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Primera Bravo SE DVD Duplicator Review

The Primera Bravo SE CD/DVD duplicator and printer combo is labeled by its maker as an entry-level product, we assume, because of its single-drive configuration and small, twenty-disc feed capacity. After using it for the past few weeks, we're here to tell you that that's the only thing entry-level about the Bravo SE. The system contains a single Pioneer DVR-111 CD/DVD duplicator with robotic feed transport and a max. 4800 dpi resolution printer packaged in an attractive 15"W x 14.75"D x 7"H desktop enclosure.

Impatient techno-geek wanna-be that I am, I was a bit miffed when I couldn't find the "quick-start" instruction sheet that every computer peripheral seems to come with these days and had to refer to the dreaded user's manual for installation instructions. Actually, a true techno-geek would forego all instruction and skip straight to slapping the cables on and installing the drivers, but age and bad experiences has mellowed me a bit. The process turned out to be easier than expected. You just load the installation disc and the installer guides you through every step from plugging in the power and USB cables to software installation.

Speaking of software, the Bravo SE comes with Primera's own PTPublisher to handle the disc automation duties and, to manage printing, SureThing CD Label Software Primera Edition for PC and CharisMac Engineering's Describe for Mac OS 10.2 and above. For this review, we used the PC software versions.

Once we had the Bravo SE loaded and powered up, we started PTPublisher and, using its very intuitive interface, built a play list from songs stored on our hard drive. We had a music CD burned in a matter of minutes. As soon as it finished, the SureThing CD Label Software took over and prompted us to specify a saved label or to compose a new one. We built a quick one using one of the many provided templates and, not more than fifteen minutes after we were lamenting the lack of a quick-start guide, we were admiring the print quality of our first duped and printed disc. Impressive.

The print quality is spectacular. Using Primera's TuffCoat with WaterShield glossy finish media, with the resolution set at its highest, the print quality really is amazing. The glossy finish looks more like an over-coating than a printed-on surface. There was no banding or color-stepping visible to the naked eye... just a very professional and expensive-looking image. Primera also states the inkjet printable surface of these discs is highly water-resistant and protects them from snow, rain and spilled liquids. They are a bit more expensive, but you can't dispute their very high-end finish. We tried several printable discs we had lying around from other manufacturers and got similarly great results.

So, we think we've adequately communicated that the print quality is really good. But what about the mechanics? Here's a run down of how it works borrowed straight from Primera's website:

1. Bravo SE's robot arm picks a blank disc from the input bin.
2. The disc is placed into the integrated Pioneer DVD/CD recorder.
3. The disc is burned.
4. The robot moves the disc to the built-in, 4800 dpi direct-to-disc inkjet color printer.
5. The disc is printed.
6. The robot picks the disc from the printer, places it into the output bin and starts over again.

And all this takes place smoothly and quietly behind Bravo's smoked plastic cover. The robotic arm is smaller than other entry-level duplicators, making it rather compact and easy to fit into existing shelf or desk space.