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Technology: Not Just for Engineers Anymore

12.02.2008 · Posted in Hardware Articles

Time was, you had to be a programmer working with command-line interface (CLI) software even to turn a computer on and get the lights to flash. In the mid-1970s, a number of trailblazers started bringing computer technology to the desktop, notably the “two Steves” (Jobs and Wozniak) who made the Apple II the first broadly successful “personal computer.”rnrnBy 1985, the PC boom was well underway, and the continuing refinement of the graphical user interface (GUI) – first on the Macintosh, later in Windows – put unprecedented power at the average user’s fingertips. The “democratization” of the PC brought millions of people into the new, seemingly limitless Internet Age.rnrnPeripheral mattersrnrnDespite the proliferation of easy-to-use computers, some aspects of the user experience stayed within the province of the “geeks,” the engineers and programmers who started the whole ball rolling in the first place. For some reason, makers of multifunction office devices, RAID backup systems, computer-aided machining and design (CAM/CAD) and, yes, CD/DVD duplicators have had a somewhat harder time “democratizing” their product sectors.rnrnAnd yet, it may be just a matter of poor publicity or marketing, since tremendous strides have been made in simplifying the operation (and maintenance) of these admittedly complex peripheral devices. In our business, optical storage, there is no reason whatsoever that the average home or small-office computer user cannot install, operate and troubleshoot a duplicator or media printer. Anyone who can sign up for a Google account or set up their e-mail client can follow the plain-English instructions for doing so.rnrnNew markets for mediarnrnWith the advent of the CD in the 1980s, music (and later, video) went digital. The “analog days” were over, for the most part, but record companies maintained control of manufacturing. The reasons are many, including simple business factors such as quality control and distribution, but the fact is that the cost of the technology and the expertise required for its use made personal CD duplication quite expensive.rnrnThe first optical storage devices used large, encased media and bulky recorders costing thousands of dollars. Even if a musician or videographer wanted to take over her own manufacturing, it was cost-prohibitive and technical in the extreme. But that was then, and this is now, and it remains something of a mystery why some people still consider CD/DVD duplication mysterious, over technical, costly or difficult. Truth be told, it is none of those things.rnrnArt meets engineeringrnrnNot everyone is confused, however. Independent musicians and filmmakers are more and more likely to understand the many benefits of taking control of their media, its duplication as well as its distribution. With the modern recording/sequencing, video production and format-conversion software, any motivated artist can quickly become a CD/DVD producer – with the right equipment, of course.rnrnThat’s where we come in, naturally. With a complete line of duplicators – from the small but capable Cube to multiple-drive towers – we can help any independent musician, band, producer, filmmaker or wedding photographer/videographer set up a cost-effective duplication system. And it’s not just about burning discs, either.rnrnThe discs need to look good as well as work correctly, so we can also help you choose the right disc printing equipment. There are three major ways of imprinting a CD/DVD: inkjet and thermal printing, and the new laser-etching LightScribe technology developed by Hewlett-Packard and licensed to numerous disc-burner manufacturers. We can show you the benefits of each, and tailor a complete duplication-and-printing solution that meets your needs, as well as your budget.rnrnExpanding marketsrnrnIf there is one thing we have learned about the accelerating advance of technology, it’s that new devices and processes get less expensive and more refined, seemingly by the hour. As the price point for entry to disc duplication continues to fall, more and more artists, musicians, filmmakers and home hobbyists will be able to manufacture and market their own digital creations.rnrnOf course, we continue to support software companies, Fortune 500 corporations and high-tech firms of all kinds, as their demand for CD/DVD duplication is one of the main forces behind the advancement of the technology – as well as the decrease in the cost. But we foresee a tremendous expansion of the market for the entire range of duplication equipment, as the message gets spread via MySpace band pages, music publications, consumer computer magazines, “indie” filmmaker websites and plain old word of mouth.rnrnAnd the message is clear: You can afford to take control of your music, your media, your products and your future. The world of high-tech, and the staff at Vinpower Digital, are ready to help you, every step of the way.

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