Duplicating and Customizing Discs from the Network

By Lowell Rapaport

Making dupes of compact discs and DVDs is a way of life for some organizations and a convenience for most others. Businesses that burn high volumes of CDs or DVDs will appreciate the ImageAutomator 150 from Microtech, Belmont, CA.

The ImageAutomator 150 is a network attached device that can record and label up to 400 discs unattended at a rate of 25 650-MB CDs per hour. The system includes an NT-based computer to record and to connect the system to a network. The system holds up to four recorders and a printer (which is the configuration we tested). You can choose between inkjet or, for better quality, thermal printing. CD recorders (either 8X or 12X) are supplied by Plextor, while DVD-R drives are supplied by Pioneer.

Microtech's MyDisc software lets users select files or volumes to be recorded, and the built-in printer will create a custom label. Even if recording is underway, the ImageAutomator checks every few seconds to see if any new disc production jobs are waiting.

Image Automator 150
Microtech
Belmont, CA, 650-596-1900
www.microtech.com
Description: Network-attached disc-on-demand recorder and CD/DVD duplicator
Drives: Up to four CD or DVD recorders.
Duplicating speed: 25 650 MB CDs per hour.
Disc formats supported: ISO 9660, Rockridge, Joliet, High Sierra, CD-I
Advantages: Lets you create unique discs (such as individual account records or custom documentation). Unattended operation. Programmable via scripting languages. Single self-contained unit.
Disadvantages: Remote client software will not work with local files or a local CD-ROM. No watermarking or copy protection for recorded CDs.
Price: $11,500 including printer and 8X CD recorders. $12,500 with printer and 12X CD recorders. $17,500 with printer and one DVD recorder $23,500 with printer and two DVD recorders.

This system gives you plenty of flexibility in how CD or DVD jobs get submitted. You can generate jobs right on the ImageAutomator using the duplicator's console, or you can work from client software over a network. Since the duplicator generates jobs based on instructions in a text file, you can easily program a database or Visual Basic script to generate CDs or DVDs automatically.

Microtech's Windows client lets users assemble a disc image from files available on the network. It's easy enough for ordinary office workers to prepare CDs or DVDs for distribution. It's also well suited for companies that generate custom CDs for product documentation, training materials and customer account information.

We did find a few features wanting in the Microtest software. For one thing, it is Windows-only software, so there are no clients for the Web, Unix or any other platform. The software will create disc production jobs from networked drives all right, but it can't access files on the client computer's own local drive.

Microtech says it will address the local drive access issue by the end of the third quarter, but there are no specific plans for browser or Unix clients.

This software also lacks certain security features. Discs can be serialized with the serial number both printed on the disc's label and recorded as part of the data. But there are no watermarking features, and you can't set a CD's copy protection bit. These may be important in environments that deal with sensitive information. Microtech regularly updates its software, and if customers ask for these features, it shouldn't take too long before it becomes available.

The hardware Microtech has put together provides one of the best arrangements we have seen for CD or DVD duplication. Unlike other duplicators that sprawl across several boxes or require an outboard computer, the ImageAutomator includes everything - computer, robot, recorders and printer - on a single chassis. This should improve reliability and ease of installation, particularly in environments where dedicated support staff are not available.

Microtech's ImageAutomator is a well-made CD/DVD production system for publishing custom one-off discs and duplicate copies of single-disc images. For those in Windows environments with ordinary security needs, its network capabilities make it a valuable tool for document archiving and distribution.