LightScribe Simplifies CD/DVD Labeling

[andyg]

"HP's invention, due in drives soon, lets users burn labels directly onto discs."

Read it here:
http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,114211,00.asp

Sounds good so far!

[gooki]

Pity you need 'special' medial.

[andyg]

Yes, you do.
Have you seen like work instruction inside a server or some PC components showing You how to add/exchange memory chips etc?
Some makers place a label but some do it with "Laser etching" machine and burn it right on plastic or metal.
What it does, it heats up the upper portion of plastic to change the color of the plastic or even raise the text above the level a bit, depended on the Laser setting itself.
So You need some material that heats up quickly , shorter laser expose does less penetration in depth. That's way regular DVD-/+R will not work.
What puzzles me is the software for this process.
The Laser Etching machine I'm talking about, the software for it cost several grands! What so special about it is that any other software used to program this machine with creates laser path in same sequence order as the lines that were created.
That means for every line in the TEXT/PICTURE program the laser ON & OFF lighting up the part like a Christmas tree (it moves so fast that you see hundreds if not thousands of little lines being laser at the same time all over the place), and this leaves the whole picture sparked up (ugly burn splashes) every time the laser turns on.
The special software does rearrange it for continues burn with the minimal ON & OFF laser cycles.
This whole manufacturing technology worth at least 50 grands to start with, at our finger tips for few bucks more ... .

P.S. If your're curious about this technology you can check it here:
http://www.controllaser.com/clc_html/MDC_MPR_MPR.htm