How reliable is cheap DVD-R media (Poll)

[Thorn]

It's tempting to buy some 70 cent DVD-Rs. While I know some (or many) may make nice coasters, what I'm really worried about is not finding deficiencies for a few years... if I burn data on these discs now and it all looks good, will I be setting myself up for finding the data corrupted later? I'm ok with set-top player problems as long as the data can be read in a dvd-rom (and then reburned if necessary).

I'm looking for a cheaper way to consolidate many CDRs into fewer DVD-R discs for data that is semi-important (not $4/disc important ) but I'll leave it on CDR if the cheap DVD-Rs have a shelf life of only a few years.

I guess I'll try the poll... Note that I am NOT talking about compatibility with set-top DVD players, I know that cheap media isn't always as compatible.

[wkc]

None of the choices you have there fit my case. I've ordered a few sample packs for 1x and 2x from different places. All of them burn and play perfectly except the DVDpro.

How long they last? Who knows. I'll tell you in a few years.

[Thorn]

Ok, since no-one has voted... any horror stories? I've ordered some cheapies so I'll see how they turn out.

Also, I know a lot of people have posted DVD-R info before but please repost this info in the new DVDR media list to the right so we can have a database of it...

[dditch]

Pioneer A04
I've used
DVDpro DVDRW
OptoDisk DVDRW
OptoDisk DVDR

So far, the DVDpro DVDRW is the only one that has given me problems.
Have made about 10 DVDR's with Optodisk, so far so good but they have not been shelved for that long.
I found my problems with the DVDpro was burn today, ok today. try again in a week, no good.

David

[wkc]

hehe, DVDpro again, eh?

I have tried DVDpro (both R and RW), Optodisk (both R & RW), Meritline (1X and 2X), Meritline High Quality, Smartmedias (1x & 2x), & Pioneer. All works great except the DVDpro both R & RW.

Got a work around for the DVDpro though. Set the IDE interface for the DVD writer to PIO instead of DMA mode fixed 99% of the problem.

[dditch]

I have dma now, had it that way since the start. Had not had problems until now noticing they don't last. I can't understand how the data transfer method would affect the write quality over long time duration. They work fine at first. Then fail later even if I take care of them like a Babe Ruth Rookie card.

I'll try PIO and do some tests.

Thx
David

[SergeantD]

I have been using DVDpro for about 200 discs worth so far and they work GREAT!!! The only problems I had was with the end of 1 batch. About 15 DVD-Rs into a 25 pack I started having trouble with every one after. I opened the next 25 pack and it went back to working perfect so I just had a bad lot. I just got my next order of DVDpro's TODAY from meritline and they look much different than the ones I have been getting. I was nervous at first but so far its perfect 3 discs in. I have ACCU's coming tomorrow.

[wkc]

I also have over 200 DVDpro and they all have been working ok from the start. I'm only saying IF YOU HAVE PROBLEM with it, try the PIO instead of DMA. It is now a known and proven way to fix the DVDpro strange problems. I have experienced first hand and fixed it first hand.

[tumbar]

Hey SeargentD

I've been using the ACCU's from cdrdvdrmedia. 100 pack spindle for .84 delivered. I've burnt about 10, I think they are great.
Smooth edges, no rattle in the drive. They've burnt all the way through, play back fine. Kinda hard to tell top from bottom...lol.

Have had some more expensive yet lower quality media, never the 2X though. Might treat myself to a few, but the decrease in burn time is not worth 2x or 3x the cost.

[Feuerwehr]

It is entirely possible that "cheap" media may work out fine for some, but not for others. I have not had a problem with coasters using cheap media, but after testing out the disks on a variety of desktop DVD players some of them definitely have problems playing a particular media brand, although the same disk may work fine on another player. Generally speaking, Apple, Maxell, and TDK for me at least work on the greatest number of desktop players. Ritek, and some of the cheaper brands seem to have a lesser degree of compatibility with desktop players. All seem to work fine on a computer or on a cheapo Apex AD-1500.
Jim

[Lamont Cranston]

If you are willing to let your butcher perform your open heart surgery you should be happy with a cheap DVD-R.

[thxkid]

I use a set top DVD recorder by Panasonic and I am using the Primedisc for $1.60 each in spindles of 25 (been through 3 spindles) work great at any speed, just bought a 50 pack and got them for $1.34 each. I have the more exspensive TDK's and can't tell a difference between them and the primediscs. the primediscs play in the following players

any panasonic and pioneer players
daewoo 5700 and 5800 with bios upgrade
apex 1500
apex 500w
Akai 760
Sampo 631CF

failed in Apex 600a, 660, 1100 but so did the TDK's.

[Eug]

failed in Apex 600a, 660, 1100 but so did the TDK's.

You may need a DVD loader firmware upgrade in the 600a. The older firmwares don't support DVD-R.

[Eug]

failed in Apex 600a, 660, 1100 but so did the TDK's.

You may need a DVD loader firmware upgrade in the 600a. The older firmwares don't support DVD-R.

[Thorn]

Well, the cheapo DVD-R I ordered (DVDPRO...) have been ok so far. I've burned one DVD-Video and several data discs with no problems. From what I hear the problem has always been with DVD compatibility, not data corruption. With that in mind, I'll probably start using cheap DVD-R discs for some things because I can easily copy it over to a better media if I find a DVD player that I can't play video on. My main concern is irrecoverably loosing the contents of the disc, since I can't just get another copy of the data (i.e. it's not from a DVD that I could rent again).