Does media w/good quality & reliability exist?

[mdubnik]

My question is this (please keep in mind I am a newbie, but feel I have a decent grasp on backing up movies to DVD-R):

Does media with good quality, reliable results, low failure rate, and a decent price (less thatn $1.50) really exist?

I read tons and tons of articles on media, and it seems that some people have luck backing up with cheap media and some don't. I don't mind spending $1.25-$2.00 for good, reliable media, and burn speed isn't too awfully important to me, but if I can get media dirt cheap (less than $0.80) per disc, why should I pay more for it. Can anyone offer some reviews of some reliable media that is cost effective? I have read many good things about burning the Ritek G03 at 1X (and possibly 2X) with few errors.

[cplevel42]

Hi, and welcome to the site!

First of all, what burner are you using? This info could help a bit in determining what will be best for you.

Yes, it is true that Ritek G03 media is very good. It burns great at 1x and great at 2x if you have a Pioneer burner (a04 or a05 - I have firmware upgrades I can give you) I'm not sure if there are any firmwares for the new a06 that can make the G03 media burn at 2x in that burner.

Ritek is the cheapest and most compatible, quality media that I have ever used. It works great in xbox, playstation, and all 4 of my DVD players.

I have the pioneer a04 and the a05. The Ritek 4x media that I use in my a05 works perfect as well. I never get coasters with Riteks, and even though the price of them has gone up recently, there is still nothing that compares for price, quality and compatibility.

[mdubnik]

Thank you so much for your input!! Sorry I didn't mention my system...I have a Pioneer 105 on the way from Newegg.com. Everything I have read points to the Ritek G03 1X or 2X as the way to go with my burner. I want to be able to watch it in my DVD players (Xbox, Pioneer DV525, and Apex system) which all show to be playable according to this website's DVD media guide.

I have the burner you say I can use to burn at 4X, but everything I have read tells me NOT to update firmware under any circumstances. Is it necessary to burn at 4X, or are people just paranoid? I just don't want to screw anything up, and I honestly don't mind burning at 2X.

Also, what is the difference that I see people talking about in the different color DVDs and stuff like that...is there anything in particular I need to look for when I go to these places to buy media?

Thanks again!!

[SyndicateFoo]

I've been happy with Ritek media. Been doing this for about a year and Ritek has never failed me!

If you store your media in cases and do not play the discs 10x a day then they will last a long time. There is no reason a disc would fail due to age, unless it's a crap Princo (which is probably cheap construction and the disc itself comes apart).

[Faustus]

Start with Ritek, then maybe Give Optodisc a try, between those you should be golden. Also you can pickup for more money locally. Apple disc, as well as some recent good deals on TDK, those are the really high quality ones among others, but you pay more for them. Also Apple disc are the same as Maxell so if you see a good deal on those pick them up.

The one thing to remember about the usually more expensive media is if you see a too good to be true online deal for them it usually is. There have been several cases of media being callled a different name then it is lately. So if buying name brand stick to something with a proper package/label. I don't think I've seen Ritek or Opto like that yet, just TDK and Maxell... and maybe Pioneer (who doesn't make media anymore)

[thayne]

Ritek, that's all I buy....

[LanEvo7]

I've had good results with Riteks($1.20), DupEZ's(.80) and Optodiscs(.80) in my A05. All burned flawlessly. I currently use the DupEZ's since one of my dvd player's aren't compatible with the optodiscs and its lowered price than the riteks. You should give the 1x sample packs and 4x sample packs at Rima.com or Meritline.com and see what's best for you before you start buying in bulk.