I've Ordered a LightScribe DVD Burner

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1226546&Sku=L12-1014' target='_blank'>http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1226546&Sku=L12-1014</a><br /><br /></div>I've been excited about LightScribe technology since I first read about it last year, and I've been anxiously awaiting the first shipping drives so I can check it out for myself. According to <a href="http://www.lightscribe.com">the LightScribe Web site</a>, while there are many licensed companies, the only one other than HP to be releasing a drive soon is Lacie...and that drive is still "coming soon". On a lark I thought I thought I'd check with TigerDirect.ca, and lo, they have the 16x HP DVD burner for sale with LightScribe!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/L12-1014-a1-2.jpg" /><br /><br />The price of $161 CND is about double what a normal 16x DL DVD burner would cost, but I'm paying for the HP name and LightScribe. I want it so bad I don't really care. :-) What does suck, however, is the cost of the media: $9.99 CND for five LightScribe CDs. That's $2 per CD, and they don't even have any DVD media yet! :? I guess it's to be expected - once other companies license the LightScribe media technology I'm sure prices will drop rapidly, but for now, only those special discs I burn will get the LightScribe discs. I'm planning on putting it in an external enclosure as well so I can use it on any of my PCs. It should arrive later this week or early next, so I'm excited about it! :D

[OSUKid7]

Cool. I'm probably going to get a LightScribe burner with my HP laptop for college. I'll probably get the 5 pack of CD-Rs, for $8.99 I believe...meaning I probably won't use them very often. Still, for $50 more with this laptop, I think the cool factor's worth it. ;)

[Jason Dunn]

But I'm going to wait for a couple manufactoring runs since new tech always seems screwy on the first run and the year wait/delays worry me a little. Just a little..... :?

Nah, the one year "delay" was simply the time between the first announcement about the engineering breakthrough until the product became real and in the channel. A year is actually quite FAST for something like this to happen when you compare it to other technologies...

[Filip Norrgard]

Thanks for the heads up Jason! I was wondering just a few days ago when these LaserScribing writers were coming out. I just saw that HP has brought one (internal) burner to Finland for 88.90€. I'll have to see what you think of it before burning my money on buying one. :D

Cool. I'm probably going to get a LightScribe burner with my HP laptop for college.
What? Where? When? 8O

Are you saying that there is an internal LightScribe burner available for notebooks? Show me the link! ;)

[OSUKid7]

Are you saying that there is an internal LightScribe burner available for notebooks? Show me the link! ;)
Yep, I found it in the HP Pavilion zd8000 (http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/computer_series.do?series_name=zd8000_series&amp;catLevel=2&amp;category=notebooks/hp_pavilion&amp;storeName=computer_store) series. I'm not sure if they're in other notebooks.

[bluemax]

Good luck with media availability. This has been done once before but someone lost interest and eventually, no one could get disks for their expensiver burners.

The problem isn't just with lightscribe. I bought one of the very nice Epson R200 printers that can print directly on the disk. I bought a pack of CDs with the printer. Now, I'm having trouble finding printable disks.

When are stores going to start supporting what they sell beyond the moment when it is something new. Seems like they all have ADD.

Bill B.

[Jason Dunn]

I have a very strong feeling that LightScribe technology is going to catch on in a very big way. Nothing like it has been done before - you might be thinking of Yamaha's T@too technology, but that burned images on the underside of the disc, meaning you could only print on the space of the disc that was unused...making it mostly useless if you had a disc with a lot of data on it.

The problem isn't just with lightscribe. I bought one of the very nice Epson R200 printers that can print directly on the disk. I bought a pack of CDs with the printer. Now, I'm having trouble finding printable disks.

Does the Epson require special types of CDs? My local stores sell all sorts of "inkjet printable CDs", and I assumed they worked in all CD-printing inkjets. Not the case?

[Jason Dunn]

Jason Dunn, can you post a nifty story when the DVD+R Lightscribe disc's are actually for sale from somebody? :D The suspense is violently killing me! :x

Sure, although they'll probably be available in the US before I can get them here in Canada. :-)

[jeffd]

I dont think so... expensive disc? expensive burners? where exactly is the WIN in this situation?

[Jason Dunn]

I dont think so... expensive disc? expensive burners? where exactly is the WIN in this situation?

Prices in first generation products are always high, and based on the fact that every major optical drive OEM has signed up to make LightScribe drives, I think you'll see a lot of competition and price drops in the next year. The cost of the media will also drop, assuming that HP doesn't have a brutal royalty on it (I think they were smart though and made it cheap).

Regarding the win, if you don't see it by looking at the product, I think you're missing the point. ;-) LightScribe finally allows Joe Consumer, me and you, to make CDs and DVDs that look professional - no more black marker, no more badly applied label that comes off in the middle of playback...that's a huge win for consumers and will be very popular.

Mark my words, a year or two from now, it will be hard to find a CD/DVD burner that doesn't have LightScribe technology in it.

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

Meh.

Sorry, but I just don't get the hype.

Most consumers won't care. $2 black marker vs a premium on drives and discs - I think the outcome is fairly obvious. Until the price premium is non-existant, then we will see people buying it, but then again, people will buy it just because it's there.

Of course that brings about the usual chicken-and-egg situation; if the technology isn't popular, it's hard for it to get cheaper.

[karinatwork]

Jason, I can't believe I actually owned one of these before you 8O ... my Pavillion 820n has one, and I've owned it for about a month or so - but guess what? I haven't used it yet! I can't find those friggin' CD's ANYWHERE! :x

Where did you get yours again? I'm hoping I can get the local Staples/Futureshop/whatevers to have them in their inventory soon.

Thanks for any info!

K.

[Jason Dunn]

I can't find those friggin' CD's ANYWHERE!

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?Sku=K51-2126

Ta-daaaa!!!

[karinatwork]

Thanks Jason.. guess what? I found 10 for 14.99 at Staples today!!!
Whooohoo!

Works like a charm. No more jucky pens and stupid labels that make my CD player jam. Cooooool. I already love it. There's no going back now.

:D

[Jason Dunn]

Thanks Jason.. guess what? I found 10 for 14.99 at Staples today!!!

Cool - $1.50 per disc is better than the $2.00 per disc I paid, so prices are already dropping. ;-)

[rhmorrison]

Good luck with media availability. This has been done once before but someone lost interest and eventually, no one could get disks for their expensiver burners.

The problem isn't just with lightscribe. I bought one of the very nice Epson R200 printers that can print directly on the disk. I bought a pack of CDs with the printer. Now, I'm having trouble finding printable disks.

When are stores going to start supporting what they sell beyond the moment when it is something new. Seems like they all have ADD.

Bill B.

I bought the R300 myself just for printing CD's/DVD's and photos.

Have been very happy with it and getting printable CD's/DVD's is no problem here in Germany over the internet. In the U.S. there must be even more places to buy such things on the internet.!

Personally I usually buy from CDrohlinge24 (http://cdrohlinge24.de/) in Germany. The prices are pretty reasonable. In the U.S. you should be able to get the things even cheaper unless you want to go to K-Mart or Office Depot to buy such things.

[jeffd]

So now instead of lables on my disc in marker, I will have letters in System font on my disc. ;)

Sorry but theres no chance im buying a new drive any time soon, I just baught the pioneer 16x. And cheap dvdrs a must. I'm currently holding my breath for duel layers.. I don't have enough air left for this. ;)

[Jason Dunn]

So now instead of lables on my disc in marker, I will have letters in System font on my disc. ;)

Come on, you can't tell me that these:

http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press_kits/2004/ces/images/lightscribe_labled_cd.jpg
http://www.hardwarezone.com/img/data/articles/2004/969/hp_lightscribe2.jpg

Having your CDs and DVDs look like this does't excite you, not even a little?

http://www.hhrf.org/magyarszo/arhiva/heti/2004/01jan/komputer/lscribe.jpg

At any rate, it's not like anyone's saying you HAVE to buy one of these, and it's not like LightScribe is going to obsolete current drives, it's just a "bonus feature" that I for one happen to think is totally cool. :D

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

Hmm, barcodes printed on CD + barcode scanner = organised CD collection. =D

[OSUKid7]

Hmm, barcodes printed on CD + barcode scanner = organised CD collection. =D
Not a bad idea, but I'd rather just stick an RFID tag on them.

[Jason Dunn]

Not a bad idea, but I'd rather just stick an RFID tag on them.

I know RFID tags are small, but wouldn't that unbalance the spin of the disc? They're notoriously sensitive...

[OSUKid7]

I know RFID tags are small, but wouldn't that unbalance the spin of the disc? They're notoriously sensitive...
I didn't say it was possible (yet). ;) Just saying that would be a great way to keep track of...well, everything.

[carnesm]

I've been reading up on Lightscribe since I heard about it from CES...it's a pretty exciting new technology. Last month I ordered the LaCie burner from TechDepot and can't wait for it to come in. Unfortunately, they've pushed the ship date back 3 times...telling me it will now ship on April 1st. I also bought a 30-pack of disks for $19, which didn't seem like too bad of a deal.

Can't wait to play with my new toy!

[Jason Dunn]

I also bought a 30-pack of disks for $19, which didn't seem like too bad of a deal.

That is quite a good deal - where did you buy them from? What brand were they?

[Jason Dunn]

Actually I have half a mind to burn mini images of RTS wargame maps I've made around the edge. And toss some of the maps onto the discs. The possibilities are endless! Unlike my sanity..... :twisted:

Cool idea! See, I have a Type A personality where I like to organize things, and the idea of being able to visually represent what's on a disc is very exciting to me. :-) I guess some people just don't understand. :lol:

[Jason Dunn]

Jason, have you received it yet? How well does it work? :)

Not yet...my package was in Manitoba last time I checked, so hopefully Monday or Tuesday. Although I'll have to wait until my birthday (the 25th) to actually open it. Waaaa!!! :lol:

[carnesm]

I also bought a 30-pack of disks for $19, which didn't seem like too bad of a deal.

That is quite a good deal - where did you buy them from? What brand were they?

http://www.techdepot.com/pro/product.asp?productid=2573404&amp;iid=1252&amp;Hits=8&amp;HKeyword=lightscribe
I actually purchased them with a corporate discount, looks like they are $23 without the discount, which still isn't bad.

[OSUKid7]

Just a heads up, CompUSA has 10 LighScribe CD-Rs for $4.99. (http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=317817&amp;pfp=SEARCH) I'm getting a Logitech MX1000 there tomorrow, so I'll probably get those as well. :)

[karthur]

All,

Got mine installed yesterday. Works as advertised and made BIG impressions around the office. Great way to deliver proposals and marketing materials. Won't mess up others computers with those darn labels. This is a must have item.

Let's hear it for early adopters!!

[Jason Dunn]

Dang, now I'm really getting excited! :D I won't be getting mine until tomorrow, or maybe Sunday - tomorrow is my birthday you see, and I this was a birthday gift that I bought for myself...and then had to give to my wife who has wrapped it up for my birthday. ;-) So I'm anxiously awaiting it.

[Darius Wey]

Jason, I'm waiting for your next post to be filled with nothing but drool. ;)

[OSUKid7]

Jason, I'm waiting for your next post to be filled with nothing but drool. ;)
Plus a picture of the first LightScribe disc he "burns." (is that the right term here? :lol:)

[Jason Dunn]

Ohhhhhhhhh this thing is SO cool! :-D I'm doing up a review of it, but a different sort of review that I think will work really well for this type of thing. I'm hoping to publish it on Monday or Tuesday...

[carnesm]

I'm so jealous!!! I opted to buy the external LaCie drive, but their site says that it won't ship until mid April. :( I've talked to my vendor and he told me it will ship on April 1, but they've pushed the date back 3 times already, so I'm sure they will do it again.

/cry

[Jason Dunn]

Cancel the LaCie and order the HP. ;-)

[jwpyle3]

I picked my "HP 16x DVD+/- Double-Layer LightScribe Drive, DVD640vi" from Wal-Mart the other day for $99.96US. I also got a 10 pack of LightScribe CD-R's for $6.49

HP also just released a firmware upgrade for it today. Well, I reveiced the e-mail from HP today about the upgrade today. :D

I'm very happy with it.

James

[Jason Dunn]

HP also just released a firmware upgrade for it today. Well, I reveiced the e-mail from HP today about the upgrade today. :D

Ohhh...firmware upgrade! Yup, here it is (http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareDownloadIndex?dlc=en&lc=en&os=228&product=455746&lang=en&cc=us&softwareitem=dv-29631-1). Interesting that it's only for the internal drive, not the external one. I was hoping to see a speed bump in the LightScribe burning, but I guess not. ;-)

[carnesm]

Yeah, so umm, I cancelled the LaCie and ordered the HP from NewEgg.com. $116 including next day shipping, which means it will be here tomorrow (I hope!) If not tomorrow, I think I can wait til Monday. I'm as giddy as a schoolgirl right now! :oops: 8O :D

[JennWin]

You know a couple of weeks ago I configured a hp pavilion zd8000 laptop and they offered the dual layer light scribe for only $50 more. Stupid me I waited to long to put the order through, so now when I go back to the hp site they are not even offering it anymore. I wonder why they took the option off, maybe I should call in.
the light scribe really interested me,
don't forget to show us some pictures of the cds that you made

[OSUKid7]

You know a couple of weeks ago I configured a hp pavilion zd8000 laptop and they offered the dual layer light scribe for only $50 more. Stupid me I waited to long to put the order through, so now when I go back to the hp site they are not even offering it anymore. I wonder why they took the option off, maybe I should call in.
the light scribe really interested me,
don't forget to show us some pictures of the cds that you made
!!! I did the EXACT same thing! I went so far as to contact HP about it, and they responded with a canned statement:
Thank you for contacting the hpshopping.com Sales Center. Please accept my apology for the delay in our response.

I apologize for the inconvenience you have experienced and understand you are inquiring as to when the LightScribe feature will be back in stock as a customizable feature on the HP Pavilion zd8000 Series Notebook. Regrettably, we do not have that information available to us. Our prices, promotions, specifications and availability are subject to change and I am sorry we are unable to assist you with your inquiry and recommend you visit the website regularly to check for availability.
Yeah that really sucks. I already have 10 LightScribe CD-Rs too. :(

[Jason Dunn]

...so now when I go back to the hp site they are not even offering it anymore.

That's so strange! Having LightScribe on my laptop would be cool. :-)

[JennWin]

Thanks OSUkid7- now I don't have to call in and ask, however I will be patient and wait because a fully loaded zd 8000 with light scribe for under $2000 is a deal

And on a different not on the zd 8000 do you have to have media center to use the t.v. tuner?

[Jason Dunn]

And on a different not on the zd 8000 do you have to have media center to use the t.v. tuner?

HP might include some sort of basic TV software with the tuner, but MCE is awesome and much better than any other software I've seen...

[JennWin]

Jason Dunn Wrote:


HP might include some sort of basic TV software with the tuner, but MCE is awesome and much better than any other software I've seen...

Really? What do you like about it? What makes it better?

[Jason Dunn]

Really? What do you like about it? What makes it better?

The user-interface is the best I've seen, it's quite stable, and has some awesome electronic guide information that's incredibly rich. I've grown to prefer it over Snapstream's Beyond TV (though that application has some cool features).