Recommended Brands

[Sakuya]

My first batch of DVD-R I used generic brand. The first batch works pretty well on my Sony DVD player and the second batch won't load in my Sony DVD player but it plays fine in my KLH DVD player. I'm trying to get it to play in Sony because all the nice cables (Dolby Digital, DTS, etc.) are plugged to that one.

I've also had some problems with Memorex DVD+RW where I write something on it but it won't load the data on any of the DVD players nor on the hard drive. So it's like writing blank data. I only tried one of the disc because I don't have too much uses for DVD+RW.

What kind of DVD-R brands would you recommend that's cheap and works pretty well? Is the CompUSA brand good? The prices are outrageous! A 4x DVD-R with capacity 4.7GB in a pack of 50 for $60?! I'm interested in online ordering. The nearest computer stores here are CompUSA and Circuit City. Any help would be appreciated.

[Faustus]

If you read though the forums you'll see that the compusa brand is Princo, and sucks very much.

Good brands? Find some TYs, or some Riteks. If you looking for ultra cheap maybe give a small batch of Prodisc a try.

[popeye1497]

The best thing to do is to check here first from what you are telling me. You could find good deals here thru word of mouth about online sales on dvd-/+ media. A couple weeks ago Office max had a sale on buy one pack 25 maxell dvd-/+r($39.99) and get the second one free. This week its the TDK and the Fuji media. Whats the best media? It all a gamble, the major labels switch who makes their media faster then we change our underwear so hit or miss really. But like i said, check the threads here and see whats the current deal, and see if they happen to mention the media code ie TY or MMC. I hope this helps.

[jaxxboss]

It all a gamble, the major labels switch who makes their media faster then we change our underwear

HEY!!!!!!, u been sniffing thru my laundry again?

lol

Actually, I dont change mine, I just wait for it to break and crumble off me .

[onewaypockets]

If you don't want to piss around with guessing what might be good, the best is Taiyo Yuden (Japanese). They are insane about quality control. They cost $1 each in 50 box from Rima.com. Buy these and never look back. You will hear people say "almost as good as TY". These are the real deal.

http://www.rima.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=R&Product_Code=1674-5...tegory_Code=4X

[lordsmurf]

www.nomorecoasters.com

[Sakuya]

Well...how do you guys differentiate from the good and the bad? Are there some that have disc errors and such or what? Since they're all official brands, they should all work properly right?

[Fandim]

Yes, they should all work since they're 'official' brands.

Should being the key word.

Welcome to the world of DVD media.

[maldb]

That's funny, I went to the site lordsmurf recommended, nomorecoasters.com, and they show both RitekG04 and Prodisc as 2nd class media witht he following:

"Are there exceptions to this list?
Sure, but not many. LD01 inkjet media and RITEKG04 inkjet media has proven to be almost flawless media for many users. But those are the only two we've seen as consistent exceptions. Use this list as a guide. This list is a "sure bets" kind of list, and is pretty reflective of the media market as a whole."

They have a good list. What I wonder about is why the Ritek G04s work perfectly for some, but not for others. I've never had a problem with them - I use DVD Shrink, Adobe Premiere, Pinnacle Studio, Nero 6, and burn on a Sony DRU-500A 2.1a . Strange.

[Hawseman]

..........

They have a good list. What I wonder about is why the Ritek G04s work perfectly for some, but not for others. I've never had a problem with them - I use DVD Shrink, Adobe Premiere, Pinnacle Studio, Nero 6, and burn on a Sony DRU-500A 2.1a . Strange.

Not so strange. There are many variables when burning dvd media. There's the drive, it's firmware, the system it's running in, the standalone dvd player, etc. Ritek media has less than satisfactory quality control. "Bad batches" have been the buzz lately for G04 media.

My experience has been lack-luster. I find that G04's don't burn well at the outer edges (4.0gb+). I also own an older DVD player that does not play them well at all. I've had the problems with 2 different systems, 2 burners, and 2 different batches (Ridata printables & Ritek silver tops). 2nd class is a much higher rating than I would give.....but it does seem to work well for others....so I'll let it slide.

[zod5000]

I think ritek might have had some quality control issues for a little bit. Back in the fall i bought a 50 packs of ritek dvd-r 4x discs from RIMA. The only time i've tried to import in from the US. Not really worth it after the brokerage fees and stuff. But they wouldn't burn at 4x on my burner. It wasn't my firmware or my setup, i'd already gone through batch of RITEKG04's with a y's power label on them and they were all flawless. Then this ridata red labelled batch with the silver matte tops wouldn't burn at 4x. Kept making my lg-4040b drive make ticking sounds. the odd one would go, but not much luck. So i burned through that whole spindle at 2x with no problems. Bought more after from blankmedia.ca and they worked fine, and another batch after that with no worries.

so i always wondered what was up with the batch, but i know a few other people had a few ritek problems around the same time, so i'm guessing they let some subpar discs out or something.

but now things are good and i'll keep buying ritek's i guess. Stick with what works.

[Sakuya]

Has anybody had experience with the Office Depot brand? There's a 50-pack for $60. How about Verbatim? A 25-pack for $40. Also, the Maxell 25-pack is buy 1 get 1 free for $40 near me!

[budz]

Also, the Maxell 25-pack is buy 1 get 1 free for $40 near me!

get the maxell 25 pack.

[Sakuya]

Thanks! I hope there's still some left.

Edit:
Gah! The Maxell DVD-R disappeared from the ad I saw last night. Today, there's a new ad and the only sale items is the Office Depot brand of a 50-pack for $60 each, buy 1 get 1 free. I hope that's still good...?

[Sakuya]

Ok, I waited one week and here's another deal. Is this one good? It is another buy 1 get 1 free deal with a Philips 50-pack. It sells for $79.97 each. So I get 100 DVD-Rs for $80? Is that good?

[maldb]

Ok, I waited one week and here's another deal. Is this one good? It is another buy 1 get 1 free deal with a Philips 50-pack. It sells for $79.97 each. So I get 100 DVD-Rs for $80? Is that good?

No, that's a terrible price - they come out to .80 each for 4X media. You can do much better online. For example, you can get 100 4X media of 2 good brands listed below at the listed prices:

Prodisc - $37.00
RiTek RiData - $49.00

Check the following sites:

meritline.com
shop4tech.com
rima.com
supermediastore.com

One word of advice, stay away from "house brands" - brands the stores sell under their own names : they're generally poor media.

Good luck!

[onewaypockets]

Ok, I waited one week and here's another deal. Is this one good? It is another buy 1 get 1 free deal with a Philips 50-pack. It sells for $79.97 each. So I get 100 DVD-Rs for $80? Is that good?

BAD BAD BAD......If you want 100 quantity buy these Taiyo Yuden discs. Only .86c each in 100 lot. Phillips is one of the worst brands of media out there, Taiyo Yuden one of the best.

http://www.rima.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=R&Product_Code=1674-100

[madvideos]

sorry I am so late with this.. but I got the phillips bogo sale. 99 Great burns with 1 coaster. Good deal to me. I also buy bulk on shop4tech. But in a pinch I have had good luck with the following store brands:
Memorex
FuJi - over 200 burned with 1 coaster.
TDK

Stay clear of compusa brands. Even though they finally made it right it was an aweful experience.

[scottsoso]

www.cdrdvdrmedia.com

[pete2828]

if you drive is also +R then these are good Taiyo Yudens from newegg which are 50 for $37.99 with free shipping.
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-131-223&depa=0

If your drive is only -R then I would reccomend any Maxwells made in Japan from walmart which are 10 for $15.

To help you better please create a computer profile and tell us your burner type so we which ones your burner likes.