Another burning/duplication question

Greetings,
I've recently joined the world of non-linear editing and DVD production, and have been constantly researching and learning over the past few months.
I've read through several of the threads on this forum regarding all the questions about burning DVD's, bitrates, blank media, burn speeds, etc, etc. One of the things that is mentioned often is the difference between burned discs and discs that are duplicated, or 'pressed' at a duplication house.
So, here's my question...this process that these duplication places use, is the technology at all available to the general public? In other words, can I go out and get some sort of duplication/pressing machine? Or is it something still too magical (a.k.a. expensive) at this point?
Just curious. Again, I'm very much a beginner in this world. I've recently burned my first project successfully. It played fine in my main set top player, but I got a 'no disc' message from an older model test. That got me searching and reading, and here I am.
Thanks in advance for any input offered!

I don't know the cost (someone else may) but the general process of a REPLICATED disc is to accept input in the required format (usually tape) and then create a "glass master" and then use this "glass master" to actually PRESS into a special type of disc... just like a coin is made by pressing a master into a smooth, blank piece of the proper metal
Otherwise, To
Burn Error Proof DVDs (Well, close to error proof!)
Use the SLOWEST possible burn option your burner will allow in Encore, since it is much better to take a bit more time burning the disc than it is to burn "fast" and have a disc that won't play
Set the VIDEO portion of the transcoding options to a Maximum of 7,000 so your burned disc will have a better chance at playing in desktop players (which support burned discs, if at all, only as an "after thought" of the DVD specification)
Use AC3 or PCM audio transcode settings for best player compatibility (some discussion of MPEG audio not being supported by all players, especially for NTSC discs)
Buy and use Taiyo Yuden (or Verbatim?) brand blank discs
Read this
ENTIRE message
Concerning Replication
And this one
About Authoring and Playing a DVD
Discussion of
Peak Bitrate
Here is one
Bit Budget Calculator

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