Computer newbies forum: Best DVD to buy

I like to advise my clients that they use "brand name DVD's" and refrain from so-called bulk bundles. In general, those bulk purchases do OK, but if you plan to really store the media, the cost is minor difference. Day-to-day use as in repeated usage could best explain using better DVDs as well. The idea is that less than capable discs tend to become unreliable over time either from handling or improper storage. I rarely find bad discs but those found usually came from bulk bundles from some unknown XYZ label and degrade quickly.

HP and Philips were the major leaders in disc use prior to the home front and generally rely on DVD+R for best overall use because it simply falls into all the needs a DVD drives may better support. Next, a brand name does make a difference as in the longevity of the dies used to make them are more crisp and dramatic pressing as well material make-up. Basically, it boils down that cheap is cheap. Die use(pressing) is considerably less per die and then that die maybe sold to other disc makers that use that die until its useless, which may also suggest discs made from such dies aren't as pristine as can be generating flaws.

My favorites are Philips, Toshiba, Sony and TDK, possibility Kodak too. However, some manufacturers maybe supplying the same discs to various labels, so stick with one that seems to work well with your setup.

tada -----Willy

Once you get into the format and/or recording type, you'll find what each best used for. However, your DVD drive may in general simply support both +/- discs, so it's a moot point at times. Reviewing the specs of the drive itself(model#) will provide the blank discs it needs. Then you shop for the required discs. They're not trying to hide this info and can be found as explained above.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Which-CD-or-DVD-format-should-I-use

tada -----Willy

Over the years I have used many different brands of CD'S and DVD'S. The only time I can recall a major issue, which was aggravating, was with HP brand CD's, over 50% failure(s) from a 100 pack. I have used Memorex as well and can recall no problems. Once in a while you will find a bad disk but it is fairly rare. TDK, as a prior poster mentioned, seem to work well, as do some of the others. Also, before I scrap a disk I will try it on more than one system using the same burning software. As far as format is concerned, + or - with newer burners should not matter. On some and many of the old stand alone and combination units (VHS to DVD) format can be an issue.

"My favorites are Philips, Toshiba, Sony and TDK"

If you have a standalone DVD player you use with your TV you should check the manual to see if it has a preference for + or - disks. Sony and TDK have been most reliable for me. I gave up on Memorex years ago when they started making garbage quality audiocassettes in Canada. The French make some great products but if I see French (Canadian) language on a blank media package I run.

It is generally thought among professionals that JVC Taiyo Yuden disks are the highest-quality, most reliable and durable media for both CD and DVD. They cost a little more and can be a little hard to find in stores (but can be purchased easily on-line and they are often discounted). Verbatim is probably next-best.

It's hard to tell, though. The media itself has existed for too short a time for any significant failure rates to show up yet for any brand. DVD-R (whether plus or minus) will certainly be more reliable and durable than DVD-RW media, however, and this is true for all brands and across brands.

I have had more failures with Memorex than with any other brand, including off-label brands.

I realize that I came here late, still responding for someone who will read this thread later.

I have used loads of brands and from my experience, it varies from batch to batch (and place of manufacturing). I have made coasters out of Sony, TDK while I have some best burns on Memorex. But from my experience, Taiyo-Yuden is the best brand . Have hardly any coaster. I admit that I burn rather slowly, like 8X or 16X max.

Since you are making recovery disks, once they are made, make a DVD image and store it on multiple drives. Trust me, these burns WILL give you troubles when you desperately want them to work, so having DVD images are best so that you can quickly burn and get your job done.
At the same time, HP has one of the best recovery modules (unlike Toshiba) to recovery from HDD itself, so you should be good without using these disks.