Those with good memories will remember the time and effort it used to take to get the computer, DVD burning program and DVD burner to all work together. Now the process is almost ridiculously simple - except that one thing hasn't changed. If you're going to duplicate a number of DVDs, you still have to make the first one, and then duplicate it one-at-a-time using a computer's duplication program that has you inserting and removing DVD discs one after the other.

That's where a disc duplicator comes in; it's an external machine that doesn't even need a computer. You give it your completed DVD and it does the rest - providing you've "fed" it with blank discs and set the control appropriately.

The best part is the price - we're not talking about tens of hundreds of dollars (remember how much the first DVD burner for your computer cost?), but a few hundred dollars (unless you go for a "Ferrari-like" model, instead of a sturdy and dependable "Ford"). Of course if you want to scale up the cost, automate the process or add Blu-ray burners instead of DVD, (which is the same kind of rodeo, just Blu-ray uses different types of horses and a different burner technology to saddle up).

To speed up your duplicating process, here are a few things to consider about disc duplicators where anything less than ten copies coming at you is the loneliest number that you'll ever know.

Manual Disc Duplicator

At its most basic, your finished DVD goes into one side of the duplicator while the blank disc goes in the other. A few buttons, switches and other Mad Scientist-inspired controls later, the duplicator has copied the contents from the finished DVD to the blank, creating a perfect clone. Pop the clone out, insert another blank, rinse and repeat. This becomes even faster when multiple DVD burners are added, so that each burning cycle results in a number of clones. The disc speed is usually conformed to all of them - so if you're able to do "20X" speed for burning it will apply to every disc being burned. No mix and match.
Example - Manual Disc Burner -Vinpower Digital SharkCopier SATA Duplicator.
This series of stand-alone disc duplicators provides up to 15 burners - no PC is needed whatsoever. A built-in 160GB hard drive (500GB for Blu-ray duplicators) allows for blanks to be burned without needing the original. An LCD display provides all the necessary information for making intelligent choices, and the counter keeps track of the discs that have been burned versus the total number required for the project. 20X burning speed ensures quick copies - for example, up to 120/hour with a 10-burner model.

Automated Disc Duplicators

Automated (or "Robotic" for Asimov fans) disc duplicators say goodbye to you once the master dish has been put in the drive and the blank reel has been loaded with blank discs. The procedure is then set and activated through a control panel (LCD, natch) that doesn't require a computer. Changes in the burning speed (up to the maximum the drive allows) and other variations are available. You just sit back and recite the three laws of Robotics, or hum an Eminem tune as the discs pop out like from a Pez dispenser.
Example - Automated Disc Burner - Primera Bravo 4102 Disc Publisher
Two DVD/CD recordable drives and a 100 blank disc capacity sounds good; add a built-in thermal inkjet printing on the discs and it's gotten even better. Discs are picked up and transported robotically (high-speed belt drive) ­ the speed of the burners bringing the ability to burn up to 150 discs per hour into play. LED lighting shows you what is going on inside, PC/Mac integration means ease of control and front dispensing of the final discs means they're ready to be taken out without having to open a drawer or door. All for under $3500 retail.