DVD recorder drives keep increasing in “speed” and yet the recordable DVD blanks do not increase in recording speed. As far as DVD discs go 16x is the maximum speed.  Higher outer zone speeds can be achieved but the savings in time is of little significance unless the disc is completely utilized.  Recordable DVD blanks, like CD blanks are ‘burned’ from the center outwards.  The recording drive reads the disc manufacturer code and uses a ‘write strategy’ for that DVD recordable.  The DVD  recordable is zoned so that the disc is only recording at 4x in the center, increasing in speed till it finally reaches maximum speed on the outside band of the recordable disc.

Does speed matter in a DVD Duplicator?

A DVD duplicator that can burn at up to 24x needs recordable DVDs that can maintain that speed, even if it is the last Gig of the disc. We have seen the increase in drive speeds independent of recordable disc technology.  It is possible to burn a DVD at a higher speed then the recordable DVD is certified for but it can go only so far.  We have seen an increase from the maximum recording speed of 16x to 18x, 20x,22x and now 24x. It serves little purpose to the end user unless they want to say ‘it goes to eleven’.

MF Digital Live Event Recorder 5606

MF Digital Live Event Recorder has evolved from the early days of Live CD recording to DVD recordable format support. MF Digital recently announced Live Video support for the Live Event Recorder  and a new model number Live Video Event Recorder 5606.   Release date: February,2009 This device allows the user to capture live video, then automatically authors a professional looking DVD from a choice of themes, and finally duplicates the disc to 6 or more drives simultaneously. This is a just-in-time solution with discs produced within ten minutes of the end of video capture.

As the MF Digital Live Video Event Recorder has Gig bit network capabilities also many exotic configurations can be utilized with this type of system.  The Live Event Recorders rely on Windows XP home for non-network applications (non-domain) or XP Pro for domain based networks.  The 5505 and 5606 are referred to by MF Digital as KVM models which means they use a monitor, keyboard and mouse for operator operation (purchased separately).  As I get more technical data I will post here.