What do I look for in an external CD burner with Lightscribe?

[daveinsd]

Anyone care to offer me advice on good brands, and what to look for/watch out for when selecting the purchase of a USB powered, external CD(-R?) burner with Lightscribe?

I expect to burn primarily oval, business card size CD-R's. Currently I use my internal CD-R drive in my Toshiba Satellite and then stamp labels. But burning the labels onto the disk would reduce expenses and hassle.

Thanks in advance,
David

[glc]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827136098

[daveinsd]

Thank you, glc. I'll take a closer look at the LG. Keep up the terrific work!
David

[glc]

Can you get Lightscribe blank media in the format you want and will the drive handle the unusual shape? Also, Lightscribe is monochrome black, not color.

Another option is one of the inkjet printers that will print directly onto CD's - Epson makes one for under $100. Again, can you get printable media in the format you want, and will the printer handle the unusual shape?

[daveinsd]

Can you get Lightscribe blank media in the format you want and will the drive handle the unusual shape? Also, Lightscribe is monochrome black, not color.

Man am I glad I posted my question before running out to make a purchase! I had no idea that Lightscribe is monochrome. Color is certainly a requirement considering the graphics on my paper business card, which I extend to my CD-R business cards. (FYI: http://www.geocities.com/daveinsd79/image002.jpg

Another option is one of the inkjet printers that will print directly onto CD's - Epson makes one for under $100. Again, can you get printable media in the format you want, and will the printer handle the unusual shape?

Are you saying, glc, that Lightscribe cannot accomodate a CD-R smaller than standard size AND
requires it's own special media to print to?

I never heard of a printer that prints directly onto a CD. That shows you what I know! Well I recently shelled out 300 bucks for an HP Deskjet 460 series portable printer to fulfill my printing portablility requirements. So far I do not regret that purchase, but at least that purchase combined with the LS research ahead of me, will prevent me from just running out to make a erroneous LS purchase.

Speaking of bucks, did you hear what one deer said to the other as they were both gimping throught the woods? (I'll never do that for ten bucks again!) ...Sorry.

Looks like I have some research and decisions ahead of me regarding the printable media requirements and LS, as well as print-to-CD printers.

You are just power-packed with helpful information! Thanks again...

David

[glc]

In order to use Lightscribe, you must use Lightscribe media, and it is definitely only monochrome. You have to flip the disk over after you burn it, and then run the Lightscribe, which takes longer than burning the CD to begin with. So, let's look at continuing to use your existing burner if it burns to your business card media. So, your only real options are to continue to use labels or use inkjet printable media and a compatible printer.

http://www.meritline.com/ritek-business-card-cdr-white-inkjet-printable-blank-media-discs.html

Contact Epson to determine if this can handle business card CD's:

http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/consumer/consDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&oid=58654761

[daveinsd]

Hi glc,

Just wanted to share this with you for your information:

Excerpt of my email corrospondance to Epson regarding Stylus Photo R220:
"...can this printer print on an oval-shaped business card CD-R? If not, do you have one that does?"

"...Demensions of disks:
78mm (3.07in) wide X 61mm (2.4in) high (rounded corners)
Center hole= 18mm (0.71in) diameter..."

Excerpt of email response from Epson:

"An adaptor to print CD cards is included with this printer. It is called a
small CD insert.

(Embedded image moved to file: pic00041.jpg)"


It looks like a a CD-R printer is the way I will go, glc. Thanks again for your help!

David

P.S. That $300 I mentioned in an earlier post, for the HP Deskjet 460 series portable printer; I did not mention $300 minus $150 mailin rebate.

[glc]

$89.98 from Staples.com. Does not come with a printer cable.