The process of CD / DVD duplication and CD / DVD replication are two common ways to make copies of CDs and DVDs. In a condensed definition, duplication is the process of burning information onto a blank DVD-R media and replication is the process of burning the exact information of the original CD/DVD onto a blank CD/DVD-R. (Tips: imagine the differences between a printer and a copy machine.) This condensed definition may be easy to grasp and it’s tempting to just settle on this simplified explanation; however, understanding the differences at a deeper level will help you determine the best implementation for you project.

CD and DVD Duplication

Most of us are quite familiar with DVD duplicators and CD duplciators; after all they operate in similar ways as the CD DVD burners on our computers. As mentioned above, CD / DVD duplication is the process of copying data onto a recordable media (such as a CD / DVD-R). To be terminology correct, your data is digitally extracted from your mast source and transferred to the blank discs. The transferred information will typically be verified to determine if it is “accepted” or “rejected”. With the advent, popularity, and reduced cost of writeable media, savings are not only available to customers who are burning large quantities, customers with smaller quantity needs can enjoy high quality duplications with low costs. In sum, CD DVD duplication refers to the creation of discs by burning data directly to pre-existing DVD-R media, as most of us do when making CD/DVDs on our personal computers.

CD DVD Replication

CD and DVD Replication (also referred to as 'pressing' or 'molding') is the original and traditional method of manufacturing CD/DVD’s. Raw materials enter a large CD/DVD molding machine from which a basic CD/DVD is created. The data or audio information is physically stamped onto the CD/DVD using Stampers made from a Glass Master which is created from your source master. Hence, these discs are like the audio discs you buy at the music store and have a silver look to them. The silver tone is the aluminum that is used to reflect the laser that is used when you play your CD/DVD. However, most of this process is automated, the cost per unit becomes factored in and very affordable on orders generally greater than 1000 or 2000 pieces. In other words, Replication is normally used for higher quantities where it's important to get the per disc price near or below $1.00 each.

Are There Noticeable Differences?

Both CD/DVD duplication and CD/DVD replication extract data from the original in the same way. There is no data difference between a processed duplication and a glass mastered replication disc. The difference between CD/DVD duplication and CD/DVD replication is that CD/DVD replication is a professional process that creates a CD/DVD by molding the disk to be an exact copy of the original master. Data cannot be added or changed in this case. CD/ DVD duplication, on the other hand, refers to burning data to a disk, as we do it with our home computers.

In addition, the biggest noticeable difference between a replicated disc and a duplicated disc may be the way the surface is marked. It is fairly easy to tell if a CD/DVD has been duplicated or replicated, as duplicated DVDs have a colored bottom side, due to the purple or brown colored dye below the reflector. Also, a replicated DVD supports up to 19GB of recorded data, while a duplicated one has a limit of 4.7 GB per recorded side.

	Duplication	Replication
minimum quantity	1	1000
maximum quantity	not cost effective for more than 1000 CD-Rs or 300 DVD-Rs	no max.
turnaround	1-5 days	2 weeks
technology	each pre-formatted media is laser burned in a CD/DVD recorder	each media is pressed from a glass-mastered stamper
audio quality	perfectly equivalent
data integrity
label printing	hi-res ink jet printing	silkscreen for solid colors offset for pictures
inserts printing	color laser on 100lb gloss paper	offset on 100lb gloss paper (magazine quality)
packaging	sleeves, jewel cases, mailers	any
best for	rush, short run, demo, promo	mass production, retail

Which one do I need? Duplication or Replication?

Many organizations and companies choose CD/DVD duplication to effectively distribute information and content. Compared to replication equipment, CD/DVD duplication equipment is inexpensive and easy to operate. In other word, Duplicating CDs in low quantities is inexpensive, convenient, and is sufficient for most home users who want the CD/DVDs for private use or professionals who have lower volume needs of CD/DVDs. Meanwhile, CD/DVD burner and software are widely available to provide people with the ability to duplicate and burn CD/DVDs. Many people uses burners and software for transferring music or data to CD/DVD-R (recordable) or CD/DVD-RW (rewritable) discs.

Therefore, it's important to know that there is no real quality difference between duplicated or replicated discs. Both are quality controlled and bit for bit verified as being identical to the original master. The choice between duplication and replication is more a function of quantity and/or turnover time rather than quality. If you only require a few copies, CD/DVD duplication is more cost effective than CD/DVD replication, as the set-up costs are minimal by comparison. That is because the CD/DVD duplication tower has a very low project-start-up-cost and a somewhat higher per-unit-cost. So Burning is most efficient (and therefore economical) at volumes below 1000 units. Therefore the only cost for duplication is the purchase of blank CD/DVDs and your time. In contrast with CD/DVD duplication, the extensive project-start-up-costs and the low per-unit-cost of replication, this process is most efficient (and therefore economical) at volumes of 1000 units or more.

Benefits of CD/DVD Duplication

1. Quick Lead-Time!

Without the need of longer machine set-up times or Glass Mastering delays,a stand alone DVD duplicator or CD Duplicator is ideal for your quick lead time or short run requirements.

2. Lower Costs!

Without Glass Mastering, the costs for smaller quantity runs can often be more affordable than with small run Replication costs.

3. Widely available!

CD/DVD burners and software are widely available to provide people with the ability to duplicate and burn discs. Many people uses burners and software for transferring music or data to CD/DVD-R (recordable) or CD/DVD-RW (rewritable) discs.

4. Best choice for a lower volume of CD/DVDs!

Duplicating CD/DVDs in small quantities is inexpensive, convenient, and is sufficient for most home users who want the CD/DVDs for private use or professionals who have the need for a lower volume of CD/DVDs.

5. Ideal for short runs!

Duplicated discs are great for short runs. Besides, duplicated CD-Rs will play in just about all drives, and also duplicated DVD-Rs will play in most all newer DVD drives.