Rating: 
Summary: Better than a marker pen
Review: A friend heard I was planning to purchase a printer for labeling DVDs and CDs, so he gave me his Casio DC-75 to try out. Actually, the exact words were, "If you can make use of this, you can have it." I gave it back after about a week in case he could find someone else who wanted it.
In all fairness, the CW-75 is a nice little thermal printer. It's a great alternative to using a marker pen or sticky label on a disk. But, I'm giving it only 3 stars because although I think it does very well at printing text, other printers that cost less offer more features and user options.
The CW-75's lettering is excellent as long as the disk has a perfectly smooth surface. If the disk surface has any sort of texture, you'll get breaks in the lettering. The printer has a variety of built-in templates, fonts, and standard symbols. It can print in colors, as long as it's one solid color at a time. (This printer uses a ribbon cartridge, so if, for example, you want to change from black to red, you have to take out the black ribbon and insert a red ribbon.) You don't need a computer to use the printer, but using it with a computer (PC only, not Mac) gives you more flexibility.
Altho the CW-75 keyboard looks extremely complicated, after using it a bit -- along with reading the relatively small manual -- I'd say a person doesn't need to be technically oriented to be printing out sharp looking disks in a short time. Sharp text, that is. If you're hoping to print a full color picture, the CW-75 won't do it for you.
For less (as of Nov. 1, '04) than the price of the CW-75, there's the Epson Stylus Photo R200. It not only prints text and up to full photo quality on letter and legal size paper, it can also print directly on CD/DVDs that have an inkjet-printable surface. With the included software -- or software available from other sources -- you can print full color photos, text, graphics and whatever else you want anywhere on a disk. Compare that to the CW-75 which pretty much limits you to printing text and simple line art in one color, unless you want to play around swapping color print ribbon cartridges.
That's why I gave the CW-75 back to my friend and purchased an Epson R200 here at Amazon.
Rating: 
Summary: Cool but complicated little tool
Review: For those wanting to print directly onto CD-R and DVD-R media at a reasonable cost, this printer is for you. The built-in keyboard provides the means of creating relatively plain to fairly elaborate printed material. As noted in a previous review, however, this printer is not the simpliest product to operate or master. It is far from being user-friendly or intuitive. The manual is not very strait-forward either, so be prepared to experiment and learn as you go. Nonetheless, the printer produces results that are superior to felt pens and more permanent than those sticky labels that are hard to center and lay flat.
Rating:
Summary: Pros & Cons
Review: I got this printer soley for my small bussiness. I wanted a proffesional look on my DVDs for a good price. This pinter will print you a full label (that is top & bottom) for around 50 cents a disc. I was able to take it out of the box, put the bateeries in and print a test label on the practice disc in under 5 minutes. If you are on the move and want a proffesional label look, then this is a pretty good idea.
Pros:
1. Cheaper cost per label than ink and paper.
2. Easy software & interface.
3. Can save templates made on the unit in the internal memory (about 100 files can be saved)
4. prints one label fairly fast
5. Different color cartidges are the same price as the black cartidges.
6. Can print at least 40+ discs with set of batteries (I just past forty discs and I am still going)
7. Has an auto turn off after a few minutes of inactivity.
8. "wireless" capability (meaning no Ac or printer cables)
9. Has a nice little library of images on the unit.
Cons:
1. Flimsy, drawer doesn't shut as precise as it should
2. Unit is complicated
3. Can't store templates from computer to internal memory on unit.
4. Holds only 1 Ribbon
5. You have to turn the CD/DVD around to print other side. (could it really have been that much more complicated (expensive)to either put another head or a motor to move the disc?)
6. Not always a parralel print between top and botton labels.
7. Don't even try to print photos.
8. Doesn't come with an adapter.
9. Have to label the disc before you burn it.
I bought the other model right below this one (you have to use a computer to print with it)and it came with an AC adapter, even though it said "optional" on the box. This box also says"optional", but does not contain one! This reall made me ticked, but so far the batteries have done really well, but Casio could have a least added a lousy adapter.
When using this unit make sur you buy CDs/DVDs that have nothing stamped on the front of the disc, this will give you an unobstructive printing area. Another neat thing is, I sometimes use black colored DVDs and I use the silver ribbon cartridge to print on them, this gets people attention, especially when you are doing something to do with marketing.
The software has nice feature of printing a text file that contains everything on a disc. I have taken a majority of my data disc and have used this feature. I then label the text file that same as the disc and save it to my computer. I also have another software program that seaches WITHIN files and this is nice when searching for a certain file. So when the search come up finding you file in a certain text file, you know what disc & folder to find that file. Follow me?
Although, the software could use a couple of things, like the addition of guides (lines that help you line up text and/or pictures) Or the abilit to 'Save As' instead of hitting save then Save as.
Conclusion:
Overall the unit works well for low volume labels at any given time. It has a professional label look on the CD/DVD. The software is easy to use. And it does great for portability
Rating:
Summary: An ingenious device...
Review: I have found this disc title printer to be quite useful. As long as you buy blank CD/DVD's that have little preprinted writing on the front, you will have absolutely no problem printing quality, professional-looking labels on your discs. I rarely use the PC interface with the printer, instead opting to use the built-in screen for formatting my discs. Regardless, I have had no problems with this unit, and have found it to be very useful.
Rating:
Summary: An ingenious device...
Review: I have found this disc title printer to be quite useful. As long as you buy blank CD/DVD's that have little preprinted writing on the front, you will have absolutely no problem printing quality, professional-looking labels on your discs. I rarely use the PC interface with the printer, instead opting to use the built-in screen for formatting my discs. Regardless, I have had no problems with this unit, and have found it to be very useful.
Rating: 
Summary: FANTASTIC!!!!!!!
Review: I really wasn't sure what to expect when I recently purchased this CD title printer by Casio, but I am glad I did. It's FANTASTIC in every way!First off, you don't need a computer to print with this little gadget (very light weight). It's got everything you need built in: keyboard, 5 fonts, various sizes, a preview window, symbols ($ dollar sign, yen, GB pound, etc.), characters, and Greek/Russian lettering. It even comes with 126 illustrations (pictures) to choose from, like umbrellas, birthday cake, boombox, ice cream cone, and so on. It even comes with 10 built in logos to choose from, like a music bar for "Music," discs for video/movies, and a suitcase for "Memories" of your home videos or jpegs. These logos, which comes in various sizes, give your CD-Rs a truly professional look and not a CD-R look if you know what I mean. This little gadget gives you the option to connect it to a computer and import your own logo, drawing or other jpeg file, as well as free style text printing. The software included gives you dozens and dozens of different fonts like Broadway, Tahoma and Arial. I was truly impressed.As for the printing results itself, well, everyone I show the discs to immediately goes WOW! Your printed CDs look like they come from a record label; great if you are your own independent music artist and you need a professional look to sell your CDs. That's how professional this little gadget is, and there are 5 color ribbons to choose from (red, blue, green, silver and black).The drawbacks. The only problem you may run into (but don't panic) is the type of blank CD or DVD-R you use for printing. If you use a blank, all-silver or all-gold disc you'll be fine. If you use blank discs that have a rough pre-printed surface or discs that have a matted finish, like those for ink jet printing, you will get smudged/fainted printing. The solution is NOT to use such discs and you will be FINE. TDK color or white blank discs work just great with the printer. Casio recommends Maxell shiny surface blank discs to print on. In fact, they even include a sample disc with your printer, a good idea so you will become accustomed to the finished product.You're supposed to get 50 prints out of the ribbon, but only 20 if you print the upper and bottom half of the disc. Some reviewers have complained about the high cost of the Casio ribbons (TR-18 accepted on this printer), but at $6.99 and with a professional look, I'd say that's cheap. Amazon offers a 3 pack ribbon with free shipping and no tax, so how can you go wrong there?One final thought. Even someone brainy like me had trouble understanding how to operate it at first. You will get overwhelmed as you set it up and try to understand how to use it as it is very complicated. But with patience and time, you will become familiar with how to use it. I now breeze through it. If you're unhappy with paper labels and ink jet printing for your discs, this is the perfect solution. I say run, don't walk, to your nearest retailer and get one. You will say FANTASTIC when you make your print your first disc.
Rating:
Summary: Not Quite What I Expected
Review: I recently received a Casio CW-75 as a gift (after dropping a hint that I'd seen one in a store).The picture on the box shows a CD-R coming out of the printer, and even though no manufacturer's name or logo is visible, the markings on the CD-R bear a striking resemblance to the markings on the Sony CD-Rs that I had sitting on my desk. I immediately tried printing onto a few of the Sony CD-Rs, and the results were terrible. After consulting the troubleshooting section of the manual, I tried adjusting the print density to its maximum setting. The results were better, but still unacceptable. Finally, I tried the test CD that came with the printer, and got much better results. The test CD had an absolutely smooth surface, whereas the Sony CD-R had a subtle texture to it. The printer documentation mentioned a website address for information about the type of media recommended for use with the printer, but when I visited the website, I was greeted with a "sorry, now under construction" message. No help there. I ended up buying some inexpensive Imix CD-Rs at a local office supply store. They have a perfectly smooth surface, and I've just printed a batch of 30 CD-Rs with very good results; only one disc came out less than perfect. I also found it interesting that batteries ARE included with this printer, but NOT an AC adapter. The included batteries haven't died yet (after 30 good discs and about 10 test discs, each with 2 passes of printing on each), but I don't know how much life is left in them. Incidentally, why does this thing run on batteries, anyway? Does Casio think people are going to be printing discs while they're out jogging or something? Before you get any ideas, let me point out that moving the printer while it's printing gives poor results. For best results, put this printer on a flat, stable surface and don't bump into it while it's in use. The ribbon ran out after about 20 discs or so, which (as someone mentioned in another review) translates to about 50 cents per disc for labeling. In this case, that's more than DOUBLE the cost of the discs themselves, but the results really do look quite professional with the right combination of media and gentle care. Using this printer as a standalone device was a little awkward, but the included software installed itself without a hitch, and it makes it MUCH easier to see what you're doing when laying out a label. I'd strongly recommend using the computer connection unless you have a very good reason not to do so. Only time will tell if this labeling mechanism has any long-term adverse side effects. I was using paper labels for a long time before I discovered that after many months, they apparently shrink just a bit, which warps the CD-R into a slight bowl shape, and causes readability problems. I'm thinking that this Casio device is a much better idea than paper labels, if only for that reason.
Rating: 
Summary: Poor results
Review: I was hoping for a neat and simple way to print titles on my CD-R and DVD collections. I found neither with the Casio Disc Printer.
I tried a total of 15 CD-R's before returning the item because I could only get accurate printing on 6 of the discs. I was trying media from Maxell,Sony, Memorex and while the printer would work on some brands once it would fail the next time.
Also the printing area is very small. I believe it is only 1/2" high on the top and bottom. It is very difficult to get much information on the disc except fot the Title and Artist.
For now I have gone back to labeling by hand, but if anyone can tell me of a better solution I would love to try it.
Rating:
Summary: Save your money
Review: Some Things you need to know about this printer. You only get two locations on the CD to print. (upper and lower) If you print on both of these each ink ribbon can only print 20 CD's. That comes to roughly .50 for each cd printing. You have to manually move the CD to print on these two locations. Don't think you can print on your on CDR's with this printer because chances are you cant. You must have a constant smooth shiny surface to print or it will not be legible. You cant even print on Matte labels attached to the CD. You cant even use CDR's designed for ink jet printing as they are too porous and just don't work very well. Bottom line save your money and get one of the new Ink Jet printers that can print on CD's or better yet stick to labels. However if cost per CD is not that important to you and all you want to do is slap a logo on a special CD this printer may be for you. Just stock up on ink ribbons and be sure to purchase Canons CD's ($.50 each). Total outlay will be $.75 to $1 per CD.
Rating:
Summary: Save your money
Review: Some Things you need to know about this printer. You only get two locations on the CD to print. (upper and lower) If you print on both of these each ink ribbon can only print 20 CD's. That comes to roughly .50 for each cd printing. You have to manually move the CD to print on these two locations. Don't think you can print on your on CDR's with this printer because chances are you cant. You must have a constant smooth shiny surface to print or it will not be legible. You cant even print on Matte labels attached to the CD. You cant even use CDR's designed for ink jet printing as they are too porous and just don't work very well. Bottom line save your money and get one of the new Ink Jet printers that can print on CD's or better yet stick to labels. However if cost per CD is not that important to you and all you want to do is slap a logo on a special CD this printer may be for you. Just stock up on ink ribbons and be sure to purchase Canons CD's ($.50 each). Total outlay will be $.75 to $1 per CD.
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