Best recordable CD-R manufacturers?

[jhfagan]

I have just figured out why the Memorex CD-R's I've been using, have been giving me problems.

The aluminum oxide material on a disc that data is recorded on, which is usually sandwiched between two clear pieces of plastic, is actually on the underside of the white printed ink surface of the disc!!!!!!!!!!!

A little flake off of the ink, and the disc is screwed. I saw a little white ink flake off of the surface of one of my discs, and I could see right through the plastic.

The disc will freeze and not play when it reaches the point that the ink is gone.

No wonder they're cheap, because they're S**T!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I was trying to find reviews on blank CD-R's, and couldn't come up with anything regarding how they're manufactured, or the quality of them.

Does anyone have a suggestion for the best quality, and most reliable blank CD-R media out there?

Preferably a company that doesn't print the recordable material on the outside of the disc under the ink. I still can't get over how ridiculous and cheap that is!!!!!!!!!

[Ryan FB]

Check out CD Freaks, specifically their CD-R(W) Media tests forum. Ritek and Taiyo Yuden seem to be the most popular brands.

[rustyjaw]

Actually I don't think it's uncommon for the aluminum reflective layer (that's not where the data is recorded, BTW) to be near the top of the disc...this is why they say to always use a soft point pen when writing on a CD.

 

In any case, the aluminum should not flake off under normal usage, at least in under several years of use.

 

I've always had good luck with TDK, FWIW.

[Orpheus]

Always TDK or Maxell for me. I've tried otherbrands but have found tehse to be teh most releiable over personal use. I vowed never to buy Memorex again since teh days of analog cassette and have stuck with that. I've added Phillips to that list recently with the horrible batch of DVD-r's I got a few months back.

[jhfagan]

Actually I don't think it's uncommon for the aluminum reflective layer (that's not where the data is recorded' date=' BTW) to be near the top of the disc...this is why they say to always use a soft point pen when writing on a CD.

 

In any case, the aluminum should not flake off under normal usage, at least in under several years of use.

 

I've always had good luck with TDK, FWIW.[/quote']

 

Thanks for the suggestion, but where is the data recorded then on a non-printable disc? Both sides of the disc being clear plastic and the aluminum layer being visible through the plastic.

[Cyberwoo]

I've been using TDK's for a while now. I just buy the big 50 or 100 packs whenever I see a good price. Once you find a brand that works stick with it even it it means passing up some cheapies that are on sale. No sense in trying to save money on something that might not even work. BTW I dont recall ever having problems with Memorex. I still have some around and am currently using 8x Memorex DVD+R discs which work fine.

[db]

In general, blank media made in Japan is reliable, while discs from Taiwan can be hit or miss.

 

Here's a handy list found at the Steve Hoffman forums:

 

Here is a quick list to sort out who makes what, and what?s good:

 

With CD-Rs,

 

? it is longevity

 

? good burn for compatibility (audio and older CD players)

 

? reflectivity (the see throughness has nothing to do with the it, it is reflectivity at the laser?s wavelength)

 

? anti-scratch

 

Generally speaking, anything Taiyo Yuden or Ritek make now is excellent (Maxell or JVC)

 

With DVDs,

 

it is how correctly does the DVD burn in the track

compatibility

longevity

Dropouts ? these are easily evident on TVs between OK discs and great discs

Make sure you put them in jewel cases or snap cases ? scratches affect DVD-Rs a lot more than CDs

 

Anything from Japan for DVDs is pretty good. Best results I have had are the Panasonic and Maxell discs. Zero problems, no dropouts.

 

CD-Rs excellent:

 

Brand

Mfg Plant

 

Maxell CD-R Audio Color, CD-R Pro, CD-R Pro Audio - best CD-R around

Taiyo Yuden Japan

 

Maxell CD-R, CD-R Color - great and CHEAP

Ritek Taiwan

 

All the newer (2001+) Maxells are great?

 

Fuji CD-R

Taiyo Yuden Japan

 

TDK Armor Plated CD-R

TDK Japan

 

JVC Victor CD-R, CD-R Color

Ritek Taiwan

 

Philips CD-R

Ritek Taiwan

 

Verbatim/Mitsubishi (rare)

Mitsubishi Singapore

 

Sony CD-R (rare)

Taiyo Yuden Japan

 

Generally anything made in Japan (Taiyo Yuden or Mitsui) or Ritek Taiwan are great

 

CD-R OK:

 

Imation CD-R, CD-R color,

CMC Taiwan

 

Memorex CD-R (all)

CMC Taiwan

 

HP CD-R

CMC Taiwan

 

TDK CD-R Made In Taiwan by various companies (usu Ritek or CMC)

Ritek or CMC Taiwan

 

Fuji CD-R

Optodics or CMCTaiwan

 

CD-R Lousy/avoid

 

Sony CD-R (all)

Lead Data Taiwan

 

Verbatim Made in Taiwan by various companies

various Taiwan

 

Discs made by Optodisc or Princo in Taiwan or Moser Baer in India.

 

DVD-R excellent

 

Panasonic DVD-R**excellent**

Matsushita Japan

 

Maxell DVD-R **excellent**

Maxell or TY Japan

 

Maxell DVD+R

Maxell or Ricoh Japan

 

JVC Victor DVD-R **excellent**

Maxell or Victor Japan

 

Sony Color DVD-R Made in Austria by Sony DADC

Sony Austria

 

Sony DVD-R or DVD+R Made in Japan by Taiyo Yuden or Ricoh

TY or Ricoh Japan

 

TDK Made in Japan by TDK or Taiyo Yuden or Maxell (!) or Mitsubishi (MCC)

various Japan

 

Verbatim DataLifePlus DVD-R DVD+R

TY or MCC Japan

 

Fuji DVD-R, DVD+R

TY or RIcoh Japan

 

Anything Made in Japan will be good.

 

DVD-R OK:

 

Sony DVD-R or DVD+R

Lead Data Taiwan

 

Verbatim/Mitsubishi DataLife DVD-R, DVD+R

CMC Taiwan

 

Memorex DVD-+R

CMC Taiwan

 

Imation DVD-R, DVD+R

Rtek or CMC Taiwan

 

Maxell (rare)

Ritek Taiwan

 

JVC Victor DVD+R

Prodisc Taiwan

 

DVD-R Avoid

 

Fuji Made in Taiwan by various companies

various Taiwan

 

Media made by Prodisc (Taiwan), Optowrite (Taiwan), Princo (Taiwan), Moser Baer (India)

[jhfagan]

excellent information.

thank you.

[Graeme]

The aluminum oxide material on a disc that data is recorded on, which is usually sandwiched between two clear pieces of plastic, is actually on the underside of the white printed ink surface of the disc!!!!!!!!!!!

 

That's how all CDs are, whether they're CDRs or production CDs. If you get a scratch on the label side of any CD, it's pretty much toast.

 

http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/cd1.htm

 

I've used hundreds of Memorex CDs and have never had a problem that I can remember. They all burn fine, never had any data loss, and as audio and VCDs they would play in some non-CDR devices that other CDRs would not.