| HP's "LightScribe" disc labeling tech comes to Linux |
Oct. 26, 2006
 French storage drive vendor LaCie is distributing a pair of Linux applications that enable CD/DVD drives equipped with HP's "LightScribe" technology to burn CD labels. Support for LightScribe technology was previously available only on Windows and Mac, according to the company.
(Click for larger view of LaCie's "LightScribe Labeler" application)
HP's LightScribe technology aims to solve imbalance problems caused by stick-on labels, while also eliminating the need for a separate CD label printer. It requires a LightScribe-enabled drive, as well as LightScribe-compatible media, which are thinly coated on the non-data side with a thin photo-reactive layer. The same laser used to burn data onto the CD can thus be used to etch a "precise, iridescent" label, LaCie says.
LaCie's LightScribe Labeler application for Linux includes a command-line utility that works only with bitmaps, as well as a graphical front-end (pictured top-of-page) that can import images in various formats, and resize and position them as needed. The software works with the open source K3B media authoring application, according to the company.
A LaCie spokesperson said LaCie built its Labeler application and associated LightScribe Host software using an SDK from HP. The SDK includes binary-only libraries that limit availability to the i386 platform. However, the applications are not dependent on kernel-level drivers, according to LaCie.
LaCie DVD+/-RW with LightScribe
(Click to enlarge) |
LaCie product manager Anne Bordet stated, "We're the first company to offer an all-in-one data writing and LightScribe labeling solution for all operating systems."
Availability
The LaCie LightScribe Host Software for Linux is available now, as an RPM for Linux 2.6-based IA32 systems, direct from LaCie.
LaCie also offers LightScribe-ready CDs, priced at $1 apiece in quantities of 5, or $18 for 20, as well as a $100 external LightScribe-ready DVD+/-RW burner (pictured at right) designed said to have been designed by F. A. Porsche.
(Click here for further information)
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