Optodisc vs. Ritek Overall Comparison

[defense]

I had wanted to post something regarding Optodisc vs. Ritek for a while because after using both brands for quite some time...I can not see in ANY instance where the additional price for Ritek over Optodiscs is jusitifed. Basically, from all of my experience,...i'd have to say that BOTH RITEK & OPTODISC are certainly in the top 5 in terms of highest quality media available. My cousin recently bought a bunch of Taiyo Yuden disks and the truth is...Taiyo Yuden certainly aren't justified for their additional cost either, when compared to Ritek & Optodiscs.

For the most part, the Kprobe and Nero CD Speed results are extremely low...meaning "POSITIVE" between all three. There simply wasn't enough of a difference to make a point for any of the three being the best. Now when you break all the disks down....let's just forget about Taiyo's because their price is more inflated then both Ritek and Optodisc...but when taking disks with similar pricing for the most part....as I said...Ritek IMHO just isn't worth the extra money. However, because Ritek is more prevalent then Optodisc...they get more attention. And because their disks are certainly high quality..they get more recognition..everywhere...including forums such as this.

But anyone who has used "BOTH" disks and thoroughly tested them will tell you that they are both excellent. You will virtually never have a coaster with either disks due to a problem with the "disk" and both are excellent disks of choice for "LONG TERM" use.

And what's more interesting is that both disks use the highest quality dyes available. Ritek uses an "AZO" dye which is more expensive then the inferior dyes. While Ritek uses a very high quality dye....so does Optodisc. Optodisc uses a Metal Azo dye which has been said by many to be the absolute best dye to use for DVDR's. Both Ritek & Optodisc not only have a higher quality dye which is more durable to scratches and scuffing...but the dye is also a deeper purplish color which many know allows for higher compatibility with standalone players.

Basically, when you take all of the facts between the disks...it's clear that there are more similarities between them then i'm sure many are aware. As I said...it's Ritek which seems to get the word spread more then any other disk from online retailers...but I can't see anyone who has used both disks actually saying that one is absolutely better then the other. And this is the reason for this post. With prices dropping on ALL MEDIA as projected....why spend the additional money on ANY disk when you get get the same superior quality for less?

If people who have used Ritek primarily and are happy...that's great...because those who have primarily used Optodisc have also had nothing but excellent results. All i'm saying is it doesn't make much sense to throw money out the window. I said the same thing with all the "Ricoh" manufactured TDK/MEMOREX/VERBATIM disks. Why spend twice as much for the SAME EXACT "RICOH" Verbatim disk...when you could get the TDK/MEMOREX Ricoh disks for much less? I posted about this months ago...and the same principle applies here. Although Ritek and Optodisc are NOT identical....they are EXTREMELY similar...and in terms of HIGH QUALITY..they are BOTH among the best.

Because of the low prices of retailers as of late...I have limited my online purchases...but my last three purchases online were all OPTODISC...and I haven't had a single coaster with any of them....and i've used the Gold topped Opto's and the Silver topped Opto's and there isnt' any difference between them. There is a different media id between the two..but both use the same high quality Metal Azo dye...and both burn flawlessly. So just get whichever is cheaper.

By the way, something interesting to note is that the shop4tech house brand happens to be Optodisc. Not the ones which say "SPEEDY" or "MATRIX"....but the ones that just say "Shop4tech"..OR "Certified" Shop4tech disks. Most sites have brands under another name..including their house brand......but unfortunately..many sites house brands are Princo and/or Lead Data. It doesn't make much sense to spend extra money for the same disk....so this should be a good heads up. The reason I know this is because I emailed shop4tech telling them I would be purchasing more opto's from them in bulk and they gave me the info on their house brand= Optodisc. I ordered 25 to start...and sure enough...they were the silver topped Opto's.

Anyway..hopefully this info helps many save money...because that's what it's ulitmately all about..at least to me. Saving money but at the same time..getting high quality...CONSISTENTLY HIGH QUALITY disks which have a higher probability of long term storage life.

Anyone else who has used BOTH disks...pleas e post your comments and findings between the two and whether or not you can honestly say there is any reason for the justification for a higher price for EITHER of the disks.

[freedom777]

I ordered a 25 pack spindle of the silver Optodisc from supermediastore and so far I have not had any problems with them...burning and playback has been good.

I've also been using the Ritek G04's and have been very satisfied.

[lordsmurf]

I remember when both Ritek and Optodisc began making DVD-R discs. I see no difference in quality. Both are deep purple with high reflectivity and durable construction.

In fact, Optodisc used to be more expensive than Ritek. It's supply and demand. Ritek was in high demand, and they raised prices because they could. (Or actually, more like lowered prices less than others).

And you remind me of one of my friends. He too can write e-mail/posts that rival the length of "War & Peace".

I use whichever is cheaper when I place my order.

[defense]

...@ LordSmurf...exactly....deep purple on both disks...high compatibility on both disks..and high quality dye on BOTH disks. And just like you said...the only reason Ritek are more expensive is because the word of mouth on them has been many times that of any other brand. With more and more people experiencing the media "degradation" situation.....it's clear that using lower quality media will cost many people countless hours and dollars.

High Quality media is the ONLY way to go for me....regardless of what I burn...and again..just like you...I buy whatever is cheaper...and obviously anywhere you look Opto's are cheaper then Ritek...so why throw money away...especially for those who use large quantities. I know many people say they are "LOYAL" to Ritek..but again..that's because many of those people don't know there are other superior media options which are equal in quality...if not better...and cheaper at the same time. I guarantee if those same people used Opto's..they'd only be loyal to "OPTO's" afterwards...lol

[Michelle]

After reading your post I checked prices at Rima. They are priced the same there for +R.

[overloaded_ide]

for 4x -r printables. Rima

25pks are same price
100pk optodisk are $10 less than ritek.

So does the same hold true with optodisk printables, as you said for plain disks?

[defense]

@ Michelle...overall the prices of Ritek are more. That doesn't mean that occasionally you can't find identical prices for both. @ Overloaded_IDE.....yes..the same holds true for IJP too.

That $10 difference in price can SERIOUSLY add up over time for someone who uses thousands of disks. Some people uses thousands of disks per month....so think about the savings there.

[hedstrosity]

are we talking about opto1xdiscstoo,or just 4x?
i-had-pretty-bad-results-with-1x-optos?

[tompika]

I just bought some Packard Bell DVD+RW (rewritable) medias
Media code OPTODISCOP1

I am satisfied so far...
https://www.videohelp.com/dvdmedia.php?selectmedia=659#comments

[ampex]

Actually I had nothing but problems using Optodisc media with media code OPTODISCK001 (freezing/locking up) with my NEC 1300A, then switched to Ritek 4x's and haven't had a problem yet. So I know there's a difference in quality from first hand experience.

[lordsmurf]

Actually I had nothing but problems using Optodisc media with media code OPTODISCK001 (freezing/locking up) with my NEC 1300A, then switched to Ritek 4x's and haven't had a problem yet. So I know there's a difference in quality from first hand experience.

Are you on the lousy NEC 1300 firmware?

[ktton]

Actually I did not have any luck with either ritek g03 and gold optodisc 1x with my pioneer 105 and panasonic e30. Of the two, optodisc was the worst. Some disc were ok, some just freezed after about halfway. Frustrated the hell out of me. The only brand that I have had consistent result with the 105 and e30 is samsung beall. beall has worked like a charm for me. No coaster for over 150 burned.

[overloaded_ide]

That $10 difference in price can SERIOUSLY add up over time for someone who uses thousands of disks. Some people uses thousands of disks per month....so think about the savings there

Yep, Long as the quality is there I could use some saved money too

Prices were the same for 25pks, so I'll probably get a optodisk 25pk and compare to the riteks I just bought. they should be here in 1-2days?

I'll burn a few of these and a few of those. Thanks for the info!

[Duchess]

Thanks for the info. I looked up Optodisc's web site and they, like Ritek warranty their discs as having a life of 30 years.

[overloaded_ide]

30yrs !!!

Dang, I guess I will have to stay with princo and matrix, I think they are 100yrs I think. I don't want to be backing up my backups more than 5 times!!

Maybe Ritek and optodisk are being more realistic and truethfull than all the rest! At least they aren't lying as badly anyway :P

I'm going to test them. Tonight I will burn 4 disks, 2 each. Come back Oct 07 2023 and I'll post if 1 each are still working. Then Oct 05 2033 we'll see if all 4 still work. I know that's a couple days early, but if they crash I want time to file my waurantee claim on them

[Duchess]

<chuckle> I looked at the Princo site and they don't even mention DVD discs, only blank CD media and no mention of any lifetimes anywhere that I could see. As for Matrix, i've never seen any on sale in England so I never bothered to even look.

[zanos]

I bought a 50 spindle of 1x optodiscs a couple of months back. All burned fine except for 3 or 4 bad ones. At least Optodisc actually thinks to brand their discs with a defined writing area. Is this really so much to ask? Jesus, if a company is going to brand their discs anyway why not put one freaking line on the disc so I can label it properly without making it look like a mess with my marker.

[Duchess]

Perhaps the gentleman should take a course in caligraphy? <giggle>

[defense]

@ IDE...yep...they are probably being more realistic....but keep in mind..it's still a "WARRANTY." Most products are warranted for 1-3 years but can last 10-30 years like Radios, TV's, ..etc..etc. So warranting the disks for 30 years could mean the disks will last hundreds of years..the same with the 100 year warranties...I was just saying that all of the warranty's are so ridiculous...30 years... 100 years..I mean nobody knows....with other product...we have an idea as does the manufacturer of the product life....but when we think about it...sooner or later a technology will be available to make Video quality and Sound Quality even more intense and amazing.

And at that time...there will be other storage means anyway......I know tons of people who loaded up on buying VHS tapes wouldn't ever of thought that their media would be damn near obsolete....now I'm glad I never bought a SINGLE VHS tape my entire life. I never did..because I never liked that "HISS" you get playing VHS tapes..and I honestly never liked the quality. I didn't know much about Video..but I knew enough that there would eventually be a better format...and once I saw a DVD for the first time..I said....WHOOOT..THERE IT IS! LOL.....and til this day I haven't backed up ANY SERIES DVD's......I'm holding out for this dual layer technology to be introduced or blu ray prices to come down in a few years. Then i'm gonna put all the Twilight Zone episodes...and other series I like..on only ONE to THREE disks! Ahh yes....I can't wait.


@Zanos...the Gold Topped disks are lined...the silver top aren't though.

[BobK]

I've used over 100 each of Ritek and Optodisk. Two weeks ago I would have said I didn't see any difference- they both burn fine with few errors and both play on all my standalones.

In the last two weeks I've had to make copies of quite a few of my burned disks and I discovered that while they both play fine, with Optodisk I get errors on one of every 10-12 when trying to rip it. I've had to re-author the entire disk from my original source and burn a new disk before I can make another copy. So far I haven't had any errors with Ritek, so for the forseeable future I'll be spending the extra few cents on Ritek.

[BobK]

> I'm holding out for this dual layer technology to be introduced or blu ray prices to come down in a few years.

And by the time that happens there will be something even better in development and you can hold out for that. It will save you a lot of money too- every time something new and better comes out then you can save the money and hold out for the next new and better thing after that.

[navatweb]

I recently used some Optodisc 4x DVD-Rs to backup soem movies. And I did likewise with Ritek 4x DVD-Rs. I usually had good luck with either, but at times, especially when the movie was close to 4.7G, I had problems with hiccups/freezing towards the end of movies with Optodisk. No problems with Ritek.
I'd stay with Ritek for now.

[lordsmurf]

Optodisk with a 'K' and Optodisc with a 'C' are different discs.
The ones with a K are crap. They are knockoffs. Typically Princo or CMC.
The ones with a C are legitimate Optodiscs.

Check to make sure you really have the gold-topped Optodisc brand DVD-R that defense and I are talking about.

Also, the silver Optodiscs are not always the same as the gold-topped ones. The silver ones have been cheaper-made from time to time.

Be very specific about the speed, spelling and top color of your discs when posting..

[Faustus]

Here is my short personal comparison.
I've used TONS of Riteks without ever a problem.
I've used quite a few Optopdisc with very few problems.
I've never hard to send back an order of Riteks.
My friends have never had to send back an order of Riteks.
I've only had one order of Optodisc, didn't send them back.
Both my friends had to send theirs back because one of the 50 packs there were send appeared to be crummy.

So I think if you get good disc that Optos are almost as good as Riteks, but its hard to trust them when I consider that of the Optodisc we have ordered almost have needed to be sent back.

Sadly when you get good ones they burn great.

[Michelle]

Optodisk with a 'K' and Optodisc with a 'C' are different discs.
The ones with a K are crap. They are knockoffs. Typically Princo or CMC.
The ones with a C are legitimate Optodiscs.

I did a search in the DVD Media section for Optodisk and nothing came up.

[defense]

@ LordSmurf..definitely true...fortunately..I've only gotten the "C" disks...whether they be the Gold Topped or Silver topped. They have worked tremendously....and if retail prices weren't so cheap...that would be my online disk of choice.

@Flaystus..where are your friends purchasing the media? Meritline? Sounds like a vendor problem to me. I mean one or two disks..yea...that happens with many brands...but entire batches? Sounds like something wrong there...I have also read on this forum that people have gotten bad batches of Ritek too....but it's definitely not common...but anything is possible.

[normando]

Defense...
What is the media code for the 4X Optodisc DVD-Rs you are talking about. I just received an order from RIMA.COM for 100 gold top Optodisc 4X discs and their media code was as OPTODISCK001 from within DVDInfo Pro


There are 18 stinkin hits for this media code when I entered it in the "Search DVD Media Code" field in the media section of this site.

Did RIMA send me junk as LordSmurf stated above?

Optodisk with a 'K' and Optodisc with a 'C' are different discs.
The ones with a K are crap. They are knockoffs. Typically Princo or CMC.
The ones with a C are legitimate Optodiscs.

[lordsmurf]

@Michelle. Though this site is large and great, it is still missing many things. These 'K' discs are normally sold overseas, on eBay and in non-USA countries.

@normando. It is a true OPTODISC with some extra markings of K001, likely batch info or other info that only the company would understand. I buy from RIMA too, my discs work great on 103, 104 and 105 drives.

The Optodisk brand is only the brand name, normally showing up with Princo or CMC ID's. Some are branded, some are not. Normally, the branded ones are white tops with silver marks, much like PULSE (which are fake Maxell). Probably made by the same crooks.

And again, silver and gold Optodiscs are not all made them same. The 1x is different than the 4x (though I had good luck with both 1x and 4x golds), and the silvers and blues are different than the golds.

This is one of the few media brands I've had extensive testing done on.

[defense]

@ Normando...your disks are legit Opto's..that is the id of my Gold Topped too..you have BOTH the "C" and the "K." My Opto's have the same.

[ampex]

Actually I had nothing but problems using Optodisc media with media code OPTODISCK001 (freezing/locking up) with my NEC 1300A, then switched to Ritek 4x's and haven't had a problem yet. So I know there's a difference in quality from first hand experience.

Are you on the lousy NEC 1300 firmware?

I tried both official firmware and Herrie's modified firmware and got the same results each time, Optodisc just wasn't cutting it. Just to clarify, these were discs with the OPTODISCK001 media code, and I tried both 1x and 4x. All were crap.