Welcome to LightScribe!

LightScribe Overview

Creating
a LightScribe Label

Frequently
asked questions

LightScribe Overview

LightScribe is a disc-labeling technology that lets you laser-etch a label
directly on your disc. Creating professional-looking discs is easy: burn your
disc, flip the disc over, and then burn your label onto the disc. The same drive
that burns your data, burns your label.

A LightScribe-enabled DVD drive uses a laser to burn an image into the
coating on the label side of a LightScribe disc. The LightScribe labeling system
has no ink to smear, no paper to curl, and no sticky adhesive to cause
problems.

To create a LightScribe label, you need:

A LightScribe-enabled DVD drive in your computer or LightScribe-enabled
DVD writer. LightScribe-enabled computers or writers typically have the
LightScribe logo  or the word "LightScribe" displayed on the drive tray or
computer itself.

LightScribe-supported disc-labeling software. This is often included with
your LightScribe-enabled computer or DVD writer. A list of available software
packages is here.

LightScribe System Software. This is similar to a driver and is usually
included with your LightScribe hardware. The latest update is available here.

Specially coated LightScribe CDs or DVDs (sold separately at major retail
stores or online). LightScribe discs are identified by the LightScribe logo
on the media package.

Refer to http://www.lightscribe.com/ for more
details on LightScribe.

Creating a LightScribe Label

Burning a label with LightScribe is easy.

To start, you need to run LightScribe-supported labeling software. The label
software often can be launched as a separate application that is included with
your data burning application suite. Depending on the labeling software you use,
you can create a label before or after you burn the disc content.

NOTE:  To burn a label, you must flip the
disc over and place it label-side down in the drive tray.

NOTE:  LightScribe labels are monochrome
(grayscale) only.

Labels can be a simple title, or you can get more creative by adding
backgrounds and images. The capabilities will depend on your labeling
application. The following step-by-step instructions will help you create your
first simple LightScribe label using various LightScribe-supported labeling
software. Refer to the documentation of each application for details on all of
the available features.

NOTE:  Specific instructions steps may vary
depending on the software version.

Use
Sonic Express Labeler

Use Nero
Cover Designer

Use
SureThing CD Labeler (SE Edition)

Use
Roxio Easy Media Creator

Using Sonic Express Labeler to create a LightScribe Label

Windows Platform

Click Start->All Programs->Sonic RecordNow!->Express
Labeler.
NOTE: You can also open the Express
Labeler from within RecordNow! by clicking Label Disc.

Make sure that Disc Label is selected in Step 1:
Select Project.

Click Disc Titles and then enter text for the
Title and Subtitle.

Click Tracks to enter track titles. Click
New and enter text for the information you want to include,
and then click OK. You may have to select a different label
template to display track titles.

Select a label template by clicking Layout and choosing a
layout.

If desired, select a background by clicking Background.
Select one of the provided backgrounds or click More to load
up your own images to be used as the background.

When you are satisfied with the appearance of your label design, insert
the LightScribe disc (label-side down) into the disc drive tray and then click
Print.

From the Disc Label menu, select LightScribe 12cm Disc.

Select a Contrast Level and then click OK to begin
burning the label. The estimated time to complete the label is displayed,
along with a progress bar. You can continue to work on your computer while
LightScribe is burning the label.

Using Nero Cover Designer to create a LightScribe Label

Windows Platform

Launch the Nero Cover Designer application. Click
Start->All Programs->Nero->Labels->Nero Cover
Designer.

In the New Document menu, select the
LightScribe option if shown. Otherwise, select the
Empty Document option. Click OK.

Select the Text Box tool by clicking on its icon or
select Object->Insert->Text Box from the menu at the
top of the screen. Click and drag your mouse to create the text box area.

Double click on the text box area and type in the text information you
want to include. Click OK.

If you want to add your own background, select the Image
tool by clicking on its icon or select
Object->Insert->Image... from the menu at the top of
the screen. Load up your image and make the desired adjustment.

When you are satisfied with the appearance of your label design, insert
the LightScribe disc (label-side down) into the disc drive tray and then click
File->Print LightScribe Label... from the menu at the top
of the screen.

Select a Contrast Level and then click Print to begin
burning the label. The estimated time to complete the label is displayed,
along with a progress bar. You can continue to work on your computer while
LightScribe is burning the label.

Using SureThing CD Labeler (SE Edition) to create a LightScribe Label

Windows Platform

Launch the SureThing CD Labeler SE application. Click
Start->All Programs->SureThing->SureThing CD Labeler
SE.

Double click on the Title and Subtitle
fields in the disc layout to enter a simple title and subtitle information.

If you want to add your own background, select Backgrounds->Use
Your Own Background... from the menu at the top of the screen. Select
the image you want to load and click OK.

If you want to add pictures to the label, select Insert->Insert
Picture... from the menu at the top of the screen. Select the picture
you want to load and click OK. Pictures can be resized and
positioned on the label design.

When you are satisfied with the appearance of your label design, insert
the LightScribe disc (label-side down) into the disc drive tray and then click
File->Print... from the menu at the top of the screen.

Select a Quality level, ensure that the box Use
LightScribe is checked, and click OK. The estimated
time to complete the label is displayed, along with a progress bar. You can
continue to work on your computer while LightScribe is burning the label.

Using Roxio Easy Media Creator to create a LightScribe Label

Windows Platform

Launch the Roxio Easy Media Creator disc labeling
application. Click Start->All Programs->Roxio Easy Media
Creator->Tools->Label Creator.

A simple title layout is shown by default. Double click on the
Title and Data fields in the disc layout to
enter a simple title and subtitle information.

If you want a different layout that allows for labeling the full area of
the disc, click Select Style in the Edit
Layout menu at the left of the screen. In the Select
Style window, choose a style category from the left pane and select
the style you want from the preview area. Ensure that the style covers the
full area of the disc.

To use your own background, click Edit Background in the
Edit Layout menu at the left of the screen. Check Use
the following image as the background image option, click
Browse..., select the image you want to load, and click
OK.

If you want to add pictures to the label, click Add Image
from the Add Object menu at the left of the screen. Select
the picture you want to load and click OK. Pictures can be
resized and positioned on the label design.

When you are satisfied with the appearance of your label design, insert
the LightScribe disc (label-side down) into the disc drive tray and then click
File->Print... from the menu at the top of the screen.

Select a Print quality level. In the Printer
settings area, ensure that the printer selected is a LightScribe
capable drive. Click OK. The estimated time to complete the
label is displayed, along with a progress bar. You can continue to work on
your computer while LightScribe is burning the label.

Frequently Asked Questions

NOTE:  Refer to www.lightscribe.com/support
for a complete list of Frequently Asked Questions and
answers.

What do I need to create a
LightScribe label?

To create a LightScribe label, you need:

A LightScribe-enabled DVD drive in your computer or LightScribe-enabled
DVD writer. LightScribe-enabled computers or writers typically have the
LightScribe logo  or the word "LightScribe" displayed on the drive tray or
computer itself.

LightScribe-supported disc-labeling software. This is often included with
your LightScribe-enabled computer or DVD writer

LightScribe System Software. This is similar to a driver and is usually
included with your LightScribe hardware. The latest update can be obtained
from www.lightscribe.com/support.

Specially coated LightScribe CDs or DVDs (sold separately at major retail
stores or online). LightScribe discs are identified by the LightScribe logo
on the media package.

How can I
tell if I have a LightScribe enabled DVD writer or PC?

LightScribe-enabled writers or PCs should either have a LightScribe name or
LightScribe logo  on the drive tray cover or a LightScribe sticker affixed
elsewhere.

How do I create a LightScribe Label?

After the data side is burned using any data burning software, the disc needs
to be flipped and reinserted into the drive tray with the label side down. The
LightScribe label is created separately using labeling software.

Where Can I buy LightScribe CDs and DVDs?

In the U.S., customers can find LightScribe CD and DVD+R media at major
consumer electronics stores, office supply stores, and online. LightScribe DVD-R
media is available from HP in select retail stores.

Refer to www.lightscribe.com/buy
for updated information on where to obtain LightScribe
media.

Are LightScribe compatible Dual Layer high capacity
DVDs or DVD-RW available?

Although most LightScribe enabled drives can read and write data to Dual
Layer (DL) DVDs and DVD-RW, there are currently no LightScribe enabled DL DVDs
or DVD-RW available.

Can I upgrade my existing PC drive or
DVD writer to work with LightScribe?

Special hardware is required for LightScribe enabled drives, and
non-Lightscribe drives can not be upgraded with LightScribe
capability.

Can LightScribe label in color?

Currently LightScribe technology creates a grayscale image, similar to a
black-and-white photograph.

How Long does it take to label a
disc?

Labeling time depends heavily on content, hardware, media, and print mode
used. Typically for the first generation technology, for title only content, a
labeling time of 2-5 minutes can be expected. For full disc graphics in Best
quality mode, labeling times of 30-35 minutes can be
expected.
Why do labeled LightScribe DVDs look different from
LightScribe-labeled CDs?

The difference in appearance of labeled LightScribe DVDs and CDs stems from
the difference in how CDs and DVDs are made. DVDs have a second plastic layer,
which CDs don't have, that creates a kind of "plastic sandwich" around the
reflective layer on which data is burned. This additional plastic layer
separates the reflective layer from the LightScribe coating on the surface of
the disc. When you look at a labeled LightScribe DVD, you are seeing through
that additional plastic layer, which creates a three-dimensional effect.

What is LightScribe System Software?

The LightScribe System Software links the drive firmware with the labeling
application. It coordinates the functions among the different drives and media
combinations to ensure the best LightScribe labeling experience. The LightScribe
System Software is usually included with the LightScribe enabled DVD writer or
computer.

Why doesn't my drive recognize the LightScribe
media?
Why am I prompted to update my LightScribe System
Software?

Optical drives and media from the different manufactures perform very
differently and require calibration to perform consistently at their best. The
LightScribe System Software contains settings that help optimize the labeling
speed and image quality for the different drives and media. When new LightScribe
media is not recognized, the labeling software prompts you for a LightScribe
System Software update that contains optimized settings for the new media. We
recommend updating the LightScribe System Software whenever prompted.

What is generic mode printing?

Generic printing uses a set of standard non-optimized labeling parameters to
burn your LightScribe label. You can select this option and continue labeling
when new media is detected, and perform the required LightScribe System Software
update at a later time. However, you may not obtain optimized speed and image
quality.

How do I update or find my LightScribe System
Software?

Simply select the option to update the LightScribe System Software when
prompted by your labeling software. You will be automatically guided through
the update process or directed to a website for additional information.

You can also obtain a copy from www.lightscribe.com/support.
Click Downloads and LightScribe System Software. Follow the instructions to
download and install the update.