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 As
more LightScribe enabled drives hit the market, and drive's reaching an all
time low in terms of cost, many more users are purchasing these drives and
taking advantage of what this technology has to offer. However, it may
be the first LightScribe drive for most, and after receiving a number of
emails with help on getting the feature to work properly, I found it was
time for another "Extreme Guide" here at ExtremeMHz. This Extreme
Guide to LightScribe Labeling will cover basically everything, including
media, software, performance and tips. It should give many novice users a jump start and get them
burning quality labels with ease. Also, for those wondering if the new "Ver.
1.2" discs are indeed faster, I will definitely cover this in the article
and compare the difference in burn times over first gen media.
Before we get into details, it is important to
note once again how the technology works...
What is LightScribe?
LightScribe is an exclusive technology,
originally developed
by HP, that is integrated in select DVD Writers, giving users the ability to
create laser-etched labels right from their drive. "Burn Flip Burn" is
basically the term used to describe just how easy it is to create your own
professional-looking labels. Yamaha first introduced a labeling feature
many years ago (DiscT@2), but it required the use of the data side of the
disc, thus reducing the capacity of your media. While impressive for
its time, it just wasn't practical, as many what to label...well the LABEL
side of their media. That's where LightScribe comes in...
How exactly does it work?
A LightScribe enabled DVD writer basically
contains a special laser that pumps light energy into a thin dye coating on
the label side of certain special LightScribe discs. The light from the
laser causes a chemical change in the dye coating that shows up as a visible
point on the disc. With laser precision, LightScribe delivers closely
controlled light energy to multiple points on the disc as it spins in the
drive. The result is a high-resolution reproduction of the data that is
selected to be burned as the label.
What drives carry this capability?
Well, things have changed quite a bit since the
LightScribe introduction article I wrote quite some time ago. First
off, it was said that LightScribe would be featured on both CD and DVD
writers. However, I have yet to see a CD Writer that is LightScribe
enabled. The reason being that you can basically purchase a DVD writer
sporting this feature for roughly the same price as a CD Writer.
That's just how inexpensive DVD Writers have gotten. It just doesn't
make sense at this point to implement such a feature on a drive that only
supports CD media. Also, more manufacturers are now supporting the
technology. Drives from companies like BenQ, Lite-On, Samsung, LG,
Lacie and I/O Magic now offer full LightScribe support. In addition, you
those who purchase select notebook PC's from manufacturers such as HP and
Asus also have the option of configuring them with a LightScribe writer.
Does it require special media?
Obviously, the answer is yes. LightScribe
media contains a special thin-dye layer on the label side, usually gold in
color, that is basically "recognized" by your LightScribe-enabled drive.
**click to enlarge**
Fortunately, you can obtain LightScribe media
fairly easily now. Many respected media manufacturers, such as
Verbatim, Memorex and Imation now offer LightScribe media in both varieties.
You can also obtain media from HP directly as well.
Since the introduction of the technology, there
have been many changes in this area, two of which most would be interested
in. First of all, most still do not know that the media has indeed
improved. Personally, I think this is due to the poor strategy
taken to introduce them, and the lack of information available.
As an example, the number one source for the latest on LightScribe doesn't
make a mention of such media, at least it is not easily found on the
website. Basically, there are new discs that should have "Version 1.2" on the
packaging. These new discs are an improvement over the first
generation discs and contain an "updated" surface that is said to improve
burn times and produce labels faster that the original discs. One
clear way of knowing is by purchasing 16x rated DVD media. The very
first DVD LightScribe media only supported 8x write speeds. Companies
like Verbatim have released new 16x discs, all of which do sport the new and
improved layer. With CD media, it is a different story though.
There are currently no Ver. 1.2 discs in this variety. While I've read
numerous press releases with the promise of such media, I have yet to see
them. The reason for this is apparently due to the lack of demand over
the DVD variety. It just doesn't make any sense to me, but those are
the facts.
The second most important thing in regards to
media is the promise of color options.
Unfortunately, this has left many quite anxious for quite some time now.
I've read numerous press releases, some as early at October 2005, stating
that HP has opted to offer color options, and many media manufacturers who
have stated they will indeed offer them. However, I have yet to come
across such media. Some time ago, I did get a hold of a so-called
color LightScribe disc manufactured by Philips from someone in the UK.
That disc, although authentic at first glance, failed to burn on the
original and first LightScribe drive from HP. At this point, it is
simply unclear as to whether there will be color options here in the states.
I read many promises, but all fail to come through at the end. This
media is simply not available, at least here in the USA. As of now,
you're practically stuck with the gold colored surface.
What the future holds
That's quite a loaded question, and there is
certainly many who wonder what to expect from the technology, and what
improvements and/or additional support will it provide. Let me try and
answer a few of the questions many have asked...
Will there be full color support?
The answer to this question is no. At this
time, LightScribe only supports grayscale, with no plans for color support.
I personally don't see how this will be possible anyways, when you take a
detailed look at how the technology works.
Will we ever see Ver. 1.2 discs in other
formats?
A good question, and one that also remains quite
unclear. Support for such discs greatly depend on it becoming a
standard. At this time, do to the fact that their is more demand for
the DVDR variety, it is unclear as to whether we will see CDR media with the
new updated surface.
What about double layer media?
There are no double layer LightScribe media
available at this time. Personally, I don't see them releasing such
media.
What about re-writable media?
There are no re-writable LightScribe media
available. If you think about it for a second, it just doesn't make
sense anyways. LightScribe labels are not erasable, so producing such
media is not a smart move.
What about future operating systems?
Fortunately, LightScribe will indeed support new
operating systems, such as Windows VISTA. They do plan on providing
continued driver updates that will not only improve performance, but support
VISTA as well. At this time though, there are no official VISTA
drivers and the timing of release remains unknown.
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