Posted by if on 02/07/06 23:28

"TB" <Partyslammer@socal.rr.com> wrote in
news:lz9Gf.5588$Z3.3805@tornado.socal.rr.com:

> "NFord" wrote:
>
> (snip)
>>
>> IMO, the Epson Photo R300 printer with DVD/CD tray
>> and hub-printable DVDs and CDs are a combo that can't
>> be beat.
>>
>> Cheap, too. (At least the printer and discs are. The inks are a
>> different subject, but cost per disc is still reasonable.)

I don't understand the appeal of Lightscribe at all. I'd much rather have a
full colour label than a b/w one, and from what the OP says using a printer
is much quicker too. The inkjet printable disks are also cheap and readily
available in most popular brands.


>Uncoated, it *is* possible to smear Epson printed
> media weeks after it was originally printed with sloppy handling.

I used to have that problem with an Epson using some types of glossy paper
- the ink would take about an hour to dry! I now use a Canon Pixma and the
exact same paper emerges from the printer already dry to the touch.
Similarly, printed DVDs are instantly dry and can be put in their cases
with no handling worries. The Pixma is a bit slow with DVDs - it chunters
away for about a minute before you can even insert the disk tray - but it's
still a lot faster than the 23 mins the OP quoted for a Lightscribe; I
would say it takes the printer about 3 minutes to print a disk in all.

> One problem I have had, is generally the easiest to find printable
> media either dvd or cd is made by Memorex and I've had a huge
> percentage of these discs fail when data is burned to them.

Online shops are the best way to get a decent choice of brands. I'm using
unbranded Ritek R03 printables, they're quite cheap and I've had no
failures so far. I also have some TDK printable CDs, not cheap but the
jewel cases are very nice, with zero hub pressure on the disk, and again no
failures.

> The only downside to the printer itself is a new set of ink cartridges
> runs about 50 bucks, over 50% of the cost of the printer itself!

I chose a Canon because the ink is cheap and you only have to replace the
colour that's actually run out, unlike most makes!

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