Mastering and Replication

Mastering and replication is a mechanical process, and if you deal with an established facility they have probably done it thousands of times. Very few errors creep in at this point. If your disc doesn't work, it is likely because there was something wrong with the data or format sent in. The mastering steps include:

Verifying that the tape is readable

Adding synchronization data, header data, error detection codes (EDC), and error correction codes (ECC)

Writing data to magnetic disc

Creating a glass master

Creating a metal stamper

Replicating the discs

You don't need to understand all the details of this process. You do, however, need to know exactly what the mastering facility expects to receive. Work with their representatives to ensure you provide the data in the proper format.

The cost of mastering and replication can also include the printing of a simple label on the disc, and the insertion of the disc and printed material into a jewel box. You must supply the printed material and the film for the label, usually several days before supplying the data to be mastered.