Yes, you thought correctly. Burning an actual label directly
on the top of your recordable just with the laser of a writer!

LightScribe Direct Disc Labeling is a new technology, invented by HP, that enables customers to burn silkscreen-quality labels on their CDs and DVDs. Invented by an HP engineer who grew frustrated with the hassles and inferior quality of current labeling methods, LightScribe offers consumers and businesses alike a simple, no-hassle way to burn professional quality labels

See more on this here (http://www.cdrlabs.com/#6) and a picture here (http://www.cdrlabs.com/news/images-view.php3?imageid=5019).

It looks like it would only require a firmware change to enable
this option on most drives. Also you will need special blanks that
have a special label coating. No word on availability yet.

For the full press release see this PDf document here (http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press_kits/2004/ces/fs_lightscribe.pdf) and this one (http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press_kits/2004/ces/bg_lightScribe_technology.pdf) as well.

UPDATE
It looks like there is another article here (http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,114211,00.asp) which also claims that products
could emerge 6 months from now.

Now that is very cool! Now, can it do colour ;)


Aaron

I don't think so. The color is basically in the substance on the top
of the disc. So I would say it is one color only. But who knows,
perhaps they can make something that changes color the more
it gets hit by the laser beam or something.

Rob,

Thanks for the link! That sounds like exactly what most of us were looking for (minus the ability to do color). I guess I will be putting off the epson 960 in lieu of this development. Now, what kind of drive will it be -R or +R?

Basically it doesn't matter. It is in the media. The drive just needs
a firmware update (so hope your burner company will make one!)
and you need software to support it. But keep in mind that it is
still 6 months away (at least)! So if you need something in the
meantime you'll have to look at other options.