Do you have a cd/dvd printer?

[yoda313]

So do you use dvd/cd printers??

I don't. However my new hp vista pc I bought in the spring has a lightscribe drive on it that is pretty interesting. I bought some blanks and I am slowly trying it out. Much sharper than sharpies (pun not intended ).

Well how about you?

[hech54]

No.
No interest either...not even in lightscribe.

[Epicurus8a]

I own a Casio thermal printer. It's okay...

[gadgetguy]

I have an Epson R200 and I've been very happy with it. I'm going to have to replace it soon though because the tray is starting to slip. I'm not sure whether I want to go with another Epson or try the HP printer I've been hearing about. Any suggestions?

[somebodeez]

I have an Epson R220. After experimenting with disc printing a few times I stopped using that feature. It takes too long for the ink to dry.

[nwo]

I also have a Epson R220 i use it all the time! tho the last set of fake ink made by DATASAFE seems to be missing the green ink when printing still i never had any prods with wet disc's, still it the best for cost and time! as the LS disc's takes about 20 to 45 mins.

[mats.hogberg]

Not interested. Sharpies are quite enough for me, thank you. I have more important/interesting things to do than spend hours creating labels for my game/video backups.

/Mats

[lordsmurf]

I have LightScribe, never use it.
I have an inkjet that can print to CD/DVD, never use it.
I write on discs with Sharpies, in good handwriting.

I do create color laser DVD cases, however.
You look at a DVD case for far longer than you'd look at a disc.

[on30trainman]

I use a Canon ip4000 that has been modified (easy firmware change) to print fantastic DVD labels. Bought my DVD tray directly from Canon USA before they realized that they weren't supposed to be selling them to USA users. And it doesn't take me hours to make the artwork for the label. IMHO writing on a disk with a Sharpie may be faster, but doesn't look that good especially with my handwriting. Hey, call me anal but a printed DVD just looks nice and sure doesn't take that long to do. Of course you have to buy special printable DVDs but they aren't really that much more expensive. Justa my opinion

[Conquest10]

How's the Lightscribe? I seen a drive with it for real cheap and was thinking about getting it. I use Sharpies right now. Being a design guy, it would really rock if the quality was good enough to ditch the Sharpies.

[Bodyslide]

I have an Epson R200 and I've been very happy with it. I also use Sharpie's

[DereX888]

How about "No, and I'm not interested"?
All the answer options only assume some kind of interest in printing on discs at home...

[overloaded_ide]

All the answer options only assume some kind of interest in printing on discs at home...

How do you figure that, or were the questions changed since you posted?

No too expensive (ink and discs) or I have no use for it

To expensive, OR You have no use for one! That would cover your having NO interest for one if you vote you have no use for one I would think

Anyway I think there should be an option to vote yes I have 3 of them and use 2 of them

I bought an Epson R200, printed lots of disks, never had any problems with printer or the ink, or wet disks. I used up most or all the epson ink finally awhile back, bought after market carts but barely used them. (I only used it for printing disks and nothing else really unless a test to compare to a Canon).

I bought 2 IP4200 Canon printers! Mostly I wanted these for the 2 sided printing AND the CD/DVD mod I could do on them was nice too. They work great!
I gave one to my Daughter and she prints her CD's and DVD's and of course I use mine allot also.
Great results, no problems, no wet disks to worry about, etc... I just burn, stick in a tray, print, stick in a DVD case and done. Many of my backups look like the originals and that is nice, just scan the disk and print the disk, not much to it.
Some original content and VHS conversions I just capture a nice image out of the DVD, minor edit for size and title and print.
Some I get fancy with and make nice custom fancy labels from scratch. Why Bother? Why paint a picture or carve a statue?
So you like to paint by numbers or put puzzles together perhaps, I like to make labels :P

I like printed disks myself. Tons of reasons, some people don't want to bother and that's fine.
However comparing a Sharpie written disk to a Printed disk is mostly like comparing a drawing of a stick figure to a painting of Mona Lisa. There simply is no comparision.

With the recent computer crashes here, 2 of 3 systems down and needing fresh installs, new parts, and whatever else (I've only got one working of the two and not done with it yet) I realize just how nice printed disks really are!
I have a 240 disk case, many disks are not printed since they were made before I got a disk printer and I was not using labels, many are printed though.
When I needed to find all kinds of program disks, windows disks, drivers disks, etc.. it was so nice to just flip pages fast and see pictures and know it was not a disk I was looking for, and such a pain when I got to the hand written disks and had to stop and read all 8 disks to see what they were then turn the page and read 8 more disks and so on.
Pictures on disks can be a very good thing at times, since I was constantly needing some other disk it was not a one time search but about a 20 time search!
So if I am looking though 240 disks and see a big TURD picture on a disk I know that is a WINDOWS disk right off! Also if I see a couple large SCREWS on a disk I know that is another Windows disk!
Just depends what version of Windows I need, I think the Snail was 98SE disk. Not sure what I will use when/if I buy Vista and backup that disk, probably a couple HOGS.


When I buy a retail DVD I like it when the disk has a nice picture in color etc.. and think it looks crappy when it's just a monochrome silver disk with a blurry title.

Being I been having problems finding the movies as I want them and they take up allot of space I'll probably buy another of these 240 disk cases, then the pictures will be seen often, and how fast that will be to find a printed disk compared to reading 240 hand written disks! You KNOW no matter what your looking for it's ALWAYS the last one you look at!

[TheFamilyMan]

I got to have nicely labeled DVD for my home footage video projects. Half the joy of sharing them is the label's collage of images from the footage that shows what is on the disk. For backups I don't bother, sharpies work just fine. BTW, I originally used sticky labels: what a mistake!!! Just about every one of them has gone bad over the years, though removing the label does bring it back. Thank goodness for my Epson R220 and printable disks.

[ozymango]

I have LightScribe, never use it.
I have an inkjet that can print to CD/DVD, never use it.
I write on discs with Sharpies, in good handwriting.

Same for me, except my handwriting is terrible. :P

EDIT: Okay, my one exception: If I make a DVD for a customer, I'll use a hub label and just basic text on it, the title and disc number. Again my handwriting sucks and I've never had problems with a hub label coming off or making a disc behave badly; also you can remove a hub label in a minute or so if you run warm water over it.

But I do spend a lot of time on the DVD case inserts, that's the one thing people always read and they really appreciate a nice case.

[starwarrior29]

I have the casio thermal printer, Epson R200 and a lightscribe drive. I mainly use the lightscribe for labeling, I just like the look of it plus I don't have to worry about using up ink with the R200.

[mowermanEd]

I have a Canon ip5000 that has had the firmware changed so I can print directly on DVD's. I used to use TY white hub printable but now use TY "watershield gloss" discs and BELIEVE me, they look BETTER than most of the original discs I have. I'm just blown away by the quality of the finish on these discs for only a few pennies more. I used to have an Epson R200 but it was sooooooo slow and the tray was always slipping. No problems at all with the Canon and it's super fast. I use Acoustica CD label maker software and print the case inserts using Office Depot gloss presentation paper.

[on30trainman]

I have a Canon ip5000 that has had the firmware changed so I can print directly on DVD's. I used to use TY white hub printable but now use TY "watershield gloss" discs and BELIEVE me, they look BETTER than most of the original discs I have. I'm just blown away by the quality of the finish on these discs for only a few pennies more.

Where are you getting the TY Watershield discs for only a few pennies more than the TY White Hub Printable? I checked RIMA and their price is almost twice for the Watershield - $32 for 50 16X -R (Watershield) compared to $38 for 100 16X -R (White Printable). Thanks,

[mowermanEd]

Opps, my bad. .20 difference at Supermediastore.com

[DereX888]

All the answer options only assume some kind of interest in printing on discs at home...

How do you figure that, or were the questions changed since you posted?

No too expensive (ink and discs) or I have no use for it

To expensive, OR You have no use for one! That would cover your having NO interest for one if you vote you have no use for one I would think

Anyway I think there should be an option to vote yes I have 3 of them and use 2 of them

/and so on/

I have few printers too, all print and even "etch" on discs no sweat. (well actually 1 doesnt IIRC).
Yet I never had nor will have any interest in printing on the discs that are in my library now (but clearly I could have *a lot* of use if I wanted since I can count them in multiplicity of thousands )
And price of ink is actually VERY cheap nowadays compared to what I used to pay when I had my first bubblejet canon LOL
So no, it still doesn't apply.
I buy original DVDs (thus they don't require additional "artwork" to be printed ) and my 'precious' home videos are on a slightly better quality format than DVDs (I could print labels for DVs though ) but OK, I admit: occasionally I printed some DVDRs that I mailed to family, hmm, I think last time 'twas Christmas 2003 LOL

PS
Any form of printing on the (IMHO already too thinly protected with micron-thin lacquer anyways) top of the data layer is IMHO stupid idea.
"No I think its stupid and it most likely shortens lifespan of the burnt disc" is actually the reply option I was looking for.

[solarfox]

Since I do a fair amount of projects where the finished discs are going to be sold (editing, authoring, and short-run duplication of special-event videos for the attendees to buy as souvenirs, mostly), I pretty much have to do discs with printed artwork. Customers expect it, and simply will not accept a blank silver surface written on by a Sharpie marker. (This is also why I run the DVD-case inserts on a color laser printer; the result just looks more professional. Glossy inkjet photo paper might be even better, but 8.5x11" seems to be just a bit too short to make a full wraparound for a standard DVD case.)

For my own stuff, I do the full-color labeling and disc printing anyway, just because I happen to enjoy it. Sure, it takes a little longer and it's a little more work... but the end result pleases me, and that's all that really counts.

[Rich86]

I have and use an Epson R320 for printing on inkjet printable dvd & cd media. The printer works just fine, and the results are excellent. I also have a lightscribe dvd burner, but have no interest in ever purchasing or using lightscribe media.

[DereX888]

For short period of time, when first 'lightscribe type' writers were previewed (in the press/web) I thought this is it - until I got one...

Since my first 2x CD-R writers I was hoping they'd redesign the 'next' disc-based formats to be home-printing-ready. Unfortunately some 5-6 newer disc formats later the corporate greed still holds off any potential advancements in the disc's designs (like simple application of another thicker layer of protective plastic on top of data layer and many other proposal that appeared in past 10 years - check google). They just cannot allow making 0.001% less profit on the blank media...

[overloaded_ide]

DereX888

I meant this is the part that applies,

or I have no use for it

Ain't that what your saying, you have no use for disk printing at all, for any reason, kinda like ever, etc...

So no not all the answers choices to vote assumed any interest at all in printing disks, that one says right there,
NO! I don't want to print any disks!

As you can tell I am a bit bored so I am just having fun, not picking on you or trying to start any wars ok.

However on the subject of disk printing, I also like to print coasters or trashed disks when I get one.
WHY? cause like you said, ink is cheap, and as a spinning wind thingy twirling around as part of a windchime they look far better when printed with a nice design than blank white or sharpie written.

Something no-one else ever seems to mention or maybe never thought about. Disks are good for other things also besides being burnt and read.
I have sold wind chimes spinning things for $10 that were made from printed junk disks and some other junk, total cost to me about $1 and profit about $9

So guys, keep in mind the old saying, "One mans trash is another mans treasure"

I have drilled holes in Printable disks, brand new never burned just to make those twirlies. I don't get many coasters!
$1 for 3 new disks, not coasters, brings me $9 profit after printing pretty birds or butterflies or mountains scenes or snow scenes etc...
Being creative with DVDs does NOT just mean making fancy menus

I did not really want to mention that online, now next craft show will probably be flooded with printed low quality crap and ruin my sales! And I take specail orders at times for photos on disks for these. You would be surprised how many people will pay $5 for the kids picture on a 30cent disk!

If you heat the disks correctly you can bend them to an arc shape, usefull for many projects but you need to print them before bending of course.

I won't give away all my secrets online like that, but there are more uses for printed disks also that have never been burned or are coasters that can make me money as a hobby. $500 or more in a weekend once in awhile for a hobby is a GREAT reason to print DVDs!

Course those of you that are good artists might get more for hand drawn sharpie pictures on disks even than I get for printed! But I cannot draw worth a darn!

[DereX888]

DereX888

I meant this is the part that applies,

or I have no use for it

Ain't that what your saying, you have no use for disk printing at all, for any reason, kinda like ever, etc...

So no not all the answers choices to vote assumed any interest at all in printing disks, that one says right there,
NO! I don't want to print any disks!

As you can tell I am a bit bored so I am just having fun, not picking on you or trying to start any wars ok.

However on the subject of disk printing, I also like to print coasters or trashed disks when I get one.
WHY? cause like you said, ink is cheap, and as a spinning wind thingy twirling around as part of a windchime they look far better when printed with a nice design than blank white or sharpie written.

Something no-one else ever seems to mention or maybe never thought about. Disks are good for other things also besides being burnt and read.
I have sold wind chimes spinning things for $10 that were made from printed junk disks and some other junk, total cost to me about $1 and profit about $9

So guys, keep in mind the old saying, "One mans trash is another mans treasure"

I have drilled holes in Printable disks, brand new never burned just to make those twirlies. I don't get many coasters!
$1 for 3 new disks, not coasters, brings me $9 profit after printing pretty birds or butterflies or mountains scenes or snow scenes etc...
Being creative with DVDs does NOT just mean making fancy menus

I did not really want to mention that online, now next craft show will probably be flooded with printed low quality crap and ruin my sales! And I take specail orders at times for photos on disks for these. You would be surprised how many people will pay $5 for the kids picture on a 30cent disk!

If you heat the disks correctly you can bend them to an arc shape, usefull for many projects but you need to print them before bending of course.

I won't give away all my secrets online like that, but there are more uses for printed disks also that have never been burned or are coasters that can make me money as a hobby. $500 or more in a weekend once in awhile for a hobby is a GREAT reason to print DVDs!

Course those of you that are good artists might get more for hand drawn sharpie pictures on disks even than I get for printed! But I cannot draw worth a darn!

I would have use if the printing methods would be safe and non-invasive (or if they'd finally design discs and printers really for printing).
Applying a bubble-jet (or such) technology from about 25 years ago to a really thin (measured in microns) layer that supposedly protects the data layer on top of the disc is not smart.
But then its just my opinion. I've seen people writing on discs with the pens! (ballpens) and so what...