DVD Printer Recommendation Please at DVinfo.net

Bob Warner · October 19th, 2009, 12:50 PM

My Canon iP4300 just died. I bought it about 2-1/2 years ago and got the "F" tray and instructions (service codes) on Ebay for turning it into an "Australian" printer to re-enable the CD/DVD print function. This was easy to do and for me at least the iP4300 was a great little no-hassle CD/DVD printer. Now I need a new CD/DVD printer. I do NOT need something designed for large volume. And I don't really NEED something designed as a photo printer (e.g. Epson 1400), as I have this covered already.

Canon now has the iP4700 (I think it uses the "G" tray) and I've been searching around the net to see if there are similar instructions for re-enabling the CD/DVD print function on the U.S. models. No luck yet.

I've also heard about some of the Epson printers, but my look at various consumer reviews (admittedly, not always accurate) has me a bit worried about clogging (I might only use this once every 2-3 weeks), and ink cost.

Basically, I just want what I had - a cheap, fast, no-hassle, CD/DVD printer. And really, I don't have to have cheap and fast, but I DO want something reliable and as maintenance-free as possible.

I thought I would check with wedding pros as persons who would have real world experience with this. Appreciate any comments.

Steve Shovlar · October 19th, 2009, 02:39 PM

Hi Bob, I owed the ip4000 and it served well for a while. i switched to an Epson Stylus Photo pX810FW and it gives stunning, and I mean stunning DVD and CD prints. If you use Watersheild they look like a professional disk.

The ip4000 had a seperate holder for the disk. The Epson has a tray which drops down and you clip the DVD into. Works perectly.

there is a cheaper version called the PX710W, which doesn't have a built in fax.

Use a CIS ( continuous ink supply) to save a fortune on ink.

Bill Vincent · October 19th, 2009, 09:34 PM

Hi Bob,

I have an Epson R300 like many many others here, but I was asking the same question you are over the past month - and it seems there is no cheap, decent quality solution for occasional DVD printing that seems to beat Epson - although it has its faults, the R300 and other Epson photo printers that do DVD/CD printing are pretty much what you are hoping to find, even with the issues.

As far as I can tell, the next step is much more expensive printers that use large amounts of disks and/or ink and/or both.

On a related note I just ordered some Ink Jet printable disks from Primera that are supposed to have a nice glossy-type finish that is water resistant too. Should be interesting. If these don't live up to their description than I will probably go with the Watershield solution mentioned.

Steven Davis · October 19th, 2009, 10:06 PM

I go through an Epson printer about once every couple of years, and for the past 6 years, I haven't found a better solution. The one that is in the box waiting came from a Ritz camera purchase where I got the printer free. Soooooooo, unless Primera and the like want to get real with their pricing, I'll stick with the Epson.

Vince Baker · October 20th, 2009, 09:22 AM

I have been using the Epson r265 for two years and I have a brand new one still in the box ready for when the first dies. Really cheap to buy £65 and there are still a few around.

Otherwise the newer r series are even better if a little more expensive ( and I mean only a little)

the great thing about them is the cis (continous ink systems) you can get for them.

I got on for £30 and I still have not had to fill the ink again and I must have made 1000 DVDs and jackets! The refillink is only £7 for all 6 colours so there really is nothing that comes close to cost per disc printing.

The only problem I have is when doing 100 copies of a double DVD dance show it takes some time. I have a disc copying system but I have yet to go for a printing solution due to the cheap printing costs of the epson.

Anyone using a multiple disc printer? Interested in anyone experience with them.

Bob Warner · October 20th, 2009, 12:12 PM

Thanks all. Appreciate the info.

Steve, the U.S. version seems to be called the Epson Artisan 810 (C11CA52201). I think I'll give this a shot. inkproducts.com seems to have a good solution. They also say that I should have no clogging problems, but if I do their kit comes with a "nozzle cleaner and printhead priming tool" which they say easily resolves these problems with Epson if they occur.

Bob

Mike Williams · October 20th, 2009, 08:05 PM

I am currently using the Epson Artisan 800

My first one had issues ( lit up like a christmas tree and refused to do anything error )

Remarkably with a quick call to Epson I had another one within days, to the USVI no less! and I sent the "bad" one back in the same box.

I love that kind of easy warranty aspect and the one I have know is perfect. The print quality is great. The loading tray is so so. I would like a more positive feel when the disk is in the correct place, other than that is is 5 of 5 stars from me.

Ron J. Wildhaber · October 21st, 2009, 01:08 PM

I pretty much go along with Mike on the Epson 800 Artisan. I have only had it a few weeks and have printed several disks. The dvd tray is flimsy but works OK and the quality is very good. I researched this issue quite a bit before purchasing and Epson seems to be the big vote getter but not without possible issues. For me, so far it has worked well.

Ron

Taky Cheung · October 22nd, 2009, 08:35 PM

I'm using Epson Artisan 50. It's a very inexpensive printer but the print out together with TY watersheild DVD works great! Also install the CISS system for continous ink. Save a lot of money.

Bill Vincent · October 23rd, 2009, 06:16 AM

Just FYI - I received my inkjet printable glossy DVDs from Primera - and they look unbelievable!! I absolutely LOVE the way the printed colors pop and how the discs look. Highly recommended!! DVD Duplicators, Disc Duplicator, CD Printer, DVD Duplicator, Discs Copiers, & Blu-Ray Duplication - and no, I'm not associated with them, just happy with what I got!

October 19th, 2009, 12:50 PM	#1
Bob Warner Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 31	DVD Printer Recommendation Please My Canon iP4300 just died. I bought it about 2-1/2 years ago and got the "F" tray and instructions (service codes) on Ebay for turning it into an "Australian" printer to re-enable the CD/DVD print function. This was easy to do and for me at least the iP4300 was a great little no-hassle CD/DVD printer. Now I need a new CD/DVD printer. I do NOT need something designed for large volume. And I don't really NEED something designed as a photo printer (e.g. Epson 1400), as I have this covered already. Canon now has the iP4700 (I think it uses the "G" tray) and I've been searching around the net to see if there are similar instructions for re-enabling the CD/DVD print function on the U.S. models. No luck yet. I've also heard about some of the Epson printers, but my look at various consumer reviews (admittedly, not always accurate) has me a bit worried about clogging (I might only use this once every 2-3 weeks), and ink cost. Basically, I just want what I had - a cheap, fast, no-hassle, CD/DVD printer. And really, I don't have to have cheap and fast, but I DO want something reliable and as maintenance-free as possible. I thought I would check with wedding pros as persons who would have real world experience with this. Appreciate any comments.

October 19th, 2009, 02:39 PM	#2
Steve Shovlar Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Dorset UK Posts: 513	Hi Bob, I owed the ip4000 and it served well for a while. i switched to an Epson Stylus Photo pX810FW and it gives stunning, and I mean stunning DVD and CD prints. If you use Watersheild they look like a professional disk. The ip4000 had a seperate holder for the disk. The Epson has a tray which drops down and you clip the DVD into. Works perectly. there is a cheaper version called the PX710W, which doesn't have a built in fax. Use a CIS ( continuous ink supply) to save a fortune on ink. __________________ Steve Shovlar http://www.adaptimax.com

October 19th, 2009, 10:06 PM	#4
Steven Davis Trustee Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 1,832	Epson I go through an Epson printer about once every couple of years, and for the past 6 years, I haven't found a better solution. The one that is in the box waiting came from a Ritz camera purchase where I got the printer free. Soooooooo, unless Primera and the like want to get real with their pricing, I'll stick with the Epson. __________________ Instructions!? I just want to push buttons.... http://www.droptodesign.com Visit #Videography on IRC Undernet. We just talk about moving pictures.

October 20th, 2009, 09:22 AM	#5
Vince Baker Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Portsmouth, UK Posts: 88	I have been using the Epson r265 for two years and I have a brand new one still in the box ready for when the first dies. Really cheap to buy £65 and there are still a few around. Otherwise the newer r series are even better if a little more expensive ( and I mean only a little) the great thing about them is the cis (continous ink systems) you can get for them. I got on for £30 and I still have not had to fill the ink again and I must have made 1000 DVDs and jackets! The refillink is only £7 for all 6 colours so there really is nothing that comes close to cost per disc printing. The only problem I have is when doing 100 copies of a double DVD dance show it takes some time. I have a disc copying system but I have yet to go for a printing solution due to the cheap printing costs of the epson. Anyone using a multiple disc printer? Interested in anyone experience with them. __________________ capture it as it happens...with motion and sound. http://www.creative-films.net

October 20th, 2009, 08:05 PM	#7
Mike Williams Major Player Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: USVI Posts: 222	Artisan 800 I am currently using the Epson Artisan 800 My first one had issues ( lit up like a christmas tree and refused to do anything error ) Remarkably with a quick call to Epson I had another one within days, to the USVI no less! and I sent the "bad" one back in the same box. I love that kind of easy warranty aspect and the one I have know is perfect. The print quality is great. The loading tray is so so. I would like a more positive feel when the disk is in the correct place, other than that is is 5 of 5 stars from me.

October 19th, 2009, 09:34 PM	#3
Bill Vincent Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 119	Hi Bob, I have an Epson R300 like many many others here, but I was asking the same question you are over the past month - and it seems there is no cheap, decent quality solution for occasional DVD printing that seems to beat Epson - although it has its faults, the R300 and other Epson photo printers that do DVD/CD printing are pretty much what you are hoping to find, even with the issues. As far as I can tell, the next step is much more expensive printers that use large amounts of disks and/or ink and/or both. On a related note I just ordered some Ink Jet printable disks from Primera that are supposed to have a nice glossy-type finish that is water resistant too. Should be interesting. If these don't live up to their description than I will probably go with the Watershield solution mentioned.

October 20th, 2009, 12:12 PM	#6
Bob Warner Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 31	Thanks all. Appreciate the info. Steve, the U.S. version seems to be called the Epson Artisan 810 (C11CA52201). I think I'll give this a shot. inkproducts.com seems to have a good solution. They also say that I should have no clogging problems, but if I do their kit comes with a "nozzle cleaner and printhead priming tool" which they say easily resolves these problems with Epson if they occur. Bob

October 21st, 2009, 01:08 PM	#8
Ron J. Wildhaber New Boot Join Date: May 2008 Location: Marine, Illinois Posts: 10	Epson Artisan 800 I pretty much go along with Mike on the Epson 800 Artisan. I have only had it a few weeks and have printed several disks. The dvd tray is flimsy but works OK and the quality is very good. I researched this issue quite a bit before purchasing and Epson seems to be the big vote getter but not without possible issues. For me, so far it has worked well. Ron

October 22nd, 2009, 08:35 PM	#9
Taky Cheung Sponsor: L.A. Color Shop Join Date: May 2007 Location: Los Angeles, USA Posts: 768	I'm using Epson Artisan 50. It's a very inexpensive printer but the print out together with TY watersheild DVD works great! Also install the CISS system for continous ink. Save a lot of money. __________________ Comer LED Camera Lights . Batteries . Chargers . Accessories LA Color Shop - DVInfo Sponsor

October 23rd, 2009, 06:16 AM	#10
Bill Vincent Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 119	Just FYI - I received my inkjet printable glossy DVDs from Primera - and they look unbelievable!! I absolutely LOVE the way the printed colors pop and how the discs look. Highly recommended!! DVD Duplicators, Disc Duplicator, CD Printer, DVD Duplicator, Discs Copiers, & Blu-Ray Duplication - and no, I'm not associated with them, just happy with what I got!

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search