Multi Media Replication Blogs

Winter draws on - how about some new thermals?

2012-02-13T15:37:00.001Z

Look out for our advert in 4RFV. The new Microtech Xpression black thermal printers are looking like a good new piece of kit to improve your CD, DVD and Blu-ray duplication workflow.

Though we aren't taking a stand this year we'll be in London this week for the Broadcast Video Expo show, so please contact us if you're going too and would like to meet over coffee.

Accept no imitators in the duplication business

2012-02-10T15:45:00.000Z

Recently we have noticed a number of companies promoting themselves as providers and partners with Microtech - manufacturers of the premiere equipment in the CD, DVD and Blu-ray duplication industry.

As the world's longest running distributor partner of Microtech systems, we know that many of these do not have a direct link with the manufacturer, so dealing with them could get you involved in a complex supply chain with costly implications in the short and long-term.

Multi Media Replication are best placed to offer you the deals and Microtech Xpress system support your business needs. Our relationship, as a top-tier partner is described in this letter from Microtech.

Microtech CD/DVD disc publishers - UK Support

2012-01-25T18:14:00.000Z

Established in 1992, Multi Media Replication is the most experienced worldwide distributor of Microtech Xpress CD & DVD disc publishers. For sales and technical support, on-contract or on-request, contact us on 01264 336330 or info@replication.com.

Current systems supported are the Microtech Xpress XL (shown below with twin Xstreamjet inkjet printers), Xpress XP and XE disc publishers. These Microtech systems are also available with colour and black-only thermal printers, with full technical support ranging from on-site to return-to-base.

We also supply Microtech compatible consumables and recordable CD, DVD and Blu-ray media.

Data Delivery Solutions

2011-12-09T13:04:00.000Z

You may have noticed that we are regularly updating our company marketing information to reflect our ongoing ethos of providing Data Delivery Solutions. We believe that, with the range of options for mass data distribution now available, this direction will enable us to provide a more complete, innovative service to our customers. Of course, this does not mean we are abandoning CD and DVD disc manufacturing. Optical disc copying remains our core business and our service is as strong as ever.

With that in mind, what does Data Delivery Solutions mean for our customers?

As an overall concept it means treating our customers as individuals. Individuals with unique markets, unique target audiences and most importantly a unique product that needs distribution. Our aim is to use our accrued knowledge, technical facilities and industry partnerships to provide a greater element of consultancy in our service mix. We want to ensure that the end product, whether it be distributed on CD, DVD, Blu-Ray, flash memory card or online, reaches the widest possible audience while maximising its effectiveness.

As an example, you may have a project in which it becomes necessary to distribute a video, or set of videos. Conventionally customers might place a few .wmv files on a CD or DVD, we will produce an amount of copies of that disc and then send them back. As part of our Data Delivery Solutions ethos we advise our customers that there are many other options open that can potentially increase the effectiveness of their product.

The following considerations give you an idea of both the depth we can go into with your project:
* Video encoding to alternative file formats. Mac computers are not compatible with .wmv files as standard. We can ensure that your videos are playable by the widest possible audience
* Encoding and authoring to DVD-video for playback on consumer DVD player and TV. The final DVD copy will also be playable on PCs and Macs with DVD playing software. This typically includes most home PCs but often not office machines.
* Maybe your video would be better suited to portable devices. We can encode video any specification of the mp4 format-the standard for compatibility with mobile phones, iPods, digital cameras, Sony PSPs and many more hand-held systems. We then master your video to a variety of solid state memory formats (Compact Flash, SD card, Memory Stick, custom USB), duplicate, print and package in large quantities.
* Your video may also benefit from online distribution. We can encode and host your video for free access podcast download via Itunes, or Youtube. Ideal for marketing. We can also produce and host an online store for paid access to your video.
* Individualised distribution. If you have a set of customers in various locations around the UK, or even abroad, we can provide a complete fulfilment solution that delivers your product directly to their door.

These are just some examples of the kind of options that we have available and would like to put at your disposal. Please take the time to discuss your project and what you hope to achieve and allow us to find the best solution for you.

CMYK - Any colour as long as it's black

2011-11-15T15:57:00.003Z

Continuing the series on RGB and CMYK colour systems, with useful tips for creating print artwork for CD & DVD replication, packaging or other formats.

One of the most common points of confusion when using CMYK is the best way to produce Black. Unlike RGB there are actually two general methods:

1) Remove all Cyan, Magenta and Yellow, then increase Black to 100%
2) Use some combination of all colours, with dominant Black e.g. C 60% M 60% Y 60% K 90%

To complicate matters both methods are perfectly acceptable but each are ideally suited to particular situations. Below I'll explain when these should be used and why.

Method 1 - single colour 100% black (C0 M0 Y0 K100)

This method is ideal for black text or small detailed objects, or for barcodes where you need objects with sharp lines. For an example of this method look closely at a newspaper or magazine and note how the text in the main articles is solid and sharp while most of the coloured/white text in adverts is made of dots and is slightly fuzzy.

When reproducing colours in the CMYK system different tones are created by overlaying halftone dot patterns that are small enough and numerous enough that we perceive a consistent image. For example, C50 M50 Y0 K0 will look like a purple tone. The problem for detailed objects is that dots will not provide a strong outline - you get shapes which look slightly fuzzy at the edges. By using a single colour at 100% the object will be reproduced as a solid area, rather than one constructed using dots, which allows a strong clear outline.

Looking at printer technology we see another potential issue with dot printing colour mixes. Each colour (C,M,Y,K) is applied from a different plate at different times. In some less rigorous printing processes you can get positional mismatches between the different colours which is another source of potential blurriness around the edges of detailed objects. This is particularly common in local newspapers, but in our line of work we use more advanced systems. Nevertheless, it's good practice to think about this issue and produce text in single colour format, rather than a dot mix.

Method 2 - Deep black from mix e.g. (C60 M60 Y60 K90)

Above we've looked at some problems with using a colour mix to produce black, particularly small black text, but there are situations where it is the preferred method. The problem with the single colour black is that, in practice it produces a dark grey rather than deep black. Essentially the layers of ink applied to a replicated CD or DVD, or printed packaging item are quite thin so you will get some of the (white) surface shining through the black. This produces a visual mix between black and a small amount of white which, as we all know, will look like a grey.

The way around this is to add in the other colours on top so less light shines through, giving a deeper looking black. This setup is ideal for large areas of black which you want to have a bold appearance, though as noted above not ideally suited to small detailed objects. In smaller objects the 'greying' effect is not noticeable anyway.

There are a number of combinations you can use to give a similar effect - the one suggested above, C40 M40 Y40 K100, Photoshop's default black C75 M68 Y67 K90. Or you could ask your printer what they would recommend for a deep black.

Custom USB memory as a cloud computing accompaniment

2011-11-02T12:17:00.005Z

Custom USB memory sticks have become a very useful marketing tool. They provide a platform for your brand with a real use, so will be carried around and handled regularly for a good number of years. These branded USB sticks are certainly an improvement over the stress balls, frisbees and giant foam hands that usually do the rounds at trade shows.

However, in this article I want to focus on an innovative use of USB memory as a mobile accompaniment to online data sharing.

'Cloud computing' is the tech buzzword of choice right now - the ability to store information and even run applications out in a virtual space. There are many advantages to a cloud computing model, particularly with regards to long-distance collaboration, but one disadvantage is that, right now, Internet connections are not ubiquitous. What if you're travelling to an exhibition or meeting and need to check on some information but there's no wi-fi available?

The great thing about USB memory sticks is that they're re-writable... perhaps you're seeing where I'm going with this. Say you're using software like DropBox to synchronise your activities and share data with dispersed team members. As a perfect accompaniment you can install software on the USB stick, which turn them into mobile databanks.

Place your custom DropBox USB memory stick in your computer at work and it will sync with any updates in the background. Take it with you when you leave and you'll still have up-to-date access to shared information on the train home. No need to worry about rooting around for data to copy to the USB stick before you leave - that's already been done for you while you're busy with more important matters.

If you are interested in this kind of system for your business processes please get in touch. Multi Media Replication can help with the technology, duplication of preset information across hundreds or even thousands of custom USB sticks and also branding with a screen print on the USB stick plus presentation packaging. If you have any other ideas for integrating data processes please get in touch and we'll be happy to discuss them.

Tech Blog :: CMYK & RGB

2010-04-07T14:19:00.004+01:00

As a CD & DVD replicator a large part of our work involves the handling of graphics and text for on-disc printing and packaging, such as DVD case covers, card wallets and Digipaks. While we offer a print design service to produce artwork files for any disc or CD / DVD packaging specification we also recognise that many of our clients want to produce these themselves. For some this means entering uncharted territory filled with incomprehensible terminology, a minefield of formats and daunting software. In this regular blog I will be attempting to illuminate the basics and provide a knowledge base for producing printed CDs, DVDs and packaging that match your vision.

Colour confusion – What are CMYK and RGB?

In order to artificially construct the varied colour tones you see in print, broadcast, and online media we need a colour system. That is, a system which takes a simple input set but has the capability of producing complexity in colour and millions of different tones. CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key or Black) and RGB (Red, Green, Blue) are two such systems and the most commonly used for delivering visual information.

Which do I use?

One of the first things you might be asked when opening a new document in a graphics package is Do you want to use CMYK or RGB? The answer is actually very simple: If you are designing for print media, whether on a CD or DVD disc, DVD packaging, or 50ft poster, you will want to choose CMYK. If you are designing something to be viewed on-screen, whether computer monitor or television set via DVD-video or Blu-ray disc, or broadcast, you want to use RGB.

The reasons are, again, quite simple. CMYK is a subtractive system, which essentially means that white is the base colour (maximum reflectivity of light from the page) and increasing colour values will subtract light until you get to black. This is an ideal model for print since it mostly takes place on plain white paper or card and, for our purposes, also white-coated CDs or DVDs.

In opposition RGB is an additive system which means that the base value is black (no light) and increasing colour values adds light in order to eventually produce white. This is perfect for devices that display images by emitting varying levels of light, such as computer monitors and television screens.

RGB and CMYK objects can easily be converted from one to the other in almost any graphics package. In fact a type of conversion is happening while you produce print graphics. Monitors can’t actually display CMYK images so they show an RGB approximation while you work. We are usually able to make this conversion for you though we would encourage all clients to provide correctly formatted graphics since colour conversions can produce unpredictable results.

In the next part I will be focusing on CMYK and looking at the little idiosyncrasies of the system when it leaves theory and enters the world of ink and printing. These are things you’ll need to be aware of to achieve the best results for your printed CDs, DVDs and packaging items.

DVD On Demand Presentation by Philip Hall

2009-05-22T12:08:00.005+01:00

Philip Hall (MD of Multi Media Replication) gives a presentation on DVD On Demand. Read more to watch the video!

DVD on Demand gives the customer the power to choose what they want on their discs rather than being stuck with someone elses preferences - as an example, from the web or a kiosk you can pick the tracks you want on a music video or the goals you thought best on a sport compilation. These are opportunities for duplicators to create a different business model.

Flash Memory Presentation by Philip Hall

2009-05-22T12:08:00.003+01:00

Philip Hall (MD of Multi Media Replication) gives a presentation on Flash Memory. Read more to watch the video!

This is a product with which disc duplicators must be involved. Pre-recorded Flash memory is going to be big for cellphones, navigation systems, gaming consoles, audio, marketing materials and other uses. Learn about encryption, partitioning, hidden files and serialisation.