LightScribe

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From w:LightScribe:

LightScribe is an optical disc recording technology, created by the Hewlett-Packard Company, that uses specially coated recordable CD and DVD media to produce laser-etched labels with text or graphics, as opposed to stick-on labels and printable discs.

Labels burnt using LightScribe are monochromatic, as it works by making a chemical in the media react with the laser beam and change color.

Note:
  • The official home of LightScribe www.lightscribe.com is discontinued since 2013. The lightscribe system software is only available from third parties like pawtec.
  • x86_64 is only partially supported with multilib.

Installation

To use LightScribe, regardless of which operating system you are using, you need two pieces of software: the LightScribe System Software and another LightScribe label making software.

On Arch, the LightScribe System Software is available from the AUR:

Labelers

In the AUR you can find:

  • LightScribe Simple Labeler: official tool to make simple thin labels. You can only type text and use the provided templates as separators. Useful to make good looking labels quickly (it takes only 3 minutes, as opposed to a full-disk label which takes around 30 minutes)
  • LaCie 4L LightScribe Labeler for Linux: tool from LaCie that allows to create a full-disk label using a picture.

Additionally, searching for lightscribe in the AUR will create a list of related software.

Enhanced Label Contrast Utility

To adjust the contrast which is often too light, run: 

# /usr/lib/lightscribe/elcu.sh

then hit 1 to use the enhanced contrast setting or 2 to reset it. Note that some programs (e.g. LaCie 4L) have this option built-in and it can be changed at runtime.

See also