CD and DVD Replication refers to making multiple copies of a CD or DVD from a master copy, producing identical disks with identical information. This is different from CD and DVD duplication, where information is placed onto a disk from a computer or another similar device.
While CD and DVD duplication can be done on most computers, copying the required information onto a disk in the desired format, Replication requires a machine capable of generating multiple copies of CDs in one go, rather than duplicating each CD separately. These Replication machines read the information from the master disc, then write (or 'burn') it straight onto the blank disks. This process can be done by creating a master CD first, or by connecting a computer to the duplication machine, or using a data stick, and Replicating the CDs or DVDs straight from that. This allows for the Replication of CDs that have already been made, for example software CDs, or to Replicate large number of discs even if a master copy hasn't been made yet.
Although there are many different types of CD and DVD Replicating machines companies can buy that can handle varying quantities of Disks at any one time, most companies prefer to out source the Replication of the CDs and DVD to specialist companies. This is generally because most companies do not require the facility that often, and it would not be cost effective to invest in large Replication machines for only a few uses, and the smaller, cheaper Replication machines may take to long to process the quantities of disks when required.
Outsourcing has several benefits for companies who need to replicate CDs and DVDs. Not only can the specialist companies handle large quantities, which can often be many thousands of identical copies of disks, but also the Replication company can deliver the CDs and DVDs to specified locations. Once the disks have been replicated, the ordering companies often don't want the hassle of getting large numbers of disks back and having to process and distribute them, so the Replication company will often, if requested, split the order of replicated CDs into varying quantities and distribute them out to the destinations specified by the ordering company.
DVD and CD Replication companies can also process many different types of information format, and this may be another reason why companies outsource their CD or DVD Replication requirements, as they do not have the equipment to produce the disks with the required data format. The most common types of disks replicated in large numbers are music CDs, film DVDs, software disks of varying data types and image disks.
In the last few years, Replication companies have had to expand their data types to accommodate the new technologies of mp3 format data, blu ray movie formats, high definition (HD) audio and visual data, as well as accommodate the ever expanding computer software formats used by different companies.
