The Current State of LightScribe Technology

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,121297,tk,dn061405X,00.asp' target='_blank'>http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,121297,tk,dn061405X,00.asp</a><br /><br /></div>If you've read my <a href="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/articles.php?action=expand,8187">HP dvd640 LightScribe review</a>, you'll know that I'm a big fan of this technology. I just used it yesterday to burn a DVD and CD of a friend's concert, and because he's moving to another city this will make a good keepsake for him. Printing labels would have been cheesy - LightScribe make it look <i>good</i>. PC World has an article about the current state of LightScribe technology, and where it's headed. It's headed into the realm of faster burns, though I found it interesting that the burn speed is primarily limited by the strength of the laser. Since the strength of the laser isn't easy to change, they're opting to change the media:<br /><br /><i>"Media with the new coating is expected to perform about 50 percent faster than the current media. According to Henscheid, a detailed, high-contrast, full-disc label might take about 30 minutes to create today; with the new coating, you might see a savings of as much as a third, taking that time down to 20 minutes. It all depends upon the drive and the drive's laser characteristics; and it is also affected by the design of the label."</i><br /><br />Full colour LightScribing isn't yet on the table, but the article talks about discs with different colour fronts, thus giving you different monochromatic choices. Nice. Bring it on! I wish she would have asked why the quality of a DVD LightScribe burn is so poor though. :?

[randalllewis]

Jason, what is so poor about the quality of the DVD burn?

Like you, I think this is a cool technology and I am pleased to be an early adopter for once! I've burned several CDs with elaborate labels and simple text and I've burned DVD's with the same elaborate labels that I used on some CD's. I can't spot a difference in quality, but I am interested it what you've seen.

As for the burn time, I am sure I will upgrade my drivers and switch to the new media when available, but this is kind of like print time on my photo printer. The speed of the product isn't as important to me as the a. ease of use, and b. quality.

[Jason Dunn]

Jason, what is so poor about the quality of the DVD burn?

The DVD burn image looks fuzzy and pushed back - the CD images are crisp and clear. Check out my video review for a scan of the two. You mean you don't see the difference between the CD and DVD burns?

[Chris Gohlke]

Jason, have you gotten your hands on any other DVD media than the Verbatim you used in the review? Just curious if it is common to all DVDs.

[Jason Dunn]

Jason, have you gotten your hands on any other DVD media than the Verbatim you used in the review? Just curious if it is common to all DVDs.

Just the Verbatim media - I haven't been able to source anything else, though I haven't looked this month...

[keirmeister]

I'm not too impressed with the LightScribe-printed discs. While the technology is kinda cool...I dunno...it doesn't blow my skirt up.

I, myself, use inkjet-writeable discs and print them in color on an Epson R300. The results are FABULOUS, and less-familiar folks I know can't tell the difference.

...just don't get them wet.

- Keirmeister

[Crocuta]

I know this is an older thread, but I thought I'd add a tip for people who may come along and look for LightScribe info. If you don't think the image burned onto your LS DVD is dark and constrasty enough (Jason has commented on this), then simply burn it again. Those markings on the inner ring don't just tell it what side is down; they align the CD or DVD so it will burn in exactly the same place the second time. There is a significant difference in the label between the first and second burn, but not much of a difference with a third one. Personally, I rather like the lighter look when I use photos on the label -- makes it looks more like an artistic watermark -- but the darker look might be more appreciated on utilitarian style labels that are primarily about the text.

[Crocuta]

Since I'm already posting in this old thread, here's something I found on the HP web site.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&amp;lang=en&amp;cc=us&amp;dlc=en&amp;product=462850&amp;docname=c00378928

QUESTION:


Why do labeled LightScribe DVDs look different from LightScribe-labeled CDs?

ANSWER:


The difference in appearance of labeled LightScribe DVDs and CDs stems from the difference in how CDs and DVDs are made in general. DVDs have a second plastic layer, which CDs don't have, that creates a kind of “plastic sandwich” around the reflective layer on which data is burned. This additional plastic layer separates the reflective layer from the LightScribe coating on the surface of the disc. When you look at a labeled LightScribe DVD, you are seeing through that additional plastic layer, which creates a three-dimensional effect. In our testing, we have found that many people think the dynamic appearance of LightScribe-labeled DVDs is especially suited to media which store videos and creative content.