Robb, how do you make the dvds?

[expeditioneverestfan]

I don't know if someone asked this before, sorry if they did, but how do you make the DVDS? I'm not wondering about editing software, I'm wondering how do you get the copies of the DVDs and the boxes. Any stuff in the TPR store, where do you get all that from?

[Wes]

I know I'm not Robb, but basically it's just ordering bulk packages of blank DVD's and as well as cases from an online media distributor. He also has a replicator that will burn multiple (I think 5?) discs at once. So once he has a final disc, he (or one of the many awesome TPR bitches) replicated the discs, prints out the covers, and puts it in the case.

[expeditioneverestfan]

^ Ok. That makes sense, thanks Wes.

[mcjaco]

You can buy blank DVD cases, and printable DVDs (which you need a printer for), at OfficeMax, etc.

 

I use them for some of the DVD's I sell. I do much smaller batches, so it's the easiest way.

 

(And they aren't coaster vids)

[monsterfan99]

Buying Verbatim DVD's in bulk is the way to go DVD's wise. I know that is what brand the TPR DVD's have been that I have gotten and it is what I use. Less bad discs and cheap in bulk, especially the 1000 pack from Newegg.

[dandaman]

Forgive my electronic ignorance, but how exactly do you get the labels directly onto the DVD's? I've heard terms tossed around like "writable DVD labels", and the TPR discs don't look like a sticker's been applied, so I was wondering if that's the case.

[mcjaco]

^ I believe Robb gets his discs professionally printed. I may be wrong. I recall some sort of a discussion on it somewhere, at some time.

 

I buy DVDs that already have a white "writable" surface on them. You can stamp on them, write on them with a permanent marker, or if you have the cash, you can buy a printer designed for such discs that will print whatever graphics you want on them.

[RCFreak]

^There is also something called Lightscribe that burns the image using the same drive that you burn the CD in and special disks.

 

Not sure if it's what Robb uses, but there are lightscribe replcators out there so it's very possible, it would also save on ink and the chance of screwing up a perfectly good playable disk with a sticker-type label.

[dandaman]

See, I just bought a new laptop a few weeks ago and it mentioned something about that Lightscribe technology... haven't used it yet, but that's what I was picturing when I thought of the direct-DVD labelling.

[mcjaco]

Lightscribe creates a etching on the disc. It's not like TPR's pad printed titles on each disc.

 

The discs I buy literally have a label imbedded on them so they cannot peel off. You can buy a CD/DVD printer that can then print on these discs. If they weren't $500......

[Sir Clinksalot]

Yeah, I have the lightscribe on my computer and it works well, although you have to get special DVD's for them and they aren't cheap. I bought a few just to see how it worked and IMO even though it's cool, I don't care to pay $1 per disc.

 

As far as buying DVD's, DVR tapes, etc, I've been using tapestockonline.com for probably 5 or so years. I believe Robb is the one who turned me onto them.

[Teacups Make Me Sick]

^Also B&H has decent prices (bhphotovideo.com).

 

Be careful that if you buy any equipment, they tend to take a package deal and sell it to you cheap b/c they sell off the parts.