Do you know the difference between DVD-R and DVD+R? Most people don’t realize there are two types of recordable DVD media to choose from. It’s not surprising, as most of the time when there are two competing formats vying for the same market, i.e. VHS vs. Beta or HD DVD vs. Blu-ray, one format ultimately dominates and the other quietly fades from existence and becomes a cautionary tale for future technology battles. But the case of the recordable DVD is different in that both competing factions have not only survived, but look to remain viable options long into the future.

The 4.7GB recordable DVD-R and DVD+R formats are fairly similar, but there some distinct differences between the two. The DVD-R was the first recordable DVD format, developed by Pioneer in 1997. The popularity for DVD-R media was immediate and in 2002, a competing faction of companies developed an alternative recordable DVD, branding it as DVD+R media. Initially DVD-R was more compatible with DVD players and so the DVD-R format was the preferred choice for those copying video content. However, the DVD+R format was recognized as a more stable and reliable recordable media format and thus became the preferred choice for those storing data. Eventually, all DVD drive and player manufacturers recognized the merit of both formats and made sure all of their players and products supported both formats.

Today, DVD+R is just as compatible with recordable drives and player as DVD-R, but it’s technological benefits make it a better solution. In fact, the DVD+R format uses a number of improved technologies that, while generally unnoticeable to the end user, make a more reliable technology. One example is the ADIP (ADdress In Pregroove) system of tracking and speed control used by DVD+R being less susceptible to interference and error than the LPP (Land Pre Pit) system used by DVD-R, which makes the ADIP system more accurate at higher speeds. In addition, DVD+R(W) has a more robust error management system than DVD-R(W), allowing for more accurate writing to media independent of the quality of the media. Additional session linking methods are more accurate with DVD+R(W) versus DVD-R(W), resulting in fewer damaged or unusable discs due to buffer under-run and multi-session discs with fewer PI/PO errors*.

So if you want a recordable DVD that you can burn faster, lasts longer, and is more accurate, the DVD+R media format is the superior choice. For more details about any form of recordable digital media or hardware, contact your Vinpower representative today.

*Taken from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVD-R#cite_note-3

The Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) approved specifications for a 200GB double-sided disc. A disc of this size has two primary applications:

1. Greater storage capacity as a physical storage medium
2. Larger capacity for the upcoming 4K Ultra High Definition video content

One of the deficits for current Blu-ray discs are the limitations in capacity for data back-ups. The upcoming 200GB Blu-ray media overcomes that obstacle and is targeted at the archival and back-up market. With so much digital content being created and stored in the “cloud”, companies and governments need a method to securely store this content on a physical media as a back-up. Optical discs are the most reliable medium for back-up as the discs do not have physical contact with the read/write head or continuously spin, preventing the potential erosion that can happen to tape or HDD’s. This makes the 200GB Blu-ray disc a reliable back-up and archival solution for all important or critical data stored on a hard drive or in the cloud.

With the recent BDA approval for the licensing of an optical disc technology that can handle high-resolution 4K video, the next step is finding a media that can hold the massive data and files created when producing 4K content.

The discs themselves will allow the user to burn content on both sides of the disc, approx. 100GB per side, doubling the current BDXL disc capacity. Now that the BDA has approved the specifications, it clears the way for media manufacturers to begin production and bring to market these very large capacity recordable discs. Look for this new media to be hitting the market in the near future.

For more details about Blu-ray media or duplication equipment, contact your Vinpower representative today.

When you purchase a movie you really enjoy and plan to watch it over and over again, or just want to have it as part of your collection, most people prefer to have a physical disc rather than a digital file. The disc itself tends to represent a higher quality and longevity compared to compressed content that shares space in the cloud or on a HDD with funny cat videos or their kid’s birthday party. There’s something to me said about watching a movie with full HD quality and sound on a large screen TV that evokes ones emotions and keeps your interest in the story. Streaming a movie through a computer or even set top devices like Netflix is ok for viewing a movie once, but when you decide to own a movie for your collection, DVD and Blu-ray discs are still the preferred choice. Soon it will be even more desirable to own an actual disc for your movies, that’s because of the Ultra HD capability of 4K resolution.

The Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) announced the licensing of an optical disc technology that can handle high-resolution 4K content. It’s anticipated that production will start by the spring 2015, bringing true 4K resolution to the home theater by the 2015 holiday season. Even as video streaming becomes more popular, the bandwidth necessary for true high definition content, like 4K video, is simply not available in most locations. That’s why optical discs will still be a mainstay for home viewing audiences when it comes to movies and TV shows. Optical Discs are still the most cost effective and largest capacity method of storing video content, especially large capacity high definition material. Plus there’s no big technology shift like there was when VHS loss favor to DVD. Optical discs technology will continue to expand as laser technology improves, just as 700MB CD’s gave way to 4.7GB DVD’s and then 25GB Blu-ray and so on and so on, all the while remaining backwards compatible. That means all your past and future optical disc content will certainly remain relevant and easy to enjoy for many years to come!

Whether you are an early adapter or you like to wait until new technology is out for a while and the prices drop, Blu-ray technology will be a wise investment now and into the future. For more details about Blu-ray media or duplication equipment, contact your Vinpower representative today.

To learn more about the BDA’s latest announcements about the upcoming 4K standards and availability, click on the below links of related articles:

http://www.vinpowerdigital.com/en-us/main/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?ID=43

http://www.vinpowerdigital.com/en-us/main/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?ID=44

September is a crucial month for retailers as it is when both the state and federal government’s fiscal year comes to an end and students head back to school. In fact, many government agencies must use up any remaining budget on the books before the end of September, the new budgets and fiscal year begin on the 1st of October. So the combination of workers coming back from long summer vacations, schools starting their new educational years, and governments looking to spend any money remaining in their current fiscal year budgets, often means big business to merchants with products to sell into those sectors.

Duplication hardware, media, and supplies are very much in demand across these sectors and it’s important to make sure that you are stocked up as time is limited. For government in particular, anything they order has to ship and be invoiced prior to October 1st, or they won’t be able to apply it to this year’s budget, causing the transaction to count against the following year’s budget. So if a vendor is not prepared and doesn’t have stock on hand, they could lose the opportunity and potentially miss out on future sales.

Don’t take any chances, contact Vinpower today and make sure you have enough inventory or time to order the necessary blank media and duplication hardware/components you need to fulfill your upcoming orders. Vinpower is fully stocked and ready to work with you, speak with a Vinpower representative for all your duplication hardware, media, and accessory needs.

With the revelation of an anonymous hacker stealing hundreds of private images stored in the cloud, from over 100 celebrities, goes to show just how vulnerable the cloud can be for your digital content. Not only are the files stored on the cloud at risk from potential hackers copying the content, but that means they could also delete, alter or infect them with a computer virus as well. That places a lot more than just your memories or reputation at risk, but could bring down companies if critical information fell into the wrong hands. There’s only one secure method to copy and store digital content where that material cannot be accessed remotely, altered, or deleted, and that’s by using optical discs. Using recordable CD’s, DVD’s and/or Blu-ray media is the best method to ensure that your digital content will not fall into the wrong hands or broadcast across the internet.

So if you care about your content and want to make sure that it’s safe for you and your client base, then you should contact Vinpower Digital for pricing on the latest in digital duplication hardware and media.

Thermal printable media is one of the trickier types of discs to source. Firstly, the media has to hold up to the rigors of a thermal printer, making sure the artwork adheres to the surface and does not peel or crack. The printed artwork should be able to print across the full face of the disc, including the inner hub. Plus, the thermal media should work with a variety of popular thermal printers, especially:

1) Rimage Everest 400/600
2) Rimage Everest II/III
3) Rimage Prism Plus
4) TEAC P-55 (using the Versamax, Black, and/or Photo ribbons)

There aren’t too many medias on the market that can stack up to that tall order, especially for the larger capacity DVD+R DL and Blu-ray discs.

Vinpower removes the headache looking for those perfect thermal printable discs. We offer nearly every media type, from CD to DVD to Blu-ray, with a thermal printable surface that works across all the major thermal printers at a much more affordable price point. Regardless of the type of printer you’re working with, Vinpower’s thermal printable media provides professional high quality, glossy printed images that last, at an extremely aggressive price.

So whatever your needs, Vinpower has the thermal printable media for you. Contact a Vinpower representative for more details.

When you’re buying inkjet printable media, what is the criteria you use to select that media? Do you want the type that provides the best print quality with the most longevity? Do you care most about having a bright glossy look and would be willing to pass on the water resistant feature to save on the costs? Or, do you just want an inkjet printable disc that prints good quality and has the best value for the price? Regardless of the type of inkjet printable media you are looking for, Vinpower Digital has the solution. Whether you’re looking for a white flood glossy water and scratch resistant hub printable disc or a simple low cost white inkjet printable with a matte texture, we have you covered. Vinpower offers all of the below options and more:

1. Liquid Defense Plus – White Glossy Water and Scratch Resistant HUB printable
2. Liquid Defense Silver – Silver with a slight matte water resistant HUB printable
3. Glossy – White Glossy HUB printable
4. Standard inkjet – White with a matte texture, to the center ring or HUB printable
5. Silver inkjet – Silver with a matte texture, to the center ring or HUB printable
6. And More

So whatever your needs, Vinpower has the inkjet printable media for you. Contact a Vinpower representative for more details.

Ever try to plug in your USB cable, (be it a flash drive, charging cable, device connector, etc.) and get frustrated because you can’t get the connection to fit? Often we’ll try to plug it in backwards or we need to carefully play around by turning the object back and forth until it finally slides in your device is connected. The USB consortium, known as the USP Promoter Group, have heard your pain and are working to eliminate this hassle, as detailed in the following article link:

USB connectors fitting both sides up in production – charges laptops too

How does that apply to Vinpower? When you make a 63 target USB duplicator, making sure the user plugs the USB Flash drives or USB connected external HDD’s, will make the difference between a device with a long life span and one that gets damaged through user error. Plus think about the time it would save if you didn’t have to constantly check the direction of your USB connection before you plugged in your device. This is another example of Vinpower staying ahead of the curve and looking into new and future technology so that it can be applied to Vinpower’s products before anyone else. So if you’re looking for digital duplication equipment, Vinpower is your source for the most advanced and reliable systems on the market.

Unlike optical discs, pen drives come in many shapes, sizes, and capacities. Fortunately, Vinpower takes that into consideration when we designed our USB duplicator. The Vinpower USBShark USB Duplicator series works with virtually any size USB pen drive and can copy asynchronously regardless of the size of the content. So if you need to transfer content from a USB pen drive to multiple other USB pen drives, or any flash device for that matter, Vinpower has the equipment that will make the task incredibly simple, quick, and reliable.

It’s never too early to start planning your visit to the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, NV. Here’s your opportunity to reserve your entry pass to the show for free! But the offer is only good until September 1, 2014, so act now, or you may be forced to pay for the passes later. Simply click on the following link and follow the directions for your free pass:

https://ces.itnint.com/CES15/regonline/RegLogin.aspx?pcode=R2

While you’re planning your visit, make sure you schedule time to stop by Vinpower’s booth located in the South Hall, booth # 20651 to see our latest line of duplicator hardware and media offerings. Until then, feel free to contact one of our regional offices about our current product line and where you can purchase for your location.