03-14-2005, 06:54 AM
SpazBear,Mar 14 2005, 04:15 PM Wrote:I've always used name-brand media (3M-Imation), because I'm most concerned with longevity. Most of my discs are for achival purposes.
Here's a fear-mongering article that's kept me away from buying Brand X media
LINK
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That article is quite correct, with one caveat - it only really applies to DVD media. There is currently a wide divide between good and bad DVD media. I wouldn't even think of buying Dual-layer, no matter how expensive it is, as it's probably mediocre compared to Single layer DVDRs. The best DVDRs currently are manufactured by Taiyo Yuden. I recently picked up 100 for $AU61.
CDRs on the other hand have a much small delta between good and bad qualities, and even the bad ones are pretty good. I have never had a coaster, even buying the nastiest of the nasty. What I HAVE had happen is the top foil coating peel off on certain cheap brands, so look out for that! Mostly it's only a corner, and the CD is not full, but it does provide an incentive to keep an eye on your CDs. Nowadays I mostly pick up namebrands on good specials.
The biggest issue is the drive. I currently have a Pioneer 108D - one of the nicest DVD writers out there. Previously I had a lite-on CD writer at the peak of their reputation. The Pioneer 109 is now out, if anyone's looking for a drive that can burn anything until HD-DVD comes out.