About Digital Media

Optical Media

The digital data stored on CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray Discs are read by the laser-light system referred to as optical. Because optical discs have always utilised digital data, they are able to adapt to the advancements made in media recording and encoding equipment (the latest example of this being Blu-ray Disc), unlike analog systems that have become redundant. This, along with their robust physical design, means that optical discs such as CDs, DVDs and Blu-Ray remain the premier vehicle for consumable media in the US today.

Examples of optical media:

• CD Audio – offering up to 80 minutes of audio
• CD-Rom – used for small pieces of interactive content and data – Capacity 700MB
• Enhanced CD – contains a collection of Audio and a Data (please note: an Enhanced CD differs from a CD-Rom as it can also be played as an Audio disc in a CD Player, which a CD-ROM cannot. DVD5 – Single layer DVD which can contain up to 90 minutes of video
• DVD9 – Dual Layer DVD which can contain up to 160 minutes of video
• DVD10 – Double sided dual layer DVD which can contain up to 180 minutes of video (split over 2 sides)
• DVD5-Rom – Single layer DVD with capacity of 4.7GB
• DVD9-Rom – Dual Layer DVD with capacity of 8.5GB
• DVD10-Rom – Double sided dual layer DVD with capacity of 9.4GB (split over 2 sides)
• BD-25 – Single layer Blu-ray Disc with a capacity of 25GB
• BD-50 – Dual layer Blu-ray Disc with capacity of 50GB

Digital Media

While optical media discs contain physical depressions which an optical laser-light then reads – digital media uses the same process as a computer BIOS chip to distribute information. The most popular form of storing this electronic information is on a USB Flash drive and Flash MP3 drive. Flash memory is also known as “solid state” – meaning there are no moving parts inside the product. This makes flash memory devices incredibly safe for distributing information. Digital media also provides you with an opportunity to be a “little different” from the crowd.

Examples of digital media:

• USB Flash Drive
• MP3 Player
• SD Card

Optical vs. Digital

At Aerionx we love both Optical and Digital media. Arguments can be (and often are) made for either side, but we think it’s more about what you want from your media rather than what is necessarily “better”.

For instance, if you're looking to sell your music and/or video at a retail outlet or at shows, a retail ready CD or DVD would be better for presentation for retail outlets and a USB drive may be better for promoting your content, data or presentation to a company.

If you can’t decide which is best for your project, please contact us for more info. USB Flash Drives and SD Cards are used in many devices such as computer, PDAs, camcorders, mobile phones, digital audio players, video game consoles and personal navigation devices; making them the most versatile medium for distribution of your content. We offer Custom Branded USB Flash Drives with or without duplication, packaging and distribution. We also sell Compact Flash Cards, another format for digital cameras, older MP3 players, and video cameras. Our in-house duplication department has a wealth of experience with these mediums, which will enable us to get your project across the line smoothly and efficiently.

We can source, print and duplicate these and many more for you quickly and cost-effectively. The range and availability of USB Flash Drives is growing daily with sizes varying from 1 GB to 32 GB. Countless styles are available ranging from novelty to sleek corporate USB Flash Drives that are perfect for that product launch gift bag.

Creating Your Promotional USB

We can manufacture and brand your USB Flash Drive to the following requirements:

• Budget & Preferred Model
• Capacity & Speed
• Customized logo, design and printing
• Customized packaging
• File pre-loading & auto-running

Creating a USB Flash Drive begins with the content to be loaded on to the device (blank USB Flash Drives also available). Content can be uploaded to our FTP (coming soon) or supplied in hard copy (CD, DVD etc). We then load and configure your content onto your chosen style of USB Flash Drive, print your artwork directly onto the USB Flash Drive and package and deliver as required.

This process generally takes 15-20 working days, upon approval of artwork and depends on the complexity of the project.

Please call us for print options for your promotional USB - (800) 903-1234.