TEST DRIVE:

Automating CD Duplication

By Liz Levy and Maria Medina

The Compro CD Master Pro 50 is an automated CD duplication system from ACS Innovations (www.acscompro.com) that offers reliable and fast performance with some extra features for $899 MSRP. The system provides duplication with just one push of a button. You load the master disc into the 8X CD-ROM drive and blank CDs into the five 10-disc magazines. Set the options using the intuitive front-panel keypad and you’re done.

You can load a maximum of 50 CDs, which are recorded using two 4X CD recorders. The moving tray robotics can swap two discs simultaneously with a fast disc exchange time of less than six seconds on average. The CD recorder transfers data at a rate of 600 KB/sec.

ACS Innovations Santa Clara, CA 408-566-0900 Model: Compro CD Master Pro 50 Description: 50-disc CD duplication system with front-panel keypad, fully automated disc swapping with five 10-disc magazines and two 4X recorders. Strengths: Easy setup and operation, fast disc duplication in 20 minutes, can record data on scratched surfaces, SCSI-2 interface for use with PC or Mac. Weaknesses: No notable weaknesses Price: $899 MSRP ProductInfo 209

No installation is required with the Compro system. It is a stand-alone device that is ready to use when you plug in the power cable. Users have the option of using the system with a PC or Mac through its SCSI-2 interface. This 50-disc desktop unit is compact and lightweight. ACS also offers a 100-disc floor-standing model.

Duplicating a full CD takes approximately 20 minutes. The system does not operate at a fixed setting. An internal processor identifies the type of CD media that is being used and adjusts the system settings and recording speed accordingly for error-free duplication.

One of the major glitches of CDs is the loss of data where the surface is scratched. The Compro system uses a technology that can record around the scratches and capture the data instead of rejecting the disc.

A front-panel keypad lets you select your recording options and review the operation in minutes. The device can duplicate most major formats including data, audio, video, Photo CD, CD Extra and mixed mode CDs.