YAMAHA CRW-F1 IDE CDR-W - Page 12

DiscT@2

As we mentioned in the first page, YAMAHA has developed the DiscT@2 system, allowing the laser printing on a CD. Users can sacrifice some of their data space on a CD in order to print any info in the outer area of the CD, which can be song titles, company logos, or even more complicated pictures.

DiscT@2 is quite straightforward to use. First, create an image on the template (which shows you which area of the disc is already taken up by data). The bitmapped image consists of colour or grey-scale information with x-y coordinate information such as RGB values. The DiscT@2-capable application (bundled with the CRW-F1) converts the x-y coordinate information to polar coordinate information. The application then sends the grey-scale data with polar coordinate information to the CRW-F1.

The CRW-F1 stores the graphic data in its 8 MB buffer memory. It sends sequential graphic data in polar coordinate order to the Yamaha YDC132V LSI chip. The YDC132V converts the grey-scale information pertaining to the graphic image into special patterns with a minimum size of 0.1 mm, or the equivalent of 250 dpi. The CRW-F1 burns these patterns to disc.

Since the CRW-F1 is not a printer (it doesn't use ink to print), the result of DiscT@2 writing varies with CD-R media dye.

There are 3 types of dye used in CD-R media:

• Azo: blue or deep blue. DiscT@2 images can be burned with high-contrast on Azo media.
• Cyanin: light blue, light green, or yellow. DiscT@2 images on Cyanin dye resemble a light water coloured picture.
•  Phthalocyanine: gold. This media is not suitable for DiscT@2 because it is very difficult to see the difference between the unused area and the already burned area.

YAMAHA adds "... DiscT@2 can be done to any CD-R, however the results are different depending on the dye type and a few other factors. For high visibility/contract, Yamaha recommends the use of Deep Blue AZO media (in the US market, Yamaha will sell a DiscT@2 media specifically formulated for the best results with this technology. This does not mean that DiscT@2 cannot be done to Cyanine or Phthalocyanine, but rather that with each dye you will receive different results. Some people prefer the mild DiscT@2 effect which results on Cyanine, while others have been extremely pleased using Phthalocyanine, as this type of media results in almost a "watermark" effect..."

Also note:

• Graphic images can only be placed outside of the already-written area, in order to avoid data loss.
• Creating a CD with DiscT@2 images will permanently close (finalize) the disc.

The DiscT@2 printing feature is supported by the retail version (5.5.8.13) but for our tests we used a newer version (Nero 5.5.9.2 beta). In the future all major companies (Adobe, Corel) are expected to support templates for more complicated and precise designs. After we open the Nero application, we notice a new addition under the Recorder tab with the "DiscT2" name.

We have already inserted a blank CD and after we select it, the main work area of DiscT@2 editor window opens. Here we allowing the editing of the CD area, designing new graphs or even insert image files from your hard disk to your CD design.

On the left there are various tools for easier design. You can select the inner radius end the outer radius dimensions, which include the editing area, preview and save the printing layout, jump to the recording tab for quick burning.

The inner and outer radius areas are automatically set according to the blank area of the selected disc. In the above example we can 'print' in the entire disc area, since the disc is blank. In case we insert an already burned disc, Nero DiscT@2 editor will automatically reduce the inner/outer radius dimensions according to the left blank space:

If you burn at a blank media, the disc wouldn't be anymore available. Its wise first to design and afterwards you burn your data to 'print' the disc.

Nero under Misc Tab, offers the DiscT@2 burn function, either create a new or 'print' an already saved project.

Two more last notes:

a) You can RE-PRINT an already printed area. The results however are not very good, according to our tests

b) Its almost impossible to “copy” already printed text/images. Since the DiscT@2 burns area outside TOC, the drive cannot read in that area. An alternative solution would be to scan the disc and re-print it, but again you shouldn't expect much from it.

- Working with the Editor

The Nero DiscT@2 editor offers a variety of functions

a) Text

You can easily add text, rotate it, bend it after pressing the right click at the selected object:

We made some sample designs and containing words and some logos, as you can see below. The DiscT@2 editor allows users to select design effects, resize the image, use various colours, use different letters and many more design options. The main properties window includes settings for the pen tool, the brush tool, the text effects and the font of your image.

b) Images

You can insert images, reduce their size and apply several build-in effects:

We are ready to burn the disc we just made and all we have to do is to press the "Burn DiscT@2" button. Inside Nero, in the Misc tab there is an extra feature allowing the creation of a design layout and a "Burn DiscT@2 selection".

We proceed to the burning process and the burning time is not related to the complexity of the design but it related to the area size of DiscT@2, inner radius & outer radius. It takes about 2min when you set the DiscT@2 area at outer 5mm portion. When you burn DiscT@2 at entire disc, it takes about 12min.