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blank DVDs - differences in quality or just paying for a brand name???
- Thread starter AeroBar
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Some are better than others, name brands usually carry lifetime warranties (but not a warranty against your data, only the disc). I'm getting to the point where I cannot rely on optical discs for long-time storage. I've had several discs go bad. I have a spindle of Verbatim DL DVDs that I purchased when DL was first coming out. The layers are coming apart and some of my data is lost. I'm hoping DL DVDs have gotten more reliable.
The same basic process and the same basic materials yes, but the quality of the materials and processes used can vary just like the quality of food and service can vary between a nice restaurant and Popeye's Chicken.
Higher quality DVD brands will last longer, be readable in more players, and have a lower burn failure rate.
Lethal
In the old days of CDR, different dyes were used by different manufacturers. Some dies were easier for equipment to read than others. I am not sure if these fundamental differences still exist in DVDR.
With DVD's, I have had pretty good luck with verbatim and a higher coaster rate with some of the off brands. Unless you are buying hundreds, the price difference doesn't add up to much (especially considering you will probably throw away more of the cheaper discs).
With DVD's, I have had pretty good luck with verbatim and a higher coaster rate with some of the off brands. Unless you are buying hundreds, the price difference doesn't add up to much (especially considering you will probably throw away more of the cheaper discs).
My thoughts too. I used to have bookmarks for sites of info on dvd media that I referenced a lot but I do not have them any more, sorry. I would search for dvd media reviews and such. I remember sites that detailed media specs, manufacturers and also rated them for overall quality.
Verbatim is the only way to go. Anything else and you can get from 30 to 90% coasters. I've had all but one DVD turn into a coaster on me from sony...
As I've been told, the key ingredients are the dye and the burner. Taiyo Yuden dye gets almost universal praise.
We use an unbranded type for our SIVs and we get very few failures, plus we don't have the Verbatim branding on the printable surface. It's a shame that colourless dyes for DVD-R seem to be a physical impossibility.
Verbatim
If you are using single layers then its not such an issue but I would use verbatim for mastering as they always use the same factories so quality is not an issue. If you are using double layers then its only vebatim. Its all down to fail rate. Most dvd blank suppliers source from many factories so quality is an issue
If you are using single layers then its not such an issue but I would use verbatim for mastering as they always use the same factories so quality is not an issue. If you are using double layers then its only vebatim. Its all down to fail rate. Most dvd blank suppliers source from many factories so quality is an issue
This guy who does lots of video restoration has a thorough guide:
http://www.digitalfaq.com/reviews/dvd-media.htm
http://www.digitalfaq.com/reviews/dvd-media.htm