Blank Media & Quality FAQ

[setarip]

For "almost everything you wanted to know" about burnable DVD media, in simple language, go to:

http://www.digitalfaq.com/media/dvdmedia.htm

[batmakko]

That is an excellent link. Most I did find out on my own some is new to me. Although I have found some of the problrms of bad media being where in the US you live. In my area iIt wouldn't matter what store or brand of blank media you buy , chances are you will loose about half of the package. I was only buying media at an Office Depot and now I will never buy there again.
I had bought a spindle of 100 and only had 10 good back ups. So I switched stores and went to a walmart and was having really good luck until recently. I about to switch to an extremly expensive alternative to making my back ups and buy 3 of every movie I want. I think in the long run it will be cheaper.

[guzmanoliver]

I live in Peru and have similar problems. Most of the CD / DVD media sold here is third class stuff...

[ashes]

Great site - easy to understand!

[tigerman8u]

sometimes the media id can be more important than the brand. companies have a tendacy to change manufacturers at times

[LT. Columbo]

want media id codes?

http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/155431

[jm1647]

As mentioned by tigermanu8u and on the site listed by columbo999 the brand name media codes do change as they change mfrs. who supply them the media. Most good internet sites often post the media codes or will tell you it if you call. Brick and mortar stores usually don't list or know the media codes (which is why they should be on the packaging/DVD. Ask if there is a problem with them, that you can return them with out a restocking fee and get full credit towards a different media. As mentioned a lot look for "Made In Japan", these are usually quality media.

[ReplicantRoy]

A good site, but is there a good site out there that has actual reviews from users?

[Taelon]

DVD Media List - with user comments

A good site, but is there a good site out there that has actual reviews from users?

Of course

http://www.videohelp.com/dvdmedia

[ReplicantRoy]

Thank You

[noels]

Help... I've looked at all these sites and studied the codes, etc, but what does a guy do? You buy what you think is a good quality (Fujifilm, Maxell, Phillips) and you see that the codes say it is 2nd class or worse. So if I go to Best Buy or Office Depot or Staples the people selling there don't know the differences, and how can I know what to buy to get a good, reliable product? Anyone have a suggestion for what's "The Best" to buy? I want to put my movie back-ups on something I can depend on. noels

[LT. Columbo]

it greatly will depend on your writer. for my liteon, sony and memorex have proven to be 100%.

you can check others' user comments on your writer at videohelp.com and see.

some of the best media generally speaking: sony, verbatim, taiyo yuden.

[noels]

Lt. Columbo - I have a Memorex 16x Double Layer writer. Is taiyo yuden a brand name? I've seen it mentioned on the forum before, but I don't believe I've ever seen it in a store... where it is available? I'll look for Sony and Verbatim, taiyo yuden if I can find it. Thanks for your comments. noels

[jm1647]

Try here for Ty's

http://search.store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/nsearch?follow-pro=1&vwcatalog=supermediastore&catalog=supermediastore&query=taiyo%20yuden&.autodone=http://store.yahoo.net/supermediastore/nsearch.html

[noels]

jm1647, thanks. This looks like a good source with reasonable prices. I'll give them a try. I appreciate your input. noels