Which DVD-R media is best for long-term storage? [2006-2007]

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Blank Media Discuss, Which DVD-R media is best for long-term storage? [2006-2007] at Consumables forum; Which DVD-R media currently available would you recommend for long-term storage and for those situations where only the best is good enough? You can select all the media codes that you think qualify - multiple choices are possible . This poll supposes that a real (not fake) media code is

View Poll Results: Which DVD-R media is best for long-term storage?

CMC MAG. AE1 (8x DVD-R CMC)	13	2.19%
CMC MAG. AM3 (16x DVD-R CMC)	6	1.01%
DAXON008S (8x DVD-R Daxon)	4	0.67%
DAXON016S (16x DVD-R Daxon)	4	0.67%
FUJIFILM03 (8x DVD-R Fujifilm)	10	1.69%
MBI 01RG40 (16x DVD-R Moser Baer India)	2	0.34%
MBI 03RG40 (16x DVD-R Moser Baer India)	4	0.67%
MCC 02RG20 (8x DVD-R Mitsubishi / Verbatim)	92	15.51%
MCC 03RG20 (16x DVD-R Mitsubishi / Verbatim)	112	18.89%
MXL RG03 (8x DVD-R Maxell)	18	3.04%
MXL RG04 (16x DVD-R Maxell)	14	2.36%
OPTODISCR008 (8x DVD-R Optodisc)	3	0.51%
OPTODISCR016 (16x DVD-R Optodisc)	5	0.84%
ProdiscS04 (8x DVD-R Prodisc)	2	0.34%
ProdiscS05 (16x DVD-R Prodisc)	3	0.51%
RITEKF1 (16x DVD-R RiTEK)	9	1.52%
SONY 08D1 (8x DVD-R Sony)	20	3.37%
SONY 16D1 (16x DVD-R Sony)	29	4.89%
TTH01 (8x DVD-R TDK)	18	3.04%
TTH02 (16x DVD-R TDK)	20	3.37%
TYG02 (8x DVD-R Taiyo Yuden)	397	66.95%
TYG03 (16x DVD-R Taiyo Yuden)	297	50.08%
Other - please specify in a post	16	2.70%

Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 593. You may not vote on this poll

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DrageMester (Retired Moderator): Posts: 17,012; Posted: 18-06-2006

Which DVD-R media currently available would you recommend for long-term storage and for those situations where only the best is good enough?

You can select all the media codes that you think qualify - multiple choices are possible.

This poll supposes that a real (not fake) media code is used, and that the best grade available of that media is used - not "value" line media and not downgrade media sold under various discount brand names.

Media codes a.k.a. MID a.k.a. Manufacturer IDentification
All DVD media have a manufacturer identification code (MID) which is supposed to tell a DVD recording device about the characteristics of the media, so that the recording device can select the best way of recording (burning) the media.

Some brands use the same media manufacturers for their media, and this makes it possible to find the same media code under different brand names. Some manufacturers even use the media codes of other manufacturers, and this is popularly known as "fake" media codes.

How can I find media with a certain media code (MID)?
The easiest way is to use the VideoHelp.com media database to see the media that people have reported. You can search on several criteria, with DVD Media Code being one of them.

Here are direct links to search results for the media codes in this poll:

CMC MAG. AE1	CMC MAG. AM3	DAXON008S	DAXON016S
FUJIFILM03	MBI 01RG40	MBI 03RG40	MCC 02RG20
MCC 03RG20	MXL RG03	MXL RG04	OPTODISCR008
OPTODISCR016	ProdiscS04	ProdiscS05	RITEKF1
SONY 08D1	SONY 16D1	TTH01	TTH02
TYG02	TYG03

Please note that some of the search results may be using "fake" media codes, and some may be downgrade media sold under discount brand names!

How can I find the media code for my DVD media?
Use Nero CD-DVD Speed (can be downloaded for free here), load your DVD into your DVD burner, select the Disc Info tab and look for MID under Basic Information:

Attached Images

CDSpeed MID CMC MAG AM3.png (31.0 KB, 3979 views)

Last edited by DrageMester; 18-06-2006 at 06:40. Reason: Emphasized that multiple choices are possible!

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Arachne (Senior Moderator & Reviewer): Posts: 28,633; Posted: 18-06-2006

What, no Prodisc F02 (16x -R)? I'm devastated.

Mine, surprisingly, are proving to be quite stable so far (almost a year).

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DrageMester (Retired Moderator): Posts: 17,012; Posted: 18-06-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arachne

What, no Prodisc F02 (16x -R)? I'm devastated.

I'd feel more sorry for you if you had suggested the inclusion of ProdiscF02 in the poll during the two weeks we've been discussing it, or during the 6 days after my first proposal.

Arachne (Senior Moderator & Reviewer): Posts: 28,633; Posted: 18-06-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrageMester

I'd feel more sorry for you if you had suggested the inclusion of ProdiscF02 in the poll during the two weeks we've been discussing it, or during the 6 days after my first proposal.

Only teasing, Drage

...the "other" option will do very nicely

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Dolphinius_Rex (CD Freaks Senior Member): Posts: 520; Posted: 22-06-2006

I would just like to comment on how horrible an idea it is to list "the best DVD-R media for longterm storage" options by MID code. Aside from the different grades available for each MID code, sometimes even under the same brand name, and ignoring the counterfeit MID codes... sometimes the same MID and quality disc can exist in various incarnations. Take Maxell for instance. MXLRG03 exists in Consumer Grade, Pro or Plus Grade (depending on your region), and then here in North America, we have BQ grade, which is a MXRG03 with a hardend coating for extra protection. I would vote for the BQ Maxell, but not the consumer grade Maxell.

TDK and MCC MIDs are also good examples of why it's a bad idea.

I'd also like to complain that MAM's Gold Archival discs aren't included on this list

and neither is Emtec's.

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_chef_ (MyCE Resident): Posts: 27,390; Posted: 22-06-2006

Are the EMTECs that good?!
I wouldn't get cheated by "golden media" anymore.

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Dolphinius_Rex (CD Freaks Senior Member): Posts: 520; Posted: 22-06-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by _chef_

Are the EMTECs that good?!
I wouldn't get cheated by "golden media" anymore.

Well, I made the mistake of burning it at 8x since there was no spead listed on the packaging (and the MID was an 8x MID). Anyways, they probably are fine, when burned at 4x (which turns out is the recommended speed).

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SantaKlaus (CD Freaks Senior Member): Posts: 268; Posted: 25-06-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dolphinius_Rex

I read this in the first post explaining the poll

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrageMester

This poll supposes that a real (not fake) media code is used, and that the best grade available of that media is used - not "value" line media and not downgrade media sold under various discount brand names.

Yet, I think your input is most interesting.

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Which DVD+R media is best for long-term storage?
Which DVD-R media is best for long-term storage?
Which brands of DVD media are good for everyday use?

ForeverLearning (CDFreaks Resident): Posts: 528; Posted: 25-06-2006

I'm surprised so far that on this poll there is such a big gap between people preferring TY over Verbatim. I was of the impression that these two brands are pretty much on par with each other for quality.

Dolphinius_Rex (CD Freaks Senior Member): Posts: 520; Posted: 25-06-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForeverLearning

At this point, I wouldn't say Taiyo Yuden is on par with Verbatim for longevity though... check out what happened to my YUDEN000T02:
http://www.cdrlabs.com/phpBB/viewtop...=157143#157143

I've got some Fuji brand TYG01's that aren't doing great either (although not QUITE as bad).

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kg_evilboy (CD Freaks Boy Toy): Posts: 5,358; Posted: 25-06-2006

But Taiyo Yuden's consistency, at least of the 8x media, is unparalleled.
Only the backwards Europeans however had inconsistant Verbatims, since they get a lot of MBI-made stuff.

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[buck] (CDFreaks Resident): Posts: 809; Posted: 25-06-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by kg_evilboy

But Taiyo Yuden's consistency, at least of the 8x media, is unparalleled.

Yes, Taiyo Yuden's consistantly excellent burn quality IS unparelled. Lifespan is totally seperate issue

kg_evilboy (CD Freaks Boy Toy): Posts: 5,358; Posted: 25-06-2006

Not too much separate, actually...?

Dolphinius_Rex (CD Freaks Senior Member): Posts: 520; Posted: 25-06-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by kg_evilboy

Not too much separate, actually...?

Did you look at my scan? or are you trying to say that Verbatim can suck just as bad as TY?

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DrageMester (Retired Moderator): Posts: 17,012; Posted: 25-06-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by [buck]

Yes, Taiyo Yuden's consistantly excellent burn quality IS unparelled.

I have had some Verbatim branded TYG03 that were pretty mediocre, and not as good as most MCC Verbatims I have had. These TYG03 burn with borderline PIE/PIF in several drives there have even been some coasters (unreadable sectors in one or two drives).

That wouldn't stop me from buying some more TYG03 media, but my point is that if you have never had mediocre Taiyo Yuden discs then it's not because they don't exist but merely because you have been lucky - even TY have inconsistency problems sometimes.

That being said I still think TY is among the best media you can get usually, but they are not a flawless and super-human company.

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[buck] (CDFreaks Resident): Posts: 809; Posted: 25-06-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrageMester

Sorry Drage, I forgot to specify Taiyo Yuden 8X media!

CJ2 (CDFreaks Resident): Posts: 957; Posted: 25-06-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dolphinius_Rex

My my what a surprise. I guess you didn't tick TY in the poll

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ForeverLearning (CDFreaks Resident): Posts: 528; Posted: 26-06-2006

So, considering what has been said here and those scans... I'm surprised that Verbatim doesn't have more votes than what it does since this poll is talking about longevity and not everyday use.

This has made me feel comfortable in my decision to buy some MCC 03RG20 media this time instead of the TYG02 media. Don't misunderstand, I'm still very happy with TY, just that I found a good deal on some of those Verbs and the only thing making me hesitate buying them was because they weren't TY.

Dolphinius - Any chance you can post some of your MCC 03G20's that would be as old as those TY's and we could compare?

SantaKlaus (CD Freaks Senior Member): Posts: 268; Posted: 30-06-2006

Same thoughts as the ones I input in the +R thread: how comes so many people are voting TYG03 despite the fact that it's far too soon to judge of their longevity?
Well, I know: cult status.

Personally, I like to have some more background (at least 1 year of perfect stability) to determine which discs I'll trust for long-term archiving, so 16X TY media is of course out. I'm a rational person.

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Which DVD+R media is best for long-term storage?
Which DVD-R media is best for long-term storage?
Which brands of DVD media are good for everyday use?

Dolphinius_Rex (CD Freaks Senior Member): Posts: 520; Posted: 30-06-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by SantaKlaus

Same thoughts as the ones I input in the +R thread: how comes so many people are voting TYG03 despite the fact that it's far too soon to judge of their longevity?
Well, I know: cult status.

Agreed! Like you I have a bunch of TY media more then a year old, and I do *NOT* like the results I see at all. So far Maxell (Japanese) is doing significantly better, even if they don't start out with lower error rates, they certainly stay lower longer.

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kg_evilboy (CD Freaks Boy Toy): Posts: 5,358; Posted: 30-06-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dolphinius_Rex

So far Maxell (Japanese) is doing significantly better, even if they don't start out with lower error rates, they certainly stay lower longer.

Well, if it's available, yes!

Still prefer TY over Ritek though!

Dolphinius_Rex (CD Freaks Senior Member): Posts: 520; Posted: 30-06-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by kg_evilboy

Well, if it's available, yes!

Still prefer TY over Ritek though!

The Maxell Plus Series is all Japanese here in North America, and in Europe there is a line of products similar as well.

As for TY vs. Ritek, I would disagree

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karangguni (CD Freak): Posts: 2,523; Posted: 01-07-2006

*In the most pathetic, naive voice possible* "why wasn't my favourite RITEK G05 included in the poll?" nyah nyah nyah

Seriously though, why not include that, just to see how badly it would fare? Or how many people have those discs which are still holding up?

burnlab (New on Forum): Posts: 3; Posted: 01-07-2006

MAM gold archive dvd-r.

Dolphinius_Rex (CD Freaks Senior Member): Posts: 520; Posted: 01-07-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by karangguni

*In the most pathetic, naive voice possible* "why wasn't my favourite RITEK G05 included in the poll?" nyah nyah nyah

Seriously though, why not include that, just to see how badly it would fare? Or how many people have those discs which are still holding up?

I agree, that would have been a good one to include on the list.

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