Writeable DVDs

[anonymous-user]

Last time I actually looked into this seriously I think 12x CDRs were just coming out :boxedin:

As I now have a nice new dual format, dual layer DVD writer I need to buy some media. Other than compatibility, is there any advantage between + or -Rs?

And what are considered the better brands these days? I always used to buy TDK, or Maxell. These any good still?

Final stupid question - if a DVD-R is rated at 8x, is there going to be that much greater chance of producing a nice shiny coaster by burning at 12x if supported by the burner?

Now that I've proven my complete ignorance and stupidity, I'll retreat to await the esteemed advice of my learned colleagues.

[-DeaDLocK-]

LexSport said:

Other than compatibility, is there any advantage between + or -Rs?

If rewritables are your thing, you'll be best off sticking with "+", as "-" RW discs are limited, slow and expensive. "-" however is the format that is more widely supported by DVD hardware, especially older DVD players. So with your archiving and movie-making, stick with "-" (you will find most blank DVDs out there sold in bulk is "-" anyway).

LexSport said:

And what are considered the better brands these days? I always used to buy TDK, or Maxell. These any good still?

Basically there are only two or three main manufacturers these days, and any disc you buy, regardless of brand, will have been manufactured by any of these three. You basically can't go wrong, but shy away from ridiculously cheap factory rejects.

LexSport said:

Final stupid question - if a DVD-R is rated at 8x, is there going to be that much greater chance of producing a nice shiny coaster by burning at 12x if supported by the burner?

The first thing you will find is that you won't be able to burn a disc only rated to 8x at anything higher than this - the drive detects the media used and the speed the disc has been rated at. If you however really want to push the boundaries, as it were, you can get hacked firmware for your drive that will allow you to burn any media at any speed. However there are no guarantees that burning a disc at a speed higher than it's rated to will work - people have quite a good success rate with decent media, but the trade offs are higher error rates and the odd coaster. Let me know if you want to hack the drive's firmware and I'll lead you to some links. But if you're not a power user my advice is don't bother.

[Podie]

I use datawrite jobbies.. never had one fail.

For movies -R's seem to offer the best compatibility with home players.

[anonymous-user]

Thanks guys. I bought a few Verbatim DVD-Rs the other day and they seem all right. Just thought I'd check before shelling out for a job lot. Sounds like I'll stick with -Rs and just pick a brand at a reasonable price.

-DeaDLocK- said:

The first thing you will find is that you won't be able to burn a disc only rated to 8x at anything higher than this - the drive detects the media used and the speed the disc has been rated at.

I had a feeling that this was supposed to be the case. But the 8x media I've got seemed to be happily burnt at 12x by Nero. I'll let it carry on doing it's thing as I tend to check I can access it after it's burnt so should spot any problems.

Thanks again.

[ErnestM]

Whatever you choose remember NOT to use full face labels on DVD's. The adhesive pulls on the DVD as it gets older and it results in the DVD not playing after a few months. If you want labels, invest in a DVD printer (Canon, Epson make them) and get the DVDs that have a printable face...

ErnestM

>> Edited by ErnestM on Thursday 26th May 02:35

[desyboy]

Either that or go for the printable DVD's and get an Epson R200 printer to print directly onto the DVD's.....

[pdV6]

ErnestM said:

If you want labels, invest in a DVD printer (Canon, Epson make them) and get the DVDs that have a printable face...

desyboy said:

Either that or go for the printable DVD's and get an Epson R200 printer to print directly onto the DVD's.....

There's an echo in here...

[desyboy]

Either that or a blind man typing...

[pdV6]

[Chim450]

ErnestM said:

Whatever you choose remember NOT to use full face labels on DVD's. The adhesive pulls on the DVD as it gets older and it results in the DVD not playing after a few months. If you want labels, invest in a DVD printer (Canon, Epson make them) and get the DVDs that have a printable face... ErnestM >> Edited by ErnestM on Thursday 26th May 02:35

There are some really "clever" burners out now which are known as lightscribe. These actually directly etch onto the surface of lightscribe compatible media to leave professional quality graphics and text.

Yet another gadget to add to my wish-list.

[Pigeon]

Best thing is a marker pen.

[anonymous-user]

Pigeon said:

Best thing is a marker pen.

I thought that something (the solvent?) in marker pens eats through the CD/DVD over time which is why you can buy specific CD pens.

[mcflurry]

LexSport said:

Pigeon said: Best thing is a marker pen. I thought that something (the solvent?) in marker pens eats through the CD/DVD over time which is why you can buy specific CD pens.

It takes something like 8/10 years for that to actually happen. By then your copy of Lotus123 is usually obsolete...

[Pigeon]

And the CD is quite likely to deteriorate over that kind of timescale in any case, even if you don't write on it at all. Especially if it's one of the cheap and crappy ones where the reverse side of the foil layer is protected by white paint rather than another layer of plastic. But it even happens to pressed CDs if the packaging gives off acidic fumes. There was quite a kerfuffle a while back over CDs produced in Philips' Blackburn plant crapping out due to acid from the packaging making its way through the plastic and eating the foil.