Best DVD+R Media?

[Mr.Radar]

I'm backing up my whole system onto DVD+R discs and want them to last a while. My burner is a rebranded NEC-1100A that burns DVD+R at 4x or 2.4x or DVD+RW at 2.4x. What's the best brand/model of DVD+R media? What can I expect to pay for a 10 or 15-pack? What's the best speed to burn at?

[Joergen]

Verbatim (mitsubishi chemical company) long life AZO products. I wouldnt doubt good old Verb. And seeing as MCC is THE company who was able to develop a dye sophisticated enough for dual layer burning, you can bet on their products to be the best.

Btw AZO is a toxic cancer causing type of chemical compund used to stop other chemicals (like colors) fading from UV rays. Those discs pack some serious sh**. :D

[Video Dude]

Some Verbatims are CMC. They are not always MCC anymore.

[Joergen]

Yes I've heard that with some writers the "anti scratch surface" CMC Verbs dont write as good as they should, but its not the discs fault per se.

The inkjet printables in jewel case are all MMC, or?

The NEC drives are popular but have had trouble with at least ritek dye discs with old firmwares (2500). Might have to go for a pioneer with my next drive, eventhough their previous models have gone up in smoke for many.

[Mr.Radar]

So Verbaitim DataLife/DataLifePlus discs are best? I actually have some of those (came free with my drive) but I'm almost out of them.

[Video Dude]

Originally posted by Mr.Radar
So Verbaitim DataLife/DataLifePlus discs are best?

DataLifePlus, not DataLife.

[Dimmer]

And if you want the best of Verbatim, you'll have to buy the ones in jewel cases. Those sold in spindles always have a different manufacturer. Last time for me it turned out to be Ricoh, which is good, but you never know.

[Mr.Radar]

Those 10-packs are pricey. $2 a disc! I don't think I've ever paid that much before, though I will if I have to. (I always got the cheapo CD-R brands on sale, and now some of my 6-month old discs are having read errors, lesson learned).

[Joergen]

The 10-pack 4X DVD-R are the same disc essentially but only 1.35€ here.. um then again that's ~1.7$ so it depends on what you're used to. ~1€ is cheap for me, and I can pay a little over when it means quality.

You can also think that the fully transparent nice jewel case is worth about 20c.