What Exactly is a CD, DVD, or Blu-ray Jukebox?
PrimeArray CD / DVD / Blu-ray servers are “Virtual” Jukeboxes – Much Faster and More Flexible than Actual Jukeboxes for disc media. PrimeArray has introduced specialized media servers that automatically copy, index, and catalogue any CD, DVD, or Blu-ray disc media inserted. Giving you a virtual disc server jukebox — small box, big power, with massive capacities.
PrimeArray CD / DVD / Blu-ray servers are “virtual” jukeboxes and are the best way to host CD, DVD, Blu-ray, and disc media resources for users to share over your network. PrimeArray Systems has developed the technology that made the conventional DVD optical jukebox obsolete with our virtual DVD, CD, Blu-ray disc media jukebox systems and CD, DVD, Blu-ray disc servers.
- The fastest possible access to your CD, DVD, or Blu-ray disc media over the network – speed that puts traditional jukeboxes to shame.
- Simultaneous access for multiple users – no waiting in line.
- Access to many discs at a time – far more than you could fit into a physical jukebox.
- Capacity sized to your needs, from 1 to 4,000 discs.
- Enhanced reliability because there are fewer moving parts – unlike a disc jukebox, which has many moving parts that can break down.
- Massive space savings from dated disc media formats.
- Worry-free media server solution for the future.
Product Gallery
CD / DVD / Blu-ray Optical Servers (Virtual Jukebox) Deliver Improved Performance and Value Compared to a Conventional Jukebox for Sharing CD, DVD, Blu-ray, and Disc Media Over a Network.
CD, DVD, Blu-ray Disc Server Virtual
Do you have CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or Blu-ray optical discs with material that you want to share with users over your network? They could be software programs, computer-based training, or subscription updates. Are you tired of being the CD librarian? Tired of looking for lost discs? Tired of replacing damaged disc media? Perhaps you archived data off to DVD or Blu-ray disc and want that data online for occasional access.
If so, you need a network-attached CD, DVD, Blu-ray disc media server for sharing solutions. For years, people would share small numbers of discs using a CD tower. They would load larger collections into a disc jukebox for sharing. CD, DVD, Blu-ray optical servers (virtual jukebox) have replaced CD / DVD towers and disc jukeboxes for all applications.
Software and Hard-Disk Caching Beats the Jukebox – Hands Down!
CD, DVD, Blu-ray Optical Servers use software and hard-disk caching/indexing to automatically and rapidly store ISO images of CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, Blu-ray ROMs, and any other optical disc media. Any number of users can quickly and easily access the CD, DVD, Blu-ray disc media they need when and where they need it. If you like, you can map a drive to a disc or group of discs for foolproof access.
These disc servers connect directly to your network, saving the cost of a separate media server and network software license. Each unit comes with software to facilitate adding, replacing, updating, managing, and deleting titles easily. The software copies the exact disc image to the hard drive for users to access. The original CD, DVD, Blu-ray disc media can be put in a safe place for backup.
The hard drive storage not only provides a wider range of capacities (current models range from a few discs to thousands), but also delivers faster retrieval and better support for multiple users. The cost per disc of these caching (hard drive) devices is considerably lower than with a CD / DVD tower.
CD, DVD, Blu-ray Server Virtual DVD Jukebox Versus a Regular Server or a Jukebox
You might ask why you shouldn’t just copy the CDs, DVDs, or Blu-ray discs (optical media) to your server. Do you really want to bog down your media server, which has many other tasks to perform, with storing and accessing disc media? Just because you have a server doesn’t mean loading it up comes without costs. The sooner it’s full, the sooner you have to buy another expensive server. It is more economical to get a special-purpose CD, DVD, Blu-ray optical server / Virtual disc media jukebox to manage this task. A CD, DVD, Blu-ray optical (Virtual jukebox) server copies an exact image of the disc media rather than simply copying the data file by file, so it is identical to accessing the disc itself — only faster. The PrimeArray virtual DVD jukebox system even neatly catalogs and indexes all loaded CD, DVD, and Blu-ray discs to make management and permissions as easy as possible.
Loading and sharing out a disc on a general-purpose server takes a number of steps. This is fine for one or two discs, but is a real chore for large CD, DVD, or Blu-ray disc collections or subscriptions where new discs are coming in each month to replace old ones. With the CD / DVD / Blu-ray server, you simply stick the disc in the reader and it does the rest. The drive will pop open ready for the next disc (two and a half minutes for a full CD).
A true disc jukebox, on the other hand, holds many CDs, DVDs, or Blu-ray discs in a tray or carousel. When a disc is requested, a robotic mechanism physically locates the disc and mechanically loads it into an optical reader. Loading the discs is quite rapid, but accessing them is anything but. With its many moving parts, access speed and reliability can be an issue. PrimeArray does not sell this type of disc jukebox.
The Intelligent Alternative: CD / DVD / Blu-ray Optical Servers (Virtual Jukebox)
Note: CD, DVD, Blu-ray servers and DVD jukeboxes (virtual) are not designed to handle audio CDs or copy-protected DVD movies.
Let’s compare network CD, DVD, Blu-ray disc servers vs. jukeboxes across a range of attributes:
Virtual DVD jukeboxes hold a fixed number of discs. For those with only a handful of discs to share, it’s overkill. For those with many hundreds of CDs, DVDs, or Blu-ray discs, it may require multiple jukeboxes. CD, DVD, Blu-ray servers, on the other hand, can be configured to each customer’s specific needs — from just a few to several thousand discs. They’re all in one place and there’s only a single media server to manage.
Accessing data from the CD, DVD, Blu-ray disc server’s hard drive can be up to ten times faster than from an optical drive. Add to that the time it takes a jukebox to load the disc into a reader, and the CD, DVD, Blu-ray server user might be done with their tasks by the time a jukebox user is getting their data!
One of the reasons for getting a network disc media server is so multiple users can use a disc at the same time. The hard disk access in the CD, DVD, Blu-ray server provides far better response for multiple users.
With its one or perhaps two optical readers, the jukebox will only allow that many titles to be viewed at one time. Whereas in the disc server, a single user or multiple users can access multiple titles simultaneously.
With a CD, DVD, Blu-ray disc server, titles can be categorized into logical groupings. Drive letters can be mapped to individual discs or groups of disc media for easy access.
Few moving parts lead to greater reliability, lower maintenance, and more uptime compared to traditional jukeboxes.
Some software titles might come with a specified number of seat licenses. PrimeArray CD, DVD, Blu-ray servers allow the administrator to set limits for the number of simultaneous accesses to specific discs.
An organization might want to limit or control access to various groups of CD, DVD, or Blu-ray discs. PrimeArray media servers enable the administrator to restrict access to any disc or group of discs. PrimeArray systems also integrate with Active Directory to facilitate this task.
At a price that is competitive with, and perhaps lower than jukeboxes, CD, DVD, Blu-ray servers provide far greater value for virtually all CD, DVD, Blu-ray disc media hosting applications.
Essentially, CD / DVD servers are super virtual jukeboxes. They perform the same function as a CD / DVD jukebox, but with higher performance, greater flexibility and a wider range of capacities, making them a better choice for network data sharing.
Specifications
Virtual Jukebox Configuration (CD / DVD / Blu-ray Optical Server)
| Disc Management |
Virtual Jukebox Technology (CD, DVD, Blu-ray Disc Server) Automatically copies, catalogs, and indexes optical discs (CD / DVD / Blu-ray) upon insertion. Eliminates the need for physical robotic arms or disc trays. |
Robotic Jukebox (Legacy) Uses mechanical trays and arms to load discs one at a time. Slower access and high wear-and-tear due to moving parts. (Obsolete) |
| Storage Capacity |
Custom Configurable Disc Media Storage Ranges from a few discs up to 4,000+ disc images stored as ISO files on internal hard drives in the media server. |
Fixed Carousel Limits Physical limit of tray size, typically 50–500 discs. Expansion is complex. |
| Access Speed |
Hard Drive & Software Caching (Disc Server) Near-instantaneous disc access (up to 300MB/sec). Multiple users can access different CD, DVD, or Blu-ray discs simultaneously with no delays. |
Mechanical Access Disc loading time depends on robotic speed. Limited to one active user per drive. |
| Supported Media |
CD, DVD, Blu-ray ROMs Supports all optical disc media formats. Ideal for software, archival data, training content, and subscription media. |
CD, DVD only Limited format support depending on model. |
| User Access |
Simultaneous Multi-User Disc Access Map drives to ISO images; access any CD, DVD, or Blu-ray disc from any networked device through the media server. |
One User per Disc Mechanical limitations restrict concurrent access. |
| Connection to System | Gigabit Ethernet or USB 3.0 | Ethernet (with dedicated server software) |
| Maximum Throughput |
Up to 300 MB/sec for hard drive & optical media Flash/ISO access up to 150 MB/sec. |
Typically under 10 MB/sec due to physical read limitations |
| Disc Imaging |
Full disc image (ISO) stored for accurate disc media emulation Enables foolproof access, backup, and archiving of CD, DVD, and Blu-ray discs. |
No digital image stored. Original disc required in tray |
| Supported OS |
Windows 10+, macOS 10.12+, Linux Kernel 2.6+ No client software required. |
Varies depending on legacy software used |
Frequently Asked Questions
It's a high-performance CD / DVD / Blu-ray optical server that replaces traditional jukeboxes by creating virtual ISO images of discs for rapid, multi-user access across a network.
It eliminates mechanical loading delays, supports multiple simultaneous users, requires fewer moving parts, and delivers faster access speeds from hard drive caching.
The system supports ISO image caching for CD, DVD, and Blu-ray discs. It is not intended for audio CDs or copy-protected DVD movies.
Yes! Virtual jukeboxes allow many users to access the same or different discs at the same time without delays or mechanical limitations.
The system is highly scalable, from just a few discs up to 4,000, depending on your needs and selected configuration.
Hard-disk caching ensures much faster access, allows multiple users, reduces wear-and-tear, and provides a reliable and permanent copy of each disc on the system.
No. The PrimeArray jukebox is self-contained and connects directly to the network, avoiding the need for an external server or extra software licenses.
Yes. Administrators can control simultaneous access, assign permissions to groups or users, and integrate with Active Directory for advanced access control.
Absolutely. The system catalogs and indexes each disc, allowing titles to be grouped logically and mapped to specific drive letters for easy access.
While competitively priced, the virtual jukebox offers far more value in terms of speed, scalability, reliability, and multi-user access than traditional jukeboxes.
Contact Us
Address: PrimeArray Systems, Inc.
1500 District Avenue Burlington, MA 01803
Phone: 800 433 5133 , 978 455 9488
Business Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM EST
For sales inquiries, please fill out our contact form or email us directly.