 Lightscribe
Technology FAQ |
| GETTING
STARTED: |
| 1.
|
Do
I need a new computer to get LightScribe? Can I just buy a LightScribe
disc drive and connect it to my computer? |
| 2.
|
Does
LightScribe work on both PCs and Macs? |
| 3.
|
When
and where will I be able to get LightScribe? |
| 4.
|
Will
I need to purchase a new LightScribe DVD drive when the new media with
the speed enhancement is available in the market? |
| 5.
|
Will
there be a firmware or software update required to take advantage of the
speed enhancement? |
| USING
LIGHTSCRIBE: |
| 6.
|
How
do I use LightScribe to label a disc? |
| 7.
|
What
types of labels can I burn on a LightScribe disc? |
| 8.
|
Does
LightScribe print in full color? |
| 9.
|
Will
the LightScribe image cause imbalance when the CD or DVD is spinning in
the drive, the way a paper label can? |
| 10.
|
Can
I use my computer for other things while the LightScribe label is burning?
|
| 11.
|
Can
I leave my computer unattended while the LightScribe label is burning?
|
| 12.
|
Can
I rewrite or erase a LightScribe label? |
| 13.
|
Can
I add to a LightScribe label I've already burned? |
| 14.
|
What
happens if I forget to flip the disc before burning the label side? |
| 15.
|
What
if I make a mistake and try to burn a label on a non-LightScribe disc;
will non-LightScribe discs work in a LightScribe drive? |
| 16.
|
Will
LightScribe discs work with non-LightScribe drives? |
| 17.
|
When
do I need to update my software? |
| LIGHTSCRIBE
CARE AND HANDLING: |
| 18.
|
Does
the additional use of the laser in a LightScribe-enabled drive shorten
its life? |
| 19.
|
Do
slot-loader players affect the coating of LightScribe CDs and DVDs? |
| 20.
|
How
should I clean my LightScribe-labeled discs? |
| 21.
|
How
long can I keep a LightScribe disc before labeling it? |
| 22.
|
Does
ultraviolet light fade a LightScribe label? How much does the image fade,
and over what period of time? |
| 23.
|
How
should labeled discs be handled and stored? |
| 24.
|
Will
fingerprints or other contaminants affect the label? |
| 25.
|
Does
the LightScribe imaging process emit any hazardous chemicals? |
| 26.
|
Are
LightScribe discs environmentally safe? |
| 27.
|
Can
LightScribe discs be recycled? |
| 28.
|
Is
the LightScribe disc hot or dangerous to handle immediately after the
label is burned? |
|
|
Q: |
1.
Do I need a new computer to get LightScribe? Can I just buy a LightScribe
disc drive and connect it to my computer? |
| A: |
LightScribe-enabled
disc drives are available as peripherals and plug-in replacement drives
for your existing computer. Or you can buy a new computer with a LightScribe-enabled
disc drive. |
|
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to Top |
|
Q: |
2.
Does LightScribe work on both PCs and Macs? |
|
A: |
LightScribe
is currently available on Windows 2000 and XP, and support for Mac OS
X 10.3 is scheduled for the first quarter of 2005. |
|
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|
Q: |
3.
When and where will I be able to get LightScribe? |
|
A: |
In early
January 2005, LightScribe-enabled products will be available at major
computer and consumer electronics outlets, and via online shopping.
- Click on Looking for LightScribe for a list of current LightScribe-enabled
hardware, software, and media.
- Look for the LightScribe logo on retail packaging to identify LightScribe-enabled
products. LightScribe-enabled discs also display the LightScribe logo
on the inner "hub" of the disc itself.
- Download LightScribe software upgrades from software manufacturers'
websites.
|
|
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to Top |
|
Q: |
4.
Will I need to purchase a new LightScribe DVD drive when the new media
with the speed enhancement is available in the market? |
|
A: |
LightScribe
has just announced a 50% speed enhancement to be available in the next
quarter. The enhancement comes from changes made to the discs themselves,
and these new media will be compatible with the existing drive. So if
you were to buy a drive now, you would be able to take advantage of the
faster discs when they are available. |
|
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to Top |
|
Q: |
5.
Will there be a firmware or software update required to take advantage
of the speed enhancement? |
|
A: |
There will
be a software update available to take advantage of the speed enhancement
and a drive firmware update may be required. |
|
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to Top |
|
Q: |
6.
How do I use LightScribe to label a disc? |
| A: |
To burn
a LightScribe label, simply follow your software's onscreen instructions.
If you're using a data-burning application that's LightScribe-enabled,
the application will ask if you want to burn a label. Then it will gather
content to pre-populate a suggested label design and present the design
onscreen. You have the option of selecting that label or making changes.
If you're using stand-alone disc labeling software, simply launch the
software and design the label onscreen by typing in the title information
and choosing or importing graphics.
In either case, once you're finished with the design, simply remove the
disc from the burner, flip it over, and reinsert it label-side down. Then
click "Print" to send the image to the drive. After the label
is burned, the disc is ejected and your LightScribe CD or DVD is complete.
|
|
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to Top |
| Q: |
7.
What types of labels can I burn on a LightScribe disc? |
| A: |
LightScribe-enabled
software comes with a variety of backgrounds to help you create great-looking
labels, or you can import digital photos, or your own images from Photoshop.
There are three types of backgrounds to choose from—Title, Content,
and Full—and each refers to how much radial space is covered on
the label. You can also choose between circular and straight text for
your label. |
|
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|
Q: |
8.
Does LightScribe print in full color? |
|
A: |
LightScribe
labeling is currently available only in grayscale. |
|
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to Top |
|
Q: |
9.
Will the LightScribe image cause imbalance when the CD or DVD is spinning
in the drive, the way a paper label can? |
|
A: |
No. A LightScribe
disc is as evenly balanced as any high-quality CD or DVD, and it spins
evenly within the drive. Burning an image onto the disc does not change
its balance, nor does it impede the disc's ability to spin properly. |
|
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|
Q: |
10.
Can I use my computer for other things while the LightScribe label is
burning? |
|
A: |
Yes. The
labeling runs in the background, so your computer can be used for other
tasks while the process is underway. |
|
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to Top |
|
Q: |
11.
Can I leave my computer unattended while the LightScribe label is burning?
|
|
A: |
Yes. LightScribe
doesn't require your presence during the burning process. In addition,
a LightScribe system will not go into sleep or power-save mode while it
is burning a label. |
|
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to Top |
|
Q: |
12.
Can I rewrite or erase a LightScribe label? |
|
A: |
No. Current
LightScribe technology is not erasable. Once the image is burned, it's
permanent. But software applications with LightScribe capabilities are
designed to preview the image onscreen before it is burned—you can
accept or make changes to that image before moving forward, so unplanned
or undesired images will not be sent to the disc for burning. |
|
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|
Q: |
13.
Can I add to a LightScribe label I've already burned? |
|
A: |
Yes. If
you decide to add content later, it will be correctly aligned with existing
titles and images. |
|
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to Top |
|
Q: |
14.
What happens if I forget to flip the disc before burning the label side? |
|
A: |
The LightScribe
system recognizes whether or not the disc is label-side down, and it will
not try to write a label to the data side, nor will it attempt to burn
data to the label side. If the wrong side is presented for either data
burning or label burning, your disc will be ejected and a software message
will be displayed. |
|
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to Top |
| Q: |
15.
What if I make a mistake and try to burn a label on a non-LightScribe
disc; will non-LightScribe discs work in a LightScribe drive? |
|
A: |
Yes. The
data side will work. But the software will not send a label image to a
non-LightScribe disc, so no label will be burned if it is not a LightScribe
disc. |
|
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to Top |
| Q: |
16.
Will LightScribe discs work with non-LightScribe drives? |
| A: |
Yes. The
data side will work as it always has. But LightScribe discs cannot be
labeled in a non-LightScribe drive |
|
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to Top |
| Q: |
17.
When do I need to update my software? |
| A: |
LightScribe-enabled
software can detect when an update is needed, and will prompt you to get
one. If your software cannot be updated by clicking on the update button,
you should contact your hardware manufacturer for support options. For
links to LightScribe hardware manufacturers, go to the Support page on
this website. |
|
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to Top |
| Q: |
18.
Does the additional use of the laser in a LightScribe-enabled drive shorten
its life? |
| A: |
Under
typical labeling circumstances, there is no significant reduction in laser
life. Based on typical use for both data and label sides of the disc,
the laser is well within the design specifications. |
|
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to Top |
| Q: |
19.
Do slot-loader players affect the coating of LightScribe CDs and DVDs?
|
| A: |
No. Scratch
testing has shown that the coating on LightScribe CDs and DVDs is robust
and should not be affected by slot-loader players. |
|
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to Top |
| Q: |
20.
How should I clean my LightScribe-labeled discs? |
| A: |
The best
way to clean the label side of the disc is with a soft, lint-free cloth.
There are cleaning kits available on the market, or you can clean discs
with water. |
|
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to Top |
| Q: |
21.
How long can I keep a LightScribe disc before labeling it? |
| A: |
Our tests
indicate that when discs are exposed to indoor lighting, they will last
up to nine months with no image degradation once the disc is labeled.
If unlabeled discs are stored in a stack or paper sleeve, and kept away
from direct sunlight and extreme heat, they will last much longer before
labeling. |
|
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to Top |
| Q: |
22.
Does ultraviolet light fade a LightScribe label? How much does the image
fade, and over what period of time? |
| A: |
The image
will fade under direct sunlight, but the rate will depend on the light's
intensity and exposure time. To prevent damage to both the data side and
the label side, we recommend that you keep discs away from direct sunlight. |
|
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to Top |
| Q: |
23.
How should labeled discs be handled and stored? |
| A: |
To ensure
maximal life for both data and label, hold discs on the outside edge or
through the center hole to prevent fingerprints. Keep discs away from
extreme heat, humidity, and direct sunlight. Ideally, you should keep
discs on a spindle, in a disc sleeve, or in a jewel case, and then store
them in a cool, dark place. And be sure to use polypropylene disc sleeves
rather than PVC sleeves; PVC sleeves will cause images to degrade over
time, while polypropylene does not adversely affect the coating or images. |
|
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to Top |
| Q: |
24.
Will fingerprints or other contaminants affect the label? |
| A: |
Fingerprints
may affect the image on a LightScribe disc. Residual chemicals on your
fingers could cause discoloration. And some hand lotions—those containing
polyethylene glycol and vitamin E—have been found to discolor the
coating and image on a disc. To ensure maximal data and label life, be
sure to handle discs as described above. |
|
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| Q: |
25.
Does the LightScribe imaging process emit any hazardous chemicals? |
| A: |
No. The
laser imaging process initiates a chemical change in the disc coating,
and no hazardous chemicals are emitted during burning. |
|
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| Q: |
26.
Are LightScribe discs environmentally safe? |
| A: |
Yes. A study
of the potential for health and safety problems resulting from handling
LightScribe-coated discs found no reason for concern. |
|
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| Q: |
27.
Can LightScribe discs be recycled? |
| A: |
Yes. CDs
and DVDs contain polycarbonate and metal films that can be recycled. |
|
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to Top |
| Q: |
28.
Is the LightScribe disc hot or dangerous to handle immediately after the
label is burned? |
| A: |
No. Although
the terms "burning data" and "burning labels" are
standard in the industry, there is no appreciable temperature change involved
in either process. A CD or DVD is safe to touch immediately upon being
ejected from the drive. |
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