To all Ritek expert/veteran/mass users!

[disturbed1]

Since I switched to TY's, I don't mind paying the extra, and for cheapies I'm more than happy with the Prodisc 4x at $0.65/each. I went from G03's to Gigastorage, back to G03/G04, and am stuck with TY and Prodisc, until either they crap out, or something better comes along.

It'd almost be worth driving to the states to pick up some TY's, but I can't think of anybody close enough, besides CD Dimensions in Conneticuit, US shipping only, $810/500. That's a too far of a drive, too expensive to fly, wouldn't save any money going there.

Rima will ship 500 silver or white printables to M4G 3G6 (just picked a number) in Toronto for $775 + $56.25 EMS + $8 insurance, or $23.25 VIA Canada standard. Not sure about customs fees.

500 Ritek are only $450 + shipping.

[djblade]

It seems these are the prefered codes :-
Maxell, Ty and MCC

so, where in the uk can i buy some of these dvd-r's..?

[westlaw]

Up until recently I've used the Arita discs. 4x but burns great at 8x...

I also recently switched from Arita. I must have burned some 3, 100-DVD packs I purchased from newegg. Interestingly, with the last 100-pack of Arita's I purchased from newegg, not one DVD burned higher than 4X using my Plextor 708A.

I emailed newegg and told them about this problem. They were aware of reported problems with their last shippment and have decided to stop carrying the Arita brand label. They recomm. the Ridata DVD+R 4x, which is *supposed* to be the same as the Arita. I've accepted these as replacements and have burned 50 of these DVDs thus far. All of them have burned at 8X without incident. Once again, I'm a happy camper!

What other brands have you used on your Plextor that allowed to to burn at 8X?

[lordsmurf]

DVD+R is made by RICOH, with RICOHJPN media codes. If it says RITEK, the media ID is vendored, but still a RICOH disc. For all intents and purposes, DVD+R is not part of the discussion. It's not a RITEK media, just a vendored product.

MCC can be found in 2x Verbatim DataLifePlus and 2x Apple. Of course, Verbatim can be many things (including CMC ) and Apple can be MXL (which is as good as MCC, if not better). Best I can say, good luck in UK.

I just got my first batch of PRODISC today, partly from random browsing, partly from a digitalFAQ.com question asker, and partly because of disturbed1. If these burns keep going good, I'll be a PRODISC convert too. Now don't take my word for it, but SUPPOSEDLY Prodisc uses the patented formulas from MCC. Media ID PRODISCS03.

[richdvd]

Media ID PRODISCS03.

This is the same Media ID found in SOME Memorex -R media.

[lordsmurf]

Media ID PRODISCS03.

This is the same Media ID found in SOME Memorex -R media.

Never seen it. But I have also heard that the older PRODISCS03 and newer PRODISCS03 are night and day on quality. Old is so-so, while new is great. Again, heresay, but believable given feedback from different users. The old PRODISCS03 is another media formula, and newer one based on MCC. I'm still trying to verify any of this info. Don't go spreading rumors just yet.

[disturbed1]

The MCC based dye comes from the fact they use Metal AZO, as do a few other media companies. "Experts" claim metal AZO is the best dye available. Don't know about all that. Though tests have proven they were better one way or another, some organic dyes can be just as good.

I picked up Prodisc because I was out of TY's, so went and bought a 50 pack of Fuji Film. Turned out to be Prodisc. Not too bad, but not as good as a TY of course. Since TY's are $1.40/ea, the $0.65 Prodisc give a chance to proof projects quickly, and I offer it to my customers with only a 1 year warranty, compared to lifetime with the TYs.

At least these don't have block errors like some of the other cheap Taiwan media (Lead Data, Princo........). I can tell you that out of the last 1,000 I haven't had a single return, and 2 returns out of the last 3,000. The only duds I've had are the very last discs at the bottom of the spindel. I'm sure if I cleaned them, they'd be ok, but I'm too lazy to bother. All of my images are a standard 4,580,000,000 bytes min.

But don't take my word for it. Just like BJ_M who burns 15,000 perfect Ritek, while some can't get 50, I'm sure Prodisc won't work for everyone either.

[Hawseman]

Hmmm, Prodisc...I'd like to try some.

Are there any clues for buying the "newer" recipe Prodiscs?

I don't want to end up posting to another thread like this one......

[lordsmurf]

Hmmm, Prodisc...I'd like to try some.
Are there any clues for buying the "newer" recipe Prodiscs?
I don't want to end up posting to another thread like this one......

The ones sold online are the supposed new ones. The ones in stores branded by others would be supposed old ones. For all I know, they're all the same. But better safe than sorry.

[ScottEslick]

Hmmm, Prodisc...I'd like to try some.
Are there any clues for buying the "newer" recipe Prodiscs?
I don't want to end up posting to another thread like this one......

The ones sold online are the supposed new ones. The ones in stores branded by others would be supposed old ones. For all I know, they're all the same. But better safe than sorry.

Are these the ones you are talking about http://www.supermediastore.com/prodisc-4x-white-inkjet-printable-dvd-r-media.html ?

TIA,
Scott

[SunMaster]

DVD+R is made by RICOH, with RICOHJPN media codes. If it says RITEK, the media ID is vendored, but still a RICOH disc. For all intents and purposes, DVD+R is not part of the discussion. It's not a RITEK media, just a vendored product.

You sure about that ? I don't feel assured that my dvd+r disks with Ritek R03 ID are Ricohs. Same with Ritek R02 and Ritek R01.

[bmiller]

I've burned about 150 ritek shiny silver/purple 1x with no errors,other than my own,and they have played on every dvd player that they have been put on.They burn at 2.4x with my sony dru500a.The setup works,so i'm sticking with it,intil i can't find anymore of these disks.

[lordsmurf]

In the past 3 days alone, I've found 5 more bad RITEKG04 matte silvers in my collection. I'm having to redo some projects. Day by day, Ritek loses more of my respect.

My own fault for not testing? Sure, I'll take that. But I cannot test all discs, no time for it. I thought RITEK was reliable, had to find out the hard way that SOME of them are not. Matte silver are some of the lower quality ones, though still better than the shiny ones.

[SunMaster]

Lordsmurf,

Are those matte ones actually branded ?

[lordsmurf]

Lordsmurf,
Are those matte ones actually branded ?

Nope. Plain silver mattes from RIMA.COM

[Rookie64]

In the past 3 days alone, I've found 5 more bad RITEKG04 matte silvers in my collection. I'm having to redo some projects. Day by day, Ritek loses more of my respect.

My own fault for not testing? Sure, I'll take that. But I cannot test all discs, no time for it. I thought RITEK was reliable, had to find out the hard way that SOME of them are not. Matte silver are some of the lower quality ones, though still better than the shiny ones.

I tested a little over 400 RITEK have yet to encounter a single flaw.
Most are GO3 (some matte and some silver top/all purple bottom)
Most are -R but I also tested some +RW

I recently bought a 200 pack of RITEK G03s for $134 from Mertline (yea, I took a chance and had no problem as of yet with Mertline) with free ground shipping.

I follow most of your guides, Lordsmurf and never made a coaster with any recordable DVD to this day.
Though I burn either at 1x or 2x (since I do all my burning on my other computer).

I'll continue to take chances on RITEK - I get great results at affordable prices.

[Hawseman]

........
Are these the ones you are talking about http://www.supermediastore.com/prodisc-4x-white-inkjet-printable-dvd-r-media.html ?

TIA,
Scott

I'd really like to try those...I've been waiting for Verbatim hub printables here in the states....can't seem to find them.

Anybody use these?

[Espen]

Just found another site warning for those Ritek landscapes:

http://www.dvd-recordable.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Reviews&file=index&req=showcontent&id=76

Hmmm sure this brand most vary in quality, because some people on this forum says they never have had a problem with those discs........

[chas0039]

Just found another site warning for those Ritek landscapes:

http://www.dvd-recordable.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Reviews&file=index&req=showcontent&id=76

Hmmm sure this brand most vary in quality, because some people on this forum says they never have had a problem with those discs........

I just got a batch of the above disks (ordered just before the link was posted). Nineteen bad out of 100. The flaws in the dye were up to 1/4 inch and very visible. Never again.

[Perro Grande]

I can share what I've experienced...

I've had one or more DVD burners for quite a while now, and have burned probably upwards of 1000 disks, give or take.

I've used the following (all -R format):

TDK
Maxell
TY
Ritek G04 (RiData -- silver top)
Verbatim (Ricohjpn)
Memorex (Ricohjpn)
KHypermedia (CMC)


I have experienced the following media-related problems (note, this does not include the plethora of dumb-ass braindead mistakes I've made in the encoding or authoring process) :

TDK - 0 media failures
Maxell - 0 media failures
TY - 0 media failures
Ritek G04 - 2% media failures
Verbatim - 10% failure rate
Memorex - 5% failure rate
KHypermedia - 100% failure rate (tried 5 disks, 5 failed)


I've been running these things through various Plextor, NEC, and Pioneer models, and a Panasonic set top unit.

All things considered, I've had VERY good results, especially sticking with the "first class" media and staying far, far away from the landfill crapola.

I have a healthy respect for the G04s, and I've had good luck with them. I use G04's extensively (my Panasonic unit seems to really like them) and probably will continue to do so. However, for the really serious stuff, I jump up to one of the other brands.

[chas0039]

Don't mistake my post; I'm done with anything but the silver top G04s. And when they are gone later this year I'll go to the matte top. The flaws are all in the orange top.

[djblade]

would it be possible to post some links, or photo's of the above disc's, as i've come across so many, i aint got a clue which is which, tia.

[chas0039]

would it be possible to post some links, or photo's of the above disc's, as i've come across so many, i aint got a clue which is which, tia.

Glad to.

http://www.dvd-recordable.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Reviews&file=index&req=showcontent&id=76