LabelFlash
Encyclopedia
LabelFlash is a technology which allows users to burn custom designs or images onto DVD
media, introduced by NEC in December 2005 (Yamaha's DiscT@2
patent). This is similar to the LightScribe
technology invented by Hewlett-Packard
earlier. The technology is most commonly used on Toshiba
and Gateway
branded laptops.
Nero
7 and newer versions support this technology. All full versions of Nero 8 support Labelflash, but Nero 7 only supports it with OEM
versions bundled with Labelflash-capable recorders and with Nero 7 Premium. For reasons that are not entirely clear, North American purchasers of Nero 7 (Ultra Edition) are not entitled to Labelflash or DiscT@2 support, even though exactly the same software sold to European customers (Nero 7 Premium) includes both Labelflash and DiscT@2 functionality. The only difference between Nero 7 Premium and Nero 7 Ultra Edition appears to be the inclusion of (or lack of, respectively) support for Labelflash and DiscT@2.
The Pioneer DVR-111, DVR-111L (Original product is Buffalo DVSM-XL516FB series), DVR-111D, and DVR-A11XL all share the same internal hardware as well as Asus DRW-1608P3S, but only the DVR-111L is sold with Labelflash support. By replacing the kernel on the other models with the DVR-111L's, Labelflash and DVD-RAM writing can be enabled on unsupported models.More recently the Pioneer DVR-112D's firmware can also be replaced with a DVR-112L's firmware.
After initially being introduced in Europe, Fujifilm
announced on 25 May 2007 that they will introduce Labelflash media to the US. Until this date, only NEC
and Sony NEC Optiarc
sold drives supporting the technology. As of fall 2007, Memorex
-brand media has started showing up in small quantities at US Best Buy
stores, despite minimal initial drive support at retail. LabelFlash drives have since begun to appear in more notebook computers sold at retail in the US (especially retail models).
Early hardware support appeared to provide Lightscribe with a clear advantage over Labelflash, leading to some predictions that LabelFlash would go the way of HD-DVD. However, in late 2007 and the first half of 2008, more US laptops began to feature LabelFlash drives, notably from Toshiba and Gateway.
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
media, introduced by NEC in December 2005 (Yamaha's DiscT@2
DiscT@2
DiscT@2 is a technology introduced by Yamaha that allows users to burn custom motifs or images onto the data side of CD-R and DVD media when using a Yamaha-branded or compatible drive...
patent). This is similar to the LightScribe
LightScribe
LightScribe is an optical disc recording technology that uses specially coated recordable CD and DVD media to produce laser-etched labels with text or graphics, as opposed to stick-on labels and printable discs....
technology invented by Hewlett-Packard
Hewlett-Packard
Hewlett-Packard Company or HP is an American multinational information technology corporation headquartered in Palo Alto, California, USA that provides products, technologies, softwares, solutions and services to consumers, small- and medium-sized businesses and large enterprises, including...
earlier. The technology is most commonly used on Toshiba
Toshiba
is a multinational electronics and electrical equipment corporation headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It is a diversified manufacturer and marketer of electrical products, spanning information & communications equipment and systems, Internet-based solutions and services, electronic components and...
and Gateway
Gateway, Inc.
Gateway Computer Corporation, is a computer hardware company headquartered in Irvine, California, USA which develops, manufactures, supports, and markets a wide range of personal computers, computer monitors, servers, and computer accessories...
branded laptops.
- The resolutionDisplay resolutionThe display resolution of a digital television or display device is the number of distinct pixels in each dimension that can be displayed. It can be an ambiguous term especially as the displayed resolution is controlled by all different factors in cathode ray tube , flat panel or projection...
is adjustable, some DVD drives have settings for "Draft", "Normal" and "Best" between 300 and 1800 DPI. - Uses up to 256 shades in the image.
- Monochromatic with 4 color technology in development
- Labeling process takes 7 minutes at minimum depending on the resolution.
- Burning images on the top side of a disc requires specialized media.
- Specialized Labelflash discs use 0.6 mm thick top coating to avoid fading of image over time, and to protect from scratches.
- Discs are blue on top, thus providing greater contrast with the printed image.
- Current media is approximately two to three times the price of the similar Lightscribe technology; around €1 ($1.31, ¥116.97) per DVD
- DiscT@2 is a part of Labelflash technology — burning on bottom side (data side) of disc area which is not used by data is possible with any DVD±R media.
Nero
Nero Burning ROM
Nero Multimedia Suite is a popular software suite for Microsoft Windows by Nero AG . Version 10 of this product was released in April 2010.- Included products :The following applications are included in Nero 11 :Disc authoring...
7 and newer versions support this technology. All full versions of Nero 8 support Labelflash, but Nero 7 only supports it with OEM
Original Equipment Manufacturer
An original equipment manufacturer, or OEM, manufactures products or components that are purchased by a company and retailed under that purchasing company's brand name. OEM refers to the company that originally manufactured the product. When referring to automotive parts, OEM designates a...
versions bundled with Labelflash-capable recorders and with Nero 7 Premium. For reasons that are not entirely clear, North American purchasers of Nero 7 (Ultra Edition) are not entitled to Labelflash or DiscT@2 support, even though exactly the same software sold to European customers (Nero 7 Premium) includes both Labelflash and DiscT@2 functionality. The only difference between Nero 7 Premium and Nero 7 Ultra Edition appears to be the inclusion of (or lack of, respectively) support for Labelflash and DiscT@2.
Hardware
The NEC ND-3550A, ND-3551A, ND-4550A, ND-4551A all share the same hardware but only the ND-3551A and ND-4551A are sold with Labelflash support. In addition NEC sold the ND-4571A DVD burning Labelflash drive and also the Sony NEC Optiarc drives AD-7173, AD-7203, AD-7243, AD-7263, AD-7543, AD-7593, AD-7633, AD-7713H and AD-7913 supporting Labelflash writing.The Pioneer DVR-111, DVR-111L (Original product is Buffalo DVSM-XL516FB series), DVR-111D, and DVR-A11XL all share the same internal hardware as well as Asus DRW-1608P3S, but only the DVR-111L is sold with Labelflash support. By replacing the kernel on the other models with the DVR-111L's, Labelflash and DVD-RAM writing can be enabled on unsupported models.More recently the Pioneer DVR-112D's firmware can also be replaced with a DVR-112L's firmware.
After initially being introduced in Europe, Fujifilm
Fujifilm
is a multinational photography and imaging company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.Fujifilm's principal activities are the development, production, sale and servicing of color photographic film, digital cameras, photofinishing equipment, color paper, photofinishing chemicals, medical imaging...
announced on 25 May 2007 that they will introduce Labelflash media to the US. Until this date, only NEC
NEC
, a Japanese multinational IT company, has its headquarters in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. NEC, part of the Sumitomo Group, provides information technology and network solutions to business enterprises, communications services providers and government....
and Sony NEC Optiarc
Sony NEC Optiarc
Sony Optiarc Inc. is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation. The company's business is the design and manufacturing of optical disk drives, primarily for the OEM desktop and notebook PC markets....
sold drives supporting the technology. As of fall 2007, Memorex
Memorex
Memorex began as a computer tape producer and expanded to become a major IBM plug compatible peripheral supplier. It is now a consumer electronics brand of Imation specializing in disk recordable media for CD and DVD drives, flash memory, computer accessories and other electronics.Established in...
-brand media has started showing up in small quantities at US Best Buy
Best Buy
Best Buy Co., Inc. is an American specialty retailer of consumer electronics in the United States, accounting for 19% of the market. It also operates in Mexico, Canada & China. The company's subsidiaries include Geek Squad, CinemaNow, Magnolia Audio Video, Pacific Sales, and, in Canada operates...
stores, despite minimal initial drive support at retail. LabelFlash drives have since begun to appear in more notebook computers sold at retail in the US (especially retail models).
Early hardware support appeared to provide Lightscribe with a clear advantage over Labelflash, leading to some predictions that LabelFlash would go the way of HD-DVD. However, in late 2007 and the first half of 2008, more US laptops began to feature LabelFlash drives, notably from Toshiba and Gateway.