| Does what it says; flawless software interface w/computer |
| | The software install was very fast and went without a hitch. Loaded the batteries, installed the print cartridge, and connected to the computer with the included USB cable. Turning the printer on then prompts Windows XP to recognize the new hardware and load the drivers which you previously installed from the CD-ROM. This took 30 seconds. Once that was done, I opened up the software and after clicking around a bit to see some of the formatting options, it took me less than ten minutes to put together a label for tomorrow night's MONK second season finale episode which I will burn onto DVD-R, with MONK at the top print area, and the episode name and original air date on the bottom print area. I used TDK brand DVD-R media which has a nice, large, smooth printable surface at the top and bottom. Then I used the sample CD-R which comes with the machine, to burn a copy of a music CD. My results and observations of the machine's performance: 1. The software is pretty slick, and so far it works flawlessly. Depending on the type of disc you are printing (e.g. music, data, photos, etc.), it presents you with a variety of formatting options for the two print areas. With all formatting options, you can change the font name and size to whatever you have installed on your computer. All text formatting changes are immediately shown in the on-screen depiction of your label, so you can see right away if your text will fit into the print area the way you want it to appear. If you are printing in both print areas of the disc, the software prompts you to first align the disc in the tray for the top portion of the label...click print and it goes to it. Then the tray opens again, and the software prompts you to turn the disk so that it can print the lower print area. 2. I have not yet used the printer as a stand-alone...I will eventually try it out, but why bother with all those buttons and keys when I can easily get what I want much more easily on the computer? 3. The print quality is Pretty Darn Good. Larger, bolder and straighter fonts come out better than smaller, thin and curvy fonts, but in all cases you'll notice a slight "pixelization", or slightly rough edges. To my eye, it's only obvious if I hold the thing right up to my face. You can change the print density but I haven't played with that option yet, to see if it makes a difference. Overall, I'm happy with the print quality. 4. I'll be interested in seeing how the printing on the CD holds up from use in my car. The instructions say that use in such players causes wear on the print surface from the CD player's rollers that load the CD, which could cause the printing to eventually get worn off. Also says not to keep printed CDs where they'll get very hot, and not to store them in plastic-sleeve storage devices...I guess the ink can come off on the vinyl if it's in contact with it for very long. 5. Cost per print raised by others...bah! Definitely no comparison to the almost-zero cost of just writing on a disc with a marker, but my handwriting and printing looks like crap. Labels and ink jet ink aren't free, but probably cheaper than using this...but so what? And I'm starting to see some of the labels I've been using (Stomper and Avery) come up a little around the edges over time. 6. Power options: the battery power is great for me, because I don't have to find an empty outlet in my gaggle of power strips, and I can just pick the thing up and put it in a drawer when I'm done. On the other hand, I think Casio could have sprung for a measly A/C adapter instead of making it an option. 7. The CW-75 is not built like a tank. The drawer has a flimsy feel and does not close as precisely as it should. The unit is lightweight and...well, just think of your last Casio calculator or adding machine to get an idea of its general construction, fit, and finish.
| | I really wasn't sure what to expect when I recently purchased this CD title printer by Casio, but I am glad I did. It's FANTASTIC in every way!First off, you don't need a computer to print with this little gadget (very light weight). It's got everything you need built in: keyboard, 5 fonts, various sizes, a preview window, symbols ($ dollar sign, yen, GB pound, etc.), characters, and Greek/Russian lettering. It even comes with 126 illustrations (pictures) to choose from, like umbrellas, birthday cake, boombox, ice cream cone, and so on. It even comes with 10 built in logos to choose from, like a music bar for "Music," discs for video/movies, and a suitcase for "Memories" of your home videos or jpegs. These logos, which comes in various sizes, give your CD-Rs a truly professional look and not a CD-R look if you know what I mean. This little gadget gives you the option to connect it to a computer and import your own logo, drawing or other jpeg file, as well as free style text printing. The software included gives you dozens and dozens of different fonts like Broadway, Tahoma and Arial. I was truly impressed.As for the printing results itself, well, everyone I show the discs to immediately goes WOW! Your printed CDs look like they come from a record label; great if you are your own independent music artist and you need a professional look to sell your CDs. That's how professional this little gadget is, and there are 5 color ribbons to choose from (red, blue, green, silver and black).The drawbacks. The only problem you may run into (but don't panic) is the type of blank CD or DVD-R you use for printing. If you use a blank, all-silver or all-gold disc you'll be fine. If you use blank discs that have a rough pre-printed surface or discs that have a matted finish, like those for ink jet printing, you will get smudged/fainted printing. The solution is NOT to use such discs and you will be FINE. TDK color or white blank discs work just great with the printer. Casio recommends Maxell shiny surface blank discs to print on. In fact, they even include a sample disc with your printer, a good idea so you will become accustomed to the finished product.You're supposed to get 50 prints out of the ribbon, but only 20 if you print the upper and bottom half of the disc. Some reviewers have complained about the high cost of the Casio ribbons (TR-18 accepted on this printer), but at $6.99 and with a professional look, I'd say that's cheap. Amazon offers a 3 pack ribbon with free shipping and no tax, so how can you go wrong there?One final thought. Even someone brainy like me had trouble understanding how to operate it at first. You will get overwhelmed as you set it up and try to understand how to use it as it is very complicated. But with patience and time, you will become familiar with how to use it. I now breeze through it. If you're unhappy with paper labels and ink jet printing for your discs, this is the perfect solution. I say run, don't walk, to your nearest retailer and get one. You will say FANTASTIC when you make your print your first disc.
| | A friend heard I was planning to purchase a printer for labeling DVDs and CDs, so he gave me his Casio DC-75 to try out. Actually, the exact words were, "If you can make use of this, you can have it." I gave it back after about a week in case he could find someone else who wanted it.
In all fairness, the CW-75 is a nice little thermal printer. It's a great alternative to using a marker pen or sticky label on a disk. But, I'm giving it only 3 stars because although I think it does very well at printing text, other printers that cost less offer more features and user options.
The CW-75's lettering is excellent as long as the disk has a perfectly smooth surface. If the disk surface has any sort of texture, you'll get breaks in the lettering. The printer has a variety of built-in templates, fonts, and standard symbols. It can print in colors, as long as it's one solid color at a time. (This printer uses a ribbon cartridge, so if, for example, you want to change from black to red, you have to take out the black ribbon and insert a red ribbon.) You don't need a computer to use the printer, but using it with a computer (PC only, not Mac) gives you more flexibility.
Altho the CW-75 keyboard looks extremely complicated, after using it a bit -- along with reading the relatively small manual -- I'd say a person doesn't need to be technically oriented to be printing out sharp looking disks in a short time. Sharp text, that is. If you're hoping to print a full color picture, the CW-75 won't do it for you.
For less (as of Nov. 1, '04) than the price of the CW-75, there's the Epson Stylus Photo R200. It not only prints text and up to full photo quality on letter and legal size paper, it can also print directly on CD/DVDs that have an inkjet-printable surface. With the included software -- or software available from other sources -- you can print full color photos, text, graphics and whatever else you want anywhere on a disk. Compare that to the CW-75 which pretty much limits you to printing text and simple line art in one color, unless you want to play around swapping color print ribbon cartridges.
That's why I gave the CW-75 back to my friend and purchased an Epson R200 here at Amazon.
| | Very Pleased, This Product Works Great! |
| This product works great! I read some of the negative statements and was a little reluctant to purchase it...but when I came across it at BJ's for $89 (after rebate) I figured I'd give it a try. Some of the negatives I've read was that you could only print on top and bottom of the cd or dvd...NOT TRUE!! Use your heads people. If you wish to print on the left or right middle of the cd (eg: a compact disc logo) simply import the graphic you want to use...rotate it so that after it prints the logo will be upright when the disc is turned to the left or right....then simply print on the top and bottom of the disc keeping the logo to the left or right depending on which side you want it. It's very easy to do. The templates and print options included in the software gives you almost unlimited options...you just need to use your head. After searching the net i was able to find cartriges in bundles of ten for $58. (5.80 a cartridge) @20 CDs per cartridge the cost is a mere 29 cents per cd or dvd. Not bad considering the professional results. You can also mix colors (not on the same line) if you're patient enough to print one line, change cartridge, then print another line. The unit needs a fairly smooth surface for best results...and quite frankly..the bare silver cd's look the best, even though it print on Memorex DVDs that are not completly smooth and have the memorex logo on them. Don't condem a product because you fail to follow directions. The Casio CW-75 does what it advertises and does it well...if you shop around it's cost effective..and if you have some patience and foresight you can get this to print almost any label you want on any part of the disc. Great Job Casio.
| | I got this printer soley for my small bussiness. I wanted a proffesional look on my DVDs for a good price. This pinter will print you a full label (that is top & bottom) for around 50 cents a disc. I was able to take it out of the box, put the bateeries in and print a test label on the practice disc in under 5 minutes. If you are on the move and want a proffesional label look, then this is a pretty good idea.
Pros:
1. Cheaper cost per label than ink and paper.
2. Easy software & interface.
3. Can save templates made on the unit in the internal memory (about 100 files can be saved)
4. prints one label fairly fast
5. Different color cartidges are the same price as the black cartidges.
6. Can print at least 40+ discs with set of batteries (I just past forty discs and I am still going)
7. Has an auto turn off after a few minutes of inactivity.
8. "wireless" capability (meaning no Ac or printer cables)
9. Has a nice little library of images on the unit.
Cons:
1. Flimsy, drawer doesn't shut as precise as it should
2. Unit is complicated
3. Can't store templates from computer to internal memory on unit.
4. Holds only 1 Ribbon
5. You have to turn the CD/DVD around to print other side. (could it really have been that much more complicated (expensive)to either put another head or a motor to move the disc?)
6. Not always a parralel print between top and botton labels.
7. Don't even try to print photos.
8. Doesn't come with an adapter.
9. Have to label the disc before you burn it.
I bought the other model right below this one (you have to use a computer to print with it)and it came with an AC adapter, even though it said "optional" on the box. This box also says"optional", but does not contain one! This reall made me ticked, but so far the batteries have done really well, but Casio could have a least added a lousy adapter.
When using this unit make sur you buy CDs/DVDs that have nothing stamped on the front of the disc, this will give you an unobstructive printing area. Another neat thing is, I sometimes use black colored DVDs and I use the silver ribbon cartridge to print on them, this gets people attention, especially when you are doing something to do with marketing.
The software has nice feature of printing a text file that contains everything on a disc. I have taken a majority of my data disc and have used this feature. I then label the text file that same as the disc and save it to my computer. I also have another software program that seaches WITHIN files and this is nice when searching for a certain file. So when the search come up finding you file in a certain text file, you know what disc & folder to find that file. Follow me?
Although, the software could use a couple of things, like the addition of guides (lines that help you line up text and/or pictures) Or the abilit to 'Save As' instead of hitting save then Save as.
Conclusion:
Overall the unit works well for low volume labels at any given time. It has a professional label look on the CD/DVD. The software is easy to use. And it does great for portability
| | More Info and All Reviews |
| | Customers bought this item also checked these items | |
|
