Rating: 
Summary: Somewhat limited, but satisfying results
Review: The printer can stand alone and isn't difficult to use. It is far easier, however, to use in conjunction with a computer. Creating and printing a label takes only minutes. The results are good, but your CDs have to be "perfectly" flat. Minor, invisibile flaws on the CD surface or any manufacturer printing or design, even when "transparent," yield very poor results. On my first day of trials, I got 4 of 7 CD labels to look good. The 3 poorer ones had faded or incomplete printing due to CD surface imperfections. I would be wary of buying CDs over the internet since you can't see what kind of surface they might have. Rough, textured surfaces likewise yield poor results. I plan on buying my CDs locally, but only generic brands tend to have that "slick as a baby's behind" title surface that is needed. Now, it sounds like I am not pleased, but I really do like this label system. J&R had very affordable ink prices (under $7.00; they were $19 locally!) The CDs that came out good really were pleasing, especially since they contain my home studio recordings. This is so much better than paper labels!
Rating:
Summary: Good Printer. Highly Recommended
Review: The printer does what it is designed to do - Print text and simple graphic labels on 2 rectangular areas (top and bottom) of a CD or DVD.The print quality is good provided that you use the right kind of CD/DVD. As most of the reviewers have pointed out, you must use media with smooth shiny areas for the label. The CD does not have to be totally blank. It just needs to have enough smooth surface for your label to print on it. Disk with matted surface is not going to work. I use the SONY CD-R and the TDK DVD+R with good results. Both of them have manufacture's logo on the surface but they also have plenty of smooth blank areas for top and bottom labels. The easiest way to explore the printer's features is to use the Disc Printer software (download the latest version from Casio's website). One of the things that the software allows you to do is to import a Windows Media Playlist (.asx) file. Once the file is imported, the software can automatically creates labels for all the song titles in your playlist. I have tried that feature and it works great.
Rating:
Summary: Does what it says; flawless software interface w/computer
Review: The software install was very fast and went without a hitch. Loaded the batteries, installed the print cartridge, and connected to the computer with the included USB cable. Turning the printer on then prompts Windows XP to recognize the new hardware and load the drivers which you previously installed from the CD-ROM. This took 30 seconds. Once that was done, I opened up the software and after clicking around a bit to see some of the formatting options, it took me less than ten minutes to put together a label for tomorrow night's MONK second season finale episode which I will burn onto DVD-R, with MONK at the top print area, and the episode name and original air date on the bottom print area. I used TDK brand DVD-R media which has a nice, large, smooth printable surface at the top and bottom. Then I used the sample CD-R which comes with the machine, to burn a copy of a music CD. My results and observations of the machine's performance: 1. The software is pretty slick, and so far it works flawlessly. Depending on the type of disc you are printing (e.g. music, data, photos, etc.), it presents you with a variety of formatting options for the two print areas. With all formatting options, you can change the font name and size to whatever you have installed on your computer. All text formatting changes are immediately shown in the on-screen depiction of your label, so you can see right away if your text will fit into the print area the way you want it to appear. If you are printing in both print areas of the disc, the software prompts you to first align the disc in the tray for the top portion of the label...click print and it goes to it. Then the tray opens again, and the software prompts you to turn the disk so that it can print the lower print area. 2. I have not yet used the printer as a stand-alone...I will eventually try it out, but why bother with all those buttons and keys when I can easily get what I want much more easily on the computer? 3. The print quality is Pretty Darn Good. Larger, bolder and straighter fonts come out better than smaller, thin and curvy fonts, but in all cases you'll notice a slight "pixelization", or slightly rough edges. To my eye, it's only obvious if I hold the thing right up to my face. You can change the print density but I haven't played with that option yet, to see if it makes a difference. Overall, I'm happy with the print quality. 4. I'll be interested in seeing how the printing on the CD holds up from use in my car. The instructions say that use in such players causes wear on the print surface from the CD player's rollers that load the CD, which could cause the printing to eventually get worn off. Also says not to keep printed CDs where they'll get very hot, and not to store them in plastic-sleeve storage devices...I guess the ink can come off on the vinyl if it's in contact with it for very long. 5. Cost per print raised by others...bah! Definitely no comparison to the almost-zero cost of just writing on a disc with a marker, but my handwriting and printing looks like crap. Labels and ink jet ink aren't free, but probably cheaper than using this...but so what? And I'm starting to see some of the labels I've been using (Stomper and Avery) come up a little around the edges over time. 6. Power options: the battery power is great for me, because I don't have to find an empty outlet in my gaggle of power strips, and I can just pick the thing up and put it in a drawer when I'm done. On the other hand, I think Casio could have sprung for a measly A/C adapter instead of making it an option. 7. The CW-75 is not built like a tank. The drawer has a flimsy feel and does not close as precisely as it should. The unit is lightweight and...well, just think of your last Casio calculator or adding machine to get an idea of its general construction, fit, and finish.
Rating:
Summary: Does what it says; flawless software interface w/computer
Review: The software install was very fast and went without a hitch. Loaded the batteries, installed the print cartridge, and connected to the computer with the included USB cable. Turning the printer on then prompts Windows XP to recognize the new hardware and load the drivers which you previously installed from the CD-ROM. This took 30 seconds. Once that was done, I opened up the software and after clicking around a bit to see some of the formatting options, it took me less than ten minutes to put together a label for tomorrow night's MONK second season finale episode which I will burn onto DVD-R, with MONK at the top print area, and the episode name and original air date on the bottom print area. I used TDK brand DVD-R media which has a nice, large, smooth printable surface at the top and bottom. Then I used the sample CD-R which comes with the machine, to burn a copy of a music CD. My results and observations of the machine's performance: 1. The software is pretty slick, and so far it works flawlessly. Depending on the type of disc you are printing (e.g. music, data, photos, etc.), it presents you with a variety of formatting options for the two print areas. With all formatting options, you can change the font name and size to whatever you have installed on your computer. All text formatting changes are immediately shown in the on-screen depiction of your label, so you can see right away if your text will fit into the print area the way you want it to appear. If you are printing in both print areas of the disc, the software prompts you to first align the disc in the tray for the top portion of the label...click print and it goes to it. Then the tray opens again, and the software prompts you to turn the disk so that it can print the lower print area. 2. I have not yet used the printer as a stand-alone...I will eventually try it out, but why bother with all those buttons and keys when I can easily get what I want much more easily on the computer? 3. The print quality is Pretty Darn Good. Larger, bolder and straighter fonts come out better than smaller, thin and curvy fonts, but in all cases you'll notice a slight "pixelization", or slightly rough edges. To my eye, it's only obvious if I hold the thing right up to my face. You can change the print density but I haven't played with that option yet, to see if it makes a difference. Overall, I'm happy with the print quality. 4. I'll be interested in seeing how the printing on the CD holds up from use in my car. The instructions say that use in such players causes wear on the print surface from the CD player's rollers that load the CD, which could cause the printing to eventually get worn off. Also says not to keep printed CDs where they'll get very hot, and not to store them in plastic-sleeve storage devices...I guess the ink can come off on the vinyl if it's in contact with it for very long. 5. Cost per print raised by others...bah! Definitely no comparison to the almost-zero cost of just writing on a disc with a marker, but my handwriting and printing looks like crap. Labels and ink jet ink aren't free, but probably cheaper than using this...but so what? And I'm starting to see some of the labels I've been using (Stomper and Avery) come up a little around the edges over time. 6. Power options: the battery power is great for me, because I don't have to find an empty outlet in my gaggle of power strips, and I can just pick the thing up and put it in a drawer when I'm done. On the other hand, I think Casio could have sprung for a measly A/C adapter instead of making it an option. 7. The CW-75 is not built like a tank. The drawer has a flimsy feel and does not close as precisely as it should. The unit is lightweight and...well, just think of your last Casio calculator or adding machine to get an idea of its general construction, fit, and finish.
Rating:
Summary: Good Printer. Highly Recommended
Review: This product works great! I read some of the negative statements and was a little reluctant to purchase it...but when I came across it at BJ's for $89 (after rebate) I figured I'd give it a try. Some of the negatives I've read was that you could only print on top and bottom of the cd or dvd...NOT TRUE!! Use your heads people. If you wish to print on the left or right middle of the cd (eg: a compact disc logo) simply import the graphic you want to use...rotate it so that after it prints the logo will be upright when the disc is turned to the left or right....then simply print on the top and bottom of the disc keeping the logo to the left or right depending on which side you want it. It's very easy to do. The templates and print options included in the software gives you almost unlimited options...you just need to use your head. After searching the net i was able to find cartriges in bundles of ten for $58. (5.80 a cartridge) @20 CDs per cartridge the cost is a mere 29 cents per cd or dvd. Not bad considering the professional results. You can also mix colors (not on the same line) if you're patient enough to print one line, change cartridge, then print another line. The unit needs a fairly smooth surface for best results...and quite frankly..the bare silver cd's look the best, even though it print on Memorex DVDs that are not completly smooth and have the memorex logo on them. Don't condem a product because you fail to follow directions. The Casio CW-75 does what it advertises and does it well...if you shop around it's cost effective..and if you have some patience and foresight you can get this to print almost any label you want on any part of the disc. Great Job Casio.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Pleased, This Product Works Great!
Review: This product works great! I read some of the negative statements and was a little reluctant to purchase it...but when I came across it at BJ's for $89 (after rebate) I figured I'd give it a try. Some of the negatives I've read was that you could only print on top and bottom of the cd or dvd...NOT TRUE!! Use your heads people. If you wish to print on the left or right middle of the cd (eg: a compact disc logo) simply import the graphic you want to use...rotate it so that after it prints the logo will be upright when the disc is turned to the left or right....then simply print on the top and bottom of the disc keeping the logo to the left or right depending on which side you want it. It's very easy to do. The templates and print options included in the software gives you almost unlimited options...you just need to use your head. After searching the net i was able to find cartriges in bundles of ten for $58. (5.80 a cartridge) @20 CDs per cartridge the cost is a mere 29 cents per cd or dvd. Not bad considering the professional results. You can also mix colors (not on the same line) if you're patient enough to print one line, change cartridge, then print another line. The unit needs a fairly smooth surface for best results...and quite frankly..the bare silver cd's look the best, even though it print on Memorex DVDs that are not completly smooth and have the memorex logo on them. Don't condem a product because you fail to follow directions. The Casio CW-75 does what it advertises and does it well...if you shop around it's cost effective..and if you have some patience and foresight you can get this to print almost any label you want on any part of the disc. Great Job Casio.
| 
