Dischromatics explain....Replication and Duplication

Many people attempt to explain the difference between replication and duplication of discs. Some hit the nail right on the head, while others fall wide of the mark.

The main difference is, in replication, the discs are created uniquely for the product, whereas discs used in duplication are pre-fabricated. Duplicated discs have, at one time in their life, been blank, but replicated discs hold information from the moment they are created.

The process of duplication involves copying data onto ready made CDR/DVDR's, which can be bought in the high street or in bulk. Replication, however, requires a glass master to be created, and from this a metal stamp is grown in an acid bath. This stamp is a negative print of the glass master, and is what is used to 'press' the discs. The discs are made in die-casting machines and produce a 0.6mm thick disc which has no reflective surface. In order for the disc to be read, reflective layers have to be applied. Once this has been done, the disc has to bonded together with another, hence creating the 1.2mm standard thickness of DVD's and CD's.

To conclude, duplication is a process that can be done using an everyday PC with a burner drive, replication can ONLY be done in specialist factories.