Best DVD-R discs in terms of set-top compatibility

[TenaciousJP]

What are the best brands of DVD-R media in terms of it being compatible with a set-top player? I mean, what brand has no choppy playback/skipping, etc.?

Thanks in advance!

[dgraham]

I've had great luck with the Apple DVD-R discs. They're writable at 2X and they are $25 for 5 and there's no shipping charge. You can go cheaper, but I won't risk it. Check them out at
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/231/wo/4ldIR1P0xrO29h1....12.0.5.0.13.0

-D

[leebo]

It's a fact that DVD-R 3.9gig discs are the most compatable. They will play on just about EVERY player made. Even four year old players.

The problem is they can only be authored with a $4000 Pioneer burner.

[mpb]

It's a fact that DVD-R 3.9gig discs are the most compatable. They will play on just about EVERY player made. Even four year old players.

The problem is they can only be authored with a $4000 Pioneer burner.

Correct. Folks, what leebo is referring to are DVD-R v1.0 3.95GB discs. They were the first recordable DVDs, and were out before the split in DVD-R v2.0 to General and Authoring types. They will play in more than 99% of all set-top players. The down side is that there's virtually no consumer-friendly way to work with them.

Most DVD-R hobbyists will find that the Apple DVD-R media (and other identical Pioneer OEM 2x discs) will play in more devices properly than any other kind will.

Among the cheap media, the winner is PRIMEDISC, a Japanese brand that can be had under $2 that burns at 2x and has high compatibility rates.