end up writing like a 3 yrs old!

I have money to buy a label printer, but I JUST DON'T WANT TO. Sue me.

[ROF]

Just like when you print a label whether it's lightscribe or paper, writing this label with a sharpie is much easier if you readily design the sharpied surface before you begin your first line. You can tell the difference between someone who wrote on the disc with the sharpie and somone who embossed the disc with their sharpie. It does take a steady hand but if you plan it out ahead of time the ultra fine sharpie can put 12 or more tracks written out on the surface and not appear as a jumbled mess or chicken scratch.

[jsmithepa]

It does take a steady hand but if you plan it out ahead of time the ultra fine sharpie can put 12 or more tracks written out on the surface and not appear as a jumbled mess or chicken scratch.

Can't... stay away from the alcohol.

[ROF]

It does take a steady hand but if you plan it out ahead of time the ultra fine sharpie can put 12 or more tracks written out on the surface and not appear as a jumbled mess or chicken scratch.

Can't... stay away from the alcohol.

Coffee can also effect your hand eye coordination. I will say that alcohol makes lightscribe look rather good.

[yoda313]

I could have bought a lightscribe drive instead of my pioneer 111d. I just figured I'd never use it. Besides the discs are a little more expensive and it takes longer to burn. So when i was faced between a lightscribe drive and a plain one at the same price I went with the plain drive. That way I wouldn't be tempted by pricer discs that I have no real need for. SHARPIES are more than enough for me When I want something fance I'll buy the real dvd when its available. JUST MY OPINION.