29 replies to this topic

[jtmcanada]

Is it possiable to adjust the darkness when burn a lightscribe image?

[james_hardin]

The only choices LightScribe allow for are Best, Normal and Draft…

You can play with your image in any graphic editor to lighten/darken but that is it!

LightScribe to me, and I use it almost exclusively, is a soft style and will never be vivid.

If vivid is what you need you will have to shift to printable media and a disc printer. There are some pretty cheap ones out there these days.

[gebi1]

Is it possiable to adjust the darkness when burn a lightscribe image?

If you want more contrast to your LightScibe printings, you should download the latest system software from


http://www.lightscribe.com/

After installing that, you have the option to set the printout to more contrast.
That meens, the black parts of your layout will appear in real black.

These setting will have effect to all programs wich allow LightSribe burning.  

gebi

Edited by gebi1, 29 September 2007 - 05:21 AM.

[james_hardin]

If you want more contrast to your LightScibe printings, you should download the latest system software from
http://www.lightscribe.com/

After installing that, you have the option to set the printout to more contrast.
That meens, the black parts of your layout will appear in real black.

These setting will have effect to all programs wich allow LightSribe printing.  

gebi

I have that update, still nothing to write home about… But that is a subjective viewpoint.

[gebi1]

I have that update, still nothing to write home about… But that is a subjective viewpoint.

May be it differs to the used hardware (Disc, Burner).

In my case the difference was graet.

[cdanteek]

May be it differs to the used hardware (Disc, Burner).

In my case the difference was graet.

I agree with James and went with the HP 5160 printer.

My LightScribe burner is a BenQ 1655 and I couldn't see a difference, I even bought the Verbatim  LightScribe five colored CD's.

I have read about double 'burning' the LightScribe label but I have never tried that.

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[sknis]

I agree with James and went with the HP 5160 printer.

My LightScribe burner is a BenQ 1655 and I couldn't see a difference, I even bought the Verbatim LightScribe five colored CD's.

I have read about double 'burning' the LightScribe label but I have never tried that.

cd

I haven't tried that either but it should make the burned surface darker.  Lightscribe puts a index mark on the surface so you can add things later or in this case, double burn - 45 minutes or more for one label!   Well, if you have the burner and the discs, it is cheaper than the ink.

[gebi1]

I agree with James and went with the HP 5160 printer.

My LightScribe burner is a BenQ 1655 and I couldn't see a difference, I even bought the Verbatim  LightScribe five colored CD's.

I have read about double 'burning' the LightScribe label but I have never tried that.

cd

Did you only update, or did you also run the "Control panel" program to alter the setting from "normal" to "more contrast". The discription say, that that option will take more burning time. So I think, the energy, that's working to the CD will be increased. May be it comes close to the 'double burning' effect.

I'm using the normal LightScribe CD from TDK. All the writings are easy and very clear to read and the pictures have a good grey scaling (light yellow to black).


gebi

Edited by gebi1, 29 September 2007 - 07:47 AM.

[cdanteek]

Did you only update, or did you also run the "Control panel" program to alter the setting from "normal" to "more contrast".

> EXTENDED LABEL CONTRAST UTILITY
Obsoleted: Function has been incorporated into the Control Panel of the LSS.

File name LS_Update_1.10.13.1_.exe
File size 6.0 MB
Revision 1.10.13.1
Release Date September 06, 2007
Notes Program code structure revision. New drive support.
Requirements LightScribe enabled drive, media, and labeling software also needed.


gebi1,

No on the Control panel, I will cheek it out and thanks.

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[gebi1]

If I remember correctly, in EMC9 the pictures inserted as background will be set to a transparency of 50% and one only has the choice to increase it to 100%.  

One has to insert a picture as 'puicture' and not as 'background' to get the full saturation.

In EMC10 the background also is set to a 50% transparency by default, but now one can adjust to the full range from 0 % to 100 %.  

Edited by gebi1, 29 September 2007 - 08:44 AM.

[james_hardin]

Did you only update, or did you also run the "Control panel" program to alter the setting from "normal" to "more contrast". The discription say, that that option will take more burning time. So I think, the energy, that's working to the CD will be increased. May be it comes close to the 'double burning' effect.

I'm using the normal LightScribe CD from TDK. All the writings are easy and very clear to read and the pictures have a good grey scaling (light yellow to black).
gebi

As I said, it is objective, perhaps our expectations were higher than yours?

This is a scan of before and after samples. Nothing to write home about…

Edit: The transpariency level you refer to is for the Labler Interface. it has nothing to do wth the output.

Attached Images

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Edited by james_hardin, 29 September 2007 - 08:48 AM.

[gebi1]

Hi James,
the scan you posted look like my prior results.

My last try looks much better!!

I've also a scan, but don't know how to post it here.  

[james_hardin]

I have another project I will try soon enough. I double checked my download version as well as the LS Control Panel.

I don't buy into sknis's idea of double burn. Lasers are life limited so when comparing ink against LightScribe you have to factor in the replacement cost of the burners your going to need…

[gebi1]

I don't buy into sknis's idea of double burn. Lasers are life limited so when comparing ink against LightScribe you have to factor in the replacement cost of the burners your going to need…

Yes, James, you're right, but for replacing one complete ink cartridge set (6 cartridges) I have to pay the double of the price for one LigthScribe burner (if I buy the original Epson ones with a price of 18 € = 23$ for each).

Ok, label printing is only a smal part of the printing jobs, but that's also for LightScribe labels compared to the other burning jobs.

But with the new LS driver and the 'more contrast' setting there is no need for 'double burning'.

gebi

Edited by gebi1, 30 September 2007 - 08:24 AM.

[cdanteek]

I have another project I will try soon enough. I double checked my download version as well as the LS Control Panel.

I don't buy into sknis's idea of double burn. Lasers are life limited so when comparing ink against LightScribe you have to factor in the replacement cost of the burners your going to need…

"gebi" But with the new LS driver and the 'more contrast' setting there is no need for 'double burning'.

If I remember correctly, in EMC9 the pictures inserted as background will be set to a transparency of 50% and one only has the choice to increase it to 100%.  

One has to insert a picture as 'puicture' and not as 'background' to get the full saturation.

In EMC10 the background also is set to a 50% transparency by default, but now one can adjust to the full range from 0 % to 100 %.

James, I had gebi send me his LightScribe screen shot. I'm just hosting his image and posting it for him.

It shows quite abit more contrast IMO. I will slap the 1655 back in and retest it.

What do you think, James? Gebi's procedure must be the key!

Thanks gebi,

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[gebi1]

Thanks again 'CD' for supporting me!!  

[gebi1]

May be there is a difference between DVD's and CD's.

IMO the LightScribe burning on a CD was always better then on a DVD.

gebi

Edited by gebi1, 30 September 2007 - 06:25 AM.

[james_hardin]

Well there is an improvement after the LightScribe 1.10.13.1 update. Not a lot but some… (I really though I had that applied before my previous burns)

I do agree with gebi1's observation about DVD vs CD. The CD (left) is darker and more crisp. Both discs were purchased at the same time.

Still they beat my hand labeled discs by a mile, a nautical mile at that…

My boss showed me a demo disc from a developer one day. I'm twisting and turning that disc is all directions and finally deduce it is hand labeled, but the developers script was so uniform that I thought it was printed on. If could write like him, I wouldn't need LightScribe!

Edit: Both of these were just burned after making sure the 1.10.13.1 LightScribe update was applied through the LightScribe Control panel.

Attached Images

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Edited by james_hardin, 30 September 2007 - 11:50 AM.

[ggrussell]

Really odd that the CD-R is so much crisper images, but still not as dark as gebi's.  I woner if it has more to do with the brand of disc?  I have some HP blank DVDs and my images are more like james'.

Edited by ggrussell, 01 October 2007 - 08:28 PM.

[cdanteek]

Really odd that the CD-R is so much crisper images, but still not as dark as gebi's.  I woner if it has more to do with the brand of disc?  I have some HP blank DVDs and my images are more like james'.

HP blank DVD LightScribe media used to be CMC MAG, I haven't had a chance to check any for awhile.

This from, a Review by CDFreaks @ CES 2006.


Verbatim also took the time to inform us about the latest developments in LightScribe technology. DVD recordable media compatible with LightScribe version 1.2 should be available starting in February. Version 1.2 is up to 30% faster than the original LightScribe technique (v1.0) currently in use on the market. The LightScribe surface of the new discs also have a more reflective 'rainbow' type effect as well. LightScribe 1.2 color discs (bottom right of the above photo) are planned to launch in five different flavors this Spring. LightScribe version 1.3 media is also scheduled to launch this Fall, which will speed up the LightScribe process even more. Newer versions of CD-R LightScribe media are behind the DVD Recordable formats, and will launch a bit later.

The following table provides a rough estimate into LightScribe labeling times. These times were provided by Verbatim. Our own tests with LightScribe v1.0 have proved to be a bit faster and closer to the 25 minute mark. Please keep in mind that text-only labels as well as normal or draft quality mode will result in much faster LightScribe labeling times.

LightScribe version
Completion time (full photographic label in Highest quality mode)

1.0
30-38 minutes

1.2
16-20 minutes

1.3
8-10 minutes


What version are you using? My Verbatim CD-R five color disc's are version 1.2, I have never seen 1.3.

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