LabelFlash
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Labelflash™ is a technology which allows users to burn custom motifs or images onto DVD media, introduced by NEC in December 2005. This is similar to the LightScribe technology invented by Hewlett-Packard earlier.
- The resolution is 1000 dpi.
- Uses up to 256 shades in the image.
- Labeling process takes 7 minutes at minimum depending on the resolution.
- Burning images on the top side of a disc requires specialised media, but burning on bottom side (data side) of disc area which is not used by data is possible with any DVD R media.
- Specialised LabelFlash discs use special 0.6 mm thick top coating to avoid fading of image over time.
Nero 7.0.2.8 and newer versions support this technology, but only 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 the exact 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.
[edit] Hardware
The NEC ND-3550A, ND-3551A, ND-4550A, ND-4551A & ND-4571A DVD burning drives all share the same hardware but only the ND-3551A, ND-4551A and ND-4571A are sold with LabelFlash support. Also AD-7173 and AD-7543 supports LabelFlash writing. By updating the boot information on one of the two xxx0 models with that of either xxx1 model, all four drives are capable of supporting LabelFlash.
The Liggy and Dee team produce many aftermarket firmware updates for various optical drives, including these NEC models. In early 2006, a tool was released by another party to update the boot information on these drives to enable LabelFlash support. Because of possible legal issues that may arise from enabling patented LabelFlash technology on these drives, the team has stated on their website that while containing the EXACT SAME HARDWARE, - "Please note that it is IMPOSSIBLE to enable DVD-RAM support on 3550 and 3551 drives or Labelflash on 3550 or 4550 drives by using (our) drive converter."
The Pioneer DVR-111D, DVR-111L, DVR-111, and DVR-A11XL all share the same internal hardware, 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. The Dangerous Brothers offer RPC-1 firmware for the DVR-111, DVR-111D, DVR-111L and DVR-A11XL on their site.