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Jacket · Mar 27, 2003, 01:19 AM

i know that some people might think this isn't the right place for this post, but to all those with a 17" PowerBook, I'm curious about what DVD-R media you recommend... I'm anxious to begin burning DVD-Rs and stuff, and I'd like here which brands peopel have had the best luck with. I'd like to hear people rate reliability and price... if anyone has the knowledge.. which brands are best for data storage, which are best for DVD video discs... all that kind of stuff..

swsteckly · Mar 27, 2003, 01:24 AM

I use the Apple-branded stuff. $15 USD for a 5-pack, with slimline cases. Not the cheapest, but not that much more expensive, and it's the most reliable I have used. Plus, it comes in a nice slim case, to prevent scratches, which are much more serious on a DVD.

But, I have always had good luck with all Memorex media, and it's a definite second choice. Their 80-minute CDs are my top choice for high quality and low price (snagged a few 50-disc spindles for $8 at best buy with a $30 mail in rebate two years ago).

Rinpoche · Mar 27, 2003, 01:39 AM

i would also recommend the apple brand 5 pack dvd-r's. i havent had a single dvd write error so far with the apples, but i did with one of the cheaper brands

SOLIDAge · Mar 27, 2003, 03:05 AM

ya
the apple ones might be a little $$$ but they are worth it. I've used like Memorex before, and the media wasn't heavy enough or something, and it would just sip like crazy, re-did it on an Apple DVD-R worked like a charm

erichen · Mar 27, 2003, 07:47 AM

Apple's DVD-R isn't only cheap.....it's also "Made in Japan". I was in Tokyo a few days ago, tried to find a good DVD-R disc. Surprisingly, most of Japan's own brands including Sony are "Made in Taiwan" So I would definately use Apple's DVD-R.

~Eric

wilsonX · Mar 27, 2003, 01:26 PM

I saw this article at www.dv.com that evaluated the dvd-r blank media. Thought it was very interesting. I have since purchased the Maxell brand and it has performed very well for me. I burn video, so I don't know how this stuff is for data. I know that Maxell blank tapes for digital 8 and mini-dv are rated very highly by some people. I have used them with very good results. Here is a paste from the article. Go to their website for the full report...

Apple (73%)
CD-Recordable.com (45%)
Imation (71%)
Maxell (80%)
Memorex (59%)
Mitsui (73%)
Panasonic (69%)
Pioneer (58%)
Ridata (69%)
Ritek (51%)
Sony (76%)
TDK (76%)
Verbatim (69%)
Vivastar (63%)

Eug · Mar 27, 2003, 02:07 PM

Originally posted by wilsonX:
I saw this article at www.dv.com that evaluated the dvd-r blank media. Thought it was very interesting. I have since purchased the Maxell brand and it has performed very well for me. I burn video, so I don't know how this stuff is for data. I know that Maxell blank tapes for digital 8 and mini-dv are rated very highly by some people. I have used them with very good results. Here is a paste from the article. Go to their website for the full report...

Apple (73%)
CD-Recordable.com (45%)
Imation (71%)
Maxell (80%)
Memorex (59%)
Mitsui (73%)
Panasonic (69%)
Pioneer (58%)
Ridata (69%)
Ritek (51%)
Sony (76%)
TDK (76%)
Verbatim (69%)
Vivastar (63%)

I use Apple.

Mitsui is also good, but Apple is cheaper. I can confirm that Ritek and Princo suck. I've used maybe 5 TDK, and they were fine.

RoofusPennymore · Apr 13, 2003, 12:08 AM

Does anyone know if Apple brand DVDs are really another brand?

Eug · Apr 13, 2003, 12:28 AM

Originally posted by RoofusPennymore:
Does anyone know if Apple brand DVDs are really another brand?

Yes they are, since Apple doesn't make DVD-Rs.

Apple probably has used several different manufacturers, but whatever the case it's all good.

I don't worry about it, because Apple media is usually cheaper than the other brands anyway, unless you buy in large volumes. So it's not as if you're paying a price premium for the Apple name or anything.

ae86_16v · Apr 13, 2003, 03:14 AM

Eug>

Thanks for the FAQ. That was very helpful.

Are movies made on the 4.7GB format?

wilsonX · Apr 13, 2003, 09:15 AM

I use Maxell. They are cheaper than Apple and according to the article I cited, are compatible with more dvd players than Apple's dvd-r's

MikeD · Apr 29, 2003, 03:18 PM

wish you could buy apple dvd-r media bulk to save money... any 50-100 packs?

jef152psu · Apr 29, 2003, 03:43 PM

I just bought a 10 pack of Maxell dvd-r over the weekend ($35 at a local circuitcity) and I haven't had any problems. I've used two of the discs so far....one for video, one for data backup

Jayman20 · Apr 29, 2003, 06:05 PM

I use Apple's 2x. I've burned about 20 so far ( At 1x ) without problems. The main reason I went with them is they are the least expensive disc's I can purchae locally.

urrl5201 · Apr 29, 2003, 06:27 PM

I use the cheapest I could find around here; Verbatim, and have had great results.

kennedy · Jul 14, 2004, 02:18 PM

Okay, I found this thread asking my question:

What's the best, low-cost (bulk) DVD-R media?

However, this thread is a bit old... times have changed a lot since then.

I am using Memorex and getting horrible results. In another thread, I've heard TDK bad-mouthed. For magnetic tape, TDK and Maxell have always been my preferred brands.

In another thread, someone said that Apple DVD-R's are actually Verbatim, but Verbatim you can buy in bulk. True?

Suggestions? Any good scientific studies of DVD-R quality?

Thanks!

madmacgames · Jul 14, 2004, 02:54 PM

Originally posted by Eug:
Apple probably has used several different manufacturers, but whatever the case it's all good.

I have seen suggested in many different places that Verbatim makes Apple's media.

urrl78 · Jul 14, 2004, 03:06 PM

I usually get TDK or whatever popular brand name is on sale and I usually never have a problem.

SoBayJake · Jul 14, 2004, 05:57 PM

Originally posted by urrl78:
I usually get TDK or whatever popular brand name is on sale and I usually never have a problem.

I've ordered from MeritLine.com, and haven't had trouble. The list SuperDrive compatibility on the site.

I got a stack of Samsung DVD-R media from them, 100 for $49. I accidentally got 1X tho, so that isn't fun at all. Not bad for archiving, etc. when I am not in a hurry.

Like urrl78 said, I get the stuff on sale, and use that. I'm always buying the sub-$1 media, and not having any trouble.

Granted, time will tell how these things "age" but I'm not worried about that, none of this is meant for long-term storage, just backups, etc.

-Jake

SupahCoolX · Jul 14, 2004, 09:11 PM

www.nomorecoasters.com

As a side note: I recently bought some Memorex 4x DVD-Rs, and have had no problems at all (about 10 discs burned so far).

romeosc · Jul 14, 2004, 10:14 PM

I have burned over 80 Ritex 4x with not a single failure!
Prices are a lot cheaper than Apple! Knock on wood..... I can burn multiple copies and still come out cheaper!

DVD-R 1X-4X (G04 Silver Matte Top) by Ritek

qty.
price
per unit

25
$18.75
[$0.75]

50
$26.50
[$0.53]

100
$51.00
[$0.51]

300
$150.00
[$0.50]

1000
$490.00
[$0.49]

: free domestic ground shipping

wuzup101 · Jul 15, 2004, 12:01 AM

First off, I dont have my PB yet and even when I get it it won't have a SD. I currently have a 4x Sony DVD+/-RW in my PC and I've done well over 200 disks since I got it around xmas time. I've never had a failure that wasn't my fualt (only like 2 in total... and they were caused by me doing stupid stuff that the normal computer user wouldn't do (overclocking and testing stuff while burning). Anyway, I've used the Ritek G04's mentioned below in addition to Memorex DVD-Rs and TDK+R's without any problems what so ever. They have great quality and are relatively inexpensive. I'm going to be hooking up my burner to my PB via an external enclosure sooner or later... hope I wont have any problems then!

gsxrboy · Jul 15, 2004, 12:11 AM

Ritek G04 Whitetops. perfect.

raiste · Jul 15, 2004, 12:13 PM

Originally posted by gsxrboy:
Ritek G04 Whitetops. perfect.

I too have had zero problems with the Ritek G04 discs.

Sudogenic · Sep 14, 2004, 10:32 AM

Hi all,

Are all DVDs by the same manufacturer the same quality?

I've found this 25 DVD-R spindle tub by Maxell, and I'm wondering whether they'll: A) Be the same quality as these more expensive ones by Maxell, and B)Work with the Powerbook DVD-R drive.

Since that article says that Maxell are the most compatible, should the DVD-Rs in that spindle tub work well?

Cheers.

Dougmc · Sep 14, 2004, 12:03 PM

I've been using the Fujifilm product line without fail for quite some time. Price has been pretty competitive as well.

http://www.fujifilmmediasource.com/optical.asp

I'm typically buying the 50-disc spindle of DVD-Rs; and the 100-disc spindle of CD-Rs.

albook · Sep 14, 2004, 12:28 PM

I have had good luck with Fortis DVD-R 4x!
Burning nicelly at 4x and works great in all standalone players I have used so far..

Code:
Mediacode
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unique Disc Identifier : [DVD-R:SONY04D1]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Disc Type : [DVD-R]
Manufacturer ID : [SONY04D1]
Disc Application Code : [Unrestricted Use : Consumer Purpose]
Recording Speeds : [1x - 2x - 4x]
Blank Disc Capacity : [2,298,496 Sectors = 4,489.3 MB = 4.38 GB]

Complete mediacode:
0000 : 00 00 00 00 01 40 c1 fd 9e d8 52 00 02 86 0e 11 [email protected].....
0010 : 66 78 80 00 03 53 4f 4e 59 30 34 00 04 44 31 00 fx...SONY04..D1.
0020 : 00 00 00 00 05 a8 82 00 20 00 02 00 06 09 11 11 ........ .......
0030 : 87 78 90 00 07 a8 82 00 20 00 00 00 08 06 17 0d .x...... .......
0040 : 0f 0b 0b 00 09 98 08 0f 0b 00 00 00 0a 00 00 00 ................
0050 : 00 00 10 00 0b 06 1c 15 97 77 75 00 0c 98 ab 88 .........wu.....
0060 : 80 00 00 00 0d 00 00 d0 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ................

In Norway they are NOK 500,- (~USD 70) for 100 discs.

rjt1000 · Sep 14, 2004, 05:00 PM

Hi,

I have been using TDK 4x DVD-R media in my PB 12 inch rev C superdrive (MATSHITA UJ-825) with terrific results.

I have burned about 50 disks without a single failure.

The price has now dropped and you can buy 25 for $20 at Costco and elsewhere.

Best wishes,

Rich

romeosc · Sep 14, 2004, 07:32 PM

Ritek 8x DVD-R media 100pk for $35 2:00 pm
Meritline offers dealnews readers the "silver shiny" Ritek 8x DVD-R media 100-pack for $46. Apply coupon code "dealnews-ritek11off" and the price falls to $35. With shipping starting around $6, that's $5 off our last mention and the lowest total price we've seen. Offer ends September 17.

akwicks · Sep 15, 2004, 12:50 AM

I have had 80% success with Apple DVD-Rs (but they were 2002 vintage) and 100% success with TDK 4x DVD-R media. I get about 4.3 GB on a 4.7 GB DVD using Toast v6.

vandelay · Sep 15, 2004, 04:57 PM

Originally posted by SupahCoolX:
www.nomorecoasters.com

As a side note: I recently bought some Memorex 4x DVD-Rs, and have had no problems at all (about 10 discs burned so far).

I would also recommend Memorex 4x DVD-Rs. I've been using a ton of them with my Powerbook and Panasonic DVD recorders without any problem.
And a 25 pack goes for only about 18 Euros.

vasu · Sep 16, 2004, 09:40 AM

I've also had 0 problems with Ritek G04 or BeAll (spun off company from Samsung).

The japanese made discs are the best, and i think the only japanese disc maker left is Taiyo Yuden. They're pretty pricey, you can get them under their name and also retail under the Fuji name (the label will say Made in Japan and not Made in Taiwan).

I've heard that some Ritek discs from Meritline were showing up as counterfit discs and having problems, so I'd stay away from that shop.

Remember, most name brands are made by no-name (to us) chemical companies in taiwan and malaysia. I kinda doubt that Maxell makes their own media. I also doubt they use just 1 supplier. Fuji is a great example, some of their discs are made in japan by TY and are great, and others are made in taiwan by some other company and suck.

If you just need 4x media, Ritek is very good and well priced, their G04 media (the real not counterfit stuff) is great. Shop4Tech.com is highly rated and haven't heard about counterfit discs coming from them.

For reviews.. http://www.cdrinfo.com/ has forums that usually have feedback and info on various brands. Also www.videohelp.com has a media search and you can get results from every peice of media out there. Even results on what drives it works well with and what players it has problems with, great resource.

-vasu