Disk Publisher advice

Baron Oz wrote on 5/27/2008, 7:59 PM

I run a small conversion business and I currently use an Epson R220 for DVD printing. Works great, nice printer, but way too labor intensive for large (30 to 50) disk runs.

I'm thinking of investing in Bravo Pro disk publishing system. While I don't do a tremendous volume of production, I feel the hours spent doing this monotonous, robotic task could be better executed by a robot:)

Does anyone have any experience with this product or others of similar feature/functionality? My budget is in the $US 2,500 to 3.000 range.

Thanks for any info,

Ted

Comments

jrazz wrote on 5/27/2008, 8:06 PM

I use the Bravo II Disc Publisher and find it to be most reliable. I have had it for several years. The only gripe I have is that the ink is expensive and you can't just go to the store and get replacements. Other than that, it paid for itself the first time I used it.

Oh, and check out ebay. I bought a refurb and it came with the same 1 year warranty that the new ones come with (and upgrade the software that comes with it- Surething). That way you can export the template, place your design on top in an image editor and then save it and reimport it. You cannot do this with the LE version. (I use Fireworks for my image editing and Surething as a go between).

j razz

Coursedesign wrote on 5/27/2008, 9:39 PM

From a current Bravo II eBay auction:

Cartridges are NOT included, however I will include a sheet of Black and a sheet of Color barcodes so you can use the Lexmark 16/26 cartridges (much cheaper!)

Should be worth looking for...

apit34356 wrote on 5/27/2008, 10:07 PM

Nice tip, coursedesign! Maybe jrazz can check it out!

Baron Oz wrote on 5/28/2008, 8:52 AM

Thanks for the advice. Any idea about how many disks you get out of a set of cartridges? Is there a (relatively) inexpensive supplier for them?

Ted

John_Cline wrote on 5/28/2008, 9:03 AM

This looks interesting...

http://www.discproducer.epson.com/disc_producer

It lists for $2,995.

I have a Bravo II and am VERY interested in this Lexmark ink possibility. Here are a couple of links I found:

http://ezinearticles.com/?How-To-Convert-$9-Lexmark-Ink-Cartridges-To-Use-In-Your-Primera-Bravo&id=1126554

http://www.primera-secrets.com

Baron Oz wrote on 5/28/2008, 10:45 AM

Well, I bit the bullet and ordered the Bravo Pro. I'll also be very interested in converting cartridges, at almost $1.00 per disc for the Primera cartridges, ink would be the biggest single biggest cost for DVD production!

I see the website you posted wants to sell you the document on how to do this for $39. Seems a little extreme, do any of you know what the protection mechanism employed by Primera is?

Ted

John_Cline wrote on 5/28/2008, 12:18 PM

I noticed on the "Primera-Secrets" web site that the Lexmark ink cartridge trick does not work on the Bravo Pro, only the Bravo II.

The Primera Secrets web site has a somewhat "shady" feel to it. I'm sure the trick is relatively simple and probably not worth the $40. However, I would really like to know what the trick is.

johnmeyer wrote on 5/28/2008, 12:51 PM

I don't own the Primera, but I've always noticed that Meritline has cartridges:

Bravo II Cartridges

This may not be the same thing as the Primera-Secrets. I did go there just now and agree with John that it "feels" a little shady.

Baron Oz wrote on 5/28/2008, 3:10 PM

Hopefully my Bravo Pro will be here in a couple of days and I'll be able to check out over the weekend what prevents the use of other branded cartidges. I'll post anything I figure out here.

Thanks for the helpful feedback,

Ted