Introduction

A disc project typically consists of surface-printed disc, with your audio, data, or video content, printed inserts and packaging (cases). Use the Project Creator (Create Project tab) to set up your project by selecting your disc type as well as packaging and insert types. Audio or data content to be added to the disc can be uploaded to your account or sent in on a disc. (Be sure you don't send your only original!)

The upload tool is designed to work on computers running Windows OS and Mac OS (as well as Linux) (see Launching the audio album upload tool).

Using the upload tool, select either Audio Upload or Data Upload tab, depending on the type of content and the type of CD you wish to create - audio or data.

An audio CD can play in a standalone CD player, such as in a stereo or in auto sound system, or in a computer. A data CD is for use in a computer.

The audio tab of the upload tool allows you to add, sequence, and upload tracks for an audio album.

The data tab of the upload tool allows you to assemble the files and folder structure for a PC compatible CD and upload that structure as a data album.

In either case, total uploaded file size can not exceed 700 MB.

Once you have completely assembled an album, click Upload. The time required to complete the upload process depends on the amount of content and the speed of your Internet connection.

Once uploaded to your account, an album cannot be modified. Tracks in an audio album cannot be re-sequenced, added or deleted. Data files in an album cannot be freshened, renamed, or deleted, and new files cannot be added. If changes are necessary, assemble and upload a replacement; we recommend you delete the old album to avoid errors.

If you are interested in creating blank (no content) discs with printed labels, you do not need to upload an album; select Blank as the disc content option when creating or editing your project.

Uploaded content will be copied exactly as provided to us. This means that if there are problems in audio files (hiss, pops, static), if files are corrupted or in the wrong location in data albums, these conditions will be faithfully reproduced when your CD is produced. Customers are responsible for the accuracy of their sent in and/or uploaded album masters - returns be accepted only in case of manufacturing defect.

Audio Content Overview

This section describes how to use the audio upload tool to upload and configure an audio album. To create an audio album, select Audio for the content source in the project creator. You can then use audio content uploaded to your account previously, or upload at that time.

Use the Audio Upload tab of the upload tool to choose the tracks for an album and set their sequence.

Audio File Requirements:   An audio album can include only audio content, no data files can be included. Hybrid files require creation of a master CD to be mailed in.

Audio files are only accepted as .wav or mp3 files, no other formats are accepted.

All .wav files must be uncompressed 16-bit 44.1 KHz stereo files only. We also accept .mp3 files encoded in stereo with a non-variable bit rate from 128-320 kb/sec.

Launching the Audio Album Uploader

The upload tool may be launched from the Project Creator (click Create Project in the top navigation bar, select CD as the disc type, then click Upload New button next to the CD image at the top) or the My Account page (click My Account in the top navigation bar, then the Content button in the left navigation bar, then the Upload New button within the audio tab of the My Content Library page). The upload tool will launch in a new window. Some pop-up blockers may prevent the tool from loading correctly. If this is the case, you will need to temporarily allow pop-ups to use the tool.

If you are creating an Audio disc, the upload tool will default to the audio upload tab. You can switch back and forth between content types by clicking the tabs as necessary.

The album upload tool is a Java applet. If your browser does not have the Java plug-in installed, the upload tool will ask permission to automatically install the required plug-in – a free download from Sun Microsystems (http://java.sun.com/products/plugin/index.jsp). As the upload tool launches, it displays the animated Java splash-screen.

The first time you use the upload tool, there may be a delay as it assembles all the required software (including the Java plug-in, above). Subsequently, it will start much quicker.

We recommend using a computer with at least 256 MB RAM and 1 GB of free hard drive space when using the upload tool.

Uploading an Audio Album

Use the Audio Upload tab of the tool to select sound files from your computer and arrange them in the sequence you would like for your audio album.

Audio File Requirements:   An audio album can include only audio content, no data files can be included. Hybrid files require creation of a master CD to be mailed in.

Audio files are only accepted as .wav or mp3 files, no other formats are accepted.

All .wav files must be uncompressed 16-bit 44.1 KHz stereo files only. We also accept .mp3 files encoded in stereo with a non-variable bit rate from 128-320 kb/sec.

Use the Up/Down tool to sequence the files (tracks) in the order you want. When you are satisfied, give the album a name (maximum 128 characters). This album name will be displayed in your Audio Library, so we recommend using a descriptive name that will help you remember your album later.

You may enter or change the names of your tracks in the upload tool; those names will be displayed in the My Library section of the site.

When you are satisfied with your album, click the Upload Now button to upload it to your account.

Uploading an album only adds that album to your library. In order to add the content (uploaded or sent in) to a project, you must use the Project Creator to place ("associate") the content into a project.

If an album upload is interrupted before it has completed (for example, if you lose your network connection), the next time you launch the upload tool you will be offered a choice to continue the upload.

At the end of the upload process, you will be prompted to either Start Another Album or Exit the upload tool. If you exit, you may need to refresh the Add Content page to see your newly uploaded content.

Listening to Uploaded Tracks

Lo-resolution album audio track previews are made available in order for you to identify quickly the audio you have uploaded. Previews are created at 64kb/sec and DO NOT reflect the quality of your original uploaded tracks, and may hide defects.

Go to the Content section of the My Account tab and select the Audio tab. Each of your uploaded albums is listed in the left hand pane. Click the Show Contents button to display the tracks included in the album in the right hand pane. Click the Listen button to play the track preview.

Your tracks are uploaded at exactly the same quality as they exist on your computer and are not altered by our uploading or printing process.

Before uploading, you should listen carefully to any audio files you are duplicating. Any hisses, pops, skips, etc in the original files will be faithfully reproduced. We will do our best to identify low quality tracks or problems during our pre-production process, but cannot guarantee that we will catch everything. By providing us with content, you are responsible for the quality.

Note: Preview audio tracks may take as much as an hour to generate so may not be available for listening immediately after uploading. This does NOT represent a problem with your uploaded audio.

Album Size Limits

The total file size of an audio album may not exceed 700 MB. This is the equivalent of approximately 79 minutes of listening time.

The audio upload tool will not allow you to exceed the size limits in assembling an audio album for upload.

Changes to Uploaded Albums

All track additions/deletions, sequencing, or naming must be done prior to uploading.

Be sure to give the album the correct name before uploading it.

Addition or deletion of a track from an album, re-sequencing tracks, or renaming tracks or albums is not possible once an audio album has been uploaded to your account. If you need to make changes, you will need to re-upload the album with the appropriate changes.

Displaying Track Titles on Computers /CD Players

Customers who wish to have CDs display track titles on their PCs or specially equipped CD players have two options.

You can submit your CD to an online database of CD album, artist, track, and genre information. Some software programs make a request to download this information for automatic track identification. There are currently two popular services on the internet. The original CDDB database has been renamed Gracenote (www.gracenote.com) and is a profit making entity. FreeDB (www.freedb.com) is an open source CD information resource that is free for developers and the public to use.

These services are not a part of our application.

If a CD is filed with the CD Database, other users who insert a copy of the same disc - whose music players are connected to the network (as in an Internet connected PC's software music player) - may see the submitted title information stored in the CD Database.

Alternatively, users can author CDs using the "CDTEXT" method supported in select standalone CD burning applications. CDTEXT allows users with CDTEXT-capable players to also see the track information whether connected to the Internet or not.

The audio upload tool does not support CDTEXT for an audio album - the text is not part of the sound files. If you require CDTEXT, please master your disc accordingly and send us a master.

Combining WAV and MP3 Files in aSingle Album

The tracks in an audio album must all be of the same type. That is, they must all be MP3s or all be WAVs. You may not mix types in an audio album.

(Technical note: All audio tracks/files – whether WAV or MP3 – that are uploaded through the audio upload tool will, if included in an audio duplication project, result in a (Redbook) standard Audio CD playable on nearly all CD Audio players as well as computer based CD media players like iTunes, Windows Media Player, Winamp, etc.)

Alternately if you wish to have a Data CD with your sound files remaining as .wav or .mp3 data files and NOT converted to an Audio CD, you must select the data album upload tool.

Eliminating space between tracks (making a continuous mix)

You cannot use the audio upload tool to create gaps before or after an audio track.

We neither add nor remove space between tracks; all space between tracks is a function of the file supplied for the track, which either includes space or does not include space. We will image copy your files exactly.

There may be gaps between tracks, depending on how they were created. Generally, when a track or music file is ripped from a CD which has space between the tracks, that space will be included in the resulting file.

If you wish to have gaps of any specific length between your tracks, you must provide the desired space after your song fades out or ends, in the file your create.

CD Quality Audio

Your CDs will provide the same quality as content that you provide.

MP3 audio format is a compressed format that results in a loss of audio quality (the amount of loss is varies according to the settings in the software you use to compress your original audio).

With standard settings (non-variable 128-320 kb/sec stereo), most people do not notice the compression

For the best possible audio quality, we recommend only uncompressed, high resolution .wav files (16 bit, 44.1 kHz stereo only) in your albums.

Specifying a Volume Label

Volume labels are the names discs display when inserted in your computer. In Windows OS, disc volumes are visible in My Computer. In MacOS, disc volumes are visible on the desktop.

The upload tool does not allow users to assign volume label. If you want a volume label, you must mail in your master with the volume label.

Time Required to Upload an Album

The time required to upload your album depends on several factors including the size of your album, the speed of your internet connection and your computer processor/memory. You can use other features of our site while the tool is uploading your album. Please be patient! We estimate that the time to upload a 30 MB album for various connection speeds as follows:

Dial-up: 45-60 minutes
DSL: 10 minutes
T1: 2-4 minutes

Data Content Overview

This section describes how to use the data upload tool to create a data album in your account. A data album may consist of multiple files and folders, and folders may themselves include files and folders.

To create a data album, select Data for the content source in the project creator. You can then use data content uploaded to your account previously, or upload at that time. Use the Data Upload tab of the upload tool to choose files and folders for an album, and to design the folder hierarchy. You may add any file type you can view on your own computer. Files could include text/Word documents, PDFs, images, data files and more.

We advise you to compile a version on your computer and test it prior to requesting duplication. This is particularly true for people who are creating software programs. You should be comfortable that the copy runs exactly as you expect it to in your computer before starting production.

Launching the Data Album Uploader

The upload tool may be launched from the Project Creator (click Create Project in the top navigation bar, select CD as the disc type, then click Upload New button next to the CD image at the top) or the My Account page (click My Account in the top navigation bar, then the Content button in the left navigation bar, then the Upload New button within the data tab of the My Content Library page). The upload tool will launch in a new window. Some pop-up blockers may prevent the tool from loading correctly. If this is the case, you will need to temporarily allow pop-ups to use the tool.

If you are creating a data disc, the upload tool will default to the data upload tab. You can switch back and forth between content types by clicking the tabs as necessary.

The album upload tool is a Java applet. If your browser does not have the Java plug-in installed, the upload tool will ask permission to automatically install the required plug-in – a free download from Sun Microsystems (http://java.sun.com/products/plugin/index.jsp). As the upload tool launches, it displays the animated Java splash-screen.

The first time you use the upload tool, there may be a delay as it assembles all the required pieces (including the Java plug-in, above). Subsequently, it will start much quicker.

We recommend using a computer with at least 256 MB RAM and 1 GB of free hard drive space when using the upload tool.

Uploading a Data Album

Use the Data Upload tab of the upload tool to select files and folders for your data album, and to arrange the hierarchy and contents of folders. You can only add a file once within an album. If you want to add a second copy of the same file, you will need to change the filename on your computer before adding it to the upload tool.

When you are satisfied with your album, click the Upload Now button to upload it to your account. While the tool is busy uploading your content, you should feel free to use the other features of our website. This should not significantly impact the speed of your upload.

Once in your account, a data album may be associated with one or more projects from within the Project Creator. Uploading an album only adds that album to your library. In order to add the content (uploaded or mailed in) to a project, you must use the Project Creator to associate the two.

Note that once an album is uploaded, you may not:

• add additional files to it
• add additional folders to it
• change the location or contents of folders
• rename files or folders

To make any of these changes, you will need to create and upload a new album. Use the data upload tool to completely configure your album.

If an album upload is interrupted before it has completed (for example, if you lose your network connection), the next time you launch the upload tool, it will offer you the choice of continuing using the same album configuration.

At the end of the upload process, you will be prompted to either Start Another Album or Exit the upload tool. If you exit, you may need to refresh the Add Content page to see your newly uploaded content.

Album Size Limits

The total file size of a data album may not exceed 700 MB. There is no specific limit to the number of files or folders that may be included on an album as long as they do not exceed its space limits.

The data upload tool will not allow you to exceed the size limit in assembling a data album for upload.

Changes to Uploaded Albums

Albums must be completely configured within the upload tool before they are uploaded into your account. Be sure to give the album the correct name before uploading it. Once a data album has been uploaded to your account, changes are not possible.

Specifying a volume label

Volume labels are the names discs display when inserted in your computer. In Windows OS, disc volumes are visible in My Computer. In MacOS, disc volumes are visible on the desktop.

The upload tool does not allow users to assign volume label. If you want a volume label, you must mail in your master with the volume label.

Creating an autorun (autostart) CD

For Windows OS CDs, you may use the data upload tool to configure files to autorun. Please ensure that the files are in the proper location and have the correct syntax. The autorun file MUST be at the root level in the directory.

Before uploading your data album, it is highly recommended to create a physical CD on your local machine and test it to ensure that autorun works as expected.

Including Hidden Files

You cannot upload data albums with hidden files. If your CD contains hidden files, you must choose Mail In Master from the Project Creator, create a master CD with the desired hidden files, and mail it in. Do not use the data upload tool for this project.

We also recommend that you contact us once you’ve sent your master to us to ensure that your project is handled appropriately.

Copy Protection

We do not currently support any copy protection mechanisms for duplicated data discs other than software installers which utilize registration codes. If you are interested in using an installer with registration codes, you must identify, select and purchase such a product on your own.

Special format CDs (e.g., Macintosh, hybrid/enhanced/multi-session CD,video CD)

If you require a special format (Mac, hybrid, enhanced, multi-session, video CD), you must choose Mail In Master, create a master CD with the desired format, and mail it in. Do not use the data upload tool for this project.

We also recommend that you contact us once you’ve sent your master to us to ensure that your project is handled appropriately.

Authoring Data CDs

Authoring is the term for building data CDs. Authoring can be as simple as uploading a single text file or PDF to the root directory but can also be very complicated involving autostarts, autoinstalls, auto hardware and software detection and more. If you have a complex authoring job, we recommend you consult an authoring expert.

Time Required to Upload an Album

The time required to upload your album depends on several factors including the size of your album, the speed of your internet connection and your computer processor/memory. You can use other features of our site while the tool is uploading your album. Please be patient! We estimate that the time to upload a 30 MB album for various connection speeds as follows:

Dial-up: 45-60 minutes
DSL: 10 minutes
T1: 2-4 minutes

DVD Content Overview

When placing any DVD order, the only option offered is Mail In Master. All DVD production orders are produced on 4.7 GB DVDs and your master must be on 4.7 GB DVD-R only.

Due to the amount of content involved, we do not provide a method to upload DVD content, and can only copy from masters you send in.

When placing any DVD order, the only option offered to provide is Mail In Master. (You can, of course, order blank, burnable discs by choosing the Blank option.)

Masters are not returnable. Please do not send your only copy!

Uploading DVD Content

Mail In Master Required!

All DVD production orders are produced on 4.7 GB DVDs and unless you are ordering blank, burnable DVD-R discs, a master is required. Due to the size of the content required, upload is not permitted for DVD orders.

Please include the Mail In Master form with your DVD master. We recommend placing your order before you send the master if possible and include the order number with the master. Mailed in master DVDs are not displayed in your account library. They are kept on file as specified in our content retention policy.

DVD content in an online account(My Library)

Currently, DVD masters that you send in are not displayed in the Content section of the My Account tab. We store the physical disc and produce your order directly from it.

Please be sure that you do not send the only copy of your DVD content. Masters can be lost or damaged in transit or handling. Masters are discarded according to our content retention policy.

DVD size/format limits

We currently copy only 4.7 GB single layer DVD discs. Your master must be a DVD-R only.

Dual layer DVDs

At the present time, production to or from dual layer DVDs is not available.

Region encoding; encoding a disc for PAL, NTSC, etc.

Since DVDs are copied directly from a master, if the master has been produced for display on devices supporting PAL, NTSC or other formats, the duplicated DVD will work the same way. DVD-R may not playback in certain countries.

DVD Quality

Your copied DVDs will be precisely the same quality as the master disc content provided; we will make an exact copy of your DVD and will not add, remove, or change any content.

Mail-In Master Overview

Our content upload tool is the fastest way to get your content to us. Alternatively, you may mail in a master disc and we will associate the content with your project. This is particularly useful if you have special content needs, are producing DVDs, or have a slow internet connection. If you mail a disc, do NOT send your only copy - be sure that you have retained a copy under your own control.

Be sure to test your master thoroughly before mailing it. Duplication will result in an exact copy, including any imperfections (audio disc pops, skips, static, etc., or data disc volume names, file locations, etc.) We will do our best to identify low quality tracks or other problems during our pre-production process but cannot guarantee that we will catch everything. You can be sure the results will be satisfactory if you order a single copy for review before you place a large order.

Processing your order – the turnaround time – begins when we have received your complete order including final artwork and your master. It is your responsibility to ensure that we receive all necessary components in time to accommodate your project needs (remember to allow both for production time and shipping time!)

Mailing in your Master

If you are going to mail us your master, be sure to select Mail In Master in the Project Creator. When you add a project with a Mail-In Master to the shopping cart, you will see a Mail-In Master information page. Please print the page and carefully follow the instructions on the page. Each Mail-In Master requires a separate information page.

In addition to the information sheet, you should label your master disc with the following information:

• Your account e-mail address
• Master Name (title of your disc)
• Order ID
• Project Name

Use only a Sharpie or similar permanent felt-tip marker to label your disc. Do not use a ball point pen because it may damage the master.

Please do not mail us materials which violate U.S. Copyright Law. You may not duplicate content to which you do not own the rights including CDs you have purchased or tracks you have legally downloaded from online music stores. For more information, see the Intellectual Privacy Rights section of the Policies Help section.

Recommended formats and brands for mail-in master

Shipping Recommendations

Place your master in a well-padded disc mailer envelope or a stiff box with packing material (bubble wrap is good) to be sure that your master is not damaged in shipment.

Include your Mail In Master form; if you have not placed your order yet (we encourage you to place orders first).

Be sure to label your master(s), using only a Sharpie or similar permanent felt-tip marker. Do not use a ball point pen because it may damage the master. Include:

• Your account e-mail address
• Master Name (title of your disc)
• Order ID
• Project Name

Mail it to:
CD/DVD Production Services
1265 Folsom Street
San Francisco, CA 94103

It is a good idea to use a trackable shipping service to ensure delivery. UPS, FedEx, DHL, and USPS Priority Mail all offer an appropriate service. Be aware that USPS Priority Mail does not guarantee a specific time of delivery.

Please do not send us materials which violate U.S. Copyright Law. We cannot duplicate content to which you do not own transferable rights including CDs you have purchased or tracks you have legally downloaded from online music stores. For more information, see the Intellectual Privacy Rights section of the Policies Help section.

Returning Masters

Masters are not returnable. Please do not send your only copy!

Quality of Reproduction for Mail-In Master

Please read the sections on Audio, Data, and/or DVD Content in this tab to understand how your disc will be produced. Some special features on CDs in particular may not be included unless specifically noted (CD Text for example).

Please test your master carefully before mailing it to us.

If there are skips or pops in your audio master, these will be reproduced.

If you want your data CD to autorun but fail to place the required file at the root level, the copies will not autorun since your file structure will be reproduced exactly as received.

If your DVD master has a glitch or will not play, the DVD copies will have the same flaw.

While we do our best to identify quality issues during our pre-production process, we cannot guarantee that we will catch every problem. We cannot be responsible for errors in the master submitted. We do not accept returns due to lower than expected quality if the product accurately reproduces your master or uploaded data/audio. Please see the Policies tab for more information on Returns.

Content Management Overview

Once you have uploaded content, it will appear in your account (see the Content section of the My Account tab.) From there, you may choose to add it to a project or delete it from your account. Any content that is not used in a project that you order will eventually expire and be removed from your account. Content that has been uploaded or mailed in may be used only for a CD/DVD project and cannot be retrieved by download.

We recommend that you keep a copy of your valuable content. If you want a copy of your content, you may order a CD/DVD with it.

Viewing Uploaded Content

You can listen to uploaded audio content. Go to the Content section of the My Account tab and select the Audio tab. Each of your uploaded albums in listed in the left hand pane. Click the Show Contents button to display the tracks included in the album in the right hand pane. Click the Listen button to play the track preview.

You may look at the folder/file structure of a data album, but you cannot view the content of any of the individual files in it.

In addition, mailed in masters may display as files with a .rmg extension. The .rmg extension represents a complete disc image and does not currently allow for the display of the disc contents. Be assured that the .rmg disc images will produce duplicates completely identical to the Mailed In Master.

Deleting Uploaded Content

Content in your account may be deleted by clicking the red X icon next to the album name. Albums must be deleted in their entirety; you cannot delete single tracks from audio albums or single files or folders from data albums. Once an album has been deleted, it is removed from the storage system and it cannot be retrieved. After an album has been deleted, you may no longer select it as the content for a CD/DVD project.

We recommend deleting any content from your library that you will no longer need, and to delete any projects that use that content (or remove the content association by changing content to Blank or associating with a different album). This will remove any confusion you might encounter with later orders.

Note that expired content will be automatically deleted.

Lifetime of Uploaded Content

An uploaded album will be retained in the storage system for an initial period. If it has not been ordered as in a project during that initial period, it will automatically be deleted.

Once the content is ordered in a project, it will be retained for an additional period. You may renew the content to extend the storage period (just as you would renew a book borrowed from a library). If it is not ordered in the additional period or the renewal period, it will be automatically be deleted. Once it is ordered, it will again be retained for the additional time period. All content is stored for a period based on the time from last order.

Retention periods apply on an album by album basis.

For specific retention time periods, please see the Content Retention Policy in the Policies tab.

Retrieving Uploaded Content

The only way you may retrieve uploaded content is by ordering it in a CD/DVD project. It is not possible for you to download or otherwise obtain your originally uploaded (or mailed in) files.

Unused Content

Unused content (that is, content that has not been ordered in a CD/DVD project) will be automatically deleted after the applicable retention period has expired.

Expiration Notifcation

You can see when your content will be removed from your account on the Content Expiration Schedule within the My Account tab. We may also send an email notification to your email account prior to deletion of expired content. If you order the content on a CD/DVD project or renew the content (if it is eligible), its expiration date will be extended.

Renewal

Content that is eligible for renewal (see the Content Retention Policy in the Policies tab for details) may be renewed by clicking the Renew button that appears next to the album. Albums are renewed as a whole – all of the tracks, files, and/or folders contained in an album share the same expiration date.

Content Deletion

Content will be deleted automatically after its expiration date. You will not be able to order any project in your Saved Projects that uses content that has been deleted. The project will still appear in the list of your saved projects for your reference, but there will be a note that the content for this project is no longer available.