BIOS: Technology Means Business

Whether you’re looking to backup or distribute information, there is no better way to do so than on CD or DVD. On-demand disc publishing systems are a must-have for emerging, customer-driven businesses. Microboards’ GX-1 (£1495 ex. VAT) offers an all-inclusive PC/Mac solution to users (such as multimedia content producers, marketing and advertising professionals, and other service organisations) needing to produce shorter runs of discs on a budget. The GX-1 is an interesting product because it offers fully-integrated CD/DVD publishing features, along with combined printing and regular recording capability.

The GX-1 bears some similarities to previous Microboards’ offerings in that it incorporates the company’s patented auto-loading technology and HP’s popular inkjet printing technology. But it is unique in that it utilises Vivera, HP’s latest ink technology, creating vibrant colours to match competing inkjet CD/DVD publishers while having an entry-level cost and the most compact desktop footprint of any product on the market. In addition to its low operating cost, a footprint of 292mm is ideal for kiosks and SMB users. Because of Microboards’ unique patented method for handling discs, the GX-1 is the most compact integrated print and burn solution in its category.

Setting up and operating the GX-1 is a snap, and certainly shouldn’t challenge anyone who has ever installed and operated a regular desktop inkjet printer. And with its 50-disc input capacity, you can set up multiple jobs with any quantity, walk away, and leave the GX-1 to do the rest. You can burn virtually any DVD or CD format, including dual layer, all controlled from your PC or Mac over a single USB 2.0 cable.

Technical specifications include recording speeds of 16x for DVD and 48x for CD, print labelling speed of around 1 minute-per-disc using a tri-colour ink cartridge (print resolution up to 4800dpi), and cost-per-print of around 15p (excluding cost of media). Software included with the GX-1 comprises PrassiTech Zulu2 v.2.0.302 and SureThing CD Labeler 4 SE (Microboards Edition), allowing you to design your label or use included templates for easy design or import from Photoshop. The GX-1 ships with all of the necessary software for operation, including its core recording and label design software. It comes standard with a 1-year warranty and a starter kit of blank discs and ink.

HP PhotoREt IV controls the placement of the 6-inks more precisely than ever before. Each dot is capable of receiving 32 minuscule drops of colour, each one precisely positioned to achieve smoother graduations in tone and to virtually eliminate any grain in the printed image. PhotoREt IV can deliver 289 levels of shade for each colour (compared with 17 levels in previous generations) and offers a complete palette in excess of 1.2 million colours.

Unfortunately, the unit only supports 120mm CDs and DVDs, so you can rule out 80mm mini discs and CD business cards. Another disappointment is that the GX-1 doesn’t use standard HP colour cartridges, so you’re committed to Microboards and are unable to shop around for the most cost effective printing possible.

Busy offices should also consider the fact that the GX-1 is not a standalone device (there’s no built-in display), so you’ll always need a computer to operate it as well as someone who is familiar with the software. You can’t run the device directly from an existing network either, so you can’t queue jobs, link information from a database or share the GX-1 with multiple users. Finally, you need to position the GX-1 at the edge of a work surface due to its output design.

Microboards’ GX-1 is good choice for businesses and organisations requiring short runs of discs. We really liked its innovative design (these types of products can be huge!) and low price point, and its print quality is certainly good enough for in-house marketing duties. It’s not a complete solution (especially as its media support is limited), but should suit if your company’s needs are specific and you need a more productive production system compared to a regular PC. [7]

[Best DVD Duplicator Pricing UK]
[Best DVD Duplicator Pricing US]