DVD replication and duplication are confusingly similar terms. Most individuals believe that both of the operations deliver the same end results - exact copies of the data contained on a DVD master disc. Although, there are significant differences regarding the two tasks and also the quality of the final product.

Replication takes place when the company creates a glass master disc from the DVD to be copied. The master disc is checked for any defects which may cause flaws in the copies. A mold is cast from the glass master and used to make a stamper. The stamper is then employed to press the image on the master onto disc blanks. The replicated discs are next provided a photosensitive coating and lacquered that can help shield the reflective surface from scratches.

Discs made using the DVD replication process may be made into a number of shapes and sizes. Mini-discs and DVDs in the shape of business cards are becoming a favorite technique for businesses to give out presentations and free sample copies of software, photos or other digital files. These effects just cannot be produced with duplicated discs. Furthermore, most replication companies provide silk screened printing on the front of their discs which looks a great deal more professional than the adhesive labels used by lots of duplication companies.

Discs made out of this replication process are perfect copies of the master. Since they are stamped and sealed, these are a lot more durable and have a longer shelf-life as compared to duplicated discs. The cost distinction between duplicated discs and replicated discs is actually minimal on large orders. Due to the expense involving producing the glass master and stamper which are unique to each disc, replication could be less cost-effective for smaller orders.

The differences between DVD replication and duplication can be seen with the unaided eye. Compare and contrast the shiny readable surfaces on the professionally produced DVD video with one copied on a personal DVD burner. The surface on the professionally replicated disc is smoothly lacquered without any color variations. The burned disc will have a noticeable color difference between areas containing information and the unused space.

Professional DVD duplication applies precisely the same method to copy discs as the DVD burner utilized in a personal computer system. The discs are actually coated using a thin dye layer. A laser burns a pattern representing the information into the dye so that it may be read by a DVD player.

The largest distinction between professional DVD duplication systems and a DVD burner in a personal computer system is the number of burners that operate in sync. Often smaller systems can burn around 50 discs or more at a time. With a good label printer, a source on bulk burnable discs, and a lot of extra time to burn discs one-by-one you might achieve virtually the same results of professional duplication at home using your personal DVD burner.

Disc duplication on a small scale is more cost-effective than DVD replication. Yet, the discs have got a shorter shelf-life and tend to be much more prone to flaws compared to those made with the replication process. The dyes used to burn the data to discs are sensitive to sunlight, humidity and many other external factors that may result in data corruption and eventually render the discs unreadable.