Burn and Print CDs, DVDs

Commercial and book printers wanting to reproduce color-pleasing compact discs and DVDs in house for customers' multimedia projects can break into the market affordably with the new Bravo SE Disc Publisher, introduced this month by Primera Technology. Intended for light- to medium-duty disc publishing, the system features a sleek, compact design (see below) requiring no assembly.

Primera says it's is the leading developer and manufacturer of CD/DVD duplication and printing equipment. Over the course of its 32 years in business, the Minnesota company has built more than 1 million printers and duplicators.

Bravo SE is a 20-disc capacity, automated CD/DVD duplication and printing system. Instead of copying discs one at a time and then printing and sticking on labels, it automates the entire burning and printing process.

An advanced, sixth-generation AccuDisc robotic arm transports discs into the built-in Pioneer DVR-111 DVD±R/CD-R recorder. The hands-free device burns the disc and then inkjets directly onto its surface. High-speed Afterburner Print Technology (APT) features Lexmark print heads that double the width of the print swath. In addition, firmware control precisely maintains 4800-dpi resolution and industry-leading, 3-picoliter droplet size.

And, there's only one ink cartridge to replace. Printed discs are photographic-quality and highly water-resistant thanks to proprietary TuffCoat with WaterShield and AquaGuard surface media.

Bravo SE ships with Mac and PC software with an intuitive, wizard-driven interface. Programs are compatible with personal computers running Windows 2000/XP via a high-speed USB 2.0 interface cable (included) for plug-n-burn/print functionality. It comes equipped with PTPublisher SE duplication software developed by Primera. And for graphic-design purposes, a professional labeling software program, called Sure- Thing CD Labeler Primera Edition, also is included.

For Mac platforms, award-winning CharisMac Engineering's Discribe V5.0 duplication software is included along with design templates for Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. (Apple OS X is required.)

Priced at around $1,495, Primera says this is the most affordable, automated duplication and printing system presently on the market.

For printing only (no recording drive), the Bravo SE AutoPrinter sells for under $1,000. Both products are available immediately through U.S. resellers and distributors. Higher volume print-only options include Primera's Signature Z6 and Inscripta CD/DVD Printers.

For heavier-duty applications, the Bravo II and dual-drive BravoPro can copy/print up to 50 and 100 discs, respectively. The former is the world's best selling brand, according to Primera.

Also offered separately is the Accent II Disc Laminator, which applies either clear or holographic film onto printed discs for a glossy, highly water-resistant finish. www.primera.com