They have worked well for me on my Panny ES-10 and ES-15, as well as my Iomega and LG outboard drives.

Sadly for me the newer spindles refuse to format with my recorder (ES-20). The previous ones I had continue to format/reformat okay, but the ones from the last few months refuse. Not sure what the issue is :-( They were all listed as 4x, and the packaging seems to be the same, only difference I found is the batch #s.

Today's Fry's ad has Panasonic write-once Blu-Ray (25gb) discs for $8. That's certainly a lower price than the $20+ from a few months ago.

But compared to quality blank media (eg TY) at around 30c (granted it's bulk purchase), the price is about 24x more, but only 5x the capacity. Of course for those who want to record in high-def BluRay is priceless (assuming price and availability of blu-ray recorders/burners is not an issue)

On the standard dvd side of things, they have GQ 16x 50pks DVD+R for $9.50 (19c per blank) [I have never used the GQs].

And for Memorex fans, I saw a Memorex recorder advertised in the Sunday paper flyers. I forgot which store, but it was a DVD+RW only. It looked like a box with a computer burner mounted on it! LOL

Sadly for me the newer spindles refuse to format with my recorder (ES-20). The previous ones I had continue to format/reformat okay, but the ones from the last few months refuse. Not sure what the issue is :-( They were all listed as 4x, and the packaging seems to be the same, only difference I found is the batch #s.

Are they RITEKs, like the old ones? I have plenty, but I'd hate to see these become unreliable/unusable, being that they go on sale at a great price.

Are they RITEKs, like the old ones? I have plenty, but I'd hate to see these become unreliable/unusable, being that they go on sale at a great price.

I can't check the media type, so I don't know what they are/were. I always bought them (old and new) when they went on sale for $8 per 25-disc spindle, so it's not the sale. It might be that my recorder is too old (firmware-wise) or too worn down for them? I don't have another recorder to test them.

June 10 thru 23 at Staples, 60pk of Playo -R or +R for $5 after $22 Easy Rebate (easy rebates are online submission, very reliable). Not sure how many spindles per person. The last time it was up to 10 per address.

June 10 thru 23 at Staples, 60pk of Playo -R or +R for $5 after $22 Easy Rebate (easy rebates are online submission, very reliable). Not sure how many spindles per person. The last time it was up to 10 per address.
Grrr. :mad: You keep posting these Playo sales and I keep on waiting for them to come down without the damn rebate. Quit tempting me! ;) At just over 8 cents per, they're great for a plethora of uses. I'm getting tired of giving out 30 cents discs like Halloween candy. But who the hell has $270 to spend just on media? By the time I get my $220 rebate money back in 6-8 weeks, I'd typically triple the sum with investments of my own. :confused:

Grrr. :mad: You keep posting these Playo sales and I keep on waiting for them to come down without the damn rebate. Quit tempting me! ;) At just over 8 cents per, they're great for a plethora of uses. I'm getting tired of giving out 30 cents discs like Halloween candy. But who the hell has $270 to spend just on media? By the time I get my $220 rebate money back in 6-8 weeks, I'd typically triple the sum with investments of my own. :confused:

LOL Sorry :-) Actually the Staples Easy Rebate (online submission) are the best in the industry. They mail them on-time and they can't lose them since they are in the computer system from the moment you submit them. These are rebates for people who hate rebates... And don't tell Staples Rewards this, but you earn rewards points on them as well, on top of possible credit card rewards :-)

At 8c, they are a like the failed DiVx idea. Record, watch it, throw it away (recycle that is). I am now starting to use the Playos instead of rewriteables in some cases because my recorder no longer formats the new spindles of ODP -RW...

I got back my Playo Staples easy rebate with no problem. I like using the Playos first with Iffy DVD projects. If it hoses a Playo who cares. If it doesn't I use a Verb and/or TY and keep the Playo as 3rd copy backup, or give it to a friend. I may try the +Rs too. Just to see if they give any better scans, just for funsies.

I may try the +Rs too. Just to see if they give any better scans, just for funsies.

Please let us know what you find out about that!

I received $110 in rebates the other day; now I will wait for another $66.
5 pks of -R, 3 pks of +R
Rebates good for up to 10 pks to any one name

Please let us know what you find out about that!

Yes, I am curious to find out too. I only bought -R Playaz so far.

If your looking for MADE IN JAPAN media check your local Walgreen Drug Stores because this week they have the 50PK Sony -R & +R on sale for $16.99

To me it's woth the extra few dollars more than you would pay at Staples or BB when they put the Sony Made In Taiwan discs on sale.

THANKS BILL!!! Those Taiyo made Sony DVD-R 16x have given me excellent quality scores. I want some more of 'em!!!

Does anyone know if the OptoDisc 4x DVD-RW discs working well with Panasonics and specifically the ES20? I was looking at meritline.com and they have a 25pk for $12.50 (50c per) and a 50pk for $24 (48c per blank), which is a great price for a non-sale sale. These discs are described as silver shiny and unbranded. I kid you not !

I also checked at Panasonica Direct and they have the 15pk of -RAM for $20, or single -RAMs for 99c. The single RAMs appear to be old (they dont even have a speed indicator), model# is LM-AF120U.

If anyone knows of any other DVD-RW deals (other than the ODP which I can't format), please let me know :-)

Sigh, my Walgreen's (that I raided back in March for MIJ media) is all out. I have a feeling it's all old stock, since the only MIJ Sony is found at places with pretty low media turnover...

But it's also probably your best place to look! (Along with Sears, to do a pricematch, if you have the Walgreen's circular)

I found and bought another 100 of the TY made Sony 16x DVD-R at a Walgreens in a nearby town. There was another 50 -R and 50+R that were MIJ but I forced myself to leave them. It was hard to do. :o

Glad you found some & I did grab a 50PK -R MIJ at my local Walgreen's.

I do know that on other times that they've had them on sale that my local store has run out of them so in my area (CT) MIJ discs must be coming in from their warehouse but who knows how long the warehouse will have the MIJ discs?

Just for the fun of it if I have time next week I'm going to check just to see if I can find out if the new stock they get in is still from Japan.

Media news you might not be aware of:

TDK? Memorex? Can you say "Imation"? (http://www.tdk.co.jp/teaah01/aah21400.htm)

One month before TDK press release. (http://www.digitalcamcordernews.com/posts/2006/03/143-tdk-says-no-more-blank-cddvd-media)

Verbatim discontinues 8X media (starting in 2005). (http://club.cdfreaks.com/showpost.php?p=1023209&postcount=8)

Media news you might not be aware of:

TDK? Memorex? Can you say "Imation"? (http://www.tdk.co.jp/teaah01/aah21400.htm)
The ugliest of of all things just got a little bit uglier. :(

I have had very good results with Verbatim 16x DVD-R. Even in my Sylvania HDVR200F that only burns at 1x. Yes, that's right - 1x !!!

I have had very good results with Verbatim 16x DVD-R. Even in my Sylvania HDVR200F that only burns at 1x. Yes, that's right - 1x !!!

1X..those were the days!. I just picked up a load of Verbatim 4X DVD+R media at an irresistable price. If you don't mind slower burning speeds, there are some good deals out there on quality media.

After my last buy-a 50 pack spindle of TDK at Circuit City, in which the very first disc turned out to be a coaster, with several more along the way, I pledged to be more cautious when sales popped up...but when walking past a display shelf in Office Depot, I couldn't leave without a Red Tag sale 50 pk spindle of Sony +R, clearance priced at 9 bucks. They are marked on the label1x-16x. The TDKs turned out to be RITEK, and the media code had them listed as second class media at that website (the name escapes me) that listed the quality of media by it's code.

So, I hope these turn out alright. Haven't had a chance to open them yet, but Sony seems to be well liked here, There were some Sony -RW packs on the shelf too, for about $7. May go back for those before the week is out.
At 9 dollars, I won't complain if a few coasters pop up.

The ugliest of of all things just got a little bit uglier. :(

LOL. Even their slogan is broken: "Is it live or is it Memorex?"

So as good rule of thumb here when buying media should I do the following:

a. Buy DVD+R as in another thread they discussed better reliability?
b. Buy made in Japan products?

I am using Maxell DVD-R for the time being that I got at Walmart with a 25 pack for about $12, but obviously I can do better reading this thread if I shop around.

I havent had any bad disks so far, I guess Maxell is ok?

in a b&m store only buy Verbatims,I have had zero problems with +R.Sonys are next if you can't find Verbs.
MIJ if you can find any,pretty much everything is Taiwan these days.
Maxell media should generally be left on the shelf and not purchased.

I have had very good service from DVD-R Verbatims as well. If you have a WalGreens nearby, check them for made In Japan Sony DVD+/-Rs. They will be about 16-17 bucks for 50 when on sale, but many are Taiyo Yuden made discs and of the best quality.

...I am using Maxell DVD-R for the time being that I got at Walmart with a 25 pack for about $12, but obviously I can do better reading this thread if I shop around.

I havent had any bad disks so far, I guess Maxell is ok?
At almost 50 cents per, you paid through the teeth. :( You can get TYs online regularly for 24-28 cents per. :)

So use Verbatim and Sony brand and look for made in Japan?

Is the problme of quality with these disks working right out of the box or is later on in playback? None of the disks I have made have a problem with playback but I have only played them back a couple of times each.

With some media the problem is poor quality burns that function at first but degrade over time and become un-playable. Maxell/made by Ritek has not held up well for me. One guy here has had good results from Maxell/Ritek. He seems to be in the minority WRG to that though.

So use Verbatim and Sony brand and look for made in Japan?
Is the problme of quality with these disks working right out of the box or is later on in playback? None of the disks I have made have a problem with playback but I have only played them back a couple of times each.
made in Japan discs are increasingly rare,the Verbatims you'll find now are made in Taiwan by CMC Mag or Prodisc,they are of very good quality because they use Mitsubishi's quality dye,stampers,etc.if you have a Best Buy,Office Max,Sam's Club near you,they should be very easy to find.I would use Sony or any other brand only as a last resort if I couldn't find any Verbs anywhere and I needed to record something that day,lol.
alternatively you could order Taiyo Yudens online from supermediastore.com or rima.com.

I believe Verb 50 packs are $14.99 this week, at Office Depot.

I believe Verb 50 packs are $14.99 this week, at Office Depot.

You mean Office Max? I can't find it on Office Depot, but it is on Office Max.

http://www.officemax.com/max/solutions/product/prodBlock.jsp?prodBlockOID=1611316220

Sorry, guess it was my mistake, must have been Office Max. Inkstop has them for $12.99, and there is one only a mile from my house, but they are only in a few midwestern states.

Inkstop has been expanding recently and can be found in several Mid-Atlantic states, including PA and NJ. A link to their locations is here. (http://www.inkstop.net/locator/locator.html)

I haven't visited them yet, but their prices seem pretty good.

I have the Philips DVDR-3575H/37 DVD Recorder and it recommends Maxell brand DVD+R discs (amongst other brands). I have always used DVD-R, but I have heard DVD+R has advantages (just like PrestonD has heard) so I went to my Sunday Newspaper and looked at the fliers.

I bought a 50-pk of Maxell DVD+R at Office Depot for $11.99 (no rebate, that was the sale price) and I brought them home. I put one in my computer to see the Media ID and it was CMC MAG M01 which according to Digitalfaq.com ranks as 3rd Class Media. It is however at the top of the 3rd Class list and the further down you go, the worse the quality.

So at first I was skeptical, but then I tried finalizing a program on my Philips recorder to play it back on a different DVD Player (a job that went smooth in the finalizing, but wouldn't play back elsewhere using a Ritek DVD-R) and with the Maxell DVD+R it played just fine.

Maybe CMC MAG is upping their game? I doubt they are as good as MCC, but maybe their better than they used to be.

Perhaps, but may be a premature judgement after only 1 disc. Let us know what happens after the 25th disc. ;)

I bought a 50-pk of Maxell DVD+R at Office Depot for $11.99 (no rebate, that was the sale price) and I brought them home. I put one in my computer to see the Media ID and it was CMC MAG M01 which according to Digitalfaq.com ranks as 3rd Class Media.

While the info at Digitalfaq.com can be helpful, don't treat it as etched in stone. Some of the off (and not-so-off) brands change the sources for their media. Some respected brands have gone downhill and some disrespected brands can give good results. I started out using Imation -RWs in my Panny ES-10 and ES-15 and never had a bad burn. Digitalfaq.com lists the Imations in their lowest catagory. How well a disc burns can vary from one brand of machine to another.
That being said, there's no excuse for questionable media. A little research and buying online can prevent a lot of heartbreak. A little experimenting with non-crucial recodings can't hurt (Playos, anyone?), but when it really counts, go with tried-and-true.

Perhaps, but may be a premature judgement after only 1 disc. Let us know what happens after the 25th disc. ;)

And let me know how the burn is holding up 2 years from now. Although the worst Maxell I have used were Ritek media ID codes.

I think from now on I will stay with either Verbatim or "Premium Quality" Taiyo Yuden. I didn't mind trying the Maxell brand DVD+R's for my Philips 3575, but after I go through the 50-pk, I will go with the two standard brands instead.

When crabboy mentioned "Play-O" brand, I use them for DVD+R DL's and have had very good results so far. Don't know how they will be in a few years, but they are currently good burns.

I guess a brand that typically yields poor results might have a good batch go out now and then, and staples (like Verbatim and Taiyo Yuden) could...although unlikely...have bad batches. I am not upset with my decision to buy "Maxell", but I just wish the Media ID was something like: MXLRG01, instead of CMC MAG M01.

Who knows, maybe I got a good batch, but one thing I would never get is Memorex.

Just to add something to my above post. I just went to Circuit City and saw a 25-pk of TDK 8x DVD+R's (I decided to pick them up for my Philips 3575 Recorder) for $7.70, so I figured what the heck maybe they will be better than the Maxell's I just bought.

When I brought them home I was hoping the Media ID would be something like: TDKG02, TTG01, or TTG02 (according to DigitalFAQ.com), and are you ready for what it was!?!?

Media ID: CMC MAG E01 !!

I guess you just can't trust Brick & Mortar stores for good media anymore, unless you stick with Verbatim only.

TDK is a crapshoot these days since they announced they would stop making recordable consumer discs (Mar 2006).

I know this is not media but Staples has their brand of slim jewel cases on line for $14.86 for the 100 box. Take a copy of the on line sale and they will match it.
Good til 7-14-07.

Anyone know anything about Kodak? The Source in Canada (owned by Circuit City - used to be Radio Shack) is selling +R 16 and -R (16x) for $12.99 per 50-pack till Sunday.

took a look over at videohelp about Kodak dvds, they have a crappy AML media code, so these are bad quality discs.

The friday's paper ad for fry's was talking about a 15pk of $21 or so for -R double layer of the GQ brand. Not sure if it is a typo. They usually have +R DL, not -R. So not sure if a typo or not.

Best Buy currently has 50-pk's of Verbatim DVD+R and -R on sale for $12.99 (normal price $29.99)

Sale is good from Sunday 07/08/07 to Saturday 07/14/07

anyone that needs to buy discs from a b& m store should go for those Verbatims, don't bother with the other junk selling for the same price.

anyone that needs to buy discs from a b& m store should go for those Verbatims, don't bother with the other junk selling for the same price.

Yeah, it seems like everybody else has Memodrecks on sale this week.

Supermediastore 3-Day Sale - $57.99 for Taiyo Yuden Premium 8X DVD-R Media 200 Pack in Cake Box with 200 Pack Paper Sleeves (Premium Line) with Free Ground Shipping

Yeah, it seems like everybody else has Memodrecks on sale this week.
They're on sale pretty much every week.
Free might be too much.

I know this is not media but Staples has their brand of slim jewel cases on line for $14.86 for the 100 box. Take a copy of the on line sale and they will match it.
Good til 7-14-07.

Can you send me a link to this sale? When I check Staples online I see they are on sale for $19.98 for their 100 count box not $14.86..

thanks

Can you send me a link to this sale? When I check Staples online I see they are on sale for $19.98 for their 100 count box not $14.86..

thanks


Simply put - NO :(
I just checked and sometime since the day I bought mine for $14.86 and posted it they changed the price. Same item number, 478455. I have my receipt in front of me so I know I didn't dream it. Anybody else get any?

Just for the hell of it I googled "staples 5mm slim jewel case".
The second listing shows the 100 at $24.98 on sale for $14.86 and it takes you to the same page as the third listing that says on sale for $19.98
Sorry

OK, fellow cheapskates. ;) Show me where I can find Verbatim DVD+R DL discs for cheap! PLEASE!

OK, fellow cheapskates. ;) Show me where I can find Verbatim DVD+R DL discs for cheap! PLEASE!


A few months back I bought a 20 count spindle of them for $30. at Best Buy.. I've also seen them there on sale at that price a few times since.

I just checked and sometime since the day I bought mine for $14.86 and posted it they changed the price. Same item number, 478455. I have my receipt in front of me so I know I didn't dream it. Anybody else get any?


No, you didn't dream it. I'm looking at the receipt and the cases right in front of me. Based on the original posting, I went to the web site, printed out the ad and went to Staples the next day and got the cases for $14.86. The clerk in the store was a little perplexed, but gave me the cases at that price. Rest easy, you are of sound mind. :)

OK, fellow cheapskates. ;) Show me where I can find Verbatim DVD+R DL discs for cheap! PLEASE!

Keep an eye on the OfficeMax website. They run Verb DVD+R DL on good sales from time to time.

No, you didn't dream it. I'm looking at the receipt and the cases right in front of me. Based on the original posting, I went to the web site, printed out the ad and went to Staples the next day and got the cases for $14.86. The clerk in the store was a little perplexed, but gave me the cases at that price. Rest easy, you are of sound mind. :)

Yes, I also got 2 packs of cases for $14.86 each, and the printout I have says the price is good through 7/14, which is even weirder. Clerk was leery of my printout but finally figured out how to do a pricematch.

Thanks for posting about this, I really needed cases and this was a pretty good price for B&M! Maybe I should've bought more...

Yes, I also got 2 packs of cases for $14.86 each, and the printout I have says the price is good through 7/14, which is even weirder. Clerk was leery of my printout but finally figured out how to do a pricematch.

Thanks for posting about this, I really needed cases and this was a pretty good price for B&M! Maybe I should've bought more...

Well in a couple days you will get that chance because from July 15-21 Staples has their boxes of 100 slim jewel cases on sale in their stores for $14.99.
About a year ago they used to have sales on these about every 3-4 weeks but not nearly as often these days, plus at that time they were only $12.50..

Fred Meyer stores out in the West have Sony 50 pack DVD-R on sale through tomorrow.

They still have Japan made mixed in with the Tawain and Malaysia made.

The Sony's have a rounded edge on top.

The other two have a sharp edge on top.

Same packaging otherwise except it says Made in Japan.

I think the price is $12.99.

bjf

Unsure as to whether or not this has been asked before, but does anyone know if there are any DVD+/-RW DL DVD's?

I only know of a couple of reasons one would need them, but have yet to see them in existence.

All the (silver) Verbatims DLs I have looked at are +RW discs. They dont' market them as such, but they are anyway. I'm not sure what the white ones are though.

http://www.burnsmart.com/ver95310.html

Just one sample, but again, marketed as DL+R. If you look closely on the left side you can see they are RW.

That's the logo for the DVD+R(W) alliance. They are NOT rewritable discs. ALL DVD+R media will have that "RW" logo, it's totally assinine why they chose that. (check your DVD burners, it'll have the same "RW" logo as the logo for the FORMAT, not the type of disc)

I think only DVD-RW DL exist and I'm not sure if they're out of prototype stage or not.

Well in a couple days you will get that chance because from July 15-21 Staples has their boxes of 100 slim jewel cases on sale in their stores for $14.99.
About a year ago they used to have sales on these about every 3-4 weeks but not nearly as often these days, plus at that time they were only $12.50..

For what it's worth - Big Lots sells 25 packs of slim cases (black or multi color) for $3.99 everyday.

Unsure as to whether or not this has been asked before, but does anyone know if there are any DVD+/-RW DL DVD's?

I only know of a couple of reasons one would need them, but have yet to see them in existence.

I haven't heard or even though of DL -rw/+rw until I saw your post! Even finding SL -RW/+RW is hard, especially now that CompUSa had another round of store closings.

Staples
# Kodak 50pk blank dvds $11 after EasyRebate (comes out to 22c per blank dvd)
# 100pk HP blank DVDs $25 (25c per blank dvd)
# 100pk Staples cd/dvd slim line jewel cases $15 (15c per slimline jewel case)

If you go to Staples on Sunday morning expect some craziness. They have some back to school office supplies on sale, nothing dramatic but enough to bring out the crowds.

Verbatim 16X 100 pk -R or +R, $22.99 at Office Max.

For what it's worth - Big Lots sells 25 packs of slim cases (black or multi color) for $3.99 everyday.

crabboy, thanks for the input.. Strangely enough that's where I've been buying my slim jewel cases for the last 5 months or so.. 16 cents a case is fine but I'm glad I just bought a box of 100 this morning at Staples for 15 cents each because I'm starting to notice that those KHypermedia brand cases that Big Lots sells are not as good a quality as the Staples brand cases.. The discs in those cases aren't held as securely as the Staples brand so often when opening the case the disc pops up.

Geez, you guys. You can get slimline DVD cases for 16 cents each online. You only have to order 12,000 to get that price! :eek:

http://www.supermediastore.com/slim-black-dvd-cases-movie-cases-12000.html

Geez, you guys. You can get slimline DVD cases for 16 cents each online. You only have to order 12,000 to get that price! :eek:

http://www.supermediastore.com/slim-black-dvd-cases-movie-cases-12000.html

spyder, we were talking about slim jewel cases. The slimline DVD cases take up too much space.

spyder, we were talking about slim jewel cases. The slimline DVD cases take up too much space.
You can just order 10,000 of these then:

http://www.supermediastore.com/slim-black-cd-jewel-case-10000.html

I think maybe you missed the point of the post. ;)

I think maybe you missed the point of the post.
Point was not sharp enough...didn't penetrate! :D

crabboy, thanks for the input.. Strangely enough that's where I've been buying my slim jewel cases for the last 5 months or so.. 16 cents a case is fine but I'm glad I just bought a box of 100 this morning at Staples for 15 cents each because I'm starting to notice that those KHypermedia brand cases that Big Lots sells are not as good a quality as the Staples brand cases.. The discs in those cases aren't held as securely as the Staples brand so often when opening the case the disc pops up.

Alas, true. That's why I prefer discsavers:
http://www.dering.com/products/discsaver.asp
They're available from several online providers. I've also found them at Frys. They're made of soft plastic, so they don't break. They hold discs securely and come in 5 colors (including clear). They're the same thickness as slim cases.
One big drawback: there is no way to include index cards.

Isn't it important to use black so light can't effect the dye on the recordable dvd or cd?

Discsavers are transparent.

bjf

Isn't it important to use black so light can't effect the dye on the recordable dvd or cd?

Are you talking about DiscSavers (using black ones) or the actual CD's / DVD's themselves?

Like these:
http://www.rima.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=R&Product_Code=1141&Category_Code=CCM

I have used black bottomed CD's for a long time because I have been under the impression that the black absorbs the laser instead of scattering it and you get more reliable burns. Come to think of it, I have yet to have one bad "black bottomed" CD yet (you know how it's common to get a bad one here and there).

I just wish they made black bottomed DVD's.

I was talking about discsavers.
I thought it's best to use solid black because of the dye layers.

bjf

Does anyone know if you can get Dual Sided DVD's anymore?

I know that ever since Dual Layered DVD's have become more mainstream, it might render Dual Sided ones as obsolete, but in reality a Dual Sided DVD is like two 4.7gb DVD's at a true 9.4gb in size, whereas a Dual Layered is 8.5gb.

I still like the ability to flip the disc over and have different content on the other side, I just haven't been able to find Dual Sided DVD-R's anymore.

Does anyone know if you can get Dual Sided DVD's anymore?

I know that ever since Dual Layered DVD's have become more mainstream, it might render Dual Sided ones as obsolete, but in reality a Dual Sided DVD is like two 4.7gb DVD's at a true 9.4gb in size, whereas a Dual Layered is 8.5gb.

I still like the ability to flip the disc over and have different content on the other side, I just haven't been able to find Dual Sided DVD-R's anymore.
Here's some Ritek +Rs, (http://www.cdrdvdrmedia.com/advanced_search.asp) if you can use those, last item on page, 56-cents each in 50 pk (click "More Info").

Here's a page with a few -Rs. (http://www.nextag.com/double_-_sided-dvd_-_r/search-html?nxtg=5bf10a240510-FB70C6239E2C1097)

Quick blurb about DiscSavers.... I figure the ONLY respectable place to put DVD's is in a DVD Jukebox - they can hold 300-400 discs (!).

My approach is pure ghetto: I put my DVD's in mega-CD wallets I buy from the thrift store... (I'm a baaaaaad boy....)

Here's a page with a few -Rs. (http://www.nextag.com/double_-_sided-dvd_-_r/search-html?nxtg=5bf10a240510-FB70C6239E2C1097)

Hey wabjxo:

I know this isn't your fault, but would you agree with me that $165 - $236 is a little steep for a 40-pk of Double Sided Verbatim DVD-R's?

http://www.nextag.com/Verbatim-9-4GB-240-60663458/prices-html

What happened to Double Sided DVD's!?!? Even Dual Layered ones aren't nearly that ridiculous in price.

I'll tell ya, technology has really surprised me as of late...where you would expect prices to go down...they go up.

My approach is pure ghetto: I put my DVD's in mega-CD wallets I buy from the thrift store... (I'm a baaaaaad boy....)

I store my DVD's in the same thing. I think it's easier to store them that way, they take up less space, and it's safe (in my opinion) to store them like that.

Does anyone know if you can get Dual Sided DVD's anymore?

I know that ever since Dual Layered DVD's have become more mainstream, it might render Dual Sided ones as obsolete, but in reality a Dual Sided DVD is like two 4.7gb DVD's at a true 9.4gb in size, whereas a Dual Layered is 8.5gb.

I still like the ability to flip the disc over and have different content on the other side, I just haven't been able to find Dual Sided DVD-R's anymore.

The only double-sided DVD-Rs that I run across are the 8-cm ones for DVD camcorders.

Panasonic still makes double-sided DVD-RAM disks, but I don't think that they are what you are looking for.

I suppose the demand for double-sided DVDs dropped when dual-layered DVDs came on the scene.

Good luck.

I store my DVD's in the same thing. I think it's easier to store them that way, they take up less space, and it's safe (in my opinion) to store them like that.

I would caution you to buy wallets from quality manufacturers (I strongly prefer Case Logic). When I first stored CDs this way, I found that the top labels would lose some of their print on the plastic sleeves. Even though DVDs are made differently, and home recorded DVDs often have no labels at all, this cannot be good for discs.

You can just order 10,000 of these then:

http://www.supermediastore.com/slim-black-cd-jewel-case-10000.html

I think maybe you missed the point of the post. ;)

Guess what everyone will be getting as gifts and presents for birthdays, anniversaries, Xmas, celebrations, and for all occasions, also great for gifts with no occasion ;-)

Guess what everyone will be getting as gifts and presents for birthdays, anniversaries, Xmas, celebrations, and for all occasions, also great for gifts with no occasion ;-)
...for the next 10 years!!! ;)

Maybe by then we'll be talking about blank BR or HD-DVD discs at 24 cents each? :cool:

On part 2 of the report posted here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=11067451 we learn from the NPD group which were the best selling blank media brands at retail for the six months of Nov 2006 thru April 2007, in total dollar value. And guess who was #1? Memorex! We are #1! We are #1! We are #1! ;-)

It was a $230 million market, with Sony, Verbatim, TDK, Fuji, Maxell, HP, Imation, Philips and Panasonic rounding up the top 10.

direct link to the page with the blank dvd numbers (the last top 10 at the very bottom of the page) http://www.twice.com/article/CA6460737.html

.....in Carson City, Nevada.

Verbatim LightScribe DVD+R 10 packs, $4.00 (normally 9-something). Red tagged (usually means clearance). Several racks at this price. I found more (in different packaging) in another part of the electronics section "marked down" to $8.

Sony Handycam small size DVD-RW, $1 apiece on clearance. Manufacturer ID:
TDK502sakuM3 (!) Also found at a higher price elsewhere with different (new?) packaging.

On part 2 of the report posted here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=11067451 we learn from the NPD group which were the best selling blank media brands at retail for the six months of Nov 2006 thru April 2007, in total dollar value. And guess who was #1? Memorex! We are #1! We are #1! We are #1! ;-)

It was a $230 million market, with Sony, Verbatim, TDK, Fuji, Maxell, HP, Imation, Philips and Panasonic rounding up the top 10.

direct link to the page with the blank dvd numbers (the last top 10 at the very bottom of the page) http://www.twice.com/article/CA6460737.html

I question the source of these data, since under PC Desktop Total Dell is not mentioned in the top 10!?!?!?

Anyway, if the Memorex data are correct, then there must be a lot of coasters floating around the country :D or filling landfills :(

I question the source of these data, since under PC Desktop Total Dell is not mentioned in the top 10!?!?!?

Anyway, if the Memorex data are correct, then there must be a lot of coasters floating around the country :D or filling landfills :(

We are#1! We are #1! Now I know how to build a successful business. Have it on sale every week and people will buy it regardless! Check your local retailer for my new invention, the Organic EmptyBoxex, always on sale at 50% or more. It will be an empty box filled with fresh organic anti-oxidant air from the Alpes :)


Their data is based on actual SKUs scanned in from stores (they say). Not sure if online sales are counted. If not, I don't know how many brick and mortar stores were having Dell boxes physically in their stores in that time period (Nov06-April07), which could explain the absence of Dell.

I store my DVD's in the same thing. I think it's easier to store them that way, they take up less space, and it's safe (in my opinion) to store them like that.

i use the same thing for my burned movies and music. get them here:

http://www.abcdistributing.com/home/catalog/cat_item_pg.asp?G=465&P=647&Rec=14&Ntt=cd+case&N=35&Nao=0&R=13799

holds 304 discs' @ a little over $10.

store bought discs' are left in the original cases.

That's weird. Did they simply decide to be 'one higher' than the other one and have 101 of the plastic 'pages' rather than 100 to make an even 300?

Is it big enough to hold a sleeve around a disc too? I bought a bunch of sleeves from someone who bought a zillion, for a couple bucks. I have a zillion discs in the sleeves now, and usually I write on the sleeves. (Sometimes using tons of old *videotape* labels I never used instead of writing directly on the sleeve.)

i use the same thing for my burned movies and music. get them here:

http://www.abcdistributing.com/home/catalog/cat_item_pg.asp?G=465&P=647&Rec=14&Ntt=cd+case&N=35&Nao=0&R=13799

holds 304 discs' @ a little over $10.

store bought discs' are left in the original cases.
Silly question perhaps, but have you had any problems with scratching the discs taking them in and out? I could use one of those, but worry about scratching them when removing/replacing, and flipping thru the pages...

Their data is based on actual SKUs scanned in from stores (they say). Not sure if online sales are counted. If not, I don't know how many brick and mortar stores were having Dell boxes physically in their stores in that time period (Nov06-April07), which could explain the absence of Dell.

OK, then that would explain the absence of Dell, but if direct-to-consumer or internet sales are not included, then IMO the data are of questionable value.

Is it big enough to hold a sleeve around a disc too?

same style as most i've seen. not really any room for anything but a disc in the pocket.

Silly question perhaps, but have you had any problems with scratching the discs taking them in and out? I could use one of those, but worry about scratching them when removing/replacing, and flipping thru the pages...

i've been using that case for about 4 years. I've not noticed any scratches that i can attribute as being caused by the case. they do get scratched from the kids use and loaning them out. but nothing that hinders playability. the front of the page is soft plastic and the back is some sort of synthetic fiber cloth.
i should add that if the disc was really important to me i would keep it in a hard case. something like a wedding or birth of a child is irreplaceable and deserves better protection (and you really don't watch that type of disc often).
i only use that soft page case for copied discs that i can replace if need be. if i have the original i keep it in their factory case and they don't get loaned out. i do have lots of friends that use the soft page cases for storing all their discs be they store bought or burns. everything from CD, DVD to games.

I question the source of these data, since under PC Desktop Total Dell is not mentioned in the top 10!?!?!?

Anyway, if the Memorex data are correct, then there must be a lot of coasters floating around the country :D or filling landfills :(

No kidding...sorry to the Memorex fans but I used to buy them and thought 10-15 coasters out of a50 pack must be average...I quickly found out it's not. Even worse, last time I bought 4 spindles of each kind cause I had some extra money and 4 spindles (2 -R and 2 +RW) had almost half that went bad or couldn't format on any of my or friend's recorders :eek: . That was the end of wasting my money. Maybe they're #1 cause they are always on sale - and unfortunately one of only three brands available in average local stores rather than specialty or online stores. That's why I used to buy them, cheap and easy to get- I learned my lesson and now hardly have coasters using other higher quality brands (even a couple so-called lower quality brands turned out better.

I just don't want anyone being misled by a list when experience with usage and durability is the real test - not how many people buy them. Sorry...don't want to upset anyone either...but the landfills are certainly full of memorex - there's so many I use them for crafts :rolleyes: a bummer but it's true!

perhaps I'm just lucky but I've never had any problems with any brand disc I've ever bought. i usually just buy whats on sale. memorex, verbatum, sony, PNY, imation even store brands from staples and such. no coasters out of any of them. i must add though that all of my burning is done on a PC not a stand alone burner.

i probably just jinxed myself. :rolleyes: that cake of 100 i just bought will all be bad. :mad:

...sorry to the Memorex fans...
Are you saying it's possible there might be more than one? :eek:

i never get coasters with tdk and maxell with my old sony

every once in a blue moon (like 1 disc out of 300), i'll get a "dirty disc" message and the recording will stop but the dvd is still saved and i can keep recording on it and didn't lose anything recorded on the disc

i've tried the no name stuff, nothing but headaches

it's just getting harder and harder to find 8X blanks for my old sony :(

it's just getting harder and harder to find 8X blanks for my old sony :(

Try Here:

http://www.meritline.com/8x-dvd-r-blank-media-dvdr-discs-disc.html

and Here:

http://www.supermediastore.com/dvdr-8x.html

Try Here:

http://www.meritline.com/8x-dvd-r-blank-media-dvdr-discs-disc.html

and Here:

http://www.supermediastore.com/dvdr-8x.html


thanks :D

* 320 cd/dvd album $10 after EasyRebate of $5 at Staples
* staples brand 50pk slim line jewel cases $10 (20c each) at Staples
* 100pk Sony -r or +r $25 (25c per) at Staples
* 50pk Sony -r or +r $15 (30c per) at Staples
* 60pk (yes, sixty) Playo -r or +r $7 after EasyRebate of $20 at Staples. Not sure how many rebates per household. Sometimes it is up to 10.
* 25pk of Fuji silver -r or +r $10 at Longs Drugs
* more as i go thru the paper

Dynex DVD+R DL on sale at Best Buy 15 for 15.08!* :D

Media code reads Ricohjpn-d01-067. :eek:

Made in Hong Kong = fake media! Dammit! I was really hoping for the old Verbatim code that used to show up on the Dynex DL discs made in Singapore. These go back tomorrow instead. :(

The hunt for Verbatims continues...

Dynex DVD+R DL on sale at Best Buy 15 for 15.08!* :D

Media code reads Ricohjpn-d01-067. :eek:


Shouldn't Dynex be arrested, and charged under the Rico act? :D

No kidding...sorry to the Memorex fans but I used to buy them and thought 10-15 coasters out of a50 pack must be average...I quickly found out it's not. Even worse, last time I bought 4 spindles of each kind cause I had some extra money and 4 spindles (2 -R and 2 +RW) had almost half that went bad or couldn't format on any of my or friend's recorders :eek: . That was the end of wasting my money. Maybe they're #1 cause they are always on sale - and unfortunately one of only three brands available in average local stores rather than specialty or online stores. That's why I used to buy them, cheap and easy to get- I learned my lesson and now hardly have coasters using other higher quality brands (even a couple so-called lower quality brands turned out better.

I just don't want anyone being misled by a list when experience with usage and durability is the real test - not how many people buy them. Sorry...don't want to upset anyone either...but the landfills are certainly full of memorex - there's so many I use them for crafts :rolleyes: a bummer but it's true!

I don't even know if there are any Memorex fans at Memorex :) Their "reliability" has been "applauded" in this and other media threads many many times.

Maybe Memorex is the real cause of the demise of DVD recorders! Too many faulty discs caused the average consumer to give up on dvd recorders!

I wouldn't doubt it-- the public has been sold a bill of goods along the lines of "bits is bits" so they assume any round shiny disc on sale at the store is as good as any other one.

So they get a spindle of 25 Memorex discs for $9.99, spend a weekend cursing and swearing at their stupid DVD recorder for being so hard to use, making worthless discs, nothing will play them, and they return the recorder for being junk, never suspecting it's 100% the media's fault.

I wonder if any of the manufacturers have any sort of hard data/idea if this happened, and if there'd be any way to sue Memorex/Imation/the similar junk peddlers into either shaping up or getting out of the market.

There is/are DVD standard/s.

Either the standards are so poor, it is possible to make DVD's that simply don't work.
-OR-
The majority of the DVD's being made are out of spec.

Either way, there should be a lot of heads on pikes...

HaHa, I can't wait to see how picky this BR and HD stuff is going to be.

I have to laugh, the obsolete VCR worked every single time - so much for progress.

Maybe, I should stick with my DVHS. Seriously, that format never ceases to impress me and besides, it is the ONLY format that can record HD and Dolby Digital. Based on that fact alone, one has to admit that DVHS is actually a more modern and superior to DVD. Yet, DVHS is considered obsolete, I suppose - by the people trying to push DVD, BR, and HD.

It is indeed 10 rebates per household on the current Playos/Staples deal. Bought some Playo DVD+R's. Needed 'em like another hole in my head. I do like having them for the bums and throwaway type burns. I especially like to use them in cases where I suspect there may be a problem with the burn. If it crashes out during the attempt, big deal, I am out like 15 cents.

Here is a K-Probe scan of my first Playo DVD+R burn.

Date : 7/25/2007 2:32:32 AM
Model : 2-0-0-0 H:LITE-ON DVDRW SHM-165P6S MS0P
Disc : DVD+R , MCC004 [Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation]
Speed : 4x
ECC blocks sum (PI/PIF) : 8/1
Scanned range : 0 - 1863576
Sampling count : 74608
Errors : 0
PI Max : 46
PI Average : 16.60
PI Total : 215307
PIF Max : 3
PIF Average : 0.15
PIF Total : 1940


The PIF is very good..... nice and low. The PI isn't quite as good but well within spec. I should be burning a few more of these soon. I will post results in a day or three.

You got PlayO DVD+R's that are MCC (Media ID)? That's as good as Verbatim!

I use PlayO for DVD+R DL, but now seeing your post maybe I will pick up some single layer +R.

Just for clarification, you are referring to the 60-pk found at Staples, right? The ones that are $26.98 with a $20.00 rebate that is good until 07/28/07?

Here is a link to them so I know for sure:
http://www.staples.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StaplesProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&prodCatType=1&noredir=true&catalogId=10051&productId=156911&cmArea=SEARCH

Because if those really are the ones, that you tested and have an MCC Media ID, I will be on my way to Staples right away to get some.

You got PlayO DVD+R's that are MCC (Media ID)? That's as good as Verbatim!

There have been allegations (on this forum) that PlayO's media ID codes are faked. Is there any hard evidence of this? I've taken advantage of this deal twice (+R this time, -R last time).

I can't verify the media code authenticity, but I CAN verify that Playo discs appear to be built like tanks and seem to work on nearly everything. We've had more than a few of these discs that were; passed around again and again, left in a 170-degree car, left in a sub-zero temp car, placed in countless kids' icky-sticky hands, scratched beyond belief, used in everything from Walmart $20 players to high-end units and read every time, and still these discs play on. I've not had a fail yet either. Not one, even after hundreds of burns. Maybe I'm just lucky, but...*

*Keep in mind that these were the 50 packs of -R discs I picked up at (4 cents per) a loooooonng time ago, not the +R or the current 60 packs, so YMMV. Good luck.

P.S. I went ahead and burned one of the ($1 per) Dynex +R DL discs anyway. Works like a champ. Maybe I won't send 'em back after all.

Hey spyder696969:

I just bought my 60-pk of PlayO DVD+R's from Staples (see the link in my post above [#1358]).

I checked the Media ID, and it was MCC 004.

Who knows, maybe PlayO is one of those companies that starts out unheard of and lousy and then turns around and becomes great.

For me to get a 60-pk of DVD+R's (they have -R's too) for $26.98, with a $20.00 rebate, and they have an MCC Media ID, it's something I just couldn't pass up.

Besides, the discs come out to 12 cents each...and they're great quality. If a few of the burns come out bad, I will either use them when friends want something (seems to be the trend) or test them on stuff I don't intend to keep. Then I will stick with the standbys of Verbatim and Taiyo Yuden.

But for now, it looks like I got great media for an excellent price.

suplex, I just logged back on. Yes, as you found, same Playos deal with MCC codes. However, the scans are not equal to Verbatim Branded MCC Disks. Especially with the Playo -R's I got TONS more PI errors and a MUCH higher PI level than with Verbs. That said, I have yet to see a failed burn with a Playo, or a DVD Player that refused to play one back.

I am using these for give-aways, test burns, 3rd copy backups, and throw away recordings.

I have done 3 burns with the +R but don't have time to analyze the results right now. Maybe tonite. FWIW ,the first Playo +R scan looked considerably better than my previous -R Playos scans. More later.

There have been allegations (on this forum) that PlayO's media ID codes are faked. Is there any hard evidence of this? I've taken advantage of this deal twice (+R this time, -R last time).

I have read that it is not uncommon for makers of cheaper media to "borrow" ID Codes from widely used brand names in order to increase their recognition by and compatibility with a greater number of DVD drives. The Playos may not be "real" Verbatims (I really don't think they are), but they may not be "stealing" the Media ID Code. OR maybe they are stealing it. Who knows.

Bottom line for me is the scan quality is well below my normal Verbatim results but I didn't buy them thinking they are "real" Verbs so I am ok with it.

Date : 7/25/2007 7:19:11 PM
Model : 1-0-0-0 H:LITE-ON DVDRW SHM-165P6S MS0P
Disc : DVD+R , MCC004 [Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation]
Speed : Max
ECC blocks sum (PI/PIF) : 8/1
Scanned range : 0 - 1399922
Sampling count : 55846
Errors : 0
PI Max : 26
PI Average : 7.31
PI Total : 75655
PIF Max : 4
PIF Average : 0.23
PIF Total : 2401

Overall not a bad scan. I need to rescan at 4x though. I burned this one on my new Vista System with a Toshiba/Samsung DVD Burner.

I can't verify the media code authenticity, but I CAN verify that Playo discs appear to be built like tanks and seem to work on nearly everything. We've had more than a few of these discs that were; passed around again and again, left in a 170-degree car, left in a sub-zero temp car, placed in countless kids' icky-sticky hands, scratched beyond belief, used in everything from Walmart $20 players to high-end units and read every time, and still these discs play on. I've not had a fail yet either. Not one, even after hundreds of burns. Maybe I'm just lucky, but...*

*Keep in mind that these were the 50 packs of -R discs I picked up at (4 cents per) a loooooonng time ago, not the +R or the current 60 packs, so YMMV. Good luck.

Based on my memory, the 60pks seem to be more reliable than the 50pks (this from memory, not from running any tests). The price is hard to argue with. Obviously I wouldn't use them for a one-shot recording that I could never find again, but for everything I wouldn't cry for days if it failed, I use them :) Finding -RW on sale is getting harder (esp since my recorder has issues with the current Office Depot), so I started using Playos instead

Has anyone used Sony +R DL discs? Comp USA has a 25 pack for $35 right now.

P.S. Bulk buyers might like this: http://www.supermediastore.com/taiyo-yuden-valueline-8x-dvd-r-200-pack-black-paper-sleeves.html

Any Sony +R DL discs I've had were actually Verbatim OEM and never had a problem.

Update! Best Buy has the same* Sony +R DL discs in 25 pack for $30, thus beating Comp USA by $5. That's only $1.20 per! Looks like these are coming to my house on Tuesday, along with a copy of 300. :D

*I say "same" because I'm uncertain of the media codes or manufacture location for either cakebox.

Edit: I've seen online that these 25 pack Sonys read as RITEK...D01, which is 3rd-class media :eek: , however, that is not in congruence with digitalFAQ. I'm so confused! :confused:

If anyone buys these before Tuesday, please let me know.

Update! Best Buy has the same* Sony +R DL discs in 25 pack for $30, thus beating Comp USA by $5. That's only $1.20 per! Looks like these are coming to my house on Tuesday, along with a copy of 300. :D

*I say "same" because I'm uncertain of the media codes or manufacture location for either cakebox.

Edit: I've seen online that these 25 pack Sonys read as RITEK...D01, which is 3rd-class media :eek: , however, that is not in congruence with digitalFAQ. I'm so confused! :confused:

If anyone buys these before Tuesday, please let me know.

I was going to buy some on Wednesday, on the strength of the post saying that these were really Verbs. So, yes, please, if someone tests them, please let us know!

I bought the Sony 25 pack +DL's at Staples in January and the media code is RITEK D01 001 (Third Class - layer change issues)

Don't know if the ones at BB are the same.

This week has the common sale -- Maxell DVD+/-RWs at Office Depot for $7.99 for 15 pack.

The picture in the ad showed them as 2x.. But I see now that online you can't tell what speed they are in that picture -- it literally looks like they blacked it out.

I know I always say that I have too many, and I do.. But if I really can't read unfinalized DVD-Rs on my new XS32 drive.. I may get more to finally get EVERYTHING off of my XS32 drive to reformat it. (Another voodoo fix.. it sure SEEMS like I'm seeing more glitches in recordings.)

Verbatim 16x DVD-R at Buy.Com for $21.77 per 100 ct. cakebox after rebate. Free shipping available too.

http://www.buy.com/specialty_store_5/verbatim/14575.html

This week has the common sale -- Maxell DVD+/-RWs at Office Depot for $7.99 for 15 pack.

The picture in the ad showed them as 2x.. But I see now that online you can't tell what speed they are in that picture -- it literally looks like they blacked it out.

thanks for the heads-up! I might give them a try, since the Sony rarely go on sale these days and my recorder has developed an allergy towards the new(er) OfficeDepot house brand -RW.

Verbatim 16x DVD-R at Buy.Com for $21.77 per 100 ct. cakebox after rebate. Free shipping available too.

http://www.buy.com/specialty_store_5/verbatim/14575.html

Are these any good? I guess I'm not one to talk, since I buy cheapo Fry's media, but at $11.77 (with google checkout), it's interesting to try.. though darn, I guess I'd have to buy more stuff to get free shipping.

I have had excellent duty from Verbatim 16x DVD-R. They have given me some of my best quality scans ever. I think there may have been a bad batch of them a while back. Hopefully those problems are behind us. FWIW I never got any bad ones even though i had the "bad" media ID on some of mine.

On those Sony +R DL at Comp USA and Best Buy.
I see it is still unresolved as to who makes them ?
My Verbatim +R DL are made in Singapore. If the Sonys are labeled the same would you think that would be a good indication they are the same as the Verbatims?

On those Sony +R DL at Comp USA and Best Buy.
I see it is still unresolved as to who makes them ?
My Verbatim +R DL are made in Singapore. If the Sonys are labeled the same would you think that would be a good indication they are the same as the Verbatims?
I never got the Sony discs, as I was too afraid they would turn out to be Riteks and I'd have to make yet another trip back to BB. That said, the indications I got were that the Sonys at BB were marked as made in HK, not Singapore. You may just luck out. Let us know if you decide to get them. Who knows, I might change my mind and get them anyway. If so, I'll post results.

Called today on the Sony +R DL discs. BB is sold out. The clerk said the single layer +R discs are made in Taiwan, which is not necessarily either good nor bad, since Verbatim, Sony, and Ritek all have manufacturing sites there. Sorry I can't give any more info. If I get by a Comp USA I'll take a look.

The SL Sony DVD+R is usually their own SONYD21 media code. It's ok media-- not spectacular but fairly consistent. Definitely not in the same league as Verbatim or TY. (which is about how I feel about the MIT Sony DVD-R media. It's not "great" but not bad at all)

Stopped by BB today for the Sony +R DL, 25 for $30.
The first spindle I picked up was Made in Singapore like the Verbatims so I figured it was worth the gamble.
I thought about buying another but the rest were all Made in Taiwan. Probably lucky for me because I really didn't need to buy any.
Hopefully it goes along the line that the MIS are Verbs and the MIT are Ritek.
I thought maybe I could get the Media ID off them but I guess it doesn't work on a blank disc.
Is there a way to get the MID from a blank? Otherwise I won't know until I use one.

Is there a way to get the MID from a blank? Otherwise I won't know until I use one.

ImgBurn Will do it ( Free. http://www.imgburn.com/ )

I get the same with imgburn.
It reads my verbatim (burned) MKM 003
But not the blanks.

I have seen some Kodak-branded DVD-R/DVD+R, made in China, at one of the chain stores for about $12 for 50pk. Has anyone tried/tested them? Thx!

Btw, 50pk of slim-line jewel cases at Staples $10 (20c per). Not a great sale price, but handy if you only need 50 and need it now.

I picked up a 50 spindle of Sonys at a regular price at (gasp) WalMart recently. After I got home I glanced at the wrap-around label and it reports they were made in Malaysia (the last ones I got a few months ago were made in Taiwan). I have tried a Malaysia one and it seemed to burn okay (usually DVDs seem to burn to final 99% of the time or just...not even finish, but that is so rare as to be a huge surprise when it happens). Any thoughts about Malaysia, are they super/average/dreadful? Should I save these DVDs for copying shows/movies that I'll probably buy when they are collected and sold as sets + extras?

Tru-Tech (http://www.tradenex.com/sites/trutech/f_main.htm) is a Malaysian company that makes all sorts of electronic stuff for major brands, including AIWA, KENWOOD, JVC and PANASONIC, so some good things come from Malaysia! Maybe they made the DVDs?

Is there a way to get the MID from a blank? Otherwise I won't know until I use one.

DVD Identifier is one program that will do that

DVD Identifier is one program that will do that
That's what I typically use. Works great. Plus, the install takes about two seconds.

I get the same with imgburn.
It reads my verbatim (burned) MKM 003
But not the blanks.

My reads blanks. Do you have the latest version?

From what I can tell I have the latest version of Imgburn, 2.3.2.0, and
DVD Identifier, V5.0.1.

I cannot get either one of those to acknowledge a blank.
And imgburn will only identify the recorded Verbatim.
With Nero so far out of 5 different dvds it will only identify the recorded Verbatim.
And it will only do a "scan disc". Everything else says drive not supported.
I am guessing that it is my "mat **** a" burner. I have never read anything good about it.
Sorry I can't give an answer about the Sony DL. Maybe when I record to one.

Tru-Tech (http://www.tradenex.com/sites/trutech/f_main.htm) is a Malaysian company that makes all sorts of electronic stuff for major brands, including AIWA, KENWOOD, JVC and PANASONIC, so some good things come from Malaysia! Maybe they made the DVDs?

I'm looking at one of the Sony/Malaysian blanks right now. Around the core, in big blue, easy-to-read letters it says "Sony Corporation DVD-R Ver.2.1/1x-16x". In very difficult to read (with bifocals, anyhow!) tiny, backwards/inside out letters on the rim, it says... "DRM5GG0001 4G" I bet the 4G is for 4Gigs but the rest... Maybe it's secret code for "good things come from Malaysia!" :D

I'm looking at one of the Sony/Malaysian blanks right now. Around the core, in big blue, easy-to-read letters it says "Sony Corporation DVD-R Ver.2.1/1x-16x". In very difficult to read (with bifocals, anyhow!) tiny, backwards/inside out letters on the rim, it says... "DRM5GG0001 4G" I bet the 4G is for 4Gigs but the rest... Maybe it's secret code for "good things come from Malaysia!" :D
They may have been made by Daxon Technologies Inc., a Taiwanese company "with operations in Taiwan and Asia" (Malaysia?).

Here's a post on Sony DVDs made in Malaysia (MIM) with that DRM code (http://club.cdfreaks.com/showpost.php?p=1749754&postcount=2), and the 4G might be 45?

Here's a neat test of continuous sunlight exposure of various DVD brands...in a plastic case, on a roof! Has a good table showing days before failure. (http://dvd-r.jpn.org/beam/index.html)

CHECK OUT THE VERBATIMS MADE IN TAIWAN AND SINGAPORE...

ALSO THE MAXELL MADE IN JAPAN...

ALL "A" OUT TO 27 DAYS (PLAYABLE AND PIE <280)!

IMATION 8X MIT AND TAIYO 8x MIJ ALMOST MADE 27 DAYS!

Anyone had any experience with the Ativa brand DVD-R from Office Depot? They have them on sale at $20/100 spindle pack.

Thanks,
Ken

Anyone had any experience with the Ativa brand DVD-R from Office Depot? They have them on sale at $20/100 spindle pack.
Here are some cdfreaks people who tried them in 2006 (http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=198329&page=2&pp=25)...see Post #31 for start of actual use and reporting on them. Mfgr and quality may have changed since then?

Oops! Here's a July 2007 Afterdawn discussion of why you shouldn't buy them (CMC media). (http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/535010)

Here's a neat test of continuous sunlight exposure of various DVD brands...in a plastic case, on a roof! Has a good table showing days before failure. (http://dvd-r.jpn.org/beam/index.html)

CHECK OUT THE VERBATIMS MADE IN TAIWAN AND SINGAPORE...

ALSO THE MAXELL MADE IN JAPAN...

ALL "A" OUT TO 27 DAYS (PLAYABLE AND PIE <280)!

IMATION 8X MIT AND TAIYO 8x MIJ ALMOST MADE 27 DAYS!

The last MIJ Maxell 8x DVD-R media I bought from Sears I returned. It was horrible media that is known to have disc separation failure problems. I had one or two stellar burns, and about 6-8 terrible failures before I decided to return them after a Google search. Maxell MIJ 4x MXL media codes was very good media. The low end 8x MIJ is not.

Costco has TDK on sale, 200 for 32$. The last time i got these they were TTG02s and i had 2 coasters out of 200. These are CMC MAG AM3 made in TAIWAN, and i am almost afraid to keep them. It seems that this is the same manufacturer that produces all the cheapos that are on sale 100 for 15-20$ at the computer stores all the time .
Any opinions ?

Thanks Joe

TDK discs that scan as CMC is utter crap. (I think CMC makes most of TDKs discs anymore, but they used to make it with TDK's technology, like Verbatim did. Then TDK got cheap and just started buying plain CMC discs)

It's too bad since 'true' TDK media has never let me down. The TTG02/TTH01(02?) stuff was a bit pickier than the older stuff but in the right burner was excellent. I've had nothing but trouble with the limited TDK-branded CMC I've used. I hate seeing companies sell out their reputation.

It looks as if, when TDK got out of the business of making consumer SD discs in their factories (going to HD), they sold their name only? I've got some TDKs from over a year ago that have their TTH02 media, but every current report seems to have CMC...at least they're using their own (CMC's) code so we can tell.

Here's a neat test of continuous sunlight exposure of various DVD brands...in a plastic case, on a roof! Has a good table showing days before failure. (http://dvd-r.jpn.org/beam/index.html)

CHECK OUT THE VERBATIMS MADE IN TAIWAN AND SINGAPORE...

ALSO THE MAXELL MADE IN JAPAN...

ALL "A" OUT TO 27 DAYS (PLAYABLE AND PIE <280)!

IMATION 8X MIT AND TAIYO 8x MIJ ALMOST MADE 27 DAYS!

Now we know where to temporarily store certain dvd brands when we run out of space :-) Plus it probably keeps the house cooler since it reflects the light away :)

Maybe this is why some CMC disk are so bad http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20070809PD200.html

Joe

Now we know where to temporarily store certain dvd brands when we run out of space :-) Plus it probably keeps the house cooler since it reflects the light away :)
Actually, not a bad idea! Add an electrical grid and get patent immediately! :D

Unless it's already been posted, at Best Buy you can get Verbatim 50-pk's of +R or -R for $11.99 between August 12th, and August 18th 2007.

Here is the -R link:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7263052&st=Verbatim&type=product&id=1117177062678

Here is the +R link:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7263043&st=Verbatim&type=product&id=1117177062616

They're normally $29.99 per 50-pk, so it's an $18.00 savings.

Also, they are 16x Discs and they don't appear to be the printable surface ones. I am assuming they are Silver top/Branded.

They're normally $29.99 per 50-pk, so it's an $18.00 savings...
60 cents per! Does anyone ever really pay these prices? :eek:

BB also had the Dynex DVD +R DL on sale again. 15 for $17. ($1.13 per) I've burned 4 so far and they seem to be OK, but only time will tell. (Ricoh badged)

I've had some iffy luck on Verbatim DVD-Rs lately. If you look at the inner stamp code on the discs, the good ones start with either (for +R) PAPA or (For -R) MAPA. Lately, people have been getting PAP6 and MAP6 and it seems to be of much inferior quality to the "A" media. I bought a bunch of MAP6 (unintentionally) to use in my Toshiba XS32 with LG burner, after getting spectacular results with MAPA media, and the MAP6 burned like crap. Testing using my PC burners it was just as bad.

Check: http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=206028

Normally I'd say Verbatim is safe but it's getting much less so. Definitely aim for Made in Taiwan and avoid any of the Indian media which may or may not be making its way into the US.

Pretty much no DVD media on store shelves in the US is MIJ anymore, unfortunately.

The above post was from March of this year. Has anyone done any testing of more recent Verbatim discs to see if the PAP6 and MAP6 codes are still producing inferior burns to what we have been accustomed to from Verbatim?

Also, are the current batches of Verbatims on sale at Best Buy this week MAP6 or MAPA discs?

thanks

Office Depot is running discounts on their house brand media (good quality in my experience).

DVD+R and -R $4.99 for 50 in cake boxes after instant discount (the add says $9.99 per, but the card on the rack says $4.99. That's what they charged me).
.
DVD+RW and DVD-RW $7.99 after instant discount

DVD+R DL $27.99 (usually $49.99)

Combo Pack 75 DVD-R and 25 CD R $19.99 - $12 mail in rebate

The above post was from March of this year. Has anyone done any testing of more recent Verbatim discs to see if the PAP6 and MAP6 codes are still producing inferior burns to what we have been accustomed to from Verbatim?

Also, are the current batches of Verbatims on sale at Best Buy this week MAP6 or MAPA discs?

thanks

The Verbs I have bought recently, from several sources, including BB, have been neither MAPA or MAP6, but a different looking code, longer, with letters and numbers. I don't have one with me, so I can't post it. I have burned over 100 MAP6s, with only one failure to burn, and one failed to play later. But, I can't scan them for errors, and I only checked them by FFing, once. But, I have played some of them, with no problems.

The 16x DVD-R Map6 Verbatims have given me very good scans, among the best of all discs I have used. I may have gotten lucky. They have all been from 2 different spindles of 50 so it isn't a very wide sample. YMMV.

They're probably mostly Prodisc. The only place I've seen CMC-made Verbatims in the last 3-4 months was at an Officemax that was in the middle of remodelling, the discs had about an inch of dust on them but you could tell from the font on the spindle (serif=CMC, sans-serif=Prodisc) they were CMC.

Prodisc made Verbatim isn't bad but not as good as CMC-made. Either one is better than most other media on the market, unless you get a bad batch of MAP6 Verbatim DVD-Rs. (made by CMC and hated by all of my burners, personally!! :) )

I thought the best Verbatims were MCC.

Office Depot is running discounts on their house brand media (good quality in my experience).

DVD+R and -R $4.99 for 50 in cake boxes after instant discount (the add says $9.99 per, but the card on the rack says $4.99. That's what they charged me).
.
DVD+RW and DVD-RW $7.99 after instant discount

DVD+R DL $27.99 (usually $49.99)

Combo Pack 75 DVD-R and 25 CD R $19.99 - $12 mail in rebate


What's the ID on the Office Depot brand DVD-R?? Anybody know that just bought them?

Ken

I thought the best Verbatims were MCC.

jmscott42 seemes to be the resident Verbatim expert here on AVS so perhaps he could clarify a few things.

The 2 Verbatim 50 count spindles I bought about 10 months ago at Best Buy ( had them match Office Max's sale of $7.99? each) had the MAP6 code and I had no problem with them. Unfortunately it seems as tho my Toshiba/Samsung burner in my HP computer will not allow me to use DVDINFOPRO to do quality scans of discs.. However, I checked the disc on DVDIDENTIFIER and it was made by Mitsubishi (MCC 03RG20).. But I recall Verbatim also had CMC make some discs for them and let them use the MCC media code. If this is correct how can one tell if they were really made by Mitsubishi or CMC?

About a month ago a couple people in Italy and German sent me some Verbatim discs. A -R and a +R and I could tell by the distinctive ring on the disc that they were made by Taiyo Yuden.. I confirmed this by checking them on DVDIDENTIFIER..Looks like people in Europe are luckier than us here in the States when it comes to Verbatim, tho they probably don't get them as cheap as us, at least when they're on sale.

I also recently got a Panasonic disc from someone in the UK and it too was made by TY..

Verbs from Taiwan are either CMC or Prodisc, CMC has serifs on the letters on the top cover, Prodisc doesn't.
I noticed the Verbs from BB I picked up today were back to being "advanced azo", for a while there was no mention at all on the packaging as to what the dye was.

My 16X MIT Verbatim DVD-R are MCC.

Verbs from Taiwan are either CMC or Prodisc, CMC has serifs on the letters on the top cover, Prodisc doesn't.
I noticed the Verbs from BB I picked up today were back to being "advanced azo", for a while there was no mention at all on the packaging as to what the dye was.

So were the Verbs you just bought at Best Buy CMC or Prodisc?
Aren't CMC Verbatims suppose to be a little better than the Prodisc Verbatims?

I too just bought a 50 count spindle at Best Buy and the font on the name Verbatim was serif and on the printed wrap around it too had " advanced azo".
However, being the suspicious type I must say it is curious that also on the wrap around it had... @ Verbatim Corporation, 2005. Hopefully this just means they found some old extra wrap arounds and decided to use them as opposed to these have been sitting around somewhere for 2 years. The Verbatims I bought 10 months ago even had the 2006 date on the wrap around.

mine are Prodisc, I also had the exact same suspicions about that 2005 wraparound, great minds think alike. :D
and yes, a few years ago, the Prodisc ones were considered superior, but now supposedly the CMC ones are better.

mine are Prodisc, I also had the exact same suspicions about that 2005 wraparound, great minds think alike. :D
and yes, a few years ago, the Prodisc ones were considered superior, but now supposedly the CMC ones are better.

CMC DVD discs are considered 3rd/4th class media.

Click here. (http://www.digitalfaq.com/media/index.htm)

CMC DVD discs are considered 3rd/4th class media.

Click here. (http://www.digitalfaq.com/media/index.htm)

That's what I have heard. My understanding is that MCC Verbatims and TY are the top-of-the-line.

CMC DVD discs are considered 3rd/4th class media.

Click here. (http://www.digitalfaq.com/media/index.htm)
I'd agree with that, except for the Verbs, they're made with Mitsubishi's stampers, proprietary dye, etc.

Here's a good discussion of CMC and Prodisc Verbatims (http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=175056)...it was hard to type those words together... nothing sacred anymore! :D

A summary:

MAH, PAH, PAP followed by 16 digits=CMC
+ and - in the middle=Prodisc
AND CMC IS BETTER!

Yeah, CMC manufacturing codes=horrible media, still, I hate to say. But the stuff they make for Verbatim (Which does use the MCC media ID) is excellent, and I personally really liked the stuff they made for TDK (again, using TDK's media codes, NOT TDK that was just repackaged CMC).

I, and some others, have had some amount of issues with "MAP6/PAP6" Verbatims. They aren't particularly liked by any of my burners-- they produce an acceptable burn except there are huge numbers of errors either at the very beginning or the very end (They either start great and shoot way up by the end, or vice versa-- the max errors are far higher than I find acceptable on any brand of media). Some people say they're fine, so it must be a burner issue.

TY-made Panasonic is some of the best media I have ever used, unfortunately I am very, very low on it... but I got a single spindle very cheaply from a buy.com sale about 2 years ago and was amazed at how well it burned. Awesome media, really a shame I don't think I can find this exact kind anymore. (There's still Panasonic media but this had a nice white coating and such) I also have some very old TY-made Verbatim which again, was excellent but I don't think has been seen in North America in at least 3-4 years.

(Verbatim's had a wild ride-- they started selling their own made-in-house stuff which was great, then switched to TY which was great, (1-2X days), then switched to some of the worst CMC I have ever used [like, discs refusing to even complete the burn process]-- their 2x-4x stuff was utter crap, then they started getting better with 8x and now we're at 16x and they're back to top tier, in general)

Just look for made in Taiwan Verbatim that has a serif font for "Open-Close". CMC makes it and it's excellent. It just proves CMC can make a good disk when they put their mind to it (And are given the dye, stampers, etc, to do so. ;) ) As long as the disc itself has an MCC media id, and NOT a CMC ID, it's good.

jmscott42, thanks for your brief history of Verbatim, it answered a lot of questions.

What is your take on the spindle I just bought at Best Buy that has the 2005 date on the wraparound label? Should I be concerned?

There is a serif font on "Open-Lock" on the top of the spindle and a MAP6 printed on the hub and I just checked one on DVDIdentifier and it has the MCC media code so aside from that 2005 date things are looking good that they are some high quality CMC discs.

thanks

Now I understand the issue. I was confused by the "CMC not MCC" discussion, but if CMC is manufacturing Verbatim disc using a MCC ID, then that explains it.

The date doesn't mean too much in my experience, Verbatim 16X is pretty consistent. It sounds like you have CMC stuff, although MAP6 concerns me. Do you have any way of doing DVD quality scans? Like I said, the burners I have do not like MAP6 very much (LG H22 in my Toshiba XS32, LG H10, Plextor 760). Others say they burn fine.

Unfortunately it seems as tho my Toshiba/Samsung burner TSSTcorp CD/DVDW TS-H652L in my HP computer will not allow me to use DVDINFOPRO to do quality scans of discs.. I haven't tried Nero.
So even tho it's an MCC CMC Verbatim some burners don't do well with them if they are MAP6?
I guess that's fairly typical of all media, isn't it? Even TY discs, tho they seem to be more compatible than most

went back to look at the Verbs at BB, (NYC, Queens) they're all "2005" Prodisc wraparounds with that Big Fish sticker inside) except for 2 popcorn Intelliflix CMC spindles. I was thinking about exchanging my Prodiscs for those, but the popcorn ones are a year old, I think I'll stick with the Prodiscs.

I didn't check too many of the spindles yesterday at the Best Buy in Hollywood Ca. but the one I bought is CMC and has the 2005 date and the Big Fish games sticker taped to the outside of the shrink wrap. So have these discs really been sitting around in some wherehouse for over 2 1/2 years?
The 2 spindles I bought at Best Buy about 10 months ago which were also CMC had 2006 and the popcorn intelliflix wraparound.

I didn't open mine yet, are there any dates in that Big Fish sticker that would lead you to believe these discs were packaged 2+ years ago?
if they are indeed older stock, maybe I will exchange them for the CMCs, they'd be newer and of better quality.

Yeah, CMC manufacturing codes=horrible media, still, I hate to say. But the stuff they make for Verbatim (Which does use the MCC media ID) is excellent, and I personally really liked the stuff they made for TDK (again, using TDK's media codes, NOT TDK that was just repackaged CMC).

I, and some others, have had some amount of issues with "MAP6/PAP6" Verbatims. They aren't particularly liked by any of my burners-- they produce an acceptable burn except there are huge numbers of errors either at the very beginning or the very end (They either start great and shoot way up by the end, or vice versa-- the max errors are far higher than I find acceptable on any brand of media). Some people say they're fine, so it must be a burner issue.

TY-made Panasonic is some of the best media I have ever used, unfortunately I am very, very low on it... but I got a single spindle very cheaply from a buy.com sale about 2 years ago and was amazed at how well it burned. Awesome media, really a shame I don't think I can find this exact kind anymore. (There's still Panasonic media but this had a nice white coating and such) I also have some very old TY-made Verbatim which again, was excellent but I don't think has been seen in North America in at least 3-4 years.

(Verbatim's had a wild ride-- they started selling their own made-in-house stuff which was great, then switched to TY which was great, (1-2X days), then switched to some of the worst CMC I have ever used [like, discs refusing to even complete the burn process]-- their 2x-4x stuff was utter crap, then they started getting better with 8x and now we're at 16x and they're back to top tier, in general)

Just look for made in Taiwan Verbatim that has a serif font for "Open-Close". CMC makes it and it's excellent. It just proves CMC can make a good disk when they put their mind to it (And are given the dye, stampers, etc, to do so. ;) ) As long as the disc itself has an MCC media id, and NOT a CMC ID, it's good.

I am confused now. I have a lot of old Verbatim 4x DataLifePlus Inkjet Printables with an MCC media id. Is this good stuff or "utter crap"?

I didn't open mine yet, are there any dates in that Big Fish sticker that would lead you to believe these discs were packaged 2+ years ago?
if they are indeed older stock, maybe I will exchange them for the CMCs, they'd be newer and of better quality.

The stickers were taped to the outside of the shrink wrap so no doubt only added on recently. On the inside of the Big Fish sticker the redeem date is by Dec. 31, 2008.
So I figure that these were old stock and they added the current day sticker.
Or, (hopefully) they found boxes of these old 2005 wraparounds and rather than print up new ones they figured they could still use them and just add that Big Fish games promo sticker to them

thanks, I'm leaning towards exchanging them now, I'm guessing they might be older stock and that's why they're on sale.
JMas, the 4x Inkjet ones you have are good:
http://www.videohelp.com/dvdmedia/verbatim-datalifeplus-dvd-r-mcc-01rg20-4/185

thanks, I'm leaning towards exchanging them now, I'm guessing they might be older stock and that's why they're on sale.

You could return them and keep their sale circular and see if another place that carries Verbatim will match that price. But I think read on here recently that the current batches of Verbatims at Office Max or Office Depot were not that great.

I'll exchange them for the popcorn +Rs that I saw way deep in the back of the shelf, no one's going to reach all the way in there for them (except me). :D

Pretty much anything with the MCC media code is good. When I mentioned the 2x-4x era being bad I was thinking of when they were basically selling horrible CMC media (which had CMC media codes). I think it was right as they were starting to outsource to CMC and realised they were getting very bad quality discs from the deal. (when MCC was still made "in house" in their Singapore plants)

I've never been able to figure out a pattern between the dates on the spindles and "good" or "bad". I thought I had it figured out but have found enough counterexamples that I would put ZERO faith in the dates meaning anything in particular. It's quite possible as suggested here they have older stock of the sleeves and just push it out occasionally. (or CMC has warehouses full of it and find the 2005 stuff).

I'd love to stock up on some more Verbs but I don't know. I personally have had horrible luck with MAP6 which it seems like I get whenever the stuff's on sale. (which is really too bad as the MAPA DVD-R media is about the best I have ever used, including TY, in quality scans. My LG loves MAPA as much as it hates MAP6. I can't fathom how the same company making the same media can have such variance.)

interesting videohelp post, he also included scans.

http://www.videohelp.com/dvdmedia/verbatim-dvd-r-mcc-03rg20-16/2986

Comments posted by ixyk from United States, May 07, 2007:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
These discs (made in 2005 anyway) are about as perfect as I've managed to achieve. However, make sure that you DO NOT buy the discs that are made in 2006 w/ the Intelliflix promotion packaging or they will not be nearly as good as the ones that are made in 2005 with the Advanced AZO marked packaging. I've attached the test results for comparison, and as you can see the older discs are nearly twice as good based on the numbers.

Interesting-- BOTH of those are what my MAP6 discs scan like-- tons of errors, tapering off. (or sometimes they're the other way around and the big ramp-up comes at the end)

Honestly, my guess is still that the dates don't particularly matter. I have a feeling he just got MAP6 discs on both. NEITHER of the scans he posted are particularly good for Verbatim in the slightest -- my average Verbatim scans average around 10 PIEs, with spikes no higher than 20, EVER, on ANY burner. (they look like the tail end of his scan, uniformly across the disc) While those scans are not unacceptable by the standard, they are MUCH worse than what I have come to expect from Verbatim. (seriously, that 2006 scan is coming very close to going over DVD specs for errors-- it can max at 280 and some peaks are hitting 200. I get nervous when ANY disc I burn from ANY maker hits over 50 PIEs!!)

As usual, you really can't make blanket statements based on one spindle. But I think he's indicating how bad "bad verbatim" can get, NOT that you should accept either one of those!! (seriously, you can get much better burns/scans from cheaper media than either one he shows)

Edited to add-- I just noticed that he's using a Pioneer 111 for quality scans. Pioneer drives, while *awesome* burners (and the 111 is about the best of the best), are horrible quality scanners. You can't trust them for much of anything. I would put very, very little weight on those quality scans, they may or may not be indicative of anything.

What's the ID on the Office Depot brand DVD-R?? Anybody know that just bought them?

Ken


It might be bad form to quote and answer your own post, but since nobody else did - I will!! :D

I bought 4 of the 50 pack spindles today and opened one and the ID on them is still RitekF1.

Ken

I bought 4 of the 50 pack spindles today and opened one and the ID on them is still RitekF1.

Ken

I am probably one of the few people in here who doesn't mind Ritek all that much. I know they aren't as good as MCC Verbatim's, or TYG01-03 Taiyo Yuden's, but I think Ritek are still pretty decent.

I have used several of them and not run into any problems.

I am probably one of the few people in here who doesn't mind Ritek all that much. I know they aren't as good as MCC Verbatim's, or TYG01-03 Taiyo Yuden's, but I think Ritek are still pretty decent.

I have used several of them and not run into any problems.
Ritek is passable (2nd class), though I picked up some DVD +R DL discs (Dynex) that read as RitekD01 (3rd class) that are clearly giving me a few issues. Too late to take them back, and they were only $1 per, so they're used as experimentals and for things I'm uncertain that I want to keep.

What's the ID on the Office Depot brand DVD-R?? Anybody know that just bought them?

Ken

Finally got around to checking.

DVD-R > Ritek F1
DVD-R (From combo DVD-R/CDR) > Ritek F1
DVD+RW > RITEK-004-48
DVD-RW (From previous purchase) RITEK-004-48

I did not buy any of the DVD+R or DVD+R DL

It might be bad form to quote and answer your own post, but since nobody else did - I will!! :D

I bought 4 of the 50 pack spindles today and opened one and the ID on them is still RitekF1.

Ken

Memorex RitekF1 is the absolute worst of very bad media. Horrible stuff. Memorex and Ritek should both be ashamed. It is doggie poop.

Memorex RitekF1 is the absolute worst of very bad media. Horrible stuff. Memorex and Ritek should both be ashamed. It is doggie poop.

Allow me to confuse things even further....

Is "Memorex Ritek F1" different that other Ritek F1 (such as Office Depot)? Previous posts confirmed that CMC media is bad....unless they're Verbatims? I was under the impression that Media codes were more reliable indicators than name brands. Do quality levels of the same media code vary from one manufacturer to another?

Memorex and Ritek should both be ashamed. It is doggie poop.
You stop that! You stop that right now. You shouldn't insult feces that way. ;)

Allow me to confuse things even further....

Is "Memorex Ritek F1" different that other Ritek F1 (such as Office Depot)? Previous posts confirmed that CMC media is bad....unless they're Verbatims? I was under the impression that Media codes were more reliable indicators than name brands. Do quality levels of the same media code vary from one manufacturer to another?

Crabboy, I don't know. All I know is that the Memorex RitekF1 I was given by an uniformed friend was by far the worst DVD Media I have ever used. Many failed burns on my NEC Nd-3500A that is rock solid, and also on my Lite-On SHM-165P6SX. Those discs that did burn gave me the absolute worst quality scans I have seen from any media no matter what burners I used to burn them.

I truly hope the OD F1 is better, but I have written off Ritek completely. I will never knowingly use Ritek Media again.

Memorex RitekF1 is the absolute worst of very bad media. Horrible stuff. Memorex and Ritek should both be ashamed. It is doggie poop.

Well, at least you can easily take the RitekF1 out of your DVDR, and it will still work. You can't say the same for doggy poop.

Shouldn't doggy poop have it's own thread?

Yes, the same media code on different brands can make a big difference. There's always Grade A, Grade B, etc, media. Even Taiyo Yuden has their "premium line" and "value line" discs, despite having the same ID. As disc stampers wear out, etc, the resulting discs get demoted, and are sold cheaper. So companies swoop in and buy B-C-D-etc grade media to dump it out cheap.

So it's quite possible that one brand's RitekF1 is significantly worse than another's. (although quite honestly, in that case, it's all garbage ;) )

From what I remember from the sunday paper:
* The 75pk DVD-R + 25pk CD-R for $8 after rebate ($12 by mail) is back at OFfice Depot
* 50pk Magnavox 16x $10 at Office Max
* 100pk slim linejewel cases a@ Staples $15
* 224 cd/dvd wallet-style $10 at Staples after $5 Easy (online) Rebate (limit 10 rebates per address). I bought one but i haven't done anything with it yet
* -rw/+rw seem to be getting more rare :(

I bought some Memorex "Director's Cut" dvd-r's at Big Lots yesterday just for a test. They came in this hokey round storage tin. The ten pack sold there for $4.00. Thye are touted to have "extra long life with DuraLayer scratch resistant coating technology."

Have any of you here had any experience with these? I would not normally get these, but I am waiting for some others to come in the mail. (T-Y dvd-r)
Thanks, John

ncaahoops, Walgreens Drug Store this week 08-26 to 09-01 has TDK (Limit Of 6) -RW & +RW in Cases for 99 cents with a Coupon from their Flyer.

Don't know about elsewhere but in my area if you need a flyer they are usually at the entrance door to the store & as for the limit I have always been able to buy as many as I wanted.

I can't use RW's myself but I buy them for my daughter to use in her Panny ES30V & sofar she has not had any problems with the TDK -RW's & my neighbor uses them in his kids Samsung 320 & again so far he has had no problems with the TDK's which he can Format, Finalize & UnFinalize in either the "V" Format or "VR" Format on the Samsung.

I'll probably pick some up for my daughter this week because seeing how hard it is to get RAM discs now she no longer uses RAM Discs as Record Over Discs just for editing so her Record Over (Timer Programs To Just Watch at Home, In The Car, At Work & Etc) are now DVD-RW Discs.

:mad: Grrrr. 20 packs of DVD+R DL on sale for $30 at BB this week. (only $1.50 per!)

Of course, I just got a bazillion online at $38 for 20. (Only would have saved $6 each, but still. :()

Circuit City -- DVD DL 15 pack @$14.99. That's for "Nexxtech." Never heard of 'em. Probably almost as good as Memowrecks. Anyone checked them out?

Ah! just checked... have heard of them, CC's house brand, and Spyder696969 liked the -Rs, but has anyone tried the +R DLs?

Circuit City -- DVD DL 15 pack @$14.99. That's for "Nexxtech." Never heard of 'em. Probably almost as good as Memowrecks. Anyone checked them out?

Ah! just checked... have heard of them, CC's house brand, and Spyder696969 liked the -Rs, but has anyone tried the +R DLs?

The regular +R discs come up as AL...002. which is supposedly 4th class media. However, when you read here, it doesn't seems so bad: http://www.videohelp.com/dvdmedia?dvdmediadvdridsearch=AML.....002%20

Keep in mind that I only liked the Nexxtech -R discs for the price they were at during the time of sale. (Something like 8 cents, I think, for DVD media and 4 cents per for CD-R discs.) People have commonly compared these to Playos, which, at least for me, have proven to be tough-as-nails, despite their insanely cheap cost. (4 cents per when I got 'em.) Personally, I don't think they stand up to Playos.

That said, it tells us nothing about their +R DL discs. I bought BB's house brand, Dynex media a while back at the same rate of $1 per disc (15 for $15) and though they work, I'm not sure I'd go that route again on DL media.

I typically use the cheapest -R media I can get, as these are view-once, giveaways, or test discs. For DL media, and the application I use them in, it's probably going to be Verbatim only from now on, especially when they only cost 50% more on sale.

Office Max has Verbatim 16x spindle of 100, DVD+R or DVD-R for $23.
Does anyone know if these are the better Veratims?

Shipping is free for orders over $50, but there may be tax.

Anyone buy these yet?

Thanks

Staples Good Through 09-08-07
Kodak -R & +R 50 Packs
Regular Price $ 22.98
Instant Rebate $ 6.50 = $ 16.48
Easy Rebate $ 7.50 = Total Cost $ 8.98

I've never used Kodak discs before so does anyone no anything about them & who might be making this batch that's on sale at Staples? Thanks.

I've never used Kodak discs before so does anyone no anything about them & who might be making this batch that's on sale at Staples? Thanks.

Kodak is another "crap-shoot" company. They contract out to Prodisc, Optodisc, and Moser Baer for most of their media. I've even found spindles that are incorrectly marked as to place of manufacture (Taiwan vs. China vs. India).

Office Depot: Maxell DVD-R-/R+ 50 Pk $9.99
Office Depot Brand DVD-R/+R 100 Pk $17.99
Office Depot Brand 16x DVD+R Double Layer 25 Pk $24.99
Office Depot Brand CD-R 50 Pk $5.99

Thanks Jeff, Looks like I'll stay away from Kodak then & I usually use only -R TY's & Sony -R Japan (Really TY's) for myself & for people that want stuff from me I have been giving them those cheap Playos that I got so I guess I'll stick to Playos unless Kodak cuts the price in half to match what I paid for the Playos :D Thanks again.

ncaahoops, Walgreens Drug Store this week 08-26 to 09-01 has TDK (Limit Of 6) -RW & +RW in Cases for 99 cents with a Coupon from their Flyer.

Don't know about elsewhere but in my area if you need a flyer they are usually at the entrance door to the store & as for the limit I have always been able to buy as many as I wanted.

I can't use RW's myself but I buy them for my daughter to use in her Panny ES30V & sofar she has not had any problems with the TDK -RW's & my neighbor uses them in his kids Samsung 320 & again so far he has had no problems with the TDK's which he can Format, Finalize & UnFinalize in either the "V" Format or "VR" Format on the Samsung.

I'll probably pick some up for my daughter this week because seeing how hard it is to get RAM discs now she no longer uses RAM Discs as Record Over Discs just for editing so her Record Over (Timer Programs To Just Watch at Home, In The Car, At Work & Etc) are now DVD-RW Discs.

Thanks! Yes, the Walgreens I go to also have the weekly flyers in store usually near the entrance or near the shopping baskets. I got one of them to test with my pc burner and see how the s29 and es-20 handle it for playback purposes.

I know the -RW TDK's work ok on my daughter's Panny S29 Player that have been recorded on her Panny ES30V & "Finalized". The "Finalizrd" ones also work in her Laptop, her PC at Work, Her Portable Player & in her Car's DVD Player.

But most of the time she just uses then for "Home" Record Over Discs because on the go she usually uses the small Mini-DVD Camcorder -RW Discs or Mini-RAM Discs (Recorded at the "LP" Mode You Can Fit 1 Hour On A Disc Which Is Perefct For Her "Desperate Housewives :eek: & etc Timer Recordings).

I know the -RW TDK's work ok on my daughter's Panny S29 Player that have been recorded on her Panny ES30V & "Finalized". The "Finalizrd" ones also work in her Laptop, her PC at Work, Her Portable Player & in her Car's DVD Player.

But most of the time she just uses then for "Home" Record Over Discs because on the go she usually uses the small Mini-DVD Camcorder -RW Discs or Mini-RAM Discs (Recorded at the "LP" Mode You Can Fit 1 Hour On A Disc Which Is Perefct For Her "Desperate Housewives :eek: & etc Timer Recordings).

Oh that's nice! One episode per mini-RW/RAM!

I noticed that the failed finalized from the ES20 fail to play in the panasonic dvd player and recorder yet they play on a PC. I would expect it the other way round ,but I am not complaining since I thougth they were toast :)

Yep, Only ones episode a discs but she only uses them just to watch things on the go & record over on them not save them & she tells me it's a lot easier for her to carry 3 Mini-DVDs around in her pocketbook than full sized ones.

Remember she really doesn't care that much about the picture quality but she tells me the Panny 4 HR Mode is OK for on the go watching.

Last year she was recording "Her Soap," "Desperate Housewives" & "Gilmore Girls" just to watch on the go & as for saving the series ("Desperate Housewives," & "The Gilmore Girls") she had me recording them on regular sized DVDs for her collection but I can't complain because she was the one that bought me a DVD Recorder so I could record things for her :)

This year she told me she is going to be recording the new series "Dirty Sexy Money" now that the "Gilmore Girls" series is over.

Office Max has Verbatim 16x spindle of 100, DVD+R or DVD-R for $23.
Does anyone know if these are the better Veratims?

Shipping is free for orders over $50, but there may be tax.

Anyone buy these yet?

Thanks

OfficeMax could be Verbatims of any vintage, in my experience... depends on how much the store sells. I found a great stash of PAPA CMC-made Verbatim DVD+R at a local store that had been remodelling not too long ago. (covered in an inch of dust, but hey, that's what the plastic wrap is for ;) )

It's a crapshoot, but so is any Verbatim purchase at this point if you are specifically looking for CMC-made media.

Picked up 100 Verb-R at local B&M for $12.99 (plus tax).
Used the $10 off coupon below.
http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=0&t=598927

Verbs mfr date was 2005. These are the high quality ones!


Office Max has Verbatim 16x spindle of 100, DVD+R or DVD-R for $23.
Does anyone know if these are the better Veratims?

Shipping is free for orders over $50, but there may be tax.

Anyone buy these yet?

Thanks

Don't assume the copyright date is the manufacture date with Varbatim-- it's more reliable to check the codes on the inner clear hub of the disc. DVD+Rs starting with "PAPA" and DVD-Rs starting with "MAPA" are excellent and rival (if not surpass) TY in quality. These are still out there but are harder to find.

DVD+Rs starting with "PAP6" and DVD-Rs starting with "MAP6" are highly suspicious and have trouble burning in many burners, resulting with discs with a way-above-normal number of errors. (usually an order of magnitude worse than PAPA/MAPA). Some claim they burn fine so it seems to depend very much on your burner what results you get.

Both of the above are made by CMC and you can tell by if they have a serif font (like Times) on the spindle where it says "OPEN" and "CLOSE" -- serif font is good but unfortunately there's no way to tell for sure if you're getting the PAPA/MAPA excellent discs or the PAP6/MAP6 mediocre ones. (in my experience of late there's quite a bit of PAPA DVD+Rs out there but it's almost impossible to find MAPA DVD-R anymore)

Sans-serif fonts (like Arial) indicate Prodisc. The discs that don't start with either of these codes, but have a - or + in the middle of a long string of letters/numbers. Prodisc is a crapshoot in terms of quality, but on average they're still pretty good discs.

The Verb -R media (mfr date 2005) is
MCC 03GR20.
This is class 1 media.
http://www.digitalfaq.com/media/dvdmedia.htm

Quite a deal, 100 for 12.99!

I have purchased over 1000 Verb -R media over the past 2 years, mfr date 2005.
It has always been MCC 03GR20.

Don't assume the copyright date is the manufacture date with Varbatim-- it's more reliable to check the codes on the inner clear hub of the disc.

Most (all?) 16x Verbatim DVD-R sold in the US will have that media code-- I'm talking about the code physically stamped on the inner hub in the clear portion of the plastic closest to the spindle hole... there are at least 3 versions of that specific media code, CMC starting with "MAPA" (excellent), CMC starting with "MAP6" (questionable to bad, depending on your burner), and Prodisc (2 groups of numbers and letters with a "-" in the middle; variable quality, probably worse than MAPA but much better than MAP6).

I found this picture, it's not of Verbatim media, but shows the code I'm talking about (all blank DVDs have something similar):
http://img318.imageshack.us/my.php?image=3hubcodehr5.jpg

Perhaps you should contact digitalfaq.com and advise they are incorrect in stating that "MCC 03GR20" coded Verb-r discs are not first class media.

http://www.digitalfaq.com/media/dvdmedia.htm

See user reviews of MCC 03GR20 Verb-r media below.
Several users state this is the best media they have ever used.
http://www.videohelp.com/dvdmedia/verbatim-dvd-r-mcc-03rg20-16/2986#comments


Most (all?) 16x Verbatim DVD-R sold in the US will have that media code-- I'm talking about the code physically stamped on the inner hub in the clear portion of the plastic closest to the spindle hole... there are at least 3 versions of that specific media code, CMC starting with "MAPA" (excellent), CMC starting with "MAP6" (questionable to bad, depending on your burner), and Prodisc (2 groups of numbers and letters with a "-" in the middle; variable quality, probably worse than MAPA but much better than MAP6).

I'm not disputing your average Verbatim is better than your average just-about-anything-else. I'm just stating, as Digitalfaq itself states, that there is outsourcing going on and not all Verbatims are made equally. The media ID doesn't tell the whole story, such as who actually made the disc. Not to mention, the definition of "first class" he's using encompasses a fairly wide swath and even the MAP6 iffy Verbatims probably are more consistent than anything in the 2nd tier.

(I'd go so far as to break his first tier into 2 or 3 sub-tiers of media codes; in my experience made in Taiwan SONY16D1 media is much worse than Verbatim DVD+R MCC04, for example. But I get MUCH higher errors on the MAP6-coded Verbatim MCC03 discs than the SONY16D1s. But I'm really picky and like keeping my discs WELL below DVD spec in terms of errors to give plenty of headroom for any future degradation)

It's all made with Verbatim's dyes and equipment but there ARE good and bad batches out there, as there are with anything (and even the reviews of Videohelp have some people calling it crap!), and the common thought is CMC-made Verbatims tend to be better than Prodisc-made Verbatims, even with all the same media ID.

The reviews on videohelp are a bit subjective, check out "Ori from Israel"'s review of November 25, 2006-- the PIE scan he attaches to his review saying "best result [he] ever had!" (http://www.videohelp.com/mediaimages/standardmedia18653.jpg) is actually so far off the charts of the DVD spec it isn't funny-- there should be no areas of the disc with a consistent level above 280 PIE errors, and yet his jumps above 280 for the last 1GB of the disc. That disc may play but isn't guaranteed to play under the DVD standard. Granted, it appears he's using an NEC for scanning and I don't know how good of a job they do, but that's actually a pretty bad quality Verbatim and isn't at all indicative of results you SHOULD get from Verbatim media. (mine usually scan with a TOTAL PIE error count of around 50,000 or less; his disc has over 1,000,000 PIE errors!)

And keep in mind that media codes can be faked-- but hub codes very, very rarely are. I am not saying you'd likely find fake Verbatim at your local Best Buy or Buy.com/etc, but just because a disc reports a specific media code doesn't guarantee that's really what the disc is-- the inner hub codes seem to be rarely faked. (At least from what I have read)

Check the forums at cdfreaks.com if you want a VERY ultra-anal discussion on media quality. :) I'm just saying not every spindle of Verbatim is equal, and I have seen plenty of MAP6 media, which in my experience can be pretty dodgy, in 2005 wrappers.

Picked up 100 Verb-R at local B&M for $12.99 (plus tax).
Used the $10 off coupon below.
http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=0&t=598927

Verbs mfr date was 2005. These are the high quality ones!

Garyjo, thanks so much for posting the coupon link. I printed it out and went to OfficeMax. First trip in the Manager was going to allow the pricematch, but then NOT allow the coupon. He said it was company policy not to honor In-Store only coupons when doing an Internet Pricematch. So I left w/out the discs. On the way home I went back again and was going to buy 2 of the In-Store Special 50 +/-R for 14.99 and THEN use the coupon. He saw me, asked if I came back just for the DVD's which I told him I did. He then says "Man, I am going to take care of you." He then gave me the Internet Pricematch on the spindle of 100 AND let me use the coupon so my out the door price was $13.86 for 100 MCC03RG20 DVD-R discs.

Thanks again for the link to the coupon. I can always use some more Verbatims, especially at .14 cents per disc!

Taiyo Yuden Premium White Inkjet Hub Printable 8X DVD-R Media 200 Pack in Tape Wrap with Free 200 Pack Paper Sleeves (Premium Line) at suppermedia
http://www.supermediastore.com/taiyo-yuden-white-inkjet-printable-8x-dvd-r-media -200-paper-sleeves.html
Joe

Scan from the "new" Verbatim 16x DVD-R from Officemax. Burned on my Sylvania HDVR200F. This is my second from this batch. First disc failed to burn completely. I suspect a momentary power interruption. I started the burn and then went to bed so I don't know for sure.

Date : 9/7/2007 2:41:46 PM
Model : 1-0-0-0 H:LITE-ON DVDRW SHM-165P6S MS0P
Disc : DVD-R , MCC03RG20 [Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation]
Speed : Max
ECC blocks sum (PI/PIF) : 8/1
Scanned range : 0 - 1908667
Sampling count : 71435
Errors : 0
PI Max : 15
PI Average : 3.16
PI Total : 43687
PIF Max : 3
PIF Average : 0.05
PIF Total : 753

Picked up 100 Verb-R at local B&M for $12.99 (plus tax).
Used the $10 off coupon below.
http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=0&t=598927

Verbs mfr date was 2005. These are the high quality ones!

Appreciate the info and the coupon link. I'd like to try my luck at an Office Max match (their web site lists the 100 pack of DVD-R at $60) plus coupon, but I don't know what "B&M" is, in order to get the price from their site. Can someone help?

Thanks,

Chris

Appreciate the info and the coupon link. I'd like to try my luck at an Office Max match (their web site lists the 100 pack of DVD-R at $60) plus coupon, but I don't know what "B&M" is, in order to get the price from their site. Can someone help?

Thanks,

Chris

B&M usually refers to "Brick And Mortar", that is, an actual store as opposed to a web site store. Not sure in this case...the link refers to another product entirely.

B&M usually refers to "Brick And Mortar", that is, an actual store as opposed to a web site store. Not sure in this case...the link refers to another product entirely.
Thanks, crabboy. BTW, the link did contain another link to a $10 Office Max discount on a $20 purchase. Here's why I'm confused. Garyjo said:
Picked up 100 Verb-R at local B&M for $12.99 (plus tax).
Used the $10 off coupon below.
http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=0&t=598927

Verbs mfr date was 2005. These are the high quality ones!
So, presumably he took an Office Max flyer for $22.99 (maybe the sale New York City girl was referring to), plus the Office Max $10 coupon, to a local brick & mortar store, and they honored that for a price of $12.99.

However, FullOnShred stated that Office Max would not honor an Internet price match plus a coupon.

But, if Office Max was the one offering the $22.99 deal, it wouldn't be a price match. Here's what FullOnShred said:

Garyjo, thanks so much for posting the coupon link. I printed it out and went to OfficeMax. First trip in the Manager was going to allow the pricematch, but then NOT allow the coupon. He said it was company policy not to honor In-Store only coupons when doing an Internet Pricematch. So I left w/out the discs. On the way home I went back again and was going to buy 2 of the In-Store Special 50 +/-R for 14.99 and THEN use the coupon. He saw me, asked if I came back just for the DVD's which I told him I did. He then says "Man, I am going to take care of you." He then gave me the Internet Pricematch on the spindle of 100 AND let me use the coupon so my out the door price was $13.86 for 100 MCC03RG20 DVD-R discs.

Thanks again for the link to the coupon. I can always use some more Verbatims, especially at .14 cents per disc!

It may be moot now since the Office Max $22.99 sale is over, but I'd still like to understand what happened here so I can be smarter as I look for a similar deal.

Thanks!

Chris

So let's try another angle. Office Depot currently has 100 Maxell DVD-R for $22.99. Presuming they'll honor a competitor's coupon (the Office Max $10 coupon), it would seem I could get those DVDs for $12.99.
http://www.officedepot.com/textPaging.do?D=2+dvd-r&No=20&Ntt=dvd-r&Ntk=all&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Nr=100000&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&N=100000&uniqueSearchFlag=true&Nty=1

Thanks,

Chris

So let's try another angle. Office Depot currently has 100 Maxell DVD-R for $22.99. Presuming they'll honor a competitor's coupon (the Office Max $10 coupon), it would seem I could get those DVDs for $12.99.
http://www.officedepot.com/textPaging.do?D=2+dvd-r&No=20&Ntt=dvd-r&Ntk=all&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Nr=100000&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&N=100000&uniqueSearchFlag=true&Nty=1

Thanks,

Chris

I wouldn't take those Maxell unless they were free. And then I would only use them for throwaway or giveaway burns. I wouldn't use them for anything I wanted to be able to watch 2-3 years later for sure. Not good quality discs, at least for my burners.

Who has the best deal on Verbatim DL discs? Been looking for a good price on these lately and I've seen no deals. Thanks

Who has the best deal on Verbatim DL discs? Been looking for a good price on these lately and I've seen no deals. Thanks

Should have been reading here last week. I posted a great deal!

Sorry to have taken so long to respond. Was out of town.

I printed OM $10 off $20 coupon, and took it over to local OM store.
They honored it, so 100 verb -r disc cost me $12.99 (+ tax).

Later in week I printed another $10 off $20 coupon from link, went over to same OM store, and purchased a second 100 verb-r discs for $12.99 again.

Remember, the coupon is good thru Nov 30th. Print it and wait.
Highly likely local OM stores will again offer 100 verb-r discs for $22.99 before Nov 30th.
We are getting into Christmas selling season before coupon expires.

It may be moot now since the Office Max $22.99 sale is over, but I'd still like to understand what happened here so I can be smarter as I look for a similar deal. Thanks! Chris

I wouldn't take those Maxell unless they were free. And then I would only use them for throwaway or giveaway burns. I wouldn't use them for anything I wanted to be able to watch 2-3 years later for sure. Not good quality discs, at least for my burners.

Yikes. I bought 100 Maxell at Sears a few months back based on discussion in this thread (that was back when folks were talking about MIJ or MIT, etc.). Well, I'll see if they hold up in 2-3 years!

Sorry to have taken so long to respond. Was out of town.

I printed OM $10 off $20 coupon, and took it over to local OM store.
They honored it, so 100 verb -r disc cost me $12.99 (+ tax).

Later in week I printed another $10 off $20 coupon from link, went over to same OM store, and purchased a second 100 verb-r discs for $12.99 again.

Remember, the coupon is good thru Nov 30th. Print it and wait.
Highly likely local OM stores will again offer 100 verb-r discs for $22.99 before Nov 30th.
We are getting into Christmas selling season before coupon expires.

Thanks Gary, that clears it up. I'll keep an eye out for the next Verbatim sale at OM.

Chris

Hmmm FullOnShred...actually that Maxell quote (regarding Maxell at Sears) was from you! From post #973.

Been there for years.....Are they MIJ?? :D If so, snap 'em up. MXL MIJ are good media.......

Do you now think Maxell MIJ are not good media?

Thanks,

The Office Max website (local flyer after I typed in my zip code) shows Verbatim 100-spindle 16x +/-R for $24.99. Not as good as $22.99, but close! Good through 9/22.

Chris

Hmmm FullOnShred...actually that Maxell quote (regarding Maxell at Sears) was from you! From post #973.



Do you now think Maxell MIJ are not good media?

Thanks,

The ones I got had a high failure rate. I looked on the net and found some peeps were having disc failure due to physical separation of the disc halves. My bad discs fit the criteria stated for physical separation.

I got 1 great scan from a Sear's MIJ DVD-R, then I had about 4 fail to burns out of the next 6-7 discs, and BAAAAAAAD scans from the 2-3 burns that completed. I am done with Maxell Media.

I found Maxell 4x MIJ DVD-Rs to be very good. Maxell 8x was not so good. Now I only buy TY Premium Line.

The ones I got had a high failure rate. I looked on the net and found some peeps were having disc failure due to physical separation of the disc halves. My bad discs fit the criteria stated for physical separation.

I got 1 great scan from a Sear's MIJ DVD-R, then I had about 4 fail to burns out of the next 6-7 discs, and BAAAAAAAD scans from the 2-3 burns that completed. I am done with Maxell Media.

I'm new at this. I burn the DVD and then set it aside. How can I tell that the scan doesn't work or has disc failure? Will some obvious error occur during burning, or can I only tell by watching the burned DVD?

So far I've used maybe 10 out of the first batch of 50, with no apparent errors during the burn/finalize process.

Chris

if a disc is of bad quality, you'll notice a lot of errors on the scan, and the disc may play perfectly now, but it's likely it will continue to degrade (sometimes rapidly) into unplayability.

I'm new at this. I burn the DVD and then set it aside. How can I tell that the scan doesn't work or has disc failure? Will some obvious error occur during burning, or can I only tell by watching the burned DVD?

So far I've used maybe 10 out of the first batch of 50, with no apparent errors during the burn/finalize process.

Chris
You may have gotten a good batch, or I may have just gotten a really bad spindle. I use K-Probe 2 to Quality Scan my DVDs after recording. If you have Nero you may be able to use that to do Quality Scans as well.

I agree with the other poster, the Maxell MIJ 4x that were Media Code MXL were very decent DVDs.

Circuit City, this week: 8x TDK +R $4.99 (25pk)

Hoping the 8x +R media was high quality.
Price was right.

Turned out to be CMC Mag E01 media.
Rated poorly. See below.

http://www.videohelp.com/dvdmedia/tdk-dvd-r-cmc-mag-e01-8/2514#comments

For a real good price on DVD-RAMs, check out Fry's if you have one in your area.

They have the 2-3x, 5-pack for only $6.99!

You have to get them from the computer media section. They are the "green-box" ones.

They also sell the exact same product in a different, blue-colored box over in the A/V section, but for $3.00 more a box! What a scam! There is also a 10-pack blue box for $19.99.

Bestbuy has Dyntek 25pk +r for $5.99

Bestbuy has Dyntek 25pk +r for $5.99

"Dyntek" or did you mean DYNEX? That's 24 cents per for low-end media, or the same price as TY at somewhere like Supermediastore.com.

For a real good price on DVD-RAMs, check out Fry's if you have one in your area.

They have the 2-3x, 5-pack for only $6.99!

You have to get them from the computer media section. They are the "green-box" ones.

They also sell the exact same product in a different, blue-colored box over in the A/V section, but for $3.00 more a box! What a scam! There is also a 10-pack blue box for $19.99.

Is that an in store special? I have looked at all the ads and cannot find it.
Are you sure they are the 2-3X ?
I ask because Panasonic shows the Blue pack as 2-3X and the Green with no speed mentioned and $.99 each.

It wasn't a special, and it was in-store. And they are definitely 2-3x.

But according to the Panny website, it looks like they're data discs. I didn't even realize there were two separate types - data-only and data/video.

Can they still be used with standalone DVD recorders, or only computer drives? According to the footnotes on the product page, it sounds like they can, but it mentions there's an extra step when formatting them.

(I see those $.99 ones - maybe they're just "1x".)

Good Question ?

When you read the specs it says it is formatted for DVD drives but has to be reformatted for DVD Recorder use and just the opposite for the other.
Sounds like you paying more to have it preformatted for a DVD recorder.
IF (?)that is the case, you are right about a "scam".
Maybe someone that knows will explain.

I think that the Panny manuals say that the Video DVD-RAM's are automatically formatted, but I know that if other types of discs need to be, a formatting screen comes up, and it only takes a couple of extra button pushes and a few seconds to format it.

So I'm thinkin' maybe that's what will happen if I try a data one in my Panny recorder.

Anyone out there who has any first hand experience with this?

At Office Depot, today (Sunday,) and tomorrow, 100 Maxell -Rs or +Rs, $9.99. Tuesday through Saturday, $12.99. $.10 per DVD is so cheap that I just might have to pick some up. Before I read around here that they weren't so good, I went through 100, with only one coaster. That's awfully tempting...

At Office Depot, today (Sunday,) and tomorrow, 100 Maxell -Rs or +Rs, $9.99. Tuesday through Saturday, $12.99. $.10 per DVD is so cheap that I just might have to pick some up. Before I read around here that they weren't so good, I went through 100, with only one coaster. That's awfully tempting...

I hear ya man! I wouldn't mind some of that action for giveaway/throwaway burns if I wasn't already well stocked with Playos for those purposes. But honestly, I just hate the idea of giving Maxell/Ritek any more money at all.

I think that the Panny manuals say that the Video DVD-RAM's are automatically formatted, but I know that if other types of discs need to be, a formatting screen comes up, and it only takes a couple of extra button pushes and a few seconds to format it.

So I'm thinking' maybe that's what will happen if I try a data one in my Panny recorder.

Panasonic's online store had the Panny RAM disks formated for PC "Data" for 99 cents each - at the time much cheaper compared to higher priced "video" formated disks.

Of course for cheaper price I went with the "data" formated disks. When I put these in my panny recorder they just see them as not being formated and ask to format them, no problems. I have formated about a lot of these "Data" Panny RAM disks in my Panny Recorder, somewhere around 150 probably. And I have done the same with the PC, put video format disk in and format it to data disk.

"Data" or "Video" format does not matter, it is still a DVD-RAM disk. As long as the equipment can format a disk you are good to go.