Yamaha, working together with Fujifilm, has developed the new Labelflash Photo Labeler software using for easy printing of labels on specially made DVD disc.

Free distribution of this Labelflash Photo Labeler software will begin from the Labelflash official Web site on April 25, 2008 at http://labelflash.jp/. An English version is expected to become available in a few months.

Labelflash technology is a laser-based imaging technology developed jointly by Yamaha and Fujifilm. Images are printed using Labelflash compatible recording DVD drives and DVD discs that have been coated with specially made dye on the label side. Using the same laser as that used for data recording, Labelflash makes it possible to print images on the label side of the disc. Labelflash produces high-contrast monochrome images using only a DVD drive and specially made DVD discs. Since its announcement in October 2005, Labelflash technology has been adopted by hardware and software vendors around the world. Beginning in 2007, Labelflash drives have been installed as standard items on PCs for general users, and they are coming into wide use.

Yamaha introduced the Labelflash Index Maker software back in February 2007, which could read information burned on discs and automatically provided an index of titles for easier labelling.

The new software, called "Labelflash Photo Labeler", will become available for downloading on April 25, 2008. Labelflash Photo Labeler will include templates and allow users to add photographic images as labels with just a few steps.

First, users have to choose a template and a photo. By dragging and dropping a photograph in the specified space on the template, photos will be added to the disc labels. Titles, memoranda, and other text can also be added easily.

The software allows for easy adjustments of the image's size and position.

As with photo retouching software, users will be also able to change the contrast of their images. In addition, the printing time can also be adjusted. The longer the printing time, the finer the resolution of the image. For a simple design, printing takes between five and six minutes. For a finer photographic image, about 20 minutes is necessary.

The first version of the software will include 30 templates. Additional templates will be also available on Yamaha's web site later, offered for free.

Labelflash software website: labelflash.jp.