Most widely used CD-R brand for VCD.

[joeb84]

I wanna distribute VCDs to about 10 of my friends and they all have different DVD players that are all capable of playing VCDs. Is there a brand of CD-R or CD-RW that works the best?

[rhegedus]

I'm not sure if there is a brand that works best, but I've been using EMTEC 80min/700MB x16 CD-R lately and of the 50 or so that I've used, I haven't had a single coaster.
They're about £25 for 25 from PC World (UK) but they're nearly always on a 2 for 1 offer.
I'm not sure but I think EMTEC is the new name for BASF.
Hope this helps,

Rob

[vitualis]

BASF is hardly a "good" brand. I think that they OEM from ?Ritek.

If you want to distribute CDs on good quality media, I suggest that you use either Kodak Ultimas or Verbatim Data Life Plus.

Regards.

[rhegedus]

vitualis,

OK, maybe they're not as good as some others, but I reckon a 50:0 ratio will satisfy most people.

The Kodak Ultimas I've seen in the UK are about £10 for 10 (with cases, admittedly), and that's for the 74min ones (maybe we're getting ripped off over here!). I remember using the silver ones about 3 years ago and had no end of problems with them.

Saying that, I've just found some Verbatim Data LifePlus: 120 with cases for £55 plus p+p.

Regards

[vitualis]

What makes a good CD-R isn't whether you works after you burn it (if it doesn't work, it is trash!).

It is whether it will continue to work 1 or 2 years from now!

10 pounds for 10! Wow you guys are getting ripped off!

Here in Australia, you can get a spindle of 100 discs (80min) for < $AU 80.

$AU 1 = about 30p (??)

Regards.

[rhegedus]

virtualis,

Point taken, but just how often do most films get watched - two, three times at most. For that amount of usage, I think anything that works straight off will last the course.

And yes, we are being ripped off here: you should start an import/export business!

Best wishes,

Rob

[Panther96]

I've been using Discrite 80min CD-R's and have had very few problems, just bought some 'Mirror' ones from Staples (UK), 25 for £5 and so far they are OK !!

[energy80s]

I use the German made Intenso discs and have rarely had a failure with them. They cost about 34p each (with cases). I recently bought 100 Datasafe Premium discs for £17 (no cases) and they are shite. I can't burn them above x4 speed and have made many coasters even at that speed! I will never buy them again. Also had problems with Verbatim discs and wouldn't recommend them either. Some of the best I have ever used were Sony and Maxell but they are quite expensive. So I would say try the Intenso brand and see what you think.

[mckeomat]

Hi there, I too live in the Uk and pay £20 for 100 disc planet CD-Rs (no cases) and am very happy with them. I have made LOADS of VCDs and audio CDs and have never had any coasters. Sure they don't come in cases, but they're dirt cheap so who can argue?

[Hong Kong Phooey]

joeb84, you may like to look here for some varied opinions on different CD-R/RW brands.....

http://club.cdfreaks.com/forumdisplay.php?s=32ccd4b08f99f617538d1f024e5198bb&forumid=33

[Hong Kong Phooey]

BASF is hardly a "good" brand. I think that they OEM from ?Ritek.

If you want to distribute CDs on good quality media, I suggest that you use either Kodak Ultimas or Verbatim Data Life Plus.

Regards.

@vitualis. Regarding the Verbatim Data Life Plus CD-R's, any particular speed version of them (eg: 24x), & capacity,(ie: 74/80min).I've seen terms like metal azo, Premium Azo etc on the covers & not sure of the differences?!

[letgoofmyears]

Well, to put my two cents in, I generally use a no-name, unbranded cd-r that I buy at PC Club. A 100 cd spindle generally runs about $12. I never get bad burns, and up to this point in time, they continue to work(about a year). So, I would say that it really doesn't matter which ones you use.

[offline]

how often do most films get watched

While that is a factor, general lifespan is another often
neglected issue. If you want the best chance of having
readable cd's for the medium term future - Verbatim
Data Life Plus are the way to go. I have been burning
since the 1st cdr was released and have experienced many
cdr's that have died overtime in archive without use.

ps. I use el-cheapo's too.. but just for stuff I won't want
within a year or so.

[MaDmiZe]

I buy the absolute cheapest I can find...right now its OfficeDepot Brand 50 pack of 80min for $3.99....They work great on my machine...
But I think that for making a disc to give to friends...I'd see what type player they have......And check the forum here (compatability) Some wont play certain types...and choose the brand that most of em can play..

It be alot simpler if they all had Apex 1500's...just buy the cheapest you can get and its done.

[davedaraveishere]

I've been using Generic silver top ones that are about 13p each.

I put covers on them to make em look nice.

I just been copying vcd's so far.

No probs with them and they look nice too!!!

[factorypolaris]

I dont think a cd will just wear out after time, But I have noticed that some will scratch very easily. To the point that if you touch it, It is then no good. Or does that have more to do with the burner? Does the burner have anything to do with it you think... HMMm

[factorypolaris]

I live in the US and most of the time you can get cheap no name cds, A hundred at a time for Free after mail in rebate. But only about half of them work. :P

[offline]

I dont think a cd will just wear out after time,

Many people would agree with you as the
idea is hard to grasp, but they do.. even factory made silvers.
Polycarbonate (read "plastic") discs can warp over time,
intoducing errors into the music. Dye based media can
"bleed" (I should say wrinkle) over the spiral track introducing
unreadable sections.

CD's are therefore not used for critical storage solutions and
will never be.