Making a disc doesn't need to be further complicated by mixed up terminology. It is our intention to help you understand clearly what is it we are referring to when discussing important component or product details. When discussing your requirements with us you may hear us mention the following:
Amaray:
The Safety Case (Amaray) is the DVD packaging standard for the Video Entertainment market. The Safety Case (Amaray) allows for graphic elements to be inserted into the front cover, while also making space available on the interior for a booklet and/or additional inserts. The hub design of the Safety Case (Amaray) holds the discs secure from harm, while providing an easy release mechanism. This case is also sometimes referred to as DVD clam-shell or DVD soft-box. Height: 192.00mm, width: 136.46mm, depth: 15.00mm
Assembly Instruction:
Specifications, frequently with photos or graphics, to allow accurate assembly. The Assembly Instructions indicate components, as well as their orientation and sequence in the finished goods.
Backliner: (Inlay)
The printed piece which goes in the back of the jewel case and folds to show on the spine. The backliner is usually only printed on one side, since the other side is hidden by the interior part of the jewel case. In order to insert the backliner automatically, it must be printed to exact specifications. Furthermore, you will have to calculate a 5-10% line fall-out if you deliver the backliners yourself for automatic insertion. Booklets and backliners are frequently priced together as a set.
Blue Book:
The specification for combining audio and data seamlessly on one CD. This standard is also referred to as CD-Plus. There are also orange book, yellow book, and red book standards. Please contact us to discuss the relevant standard for your disc product.
Booklet:
The book that goes into the front of the jewel case. This booklet can be anywhere from a 2 page (a single piece of paper suggesting 2 printed surfaces) to 48 pages (requires special insertion/jewel case). In order to insert the booklet automatically, the booklet must be printed to exact specifications. Furthermore, you will have to calculate a 5-10% line fall-out if you deliver the booklets yourself for automatic insertion. Booklets and Backliners are frequently priced together as a set.
BOM:
Bill Of Materials (BOM) is a complete list of the components which make up the finished goods. The BOM should include part number, quantity, and description. An indented Bill of Materials includes descriptions of sub-assemblies and how they relate to the finished goods. The BOM is an essential part of the logistics management process. Contact us for assistance in creating a BOM for your product.
CAR:
Corrective Action Report. This report is issued to trigger a corrective action. The most common cause for a CAR is a complaint or a major mistake but it can also be caused by findings during internal quality auditing or if quality goals are not met. Quality oriented companies have a clearly defined Corrective Action process, and they measure closure of corrective action. We implement a CAR system with all of our vendors to ensure that the highest service and quality measures are met.
CD-R:
CD-R (or CD-Recordable) is made by a laser burning the data onto Blank Recordable Media. This is in contrast to CD-ROM where the media is extruded during the process and data is moulded into the newly extruded plastic surface of the disc. CD-R is most economical for smaller quantities (less than 125 units), and it still has some visual limitations. It is typically used for test runs and other small releases. A CD-R is the most common Golden Master for CD Audio or CD-ROM replication.
CD-sleeve/envelope:
A packaging solution that is low cost and very functional for use in many circumstances. We use unprinted tyvek™, paper, or plastic sleeves and wallets, usually 5-1/8" x 5", or if you want to deliver a printed message we can custom print card (.120-150gsm), usually with 4-colour print and aqueous coating.
What is the difference between sleeves and envelopes? A flap seals the envelope. The sleeve is either left open (if it is inserted into another subassembly), sealed with a label or - in rare cases - shrink-wrapped.
Calibration:
Calibration ensures that equipment and measurements correspond to universal standards. Equipment needing calibration typically include scales, meters, drives, and clocks.
Consigned Materials:
Components supplied by the customer. Materials can be consigned for different reasons: It may be proprietary product, very expensive product, or the customer may incidentally have a large inventory. Some computer turnkey manufacturers get most of their materials consigned and work mostly as assembly companies. Other manufacturers prefer to manufacture and/or procure virtually all the components (full turnkey). Some times, projects end up being hybrid (partly consigned, partly turnkey).
DigiPak:
A high quality packaging solution. Printed card with a moulded plastic tray affixed inside to house the disc.
Document Control:
A function or department that keeps track of all documentation, specifications and processes. The purpose is to ensure that everyone uses the correct, updated information about processes and s.
DVD:
Digital Versatile Disk - has the dimensions of a CD but holds considerably more storage. DVD can be pressed with 2 layers on each side, creating a dual layer double-sided disk with 17 GB of storage. Current DVD players and technology is limited to 4.7 GB of storage for a single layer single sided DVD. DVD is suitable for audio, video and as DVD-ROM.
Duplication:
Usually used to refer to mass-transfer of data onto existing media such as CD-R or a floppy disk, as opposed to replication where the media is created during the replication process via a mastering and moulding process.
ECN:
Engineering Change Notification (ECN) is used for changes in documents such as processes and work instructions. It may also be used for changes in specifications. Also referred to as ECO.
ECO:
Engineering Change Order (ECO) is used for changes in documents such as processes and work instructions. It may also be used for changes in specifications. Also referred to as ECN.
First Article:
The very first assembled unit of a product. The First Article undergoes a review where it is compared to the specifications (Bill of Materials, Assembly Instructions, and other documents such as specific quality standards). The First Article Review includes a careful inspection to ensure full compliance, and the customer may participate in that inspection.
Golden Master:
The original software disk handed in for duplication. The Golden Master (GM) should be write protected if it is a floppy disk or tape, then virus checked. The silver masters should be exact duplicates of the Golden Master.
ISO:
International Standards Association.
MPEG2:
MPEG stands for Motion Picture Experts Group. The digital video signal compression standard used for DVD (and DSS). This adaptive, variable bit-rate process is able to allocate more bits for complex scenes involving a lot of motion, while minimizing the bits in static scenes. The average data rate for DVD is 3.5 Mbps (million bits/second).
MRP:
Materials Requirement Planning. MRP systems allow users to match purchasing/materials demands to sales forecasts, provided documentation and inventory is complete and accurate.
NCR:
Non-conformance report (NCR) is issued when components or finished goods do not conform to specifications. The non-conformance can be due to problems during manufacturing, storage, and transportation or due to problems with specifications or raw materials.
Orange Book:
The specification for CD-R's and CD-R systems. Philips and Sony developed the specification. It contains standards for the media, the drives, and how the data should be located on the CD-R. There are also red book, yellow book, and blue book standards.
Quicksleeve:
Another word for CD-sleeve.
Sierra Box:
A rigid printed cardboard box, formerly used in the software industry as a packaging solution for retail. Used less and less, the format has been replaced largely by the Amaray case to delivery Games to market.
Silver master:
Copy of the Golden Master. The copies are typically used for customer verification, for duplication, and as a safety back up. We strongly advise, for obvious reasons, that you keep one of these for security prior to despatching the Gold Disc master.
Red Book:
The specification for audio CD's and audio CD-systems. Philips and Sony developed the specification. It contains standards for the media, the drives, and how the data should be located on the CD. There are also orange book, yellow book, and blue book standards.
Replication:
Usually used to refer to a process where new media is mass produced with a certain set of data from a gold master. Duplication is used to refer to a process where data is mass-transferred onto existing media, such as a floppy disk or CD-R.
RMA:
Return Materials Authorization (RMA) is frequently used for all returned components, whether authorized or not. RMA administration requires the company receiving the goods (i.e.you, the customer). For reasons of storage we return your component parts (master, films or unused supplied printed material) after a down period of three months from the date of ordering with us. This does not happen if the product is ordered regularly.
Sleeve:
CD's are frequently inserted into plain sleeves. Standard sleeves are tyvek or paper with or without windows.
Statistical Process Control (SPC) is used to measure quality and efficiencies during production. Effective use of SPC will bring the quality level and the throughput up. We can supply an SPC report upon request for any disc replication order. Please request this prior to placing your order..
The specification for CD-ROM's and CD-ROM-systems. Philips and Sony developed the specification. It contains standards for the media, the drives, and how the data should be located on the CD-R. There are also orange book, red book, and blue book standards.