3 to 5 Target DVD Duplicator

[avp]

After searching this forum (most related posts were quite old), and variuos websites (Directron, Newegg, Supermedia Store, Discmakers, etc.) my quest for a DVD duplicator continues...

I am looking for a 3 to 5 target standalone/usb unit in a price range of about $4 to 500.00. Does anyone have recommendations for a reliable, quality unit. Or perhaps a build-it-youself. How hard can it be, ...a case, drives, power supply, and a controller.

Has anyone here built a DVD duplicator? If so, tell me about you problems/successes.

Here's a couple units I have looked at:

http://www.dark-circuit.com/newsearch.php?find=DM-ILY-ADPR03HU

http://www.supermediastore.com/pion...-dvd-duplicators-5-target-beige-economic.html

There seems to be a wide range in prices and to be honest, manufacturers that I have not heard of.

The quest continues...

Thanks

Jeffro

 

[OSV]

i built a 5 bay dupe unit, using pioneer drives and a dupe card from a company called aguard technology... i bought it from a so cal vendor on ebay, $150?

dont get the bottom of the line unit, get mid-range or above... i would not pay for a pre-built unit, if you are at all handy with a screwdriver... in two years, you'll have to build a hi-def dupe deck.

 

[avp]

After a day of research I settled on a 1 to 5 DVD grow it yourself duplicator, here's what I ordered...


Controller:


Acard 1-to-5 SATA DVD/CD Duplicator Copy Controller, w/ LCD, Model: ARS-2055P. ds

$79.99



Case w/power supply:

Black ILY Hercules 7 Bays CD/DVD Duplicator External Case CS-ILY-HER7B, w/ 250W Power Supply and; 3 Fans. ds

$89.99



Writers X 5:

Black Sony NEC Optiarc SATA 20x Dual DVD Burner AD-7200S-OB, DVD-R DL 12x, DVD +R9 8x, DVD +RW 8x. OEM

$22.99 x 5 = $114.95



DVD ROM X 1:

Black Sony 16X SATA DVD Drive DDU-1675S-0B, 16X DVD, 48X CD-ROM. OEM

$17.99


Shipping: $28.64


Total: $331.56

All from Directron.com...I've had good experiences with the seller.

Once it all gets here and up and running, I'll post on my experiences.


Ciao, Jeffro

 

[thisiswells]

I am looking for a 3 to 5 target standalone/usb unit in a price range of about $4 to 500.00. Does anyone have recommendations for a reliable, quality unit.

I wrestled with this earlier in the year before settling on a Discmakers Reflex4 with 4 burners, 250GB hard drive, and a USB input (for one drive only) for around $550.00. I'm sure there are cheaper options out there. But, who else can I call but Discmakers toll free and get excellent customer service when (not IF) this unit has issues? And, because this company has been in business for over 50 years, I have a good feeling spare parts will be around when I need them. They are a reputable company that takes care of their customers. That's worth the higher initial price, to me, because I am a business. Prolonged downtime and bad customer service are unacceptable to me.

Or perhaps a build-it-youself. How hard can it be, ...a case, drives, power supply, and a controller.

If you're on a Mac, not all PC burners have the firmware to use the USB input. So, that could be an issue for you. Another issue is that it all comes down to service and parts availability. If your unit goes down, you will need to replace it immediately to stay in production. Your old unit, when repaired, will have a reasonable resale value, because it is a name brand (Discmakers) instead of a home built device. Or, you could just keep the old one and have two duplicators in that scenario. Name brand always trumps home brew in my decision making process. It's a peace of mind thing.

And, frankly, DVD duplication is a real money maker! I paid for this unit in, like, three hours of work. So, what's the point in saving a hundred or two hundred dollars for off brand? That equates to, basically, one hours worth of work. You can burn 30 DVD's an hour with a 4 bay duplicator. So, buy one today and start making your money with it! No regrets here.

 

[avp]

Update...

I received all the components (see above post) within a week of ordering. It all went together just fine with one hitch. Since I went with all SATA (which I recommend highly) the power supply in the case was set up for IDE drives. Not a huge problem...just get the adapters for SATA power. I had some in a box 'o computer junk I have lying around. (Further justification for not throwing things out : o ) ).

On the controller, there is a specific sequence that the SATA cables must be hooked up. There was no diagram in the enclosed literature. No prob., just go to Acard's website and download it. Once everything was hooked up, I was ready to go. Certainly far from rocket surgery...or brain science.

I have already duped a couple hundred copies with no problems whatsoever. Much better than using my edit computer, copying one-at-a-time. This unit payed for itself in one project. And...it has cut my time down by at least a factor of 10. I could even go faster but I prefer to burn at a slower speed (I hear there is less chance for error).

The controller I purchased is specced for a SATA HDD which I will add later. That is supposed to lessen even further the chances of error.

In summary, this was money well spent. I tend to look at equipment purchases with a few questions in mind:

~ What does it cost?
~ How can it make me money?
~ What will it take for it to pay for itself?
~ What is its lifespan?
~ How will it benefit my clients in the end product or service that I can offer?
~ Can it save me time or money?

and for the ego...

~ Does it look cool or make me look cool?


Never underestimate the "cool" factor.


Ciao....Jeffro

 

[thisiswells]

Certainly far from rocket surgery...or brain science.

You absolutely made the right choice!!!

I am kinda jealous that I lack the skill set to develop and maintain this kind of equipment.. But it's so amazing that you do!

Best of luck!