Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Automated Duplicator Questions
2. CD/DVD Duplicator Questions
3. CD+G Questions
4. Hard Drive/ Buffer Memory Questions
5. Media Questions
6. Case & Upgrade Questions
7. Duplication Time Questions
8. Master Disc & Copy Protection Questions
9. USB / IEEE 1394 (Firewire) Questions
10. Warranty Questions

Automated Duplicator Questions

1. Why do I need an Autoloader?
   An autoloader is a more proficient means of duplicating quantity of CD's or DVD's. This is especially true for those companies that have minimal staff available or would like to run duplications continuously overnight unsupervised. An autoloader will greatly increase your production capabilities and reduce your need for additional staff to do menial work such as loading and unloading a manual tower. With an autoloader, your staff can concentrate on more pressing matters and make better use of their time. This way your company will not only save money through efficiency, but also increase profits with faster production and turn around.
   
   
2. Why doesn't the Autoloader come with a printer attached?
   The primary function of an autoloader is for continuous unsupervised operation with the ability to run overnight. If you want to ensure proper operation and the ability to duplicate the greatest number of discs in the shortest amount of time, it's best to separate the printing and duplication functions. Adding a printer to the autoloader will negatively affect the autoloaders ability due to the following reasons:
   
   
   • Ink/Ribbon Limitations: All printers require some form of ink or thermal ribbon to function. Ink and Ribbon are finite commodities that run out after a certain number of prints. On average, the maximum lifespan for a single ink cartridge or thermal ribbon transfer is approximately 500 discs. If you're using the 1000 disc TITAN PRO, the most you can hope for is to finish half the job leaving 500 discs to be completed. Say you typically only run quantities of 200 discs. After two runs, you only have enough ink/ribbon for 100 discs, but you need to run 200 discs overnight ?it's not possible as the autoloader will stop after 100 discs due to the printer running out of ink/ribbon. Where, if the autoloader ran without a printer, at least the duplication asp ct can be finished when needed.
   • PC connection: Printers require a PC connection in order to operate while the autoloader is a completely stand alone unit. A PC operated device is typically not as reliable as a standalone unit dedicated to a single function. The PC could freeze in the middle of the job and halt the entire process whereas a standalone unit does not rely on a PC to function. Any errors or glitches generated by the PC will negatively affect the printer and make reliable overnight operation near impossible.
   • Time and Expense: The duplication process is generally slower than the printing process. It takes approximately 6 minutes to duplicate a full DVD while a typical inkjet printer takes approximately 30 seconds to print on a disc. If you separate the two processes, you can print during regular operating hours and duplicate after hours using a TITAN series autoloader. This will save time by conserving the number of man hours needed to produce the final count of duplicated discs. In contrast, buying two separate units will save you money as well. Not only is the TITAN series autoloader more cost effective than other units on the market, but it allows you to add a separate printer at a lower cost than a combined printer duplicator unit. Not to mention th at if one of the components needs to be returned for repair, you still have the other to perform half of the job when needed.
   
3. Why should I purchase a standalone autoloader instead of one controlled by a PC?
   The standalone autoloader is dedicated to just one thing, duplication. An autoloader that is connected to a PC is just one of the functions the computer offers. Not only does this tie up your PC, limiting your ability to perform other functions, but will be more complicated to operate. The Standalone autoloader can be operated by simple 1 button operations instead of requiring complicated software to install. Again, when you're connected to a PC, any time the computer freezes or has a glitch, the duplicator will generate an error and limit your production and quality capabilities.
   
4. Does the autoloader require any special brand or type of blank media to operate?
   The TITAN series autoloaders are designed to use the widest variety of blank media on the market. You should be sure to inspect the media to ensure the discs are not stuck together; otherwise you should be able to use most forms of media to duplicate on. Of course, the better the quality of the media, the better the duplication quality and performance. Though this autoloader is designed to produce high quality duplicates even with average grade media to further save money by reducing your expense. It is advised to separate the media before loading into the spindles to reduce the risk of disc sticking together.
   
5. Can the TITAN series autoloader run overnight?
   The TITAN serious autoloader is designed to run continuously overnight without any problem. However, please make sure the unit is placed in the proper environment to ensure the best results and proper function. The ideal environment is one with a moderate temperature and minimal dust. It is advised to separate the media before loading into the spindles to reduce the risk of disc sticking together.
   
6. What if I have an autoloader and numerous titles to duplicate instead of just one?
   The TITAN series autoloaders were designed for just such an occasion. When your job requires that you create duplications of two or more different masters, you can use the specially designed Multi-Master Recognition Technology (MMRT). This function allows the autoloader to determine when a new master disc has been loaded and will copy the appropriate blank discs with the appropriate master disc. The MMRT provides the operator an increased capability allowing them to concentrate on other pressing matters instead of the need to reload the autoloader every time they wish to copy a new master.
   
   An example of how the MMRT works is if the operator wishes to copy 3 successive titles with master AA requiring 20 copies, master BB requiring 40 copies, and master CC requiring 60 copies. Simply set the autoloader to Multi-Master mode then begin filling the spindles. First load the 60 blank media necessary for job CC then load on top, master disc CC. Next, place the 40 blank media necessary for job BB on top of the existing stack for job CC, then load master disc BB on top. Lastly, load the 20 blank media necessary for job AA on top of the existing stack for job BB, then load master disc AA on top. Start the duplication process and the autoloader will automatically recognize when a master disc is loaded into a drive. That master will then be loaded into the reserve hard drive partition. All subsequent blank media following it will be duplicated with that data/video. The process repeats every time it comes to a new master.
   
7. Why does the disc picking arm look different then other autoloaders?
   The TITAN series autoloaders use an industrial vacuum pump system to pick up the discs instead of the cheaper center hole picking system used by many autoloaders on the market. The reason we use the more expensive vacuum system is for reliability. All media manufacturers, Industrial Replication and Duplication facilities use the vacuum method to pick discs. Those companies need to handles thousands to millions of discs constantly without complication and have found that the vacuum method is the most reliable method.
   
8. Can the TITAN series duplicate multiple masters without needing to reload?
   Yes, it can duplicate multiple masters in succession without requiring any human interaction. The TITAN series autoloader features Multi-Master Recognition Technology (MMRT). Traditionally, autoloaders can only handle one duplication job at a time and additional manpower is needed to load a new duplication job (ex. Load new master disc, insert more blank discs, etc.) Now, with this totally revolutionized new multi-master recognition technology, the TITAN series can handle multiple duplication jobs per run by itself.
   
9. Does the TITAN series recognize when a disc fails to duplicate like the manual tower?
   Yes, the autoloader works much the same as the manual towers and will not count failed duplication in the auto-counter nor place them in the completed bins. Instead the robotic arm will discard any failed discs.
   
10. Does the TITAN series need to connect to a computer?
    No, this unit does not require a computer connection and can duplicate with one push of a button.
    
11. How many can the TITAN series duplicate per hour?
    Please review the following chart:
    

    DVD±R				CD-R
    *Based on 2.5GB disc at 16x Duplication speed				*Based on 300MB disc at 40x Duplication speed
    Number of DVD Drives	1 hr.	10 hrs.	20 hrs.	Number of CD Drives	1 hr.	10 hrs.	20 hrs.
    3 Drives	36 Discs	360 Discs	720 Discs	3 Drives	54 Discs	540 Discs	1080 Discs
    4 Drives	48 Discs	480 Discs	960 Discs	4 Drives	64 Discs	640 Discs	1280 Discs
    6 Drives	60 Discs	600 Discs	1200 Discs	6 Drives	78 Discs	780 Discs	1560 Discs
    7 Drives	63 Discs	630 Discs	1260 Discs	7 Drives	84 Discs	840 Discs	1680 Discs
    8 Drives	64 Discs	640 Discs	1280 Discs	8 Drives	88 Discs	880 Discs	1760 Discs
    Note: 3 drives is only available for TITAN lite™ in 100 Disc Capacity.
    4, 6, 7, & 8 drives are only available for TITAN PRO™ in 500 or 1000 Disc Capacity.

    
12. Should I buy an Automated or manual Tower Duplicator?
    The answer depends on a couple of factors pertaining to time and/or money. For small to medium quantities and if time and manual labor is not a factor the manual tower would be a better solution. For larger quantities or time and manpower is limited the autoloader would be a wiser investment.
    
    Tower duplicators are best when you have the manpower/time available to continually load and unload each drive as the load cycle is finished. Towers can perform faster per hour than an automated unit due to the time needed for the robotic mechanism to load and unload each drive in the final throughput. But that is subjective based on the quickness of the person(s) loading and unloading the manual tower drives.
    
    Automated duplicators allow for unattended duplication. Once a system is loaded (with up to 1000 discs) the machine can be left alone to duplicate while you are busy doing other tasks or left to run overnight requiring far less human interaction than a manual tower.
    
    Manual tower duplicators are less expensive to purchase compared to most automated systems. If cost is a prohibitive factor then a manual tower is a better solution.
    
    Automated equipment can cost more initially, but since the autoloader can run continuously day and night without any dedicated manpower, you can increase production and lower expenses. The bottom-line is that, for larger quantities, autoloaders costs are often lower in the long run.
    
13. Do I need a TITAN lite or a TITAN PRO?
    This question all depends on the amount of production you have. The TITAN lite is geared toward medium to mild heavy users who do not have the time or the manpower to dedicate to a large manual tower. With the TITAN lite's ability to operate continuously overnight without any human interaction, you can run larger quantities of duplications compared to manual towers. The TITAN lite is the affordable alternative to a larger autoloader and is far more efficient than a manual tower duplicator. For those looking for greater convenience and that industrial reliability, the TITAN lite is your solution. The TITAN PRO is geared toward more industrial use with larger volume needs. The TITAN PRO offers all of the same benefits as the TITAN lite with significantly more media capacity and more recording drives. When you have greater quantities up to 500 to 1000 discs at a time, the TITAN PRO is the solution for you. With its ability to run continuously overnight, it will drastically increase your production and lower your manpower hours. When you need volume, you need the TITAN PRO.
    

CD/DVD Duplicator Questions

1. How do I pick a good Duplicator?
   When deciding on purchasing a duplicator, there are a number of key elements to consider when determining which unit and brand would fit your needs the best. Even though price is a strong determining factor, keep in mind what you are getting for the price; will the unit perform as needed? Will the unit grow as your needs grow? Will the company stand behind the product and provide the support you need when you need it? Is the company looking out for your best interest or their own? Most importantly, will the company be around in the future or will they disappear as soon as you need them?
   
   Just like purchasing a computer, home appliance, or even a car, pricing varies depending on performance, reliability, brand name, and manufacturer support. So when you are selecting a duplicator, do not just consider the price, but pay particular attention to these 3 key elements:
      1. Design & Component material
      2. Manufacturing, Testing, and Shipping procedures
      3. Customer Service and Technical Support
   
          I) Design & Component material:
   When you look at the SharkCopier duplicator from Vinpower Digital, the first thing you notice is the unique look and design. This attractive design not only differentiates itself through its appearance, but through the use of higher quality and more effective components and parts. It is those parts that ensure a better performing and longer lasting duplicator. There are a number of duplicator providers who just throw components together without taking into consideration quality or effectiveness. The SharkCopier is not assembled with the standard parts and low cost components others use; the SharkCopier is designed to answers to a higher calling, yours! The following components show the added value of the SharkCopier over the competition:
   
          A)     Casing (external case): The SharkCopier uses an aluminum casing specially designed by Vinpower Digital created to diffuse the internal heat created by the drives much faster than the standard steel casing. With the SharkCopier's advanced air flow design and aluminum casing, the internal temperature is approximately 10 ~ 15 degrees cooler than alternative cases on the market. Operating the duplicator under lower temperatures will not only allow for continuous use without a need for a cool down period, but also increases the lifetime of the unit while providing better reliability when duplicating. The less heat concentrated on the drives, the better the performance and the longer they will continue to perform.
   
          B)     Controller (operating system): The controller for the SharkCopier is specially manufactured for these units and is not available to the general public as other controller brands in alternative duplicators are. For most of the standard controller companies, their focus is more on uniformity to work the same for everyone instead of optimizing the performance and conveniences expected from users of the SharkCopier. In fact, if you took two identical duplicators with the only variables being the controllers, the SharkCopier controller will produce a better disc performance rating every time (using the PIPO scale for measuring disc quality). The controllers are calibrated to optimize the industry recognized best drivers/burners on the market. In addition to compatibility, we make a more powerful controller that ensures proper function and more reliability. The added power allows our controller to perform all the same functions as standard controllers but offers more options and capabilities which benefit the end user dramatically.
   
          C)     Drives (writer and reader drives): The SharkCopier only uses the best drives optimized for multi-drive simultaneous duplication to provide the greatest possible performance. The controller is able to manipulate many of the drives on the market directly to provide stable and quality performance that is better suited for duplicator use. Understanding and using the best drives for your particular needs and circumstances is extremely important for both your end product and your pocket book.
   
          II) Manufacturing, Testing, and Shipping procedures
   
   Even if you use the best components and materials to build the duplicator, if the proper care and knowledge to assemble them is not performed, then you will not have an optimized unit. The SharkCopier is assembled by the most knowledgeable and skilled technicians and every duplicator has to pass a 72 hour continuous burn-in test before it's ever released to the public. The SharkCopier is assembled under the strictest Quality Control conditions to ensure every unit sold meets the highest standards in quality and performance.
   
   To further ensure that the SharkCopier arrives to the customer in the best condition and to prevent any possible damage caused by the shipping carrier, all of the SharkCopiers are double insulated and packed in a specially designed shipping box. No expense is spared to ensure that the duplicator reaches the customer in the same condition as when it left the show room floor. When the customer purchases new equipment, it should arrive in that manner no matter how it was shipped.
   
          III) Customer Service and Technical Support
   
   Our relationship with the customer does not end after the unit has been sold. The ability to speak to a technician whom is knowledgeable and available when you have questions is a key component when deciding on a duplicator to purchase. Every SharkCopier sold has the full backing and support of RunTechMedia. Our Tech Support will be available to assist you with any question or difficulty the customer may experience for the life of the product. Even though every SharkCopier has a full one year parts and labor warranty, our technicians will be available to walk you through any problem or questions you may have from the first day to the last as long as you own the SharkCopier duplicator. Our technicians work with you directly and actually have technical training and knowledge of every single duplicator to ensure you get prompt and accurate answers and service. Unlike some fly by night companies looking to make a quick buck who are never available or capable of providing answers or service, we stand behind the products we sell and the customers who buy them.
   
   When you look at all of the facts behind what makes a duplicator stand out amongst the competition, the answer is very clear which unit ranks the best, the one that provides the highest compatibility, best performance, longest lasting, and most features. In other words the SharkCopier is what you are looking for.
   
2. If a duplicator uses the same number and brand of drives, why would I spend more for one brand of duplicator over another?
   Even though the drives are an integral part of a duplicator, they are still just one determinant in a sum of parts that generate an optimal duplicated disc. Take a car for example. Two cars could use the same engine, but the mechanics to make the engine work will determine the type of performance the car will get from the engine. Those added components have varying costs and when you use better quality parts as stated above, it will slightly increase the costs. The price for some of the most important components that dramatically affect the performance of a duplicator can vary by a lot. Take the controller for instance, the price can vary from $10 to over $100. The power supply can differ between $30 ~ $80. This specially designed 500Watt** power supply provides the most reliable and stable voltage for the duplicator ensuring the unit will not die prematurely. The standard steel case compared with an aluminum case can differ between $40 ~ $80. All of these elements are necessary to get the best performance out of the duplicator.
   
   Some vendors just purchase equipment from the drive manufactures, while others will actually WORK in conjunction with the manufactures to ensure the drives offer the best performance needed for multi-drive duplication. They also update each drive's firmware and test all of the drives before they are assembled into the duplicator ensuring the most updated software and compatibility. Many vendors simply assemble the duplicator quickly when an order is received verses a higher quality vendor which will pre-assemble the duplicator and fully test the unit for 3 days to ensure quality before the unit is sold. There are numerous reasons why the price may vary, but isn't higher quality worth a small percentage price difference? When choosing electronic equipment, it's wise to select a unit with higher standards and quality rather than a cheaper unit which will cost you more down the road.
   
   **power supply wattage depends on the size of the duplicator and the number of drives.
   
3. Are the duplicators made by NEC/Pioneer/Plextor/Sony/TEAC?
   No. Even though those companies supply the reading/writing drivers, the actual duplicator is not created by those companies.Many of the vital parts such as the controllers, chassis, power supply, etc. are created and assembled by the duplicator's manufacture.
   
4. Will two different brands of duplicator perform the same if they are using the same brand and model of drives?
   The answer is No. Two separate duplicators using the same drives will not perform the same if other components differ. The part that has the most dramatic affect on the duplication quality is the controller and the internal temperature of the duplicator. A controller is like the brain of the duplicator which controls all of the signals and commands going directly to the drives. A good controller not only has a larger capacity memory, but also the type of operation system programmed inside is extremely important. While others may use cheap generic controllers, the manufacture of the SharkCopier devoted a lot of time and effort into developing their own highly optimized and advanced controller. The controller for the SharkCopier ensures a more stable duplication with dramatically enhanced compatibility for the drives used. The SharkCopier case utilizes a new airflow design which will quickly and effectively remove heat generated from the drives far better than the competition keeping the whole duplicator cool all times. This reduction in heat allows the drives to perform without interruption or becoming "burnt out". These two factors are the core factors in optimizing the performance of the drives and what would differentiate the capabilities of two duplicators using the same drives with different components.
   
5. Should you have a hard drive installed in a DVD duplicator?
   A hard drive is highly recommended for any DVD duplicator. Even though a DVD has the same physical dimensions as a CD, DVD's contain 6 times more information within the disc compared to CDs. That means the density of a DVD disc is significantly higher than a CD. Thus, the requirement for high speed DVD reading and writing is dramatically higher than a CD. Taking these facts into consideration, it would provide a far more stable and controlled duplication process if the source DVD disc can be loaded into a hard drive instead of reading directly disc to disc. Plus, loading the master into the hard drive will allow you to easily recall the data quickly and easily for future duplication.
   
6. Is an aluminum case better than a steel case for a duplicator?
   Yes. An aluminum case is vastly superior to a steel case. Not only is aluminum lighter, but it gets rid of the damaging heat inside the duplicator up to 3 times faster than the standard steel casing. Duplicators generate a tremendous amount of heat during the burning process, so using an aluminum case will greatly decrease the temperature of the unit and increase the quality of the burn and expand the life of the duplicator.
   
7. How does the SharkCopier extend the lifespan of the drives/burners?
   The 2 most dangerous elements for any drive are heat and dust. While the drives are in use, they generate a significant amount of heat. In order to prevent the drives from overheating and burning out, a fan is needed to pull the hot air out and suck in fresh air to cool the drives down. The fans built inside of a SharkCopier use a ball barring system, instead of the cheaper plastic solid fans used by many other duplicators, to ensure stable and continuous ventilation. The problem is, the fresh air has no means to enter the duplicator other than through the front of the unit going directly through the front of the drives. This causes the second major threat to a drive, the culmination of dust on the laser head. Unless you're working in a completely dust free environment, there will be dust particles in the air. As the air is sucked through the front of the duplicator those dust particles will collect inside the drives and cloud the laser head. The laser head is the optical nerve center of the drives and conducts the process of burning onto the discs. Just as if your eye glasses developed a built up layer of film and dust on the lenses it would be harder to see through them, the same is true for the laser head. As the dust accumulates it makes it harder for the laser to perform forcing the drive to work that much harder and reducing the lifespan of the drive. The SharkCopier is specially designed with a special "gill" venting system on each side of the case to allow the air flow into the machine without passing through the drive face. This eliminates approx. 80% of the harmful dust from entering into the drive itself and landing on the laser head. To further prevent dust from entering the drives, the SharkCopier is equipped with exterior drive door covers to block harmful dust particles. These drive covers keep the dust out and provide an attractive uniform look for the duplicator itself. In addition, since the case is made out of aluminum, it gets rid of the harmful heat up to 3 times faster than a standard steel case. By dramatically decreasing the amount of heat and dust from disrupting the capabilities of the drives, the SharkCopier can extend the life of the drives by 20% ~ 30%.
   
8. Are you buying a true 16x DVD duplicator?
   Be smart when you purchase a true 16x DVD duplicator! Lots of 16x DVD Duplicator sellers are not selling true 16x speed duplicator. Why? Simply because their duplicators do not have three necessary components to achieve 16x duplication speed. These components are 16x or above bandwidth controlling unit, hard drive and 128MB buffer memory. Without these components, duplicators usually can't achieve true 16x duplication speed. A true 16x duplication speed takes about 5.5 min for 4.7GB full DVDR and about 3 min for half full DVDR. Please verify with your seller that you are buying a true 16x DVD duplicator before purchase. Remember that we guarantee all of our 16x DVD Duplicators can burn at true 16x speed!
   Note:
   1. You must use 16x DVD media in order to achieve true 16x duplication speed.
   2. Duplication Speed is based on Pioneer 16x DVD duplicator.
   
9. Can I burn different titles at the same time by using your duplicator?
   No. The duplicator can only duplicate one title at a time.
   
10. Can I duplicate business card size CD-R's or mini CD-R's with your duplicator?
    Yes.Our duplicators support all sizes of media.
    
11. Can I set my duplicator to copy at the different speeds?
    Yes, the duplicator's speed is the maximum speed it can handle. It can be set to record at any speed lower than its maximum speed.
    
12. Can my DVD duplicator copy CDs?
    Yes, all of our DVD duplicators are capable of coping CD's as well.
    
13. Can my duplicator make copies from masters created on an apple computer? / MAC?
    Yes. Once you generate a master disc, the duplicator will make an exact digital duplication of the original regardless of what type of computer or program the master disc was created on.
    
14. Can the DVD Duplicator also duplicate CD+G discs?
    No. Even though the DVD duplicators can duplicate the CD format, they do not have the CD+G feature. In order to duplicate CD+G, you need to purchase our special CD+G duplicator.
    
15. Can the duplicators duplicate -R only (or +R only)?
    All of our duplicators are able to duplicate both formats. They can either copy DVD-R/RW to DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW to DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW to DVD+R/RW, DVD+R/RW to DVD-R/RW, Double Layer DVD+R to Double Layer DVD+R, and Dual Layer DVD-R to Dual Layer DVD-R
    
16. Do I need to use specific CD/DVD media with a specific duplicator?
    No. Our duplicators work with most every brand of media on the market. However, using better quality media will result in better quality duplications.
    
17. How come I can't duplicate my masters created by my DVD Video Recorder, such as the Panasonic DMR Series?
    DVD video recorders such as the Panasonic DMR Series or similar recorders, requires you to manually finalize the recorded data before you can play these discs on other DVD players or use a duplicator. If the duplicator does not accept the recorded DVD, most likely you have not finalized your masters before you put them into the duplicators.
    
18. How come I can't play my duplicated recorded DVD (DVD-R or DVD+R) video from the DVD duplicator on my DVD player?
    Duplication playback problems usually occur for two reasons:
    --The DVD player is an older model and the DVD-R or DVD+R playback format was not added at that time. Try using a newer DVD player, as most DVD players today support DVD-R and/or DVD+R disc format.
    --Your blank media is low quality. DVD players may not be able to play every kind of DVD-R or DVD+R media. If you are using sub-standard media, you may encounter playback problems. Thus, we strongly suggest you to use a better playback compatible DVD-R blank media.
    
19. How could I tell if the duplicated copies are accurate or if they have problems?
    You can test duplicated copies for accuracy by performing our "Compare" function. This function compares the duplications to the original master disc by comparing the duplicated disc bit by bit. This process ensures the duplication is a 100% exact duplication of the original, providing optimal playback ability. If there is a recording problem, the duplicator will notify you on the display there was a failure and keep the affected disc in the machine so you can identify which one(s) are defective without disrupting the rest of the duplicating process.
    
20. I have very high fail rates on my duplication, what can I do to prevent it?
    In most case, high fail rates are due to the readability of your master disc, especially for high-speed duplication. We strongly recommend re-creating your master at a low speed, such as (4x for CD Duplicators and 1x for DVD Duplicators) and using high quality blank media. Then, you can use the recreated disc to be the new master disc which should be used as the source to create duplications. This process is called Master Recreation and it will reduce the fail rate significantly.
    
21. If I buy a multi-target duplicator, can I choose to burn on less than the maximum targets available?
    Yes. The number of drives on the duplicator is merely the maximum number of duplications you can produce at one time. You can make any number of duplications up to the maximum without any concerns.
    
22. If I buy an 16x DVD duplicator, can I use 1x, 4x, or 8x media to copy at 16x?
    No. The DVD duplicator will determine the media's maximum certified duplication speed and cannot exceed that rate.
    
23. Is my DVD duplicator standalone?
    Yes, all of our DVD duplicators are fully standalone with simple one touch buttons to duplicate. No computer knowledge is required AT ALL.
    
24. The music CD I copied has crack sounds, why?
    The reason is most likely due to the condition of your master. The quality of your blank media also plays a significant part in the finished sound quality. By reducing the duplication speed to say (16x) and using higher quality blank media should resolve the problem.
    
25. What is the difference between the VideoBuster duplicators and the original format duplicator?
    The main difference is that the VideoBuster duplicator applies VCIT technology onto DVD+R media duplicates to make them compatible with up to 99% of the DVD players. This is very important if you use the DVD+R format and want to ensure optimal compatibility. Otherwise they have all the same functions.
    

CD+G Questions

1. Why doesn't the Karaoke Mix Pro (CD+G duplicator) have a reader drive?
   The CD+G formatted discs is a very unique format. Unlike standard CD's, CD+G takes the images/graphics, (which are embedded within the audio track sub-channels), to allow the discs to show the song lyrics while playing the music. Standard CD-ROM or CD-RW drives will not be able to accurately detect those hidden images and distort your copies. In order to make an exact back-up copy of your produced CD+G disc, you need to make copies from a hard drive. If you do not use a hard drive, there is a high possibility the copied disc will have glitches and cause the images to jump while playing the disc. Only the Plextor Premium writer drive has the ability to copy the full disc accurately, both the audio and graphics. Since the reader does not serve a beneficial purpose, why add it on and pay the added expense.
   
2. Why does the Karaoke Mix Pro (CD+G duplicator) only use Plextor Premium drives?
   The Plextor Corporation was one of the founding inventors of the CD+G format and currently the only drive on the market that can make 100% accurate duplications of a CD+G disc. There are different models of Plextor drives, but if you want the best quality duplication for CD+G, you must use the Plextor Premium CD-RW drive.
   
3. What qualities should I look for to find the best CD+G duplicator?
   People who work with Karaoke/CD+G discs care a great deal about the audio/visual quality of the discs. Because the CD+G format is a difficult format to copy, you need to ensure that the duplicator you use have 3 key elements:
   
   
   1. A powerful CD+G capable controller able to operate the duplicator and control the drive(s) to provide the highest quality capable.
   2. Plextor Premium drive(s) to ensure the duplicator can accurately read and write the CD+G format.
   3. An effective hard drive to read the audio and graphics to the writer accurately with high quality to eliminate glitches and prevent the screen from jumping.
      Only if those 3 features work effectively with each other will you truly get a 100% exact duplication from the original material for CD+G duplications.
   

Hard Drive/ Buffer Memory Questions

1. Can I select more than one partition from the duplicator hard drive and combine them on to one DVD?
   No, you can't. Each partition represents the exact clone of the master disc. They can not be combined or truncated.
   
2. Can I delete items in the hard drive when I no longer need them?
   Yes. You can always delete or override data stored on any of your partitions at any time.
   
3. Does the size of the hard drive matter?
   The larger the hard drive the more information can be stored on them. All hard drives are divided into partitions which will hold exactly one DVD or CD regardless of the duration of the disc. Each partition can hold the data from only 1 DVD or CD. The larger the hard drive, the more partitions the duplicator hard drive will contain.
   
4. If I buy a duplicator now, can I install the hard drive by myself later on?
   No. Installing the hard drive requires special wiring and pre-configuration procedures which can be only done by our certified technicians. Any attempts to alter the machine on your own or through a non-authorized service technician will nullify the warranty.
   
5. Why would I need a hard drive?
   Hard drives are beneficial to ensure quality burns at higher speeds and to store data that you may need to recall at a later date. With a hard drive, you can store important data or data you make frequent duplications from and easily recall any time you need. Also, it ensures that you can duplicate at the true maximum speed with the best quality.

   
6. What does the buffer memory do for the duplicator?
   To answer this, you should know a little more about how a duplicator functions. We have provided a relatable example below, but the technical explanation is as follows:
   
   The most effective standalone duplicators work by having a single reading source that routes the information to each writer drive individually through independent channels. This allows the duplicator to run at a higher rate of speed more effectively. Since, each writer drive is running independently, each drive will be able to duplicate at the highest rate of speed possible. The rate of speed may differ between the drives by an average of 8 seconds between the fastest and slowest drives upon completion. Six seconds may not seem like a significant amount of time, but in reality, at 1X speed for the DVD format, you burn 1MB per second. So, if you're duplicating at 16X speed, then a 8 second differential accounts for 128MB of data differential between the fastest and the slowest drives (128MB derived from 8 secs. x 1MB per sec x 16X speed = 128MB). Without the proper size memory buffer, (because the memory is thousands of times faster than a reader drive or a hard drive), the drives will not be able to continuously copy forcing the drives to utilize the burn proof function. The burn proof function is a method of pausing the faster drive until the slower drive can catch up, therefore, delaying the completion of the duplication and reducing the quality of the duplicated disc. You need to pay particular attention to not only whether the duplicator has a buffer memory, but also the size of the buffer memory. We recommend a minimum of 32MB to 64MB buffer memory for CD only duplicators and 128MB to 256MB buffer memory for DVD/CD duplicators.
   
   For Example: Take for example there are two vehicles traveling from one destination to another. The two vehicles are made by the same manufacturer under the same specs, but one is faster and can reach the final destination before the other. However, the vehicles are joined together by a joint fuel line that powers the vehicles. If the fuel line is too short then the faster vehicle will need to brake until the slower one catches up. Every time the faster vehicle needs to slow down, it lowers the vehicles performance. If the fuel line can be long enough to stretch as far as the distance between the faster vehicle and the slower vehicle, then they can both perform at their optional performance with no loss of quality. In this case, the drives are the two vehicles and the fuel line is the buffer memory. The more buffer memory the less chance of the faster drive stopping and the better the quality of the duplicated disc.
   
7. Will the buffer memory improve the quality and reliability of a duplicated disc?
   The answer is a resounding YES! Take for example that you are using 16X duplication speed to duplicate a DVD master disc. Based on comprehensive testing, the differential in speed between the fastest and slowest drives on a DVD duplicator averages to 8 seconds. At 16X speed, it will typically take 6 minutes (360 seconds) to completely duplicate a single run of DVD discs. All electronic products allow a 5% tolerance in performance and since 8 seconds is within that range at 2.2% speed differential, the drive manufacturers are satisfied with those results. If you do the calculations, with an 8 seconds differential, at 16X speed, there will be a difference of 128MB of data between the fastest and the slowest drives upon completion. If the duplicators buffer does not have enough memory, then the faster drives will have to pause while the slower drive(s) catch up. Most duplicators provide only a mere 16MB or 32MB memory for their DVD duplicator buffers which will cause the drives to pause at least 4 ~ 8 times. When the drives need to pause to allow the slower drives to catch up, that will negatively affect the final performance quality of the duplicated discs. Whereas, using this case as an example, with a minimum of 128MB buffer memory, the unit will not have to pause at all and will not adversely affect the duplicated disc(s) quality or performance.
   
8. What is the idea buffer memory size for a duplicator?
   DVD & CD writer drives typically have a burn speed differential of 2 to 10 seconds between the fastest and slowest drives upon completion, since electronic products allow a 5% tolerance in production. Based on that fact, a 52X CD only duplicator should have minimum 32MB up to 64MB for the best performance and reliability at a reasonable expense. Since DVD/CD duplicators copy DVD's which have significantly larger storage space (4.7 up to 8.5GB compared to 700MB), they require a much higher memory buffer size. A 16X DVD duplicator should have minimum 128MB up to 256MB for the best performance and reliability at a reasonable expense. The more writer drives a duplicator has, the larger the memory buffer should be to accommodate for the greater time differential between drives. BEFORE you purchase a duplicator, make sure the vendor gives you a clear description of the buffer memory provided. The duplicator should have a minimum of 32MB to 64MB buffer memory for CD only duplicators and 128MB to 256MB buffer memory for DVD/CD duplicators
   

Media Questions

1. What affect does blank media have on the quality of the copy from the duplicator?
   The type and quality of the blank media is one of the most important factors concerning the duplication quality. The better the quality of media you can use the better the duplication results will be.
   
2. If you use the same blank media, will you get the same results no matter which duplicator you use?
   No. Even if you use the same media, the duplicator itself will have far different outcomes depending on the brand used. In order to prove this, there is a scale called P.I.P.O which is used for testing the burn/copy quality of a duplicated disc. The quality is determined by the compatibility between the drive and the disc. Using this analyzing procedure, even using the same disc, when you duplicate with different burners the P.I.P.O will come out different. The SharkCopier utilizes special software in the controller to run the drives which are specially designed specifically for multi-drive duplication. This controller, manufactured by Vinpower Digital, also includes an extensive media list inside the operation system to detect specific kind of media and changes the writing strategy to generate the best possible quality for that media. So, when using a SharkCopier with the recommended drives, compared to an alternative duplicator with the same kind of drive, you will find the quality from the SharkCopier to be far superior.
   

Case & Upgrade Questions

1. Can I upgrade my duplicator?
   Yes. All duplicators can be upgraded by sending them back to the manufacturer for a nominal fee. Often times the software can be upgraded through firmware/software which can be provided by the manufacturer. Software upgrades are determined on a case by case basis. They may or may not involve a fee. Any attempts to alter the machine on your own or through a non-authorized service technician will nullify the warranty.
   
2. If I buy a duplicator now, can I add more drives/burners later on in the future?
   No. All of the duplicators are assembled to exact specifications depending on the number of drivers to be included. There will not be enough space to add any additional drivers later.
   
3. If I buy the 8x duplicator now, can it be upgrade to 16x later?
   Yes. The duplicators can be upgraded at our factory for a nominal fee. Any attempts to alter the machine on your own or through a non-authorized service technician will nullify the warranty.
   
4. Is the aluminum chassis better than the steel chassis?
   Yes. The aluminum chassis is not only significantly lighter than steel, but it also diffuses heat better to allow continuous use without concern for overheating.
   

Duplication Time Questions

1. Can the DVD duplicators duplicate a DVD that is bigger than 4.7 GB?
   Yes, but only specific models. Review the duplicator specs to determine if it can handle double/dual layer DVD's (8.5 GB-DVD9) or not. If the duplicator lists that it can handle double/dual layer or DVD9, then it can. If not then it won't be able to duplicate anything larger than the standard DVD5 or 4.7GB disc. In either case, you can only duplicate a DVD5 to DVD5 or DVD9 to DVD9. An 8.5 GB disc can not be duplicated onto a 4.7GB disc and vice versa.
   
2. Will a multi-drive duplicator takes longer to make duplications than a 1 to 1 duplicator?
   No. All drives make simultaneous duplications. So it takes the same amount of time to duplicate 1 disc as it does to duplicate the maximum drives on the unit.
   
3. Will the duplication speed affect the quality of the duplicated discs?
   The higher the speed the more chances that there can be some quality drop-off. However, the amount of diminished quality is very minute and will not make a difference or be noticeable to most people.
   

Master Disc & Copy Protection Questions

1. Can I copy a CD or VCD to a DVD using your duplicator?
   No. One format cannot be duplicated to another. For example, CD's can only be duplicated to CD (including VCD to CD) and DVD's to DVD.
   
2. Can my DVD duplicator, duplicate Authoring DVD's?
   Yes. your DVD duplicator can duplicate your Authoring DVD master into General DVD-R/+R format duplicates. The duplicator cannot use Authoring DVD blank media.
   
3. Can the duplicator make copies of copy protected material?
   No. If the disc you wish to duplicate is copy protected, they cannot be duplicated.
   
4. Will my DVD duplicator duplicates PAL format?
   Yes, your DVD duplicator will duplicate both NTSC and PAL DVD Video format. However, your duplications will be in the same format as the master disc. If you're duplicating the PAL format the duplications will be in the PAL format. The same applies for NTSC.
   
5. Will the duplicated disc differ from the original and will the "chapters" be copied from the master?
   All duplications are made using digital technology. That means that the duplications will be identical to the master disc in every way. Everything on the master disc will be transferred exactly to the duplicated discs.

   
6. What is copy protection and what does it apply to?
   Copy protection is a way to ensure those not authorized to make duplications, do not. Most likely all movies and video games that you rent from a video rental store such as Blockbuster or purchase from the store have copy protection on them. They cannot be duplicated in their original form.
   

USB / IEEE 1394 (Firewire) Questions

1. Can I connect the duplicator to a computer network & generate duplications from a computer on the network?
   No. The duplicator can not be controlled by any external connections. However, the duplicator can be connected to an individual computer via USB/Firewire connection to allow the computer to burn data to specified burners and create a master disc to make the duplications from.
   
2. Can I hook up my camcorder/digital camera with the duplicator by USB / Firewire?
   No. Even though the camcorder or digital camera has a Firewire or USB connection, you cannot directly input the data onto the duplicator. You can download the data onto a computer and use the external Firewire or USB to create a master disc from which to make your duplications on.
   
3. Can I make duplications while I am using external USB/Firewire devices?
   Yes, you can make copies while you are using your external USB/Firewire devices. As long as there are drives not connected to USB/Firewire connections, they can be used to make duplications, even while you're using the USB/Firewire connections. However, if all of the drives are connected to USB/Firewire connections, then you will not be able to make duplications at the same time. If you're uncertain how many drives are connected to the USB/Firewire, you can easily determine this information as the drives are labeled with either a USB or Firewire sticker.
   
4. Can I save files from a computer hard drive to the duplicator hard drive through USB or Firewire?
   No. Computer hard drives and duplicator hard drives are two separate file systems, so they cannot communicate. The USB and Firewire connections' allow the computer to use the duplicator as a CD or DVD external burner. You can use either of those devices to store the data on a disc from a specified CD or DVD drive on the duplicator. Once you create that disc, you can use it as your master disc to load into the hard drive and make your duplications.
   
5. What are USB and Firewire connections?
   USB or Firewire connections are mounted inside the duplicator and allow a computer with appropriate USB/Firewire links to control one or more of the duplicator drives to use as an external recorder upon your request.
   
6. What if my Firewire/USB connection doesn't work with my PC/Mac?
   Every single PC related product has compatibility issues. Even though we have thoroughly tested the Firewire/USB connection(s) before we shipped it out, there's still a slight chance that your PC/Mac computer is not compatible with our Firewire/USB connection. If that happens, please contact your PC/Mac manufacture for possible configuration changes to make it work or try it on other PC/Mac computers.
   
7. What is the purpose of having USB or Firewire connection(s) installed on my duplicator?
   Installing a USB/Firewire connection(s) is useful if your data is stored on a computer that does not have a burner/recorder installed.
   
8. Why do some duplicators come with USB & Firewire connections and others don't?
   With higher speed duplicators, there's more of a chance for errors in transferring data when using the duplicator as an external burner from your computer. Because of this, we prefer to eliminate potential problems by not offering USB and Firewire in specific models, particularly models with speeds of 12x and higher.
   

Warranty Questions

1. Does the duplicator have a warranty, and who provides the service?
   All of the duplicators come with a standard warranty which covers parts and labor. The manufacturer will provide all services if needed. The warranty varies depending on the model. In most cases there's a one year warranty. Check the product specifications to get the exact information.