Is Ricoh and Ritek the same thing?

[i am x]

I just bought what I THOUGHT were Ritek 2.4x +R blanks. When I ran DVD Info on them, it says that the media code is "RICOHJPNR00". Is Ricoh the same as Ritek, and if so, why are they under 2 different names?

[Faustus]

Not gonna swear either way, but I think the answer is yes.

[tompika]

Here is the answer:
https://www.videohelp.com/dvdmedia.php?dvdmediasearch=&dvdmediadvdridsearch=ricohjpnr00&...+or+List+Media

[defense]

Ricoh & Ritek are two different corporations. Ritek is for the most part...exclusive to cd and DVD media while Ricoh manufacturers a variety of products from DVD MEDIA to copiers and burners. Ritek has been around for about 15 years while Ricoh has been around for 40 years. If you have purchased Ritek disks which have a manufacturer id of "RIOCH" then that's because Ricoh is manufacturing those disks for Ritek. Ritek and Ricoh disks are both top quality..so it's really no big deal that you have a manufactuer id of Ricoh on those Ritek disks.

[TerminalVeloCD]

If you have purchased Ritek disks which have a manufacturer id of "RIOCH" then that's because Ricoh is manufacturing those disks for Ritek. Ritek and Ricoh disks are both top quality..so it's really no big deal that you have a manufactuer id of Ricoh on those Ritek disks.

In fact, over the last few years (since the end of the 8x days), RiTEK has been making all of Ricoh's CD-R/CD-RW/DVD+R/DVD+RW discs. Discs are made at RiTEK's production lines in Taiwan using dyes supplied by Ricoh in Japan. Quality of these discs has generally been very high based on my personal testing. I have found that Ricoh CD-R 8x Made in USA and Ricoh CD-R 8x Made in Taiwan are of similar quality. RiTEK CD/DVD media can be identified by their serial numbering system of black letters/numbers wrapped closely around the centre hole of the disc, or in older media, in the middle of the clear plastic hub of the disc. In both cases, the serial number will usually start with a LETTER, unless the disc is VERY old.

An example of a newer Ricoh/RiTEK 40x 80min CD-R serial number:
J510R5205100099A11 80

TerminalVeloCD

[tompika]

RiTEK has been making all of Ricoh's CD-R/CD-RW/DVD+R/DVD+RW discs.

I think you are wrong and defense is right:
Ricoh makes the DVD+R/Ws for Ritek, Memorex, Fuji, Arita,TDK,.....
https://www.videohelp.com/dvdmedia.php?dvdmediasearch=&dvdmediadvdridsearch=ricohjpnr00&...+or+List+Media

since the end of the 8x days

8x days just started

[defense]

@ TerminalVeloCD...I don't have any idea about the production of either corps. CD's...I was talking DVD's. And I think you are misinformed...if anything it is Ricoh making many of Ritek's disks. However, both corps use a different dye, albeit, very high quality. I don't doubt the two corporations work together with each other though. That is no surprise, and it happens all the time. But no way Ritek makes all the disks for Ricoh.

If anything..like tompika said...Ricoh manufacturers many of Riteks DVDR disks. As far as CD's go...that may very well be a different story. I wouldn't doubt that Ricoch manufacturer's many of Ritek's DVDR media, while Ritek manufacturer's much of Ricoh's CD media. Remember, Ritek was once considered pure crap with CD Media from everything i've read...but nowadays they make solid CDR media. I guess they've made their strides right along with the technology....so that's great for everyone. Especially loyal Ritek users.

BTW: If you have any factual information you can link which specifies otherwise, I would kindly stand corrected.

[Metaluna]

This article talks about Ricoh discs being manufactured in Ritek factories:

http://www.cdfreaks.com/article/122

From the article (scroll down to the "Media developments" heading):

"On the media side also interesting developments are going on. More and more Japanese companies are currently also in joint ventures with Taiwanese companies to reduce the costs. Currently is e.g. Ricoh (Japanese) media manufactured in Riteks (Taiwanese) production facilities, where Ricoh delivers the stamper and production guidelines (technology) and Ritek does manufacturing. This is cost reducing and improves quality as Ritek does high volumes but works according to Ricoh quality.

Many media enthusiasts already noticed this, because the ADIP code of these discs remains Ricoh, while they are manufactured in Taiwan. "

[defense]

The problem with that article is that it specified "media" but doesn't make mention of CD or DVD media. I've actually made mention on many occasions that many media manufacturers are in joint ventures or some type of strategic alliance for each other's benefit. After reading the article though..It is clear that some of the Ricoh DVDR disks are being manufactured from Ritek..the quesiton now becomes which ones? There's no way Ritek is manufacturing ALL of Ricoh's media.

Because Ricoh's stamper is being used and the production is specific to Ricoh's guidelines....if the disks were manufactured in Taiwain, then you know you have Ritek manufactured Ricoh's. Which would mean that alot of the media at least in the States, such as those Memorex 4x+R Ricoh disks...are manufactured by Ritek.

I've also made mention several times that because of the fact that more and more corps are in J.V with each other...it really is tough to determine is alot of cases who actually manufactured certain media. Just because the manufacturer id says "XYZ" doesn't mean "XYZ" manufactured it...for one..it could be PHony media as we saw with the Maxell disks...or two..it could be media produced by another corp with that specific corps stamper. These partnerships are constantly changing.....which is why I said the most important thing is understanding your getting high quality, consistent media. The rest is really not significant.

I do find it interseting though..that I_am_x purchased "RITEK" disks with a manufacturer id of RICOH. Ritek's dye isn't as deep of a purple..it is deep..but it's a lighter coloration. I'd think that on those "RITEK" Ricoh manufactured disks...the dye being used is Ricoh's..and not Riteks.

Or...as I said...if those disks were manufactured in Japan...then Ricoh is also manufacturing some of Riteks disks. Maybe the poster can let us know.


In all honesty though...because both manufacturers are certainly in the top 5..maybe even the top 3 in DVDR media...it really shouldn't be a big concern to anybody.

[RAAGAAman]

I know for DVD+R/RW TerminalVeloCD is correct.
Ritek produces Ricoh media with their Stamper and material. Ricoh allows Ritek to sell media that was made with their process and stamper under the Ritek name. Ricoh takes the grade "A" media from Ritek's line to ship under their brand name. Ricoh did this because it is to expensive to produce media in Japan and it is easier to sub-contract this out.


RG

[defense]

I know for DVD+R/RW TerminalVeloCD is correct.
Ritek produces Ricoh media with their Stamper and material. Ricoh allows Ritek to sell media that was made with their process and stamper under the Ritek name. Ricoh takes the grade "A" media from Ritek's line to ship under their brand name. Ricoh did this because it is to expensive to produce media in Japan and it is easier to sub-contract this out.


RG

I don't think that makes too much sense. Ricoh is part of the +R camp... so by saying you know for sure that all +R/RW media is being manufactured by Ritek....well..what other media would there be?

Where are you getting your facts? That's a sweet looking disk Tompika posted a picture of...you're saying that Ritek is manufacturing those 8x Ricoh disks as well?

If someone could please post a link showing where Ritek is making ALL of Ricoh's media...i'd love to read that. Otherwise, ripping apart quotes from other articles and adding innaccurate information, isn't proving anything.

[Metaluna]

The problem with that article is that it specified "media" but doesn't make mention of CD or DVD media.

The entire article is about DVD recordable technology. It's pretty clear from the context that they are talking about DVD media and only DVD media. Also, he makes mention of the ADIP codes on the media. CDR's don't have ADIP codes -- they are called ATIP codes instead. Of course the author doesn't name any sources so we don't know where he got the information from, or even if he got it from an interview with someone at the trade show, or if he's just stating it as general background information. But still, the guy was at a trade show, talking to various manufacturer representatives and industry groups. If he had attributed that statement to a mfr rep or something it would have been more authoritative but I'm willing to give the benefit of the doubt...he seems pretty well-informed.

[defense]

@Metaluna...yes..the article does specify ADIP codes...and I am not disputing the validity of the article at all. And although I would of thought initially..that it would be Ricoh manufacturing some of Ritek's line...It does make sense that Ritek is manufacturing some of Ricoh's disks because as I mentioned..Ricoh is very big with Copiers and numerous other products. So it works out both ways. I can give several examples of situations with other manufacturer's just like this. It happens all the time.


However, to imply that Ritek is manufacturing "ALL" of Ricoh's media is inaccurate. Ricoh still has their own media production plants, and I doubt they are manufacturing paper plates at them. So saying that Ritek is manufacturing all of Ricoh's media would be essentially saying that Ricoh doesn't manufacturer any of its media...and I've never read anything which states that Ricoh no longer manufactures DVD media.

It also wouldn't surprise me in the least..if both corps are manufacturing media for each other depending on which market it's going to. Of course production costs are cheaper in Taiwain...so as long as the quality is maintained to Ricoh's specifications...it works out wlel. It all boils down to quality and cost...and at least..unlike Verbatim....with these two corps..the quality will absolutely be maintained at all "costs" no pun intended.

[i am x]

I do find it interseting though..that I_am_x purchased "RITEK" disks with a manufacturer id of RICOH. Ritek's dye isn't as deep of a purple..it is deep..but it's a lighter coloration. I'd think that on those "RITEK" Ricoh manufactured disks...the dye being used is Ricoh's..and not Riteks.
Or...as I said...if those disks were manufactured in Japan...then Ricoh is also manufacturing some of Riteks disks. Maybe the poster can let us know. In all honesty though...because both manufacturers are certainly in the top 5..maybe even the top 3 in DVDR media...it really shouldn't be a big concern to anybody.

Defense. The link to the actual discs that I purchased is below. Please check it out. As you can see, they clearly state that the discs are Riteks. As far as being concerned, as long as I know that Ricoh as about as high a quality as Ritek, then I'm really not bothered by it. It's just that I never heard of Ricoh before, and was worried that I might have been getting ripped off as far as quality of discs......

http://store.yahoo.com/runpc/ri24dvblmewi2.html

[defense]

@ i_am_x ...I actually have some of those Ridata disks as well. They were wrapped exactly as that picture shows. The difference is that mine are 4X DVD-R disks and have the RitekG...04 media id.

That media you ordered has a sticker on the top which says something about that DVD media can cause certain damage to certain players..right? And a link to www.dvdhs.com ?

Just because the disks say Ritek don't mean they were manufactured by Ritek. What color is the dye of those disks? Do you have any other Ritek disks? If so, you know that the dye color of the Riteks are not the standard deep purple. It is a deep purple..but not quite as deep and not the same shade as most other disks which use the Metal AZO dye. Which shade of dye does your disks have?

[i am x]

@ i_am_x ...I actually have some of those Ridata disks as well. They were wrapped exactly as that picture shows. The difference is that mine are 4X DVD-R disks and have the RitekG...04 media id.

That media you ordered has a sticker on the top which says something about that DVD media can cause certain damage to certain players..right? And a link to www.dvdhs.com ?

Just because the disks say Ritek don't mean they were manufactured by Ritek. What color is the dye of those disks? Do you have any other Ritek disks? If so, you know that the dye color of the Riteks are not the standard deep purple. It is a deep purple..but not quite as deep and not the same shade as most other disks which use the Metal AZO dye. Which shade of dye does your disks have?

You are correct about them being 2 differnt dye shades. I had never noticed it till now. I also have a pack of DVD-R silvertops from that same company. The dye on the bottom of those dicscs is very dark also, but it is a true purple. The dye on the bottom of the DVD+R (Ricoh) Riteks is very dark BLUE, with a slight purple tinge to it. To verify, I showed them both to a friend of mine at my job that knows nothing about discs, dyes etc. and asked him to tell me the colors on the bottom of each disc. He said that to him, the -R looked purple on the bottom, and the +R looked blue on the bottom. Then I showed him and old, cheap ass Lead Data disc I had, and he said that according to what he saw, he noticed that the Lead Data DVD-R was much lighter on the bottom than either the +R (Ricoh) Ritek or the -R Ritek G04. He also said that it looked more of a pink color than purple. I did not coach him on any of his findings, yet they were 100% consistent with my own. I simply showed him the discs and asked him to tell me what see saw as far as color shade, and density of color.
But back to the main point, you are correct in your observations about Ricoh made Riteks vs. the "G" series of Riteks. Thanks for pointing that out to me. Seeing THAT, I can see how they must be made by different companies.

[TerminalVeloCD]

To all those interested, here is a topic from another discussion forum that deals with Ricoh DVD+R/RW discs made by RiTEK:

http://www.cdrlabs.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=13095

Also, with regards to DVD-/+R dye colours, according to my judgement, the Ricoh/RiTEK DVD+R 4x dye is dark blue with a purple tinge. It looks similar to the dye on Taiyo Yuden TYG01 DVD-R's. Cheaper DVD-R discs such as Princo tend to utilise dyes that are a pinkish-purple colour.

TerminalVeloCD

[defense]

@ TerminoVeloCD ..unfortunately you can't believe everything you read...that article you posted is pure speculation. I love how people say they've spoken to this person and that person and know this for a fact and that for a fact. When in fact, they don't know much of anything. All of it is those "I THINK" ..."I believe"..it makes sense..blah..blah...blah...then someone says they spoke to someone. Yea..who did they speak to? How bout a name or contact number so someone else can verify it..or a link to an email?

This is really no big deal....but it goes to show how people read things and butcher other people's possibly "inaccurate" info even more. Like by saying all Ricoh disks are manufactured by Ritek. When it is obvious that poster read a post you linked and it should of stated all Ricoh disks made in TAIWAIN are manufactured by Ritek. But I guess when you don't have a clue to begin with..and you try to pass info over as your own "facts" when they are fiction..those things often times happen.


Now one thing I do find very interesting is that i_am_x has Ritek disks with a Ricoh manufacturer ID ...HOWEVER, those disks are using RITEKS DYE. That is definitely not common or the norm. All the Ricoh disks i've used are a deep purple....while the Ritek's are a shade or as it was put a "tinge" of blue. It is definitely a lighter purplish coloration with the Ritek dye...and now i_am_x is saying that his disks have a manufacturer id of "RICOH" but are using RITEKS DYE?

That goes against even what the articles suggest as well as logic. All of the other Ritek manufactured Ricoh's use Ricoh's dye...as well as strict production process. So why in the hell would RITEK be using RICOH's media id on their OWN DISKS. That doesn't make a lot of sense...especially when they would be using their OWN DYE BUT WITH RICOH's media id? Sounds to me like Ricoh manufactured those disks for RITEK....and as I said from the jump..it happens all the time....depending on where the disks are going and what the agreement between the corps is...they can be manufacuturing disks for each other.

I haven't read anything definitive which would state this..however, for all those concerned with those articles and posts...take note of the fact that Ricoh has given Ritek all the supplies for the production of their disks the way they specify. Yet, a poster has "RITEK" top branded disks with a Ricoh manufacturer id...as well as using RITEK's dye? Sounds like the opposite is also true.

[RAAGAAman]

I don't think that makes too much sense. Ricoh is part of the +R camp... so by saying you know for sure that all +R/RW media is being manufactured by Ritek....well..what other media would there be?

I did not say that all +R/RW media was made by Ritek. I said that Ritek makes Ricoh branded media. And yes, that pretty disk that you see was probably made by Ritek. Unless the box said "made in Japan" it was made in Taiwan by Ritek using Ricoh's process.
How do I know this. I have talked to people who work for Ricoh and they have told that their media is made by Ritek. In fact, if I want to buy Ricoh media in bulk I have to got directly to Ritek to get it.
RG

[Metaluna]

I did not say that all +R/RW media was made by Ritek. I said that Ritek makes Ricoh branded media. And yes, that pretty disk that you see was probably made by Ritek. Unless the box said "made in Japan" it was made in Taiwan by Ritek using Ricoh's process.

The ironic thing is that, if you look at the pic of the "pretty disk" that supposedly was made by Ricoh, you can clearly see the Ritek-style serial number around the hub ring!

[tompika]

I don't know...
You guys are saying that all of these [RICOHJPN] medias are made by Ritek?


3t PRO DVD+RW 4.7 GB RICOHJPNW01 2.4x
3t PRO DVD+R 4.7 GB RICOHJPNR00 2.4x
Arita DVD+R 4.7 GB RICOHJPNR00 2.4x
Arita DVD+R 4.7 GB RICOHJPNR01 4x
Arita DVD+RW 4.7 GB RICOHJPNW01 2.4x
Clas Ohlson DVD+RW 4.7 GB RICOHJPNW01 2.4x
Clas Ohlson DVD+R 4.7 GB RICOHJPNR00 2.4x
Datawrite Generation 2 DVD+R 4.7 GB RICOHJPNR00 2.4x
DVD-ON DVD+R 4.7 GB RICOHJPNR00 2.4x
dvXDisc DVD+R 4.7 GB RICOHJPNR00 2.4x
Fujifilm DVD+RW 4.7 GB RICOHJPNW01 2.4x
Fujifilm DVD+R 4.7 GB RICOHJPNR00 2.4x
HP DVD+RW 4.7 GB RICOHJPNW01 2.4x
HP DVD+R 4.7 GB RICOHJPNR00 2.4x
Imation DVD+RW 4.7 GB RICOHJPNW01 2.4x
Imation DVD+R 4.7 GB RICOHJPNR00 2.4x
Infiniti Professional DVD+RW 4.7 GB RICOHJPNW01 2.4x
Intenso DVD+RW 4.7 GB RICOHJPNW01 2.4x
Intenso DVD+R 4.7 GB RICOHJPNR00 2.4x
JVC DVD+R 4.7 GB RICOHJPNR00 2.4x
Legacy DVD+R 4.7 GB RICOHJPNR00 2.4x
Legacy DVD+RW 4.7 GB RICOHJPNW01 2.4x
Lite-On DVD+RW 4.7 GB RICOHJPNW11 4x
Maxell DVD+R 4.7 GB RICOHJPNR00 2.4x
Maxell DVD+R 4.7 GB RICOHJPNR01 4x
Memorex DVD+RW 4.7 GB RICOHJPNW01 2.4x
Memorex DVD+R 4.7 GB RICOHJPNR00 2.4x
Memorex DVD+R 4.7 GB RICOHJPNR01 4x
Memorex DVD+RW 4.7 GB RICOHJPNW11 4x
Meritline DVD+R 4.7 GB RICOHJPNR00 2.4x
Mirror DVD+RW 4.7 GB RICOHJPNW01 2.4x
Neo Premium DVD+R 4.7 GB RICOHJPNR00 2.4x
Optodisc DVD+R 4.7 GB RICOHJPNR00 2.4x
Packard Bell DVD+R 4.7 GB RICOHJPNR00 2.4x
Philips DVD+R 4.7 GB RICOHJPNR00 2.4x
Philips DVD+R 4.7 GB RICOHJPNR01 4x
Platinum DVD+R 4.7 GB RICOHJPNR00 2.4x
Platinum DVD+RW 4.7 GB RICOHJPNW01 2.4x
Platinum DVD+R 4.7 GB RICOHJPNR01 4x
PrimeDisc DVD+RW 4.7 GB RICOHJPNW01 2.4x
Ricoh DVD+RW 4.7 GB RICOHJPNW01 2.4x
Ricoh DVD+R 4.7 GB RICOHJPNR00 2.4x
Ricoh DVD+R 4.7 GB RICOHJPNR01 4x
RiDATA DVD+RW 4.7 GB RICOHJPNW01 2.4x
Ritek DVD+R 4.7 GB RICOHJPNR00 2.4x
Ritek DVD+R 4.7 GB RICOHJPNR01 4x
Sony DPR47/120 DVD+R 4.7 GB RICOHJPNR00 2.4x
Sony DPR47L2 DVD+R 4.7 GB RICOHJPNR01 4x
Sony DPW47/120 DVD+RW 4.7 GB RICOHJPNW01 2.4x
Storquest DVD+R 4.7 GB RICOHJPNR00 2.4x
TDK DVD+R 4.7 GB RICOHJPNR01 4x
TDK DVD+R 4.7 GB RICOHJPNR00 2.4x
TDK DVD+RW 4.7 GB RICOHJPNW01 2.4x
Traxdata DVD+R 4.7 GB RICOHJPNR00 2.4x
Traxdata DVD+R 4.7 GB RICOHJPNR01 4x
Traxdata DVD+RW 4.7 GB RICOHJPNW01 2.4x
Ultron DVD+R 4.7 GB RICOHJPNR00 2.4x
Verbatim DataLife DVD+R 4.7 GB RICOHJPNR01 4x
Verbatim DataLifePlus DVD+R 4.7 GB RICOHJPNR00 2.4

[defense]

@ RaagaMan... you said for +R/RW media Ritek makes all Ricoh media...at least you implied that. I asked you..what "other" media is there? You obviously were under the impression Ricoh mass produces -R/RW media or you wouldn't of made the comment about +R/RW media because it makes no sense. Of course it's +R/RW media. You also didn't mention anything about Taiwain and Japan..I guess you left that part out by mistake.

Therefore, you were saying that Ritek makes ALL RICOH produced media. Just curious though...you have to go to Ritek to purchase Ricoh in bulk...how much "bulk" are you talking about?

@ Metaluna the serial number on the hub? lmao...I have numerous disks with the serial # structured just like that. As a matter of fact..the variety of Ritek disks I have..have the serial number occupying a quarter of the hub..the "PRETTY" disk in that pic occupies 1/2 of the hub. Hey..but since it seems like you work for Ricoh or know people that do...how bout lettin' me know why Ritek is using Ricoh's media id WITH THEIR TOP BRANDED DISKS..in addition..using THEIR DYE WITH RICOH'S STAMPER? The articles certainly dont' say ANYTHING about that. But I'm sure you can answer that question, right? Please..no more implications..let's get some facts here.

@Tompika...no..they aren't saying that at all..because the truth is..they have no clue. It's clear from the posts..that they read the cdfreaks article when it was published and are passing the info as their own. Look at some of their other posts..you'll see what i'm saying. I'm not trying to knock anybody..but i'd like facts. Everything has been pure speculation from forum posts..etc. Yea...I would of thought initially that it would be Ricoh manufacturing more disks for Ritek..but when you look at all the facts and the benefits Ricoh is reeping...it makes sense. I can definitely admit that..but butchering quotes from other forums and passing them on as if they are your own info with more innaccurate information isn't gonna fly.

[RAAGAAman]

[/quote]Therefore, you were saying that Ritek makes ALL RICOH produced media. Just curious though...you have to go to Ritek to purchase Ricoh in bulk...how much "bulk" are you talking about?

200 to 1K pieces. I know the next question.

@Tompika...no..they aren't saying that at all..because the truth is..they have no clue. It's clear from the posts..that they read the cdfreaks article when it was published and are passing the info as their own.

No. Actually I am sure. Tompika - All of the medias you have listed are made by Ritek unless you bought them more than a year ago. Ricoh got out of the media MFG business because it was to expensive to do in Japan. In fact, you will see that Verbatim has done the same. They are also moving out of Singapore to Taiwan because it is too expensive. I expect before to long you will see it move from taiwan to China since labor is cheaper there. India is also jumping into the fray in the next year or so. CMC and Ritek are starting to corner the market for media.
If you worried about quality on Ricoh media made in Taiwan I would not be to concerned. Ricoh monitors Ritek production quality for their media.

RG

[defense]

@RaagaMan..you got your quotes all messed up there buddy.

Between 200 pcs and 1000 is what you call bulk? As little as 200 pcs you call bulk? No comment.

You keep changing your comments RaaGa. First you said that you weren't talking about "ALL" Ricoh media being manufactured by "RICOH"...now you are saying that "ALL" media from Ricoh is being manufactured by Ritek.

RaaGaMan said:

And yes, that pretty disk that you see was probably made by Ritek. Unless the box said "made in Japan" it was made in Taiwan by Ritek using Ricoh's process.

Then RaagAMan Said:

No. Actually I am sure. Tompika - All of the medias you have listed are made by Ritek unless you bought them more than a year ago. Ricoh got out of the media MFG business because it was to expensive to do in Japan.

Well..you said the 8x disk was PROBABLY made by Ritek unless it was manufactured in Japan. But not even a day later you said "ACTUALLY I AM SURE." You sound very confused. How bout getting a name and contact number of all of these people you've spoken to from Ricoh on such an important issue?

As far as Verbatim goes..man..you are a year late easy. Do some research on Verbatim on this forum....you're supplying old news. We aren't talking about Verbatim..we're talking about Ricoh/Ritek.

While your at it..have them answer the question as to why they are using their Top Branded Name "RITEK" with Ricoh's Media id...YET...in some instances..they are using Ricoh's media id with their OWN DYE?

[RAAGAAman]

Between 200 pcs and 1000 is what you call bulk? As little as 200 pcs you call bulk? No comment.

Because I get it at a negotiated cost than what you would pay at retail. And it is guaranteed to be grade A media.

Well..you said the 8x disk was PROBABLY made by Ritek unless it was manufactured in Japan. But not even a day later you said "ACTUALLY I AM SURE." You sound very confused. How bout getting a name and contact number of all of these people you've spoken to from Ricoh on such an important issue?

Important issue to who? All that matters is it indicates "Ricoh" on the label.

As far as Verbatim goes..man..you are a year late easy. Do some research on Verbatim on this forum....you're supplying old news. We aren't talking about Verbatim..we're talking about Ricoh/Ritek.

The point is, in case you missed it, that CMC and Ritek are the two main suppliers of media on the planet.

While your at it..have them answer the question as to why they are using their Top Branded Name "RITEK" with Ricoh's Media id...YET...in some instances..they are using Ricoh's media id with their OWN DYE?

I tell you why. The drives that are in exsistence have Write strategies tuned to the Ritek MID. I don't think I would throw a media out there with a new MID and use a drives default write strategy. I expect you will see Ritek do there own MID but it will be with a Media Speed bump. Drive suppliers can have it thrown in during development.
Why should Ricoh care if Ritek uses a different Dye? It's not labeled Ricoh is it? No! Like I said before. Ricoh uses only the media that uses their processes and passes their quality procedures. Ricoh is only Liable if the disk has Ricoh on the label not in the MID.



RG

[defense]

@RaaGaMan...you have no clue what you are talking about. How bout you answer the question I asked and explain why you keep contradicting yourself. First you say you know people that work for Ricoh who told you this information...and now you start saying you know why Ritek does this and that. You don't know jack. I suggest you try and play that game...it's pretty fun..and i'm sure you'll do well.

The articles i've read as well as your own posts say that the disks Ritek is manufacturing for Ricoh are strict to Ricoh's guidelines and specifications. Of course that makes sense and is the norm for an operation such as this so that is no surprise.

So I asked why Ritek is using THEIR dye with Ricoh's stomper..that certainly IS NOT THE NORM. And you come with some more mularky. But i'm sure your tech friends at Ritek told you that too..right? You go on to say that Ricoh is NOT the name branded on the top side of the disk..so what is the big deal? lmao..is RICOH the name branded on any of the countless disks that TomPika listed? Of course not..the point is that with EACH one of those disks..Ricoh is the manufacturer id...and each time..the dye is specific to RICOH. Now in this situation..we have RITEK BRANDED disks with Ricoh's media id...in addition..this is NOT COMMON and your explanation is completely bogus...and again...you have no factual information to back it up.

Oh..and then you mention how Verbatim is using cheap labor to manufactur disks....and when I tell you that your at least a Year late...you try to concoct an out by saying that you were making a point that RITEK AND CMC are the "TWO" BIGGEST media suppliers in the world.

UGHHHHH WRONG AGAIN! We are talking about write at once technology here..not re-writables... As far as write at once disks go Matsushita
is clearly second with 14% ....NOT CMC...and OPTODISC AND JVC have just as much..if not more market share then CMC. Stop pulling stuff outta your arse.

http://www.digitimes.com/NewsShow/Article.asp?datePublish=2003/06/17&pages=04&seq=20

[-jsl-]

Ricoh does not manufacture any media for Ritek and Ritek does not manufacture any media with its own dye and RICOHJPN mfr ID. There are three ways a DVD+R could be made by Ricoh/Ritek (AFAIK of course):

1) Manufactured by Ritek with technology/dye by Ritek => Media has "RITEK...Rxx" mfr + type ID. I haven't seen one of these in real life myself but there is one in the media list and I've seen others report about them and they're listed in most drives firmware. But there are not many of them AFAIK (at least not sold in the European/American market).

2) Manufactured by Ritek with technology/dye by Ricoh => Media has "RICOHJPNRxx" as mfr + type ID. Probably about 70-80 % of all DVD+R/RW media available are made this way.

3) Manufactured by Ricoh with technology/dye by Ricoh => Media has "RICOHJPNRxx" as mfr + type ID. I'm unsure if Ricoh really manufactures any media today but I actually have a couple of DVD+RW media from HP with RICOHJPN mfr ID bought in February that claim to be made in Japan and they don't have the typical Ritek serial number near the center hole.

[defense]

@ jsl... just logically speaking..that sounds like it could be very accurate, however, I have been wasting more time researching this then I probably should.....but i'd like to see some factual evidence of this. As I said...your post seems to make the most sense yet...but it would be nice to read it from a printed source. Especially when what you say completely contradicts the entire "MID" arguement. And especially when there is clearly another process that must be taking place because the original poster has disks which have the Ritek branding on the top...have the Ritek DYE on the write side...yet..have a media id of Ricoh.

As far as your Ricoh manufactured disks from Japan go...you aren't the only person..i've read many people who have purchased Ricoh disks which were not manufactured in Taiwain. What many people also aren't understanding is that many corps can take create their own production facilities in Taiwain and hire out cheap labor themselves..while still manufacturing their disks. They don't have to exclusively engage in a joint venture with another corp. That's exactly what long..ten did with their plants in Hong Kong and Taiwain.

[-jsl-]

Ritek branding on the top...have the Ritek DYE on the write side...yet..have a media id of Ricoh.

Why do you think his media have Ritek dye?

[defense]

Why do you think his media have Ritek dye?

Because of his description of it. I'm sure you've used Ritek disks before..right? He described the Ritek dye. It isn't a true purple...I agree...the MCC, CMC, OPTODISC, RICOH DYES..etc..etc.. ARE Deep purple with no real variation. The Ritek dye is a deep dye..but it has a variation of the standard deepish purplish. It looks much different if you look at it under a light.

If you read both i_am_x posts they both refer to the dye on those disks as purple with a blue tinge. I was never good at art and mixing colors..etc. But I can tell you that the Ritek dye is absolutely a different shade then all the other standard Metal Azo dye shades.