CDs are one of the most popular media for data distribution in the world, apart from being easy to access, and even easier to distribute, almost all computers today support CD burners and with the passage of time the reduction in the cost of blank CD media has meant that using CDs to transfer data from one computer to another has become a common practice, CDs are now compared to the printed media of the past. Today everything from music to movies is available on CDs, and with the drop in prices of blank media, CD replication and CD duplication is now a common practise all over the world.

The most common question people ask is what is the difference between CD replication and CD duplication? This is a good question as essentially both replication and duplication replicate data from one disc to another; however this is where the similarity stops. CD replication is a different and more specialized process when compared to CD duplication. CD replication uses a process called injection moulding that uses ?stampers? to create discs, where as CD duplication involves burning of new discs.

CD Replication

CD replication is a more advanced process when compared to CD duplication, although both processes involve burning data on to a disc, in the case of CD, not just the data but also the physical appearance of the disc is copied. For example if a music company wishes to create mass copies of its latest release, they will first create a high quality master disc. The master disc is then sent to the CD replication company, that then creates high quality copies of the CD and also adds patterns of designs to the disc, so not only does CD replication involve replicating the disc but also creating a finished product. However not all CD replication companies offer finished products, some CD replication companies might just replicate the CD without adding any cosmetic effects.

All in all CD replication is a more specialized process that requires equipment that is capable of making CD copies quickly and with minimal errors. The replication process is also unique in that instead of using a blank CD, the process actually uses a process called injection moulding to create discs with the required information in one go.

Advantages of CD Replication

Compared to CD duplication the biggest advantage that CD replication has is that CD replication can mass produce CDs in a short period off time, CD replication takes its advantage from that it can actually create a copy of a CD in one go, in stead of slowly burning data on to a disc, CD replication actually uses a process called injection moulding that allows CD replication of a master print in one go. Therefore the chances of writing errors is minimal, however the problem is that if the master copy itself is defective, thousands of copies can be produced before the mistake is corrected. In fact this is why before CD replication most firms send out a sample copy to the customer, and then start producing the CDs in bulk.

CD Duplication

Although there is no difference in the quality of the CDs produced when compared to replication, CD duplication is preferred when the number of copies is lesser and there is no finishing involved, even if the CD duplication does involve adding patterns and prints to the CD it is usually on a smaller scale and the cost per CD is higher than CD replication. A good example of CD duplication can be making CDs for a convention, or making duplicates of CDs for inter office duplication. In either case CD duplication is not carried out on as large a scale as CD replication. In the case of CD duplication there is no injection moulding, and simple copies of the CD are created by burning copies using CD writers and other writing devices.