OT Lightscribe?

JJKizak wrote on 7/28/2007, 7:27 AM

Burned one disc (Verbatim DVD+R) at full quality with LG Sata burner and Nero software using a color picture and text. It took 15 minutes and I was really dissappointed. The discs even smelled bad when I opened the package. The discs are an light olive green color to start and end up that way with shadowy everything. So far this lightscribe stuff is awful. The Epson ink jet method is fine and dandy with me.
JJK

Comments

Chienworks wrote on 7/28/2007, 7:29 AM

Just curious, but you do realize the result is supposed to be monochrome, right? And it should look more holographic than printed. It's just the nature of the medium.

But, i agree, the result is definitely not worth the time and expense.

JJKizak wrote on 7/28/2007, 8:09 AM

Yes, and I was also not too impressed with the text either. I thought it (picture & text) would have more contrast than it did. I will try a couple more just with text.
JJK

riredale wrote on 7/28/2007, 10:05 AM

Let's see... Low contrast, monochrome, takes a long time, disks cost more, needs a special burner, needs special software... What a deal!

Okay, so maybe I'm overly cynical. It's yet another way of labeling a disk. It has a completely different look which might be kind of fun for a lot of projects. For the moment, however, I'm very happy with TY Watershield DVD-R disks and my little Canon IP3000 printer.

DrLumen wrote on 7/28/2007, 10:45 AM

I got one thinking it would be better than a sharpie but it's not worth the hassle and expense. If you want darker text, try to reburn it 3 or 4 times. Don't touch/remove the disk between burns. It gets darker but takes about an hour for mediocre results.

Galeng wrote on 7/28/2007, 10:36 PM

I think lightscribe technology is pretty worthless. It takes an excruciating amount of time and what you get is pretty darn poor quality. I had the crazy idea that I would use lightscribe printing for any disks I made for home use and for production work I'd stick with the Bravo printer. It took about ten disks and two broken down lightscribe DVD drives to change my mind about that idea.

blink3times wrote on 7/29/2007, 4:31 AM

Lightscribe is a passing Fad..... which is now pretty much passed. It popped up when inkjet printing was still pretty new. I bought into lightscribe long time ago and as with others, I was disappointed. Needless to say, I don't do lightscribe anymore.... inkjet is faster, better, and nicer. I won't even bother using up the remaining lightscribe disks I have.

24Peter wrote on 7/29/2007, 10:45 AM

"Lame-scribe" if you ask me...

john1180 wrote on 7/29/2007, 2:01 PM

Wow, glad I didn't opt for that upgrade on the new laptop I just ordered.

Steve Mann wrote on 7/29/2007, 8:12 PM

"I think lightscribe technology is pretty worthless."

I did find one use for it - when I am in the field and don't have my Epson with me. It beats handing the client a sharpie-labeled disc.

birdcat wrote on 7/30/2007, 5:31 AM

I have played with it some - It helps if you convert the image to grey scale and then pump up the contrast. Also, there is a utility (I have it at home, not here at work) that increases the burn time but makes a better image - I'll edit the post when I get online later tonight.

Overall, the discs are more expensive than regular ones and not worth it (extra $$$ or time) but it can make for a "novelty" that some clients might like.

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Edit - OK it used to be called "EXTENDED LABEL CONTRAST UTILITY" but has now been incorporated into "LightScribe System Software" available here.

cbrillow wrote on 7/30/2007, 4:30 PM

I recently replaced a couple of burners and the replacement Lite-Ons have Lightscribe capability. Although the combination of low-contrast print, higher disk cost and long write times suggests this is a dead-end technology, I had to try it out at least once.

Got a 10-pack of Lightscribe DVD+Rs at a good sale price, and gave it a whirl. I agree with the prevailing opinion that inkjet labels are far more attractive, and that Sharpie scrawls are more readable.

But I had a purpose in mind, and this fulfilled it. I had some mpeg files that are very important to me, so I made a duplicate set on the Lightscribe discs. This is helpful in two ways: 1) the gold color of the disc makes them stand out against all the other white, silver and inkjet-printed color labels, making them very easy to find, and, 2) with the disc info printed by Lightscribe, it eliminates any possibility that Sharpie ink is gonna cause damage to the top reflective foil layer.

Probably won't ever buy any more of these, though. IMO, they're little more than an expensive, poorly-performing novelty.