I think most of us would agree DVD-R is the clear winner in the single layer recordable realm but DVD+R rules in the dual layer world. Dual layer multiplies the storage capacity of a recordable DVD to over 8GB making it unnecessary to span discs single layer DVD+R discs.
Dual layer dvd discs do cost more, almost three times the amount of a single sided DVD recordable disc but in recording a video stream that is over standard length (feature length) it is useful. It's actually two layers: two recording layers with a special laser sensitive dye stacked on top of one another that the laser focuses on (selectively). Some of you may wonder why this can not be done in more layers?.... Very difficult. Not impossible but very difficult to do it economically. Two dye layers appear to be difficult enough considering the quality of dual layer DVDs. Verbatim seems to still rule with FTI and Ritek, CMC pulling up the rear. Then again Verbatim makes some not so good discs but this is looked at as branding to specific low margin markets. Singapore made dual layer plus R blanks really are the cream of the crop.
DVD-R and DVD+R are Write Once Read Many discs, referred to as WORM.
DVD-RW and DVD-RW are rewritable discs that use phase change technology to record and erase data
DVD+R DL (and one flavor in -R) is for dual layer.
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There is a new manufacturer of CD-R, DVD-R, DVD+R, Dual Layer and Blu-ray (BD-R) called Falcon Technologies International.
FTI is a new bred of recordable disc manufacturer with an eye on consistanly superior printable surfaces in both thermal printable and inkjet printable discs.
I have printed a lot of discs and I was blown away by the color reproduction with our HP based CD printer. Unlike Taiyo Yuden, Falcon has a phthalocyanine based dye that appears as a silver gold on the burning side. Swiss and Japanese engineers.
There has not been a lot of choices out there (outside of Taiwan). Don't get me wrong Taiwan is a great but the "big three" have been caught in non-profitable struggle for a few years and consistency has been an issue. All depends on who they are making the product for and at what price. There is a saying in many languages that you can have cheap or you can have quality but you can't have both ;) CMC, Ritek and Prodisc are the "big three". Lot's of second tier manufacturers (smaller operations, some better, some worse). There has been a lot of consolidation in recordable CD-R media and recordable DVD industry. Imation has taken over TDK production except for Blu-ray and the magnetic tape group. Most of the brands you know are actually OEM'd to the big three or a combination of second tier manufacturers in China and Taiwan. It's really an economy of scale solution.
So with great excitement I have been running Falcon Technologies CD and DVD recordables through their paces. It costs a little more and you are not going to find it at your
local paperclip store just yet but if you need some good printable recordable discs then Falcon Media is the way to go. The product is engineered with quality as the number one priority.
Easy to say I know. They really do it.
manufacturer site:
http://www.falconrak.com
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