An all time low has been reached on Ritek 4x DVD-R's

[Area51_FLG]

http://www.bensbargains.net/img/ritekdvdr.jpg
Shop4Tech.com has a 100 Pack Genuine Ritek 4X DVD-R Blank Media 4.7GB With for $69 with free shipping after coupon code.

Here is the link for the DVD-R's (http://www.shop4tech.com/user.htm?r=207&go=view_item&id=1437&cata=&s_cata=)

please enter this code at check out: weekly10

[dagwood]

I guess I was too late. Coupon no-worky.

Next...???

[Area51_FLG]

BUmmer, I got some. :-)

[dagwood]

For those of us with burners but no clue (go ahead, take the bait), what's the difference between all the diffferent media? I'm not talking about -R vs. +R and all that. I'm talking about "shiny silver" vs. white label vs. matte finish vs. purple vs. metallic candy-apple-red? Ok, I made that last one up.

Is it just a matter of what type of surface you want to write your label on? I presume a white label is something you could print directly on with one of those CD printers. I'm probably just going to use a permanent marker (bad idea?), and just want the best value in the form of reliable media at a low(er) price.

Suggestions?

-- barry

[Area51_FLG]

Hey Barry. Nice to see you bro. My understanding is it's all about the die used and the quality at which it is applied. Some of the cheaper media, when you looked closely, you can see flaws in the die, "rins" if you will.

Also, some of the cheaper media, the die is very light. My understanding id the darker the bettter. ANyway, I'm no expert, but I have burned at least 500+ disks ofver the last 12 months and the Ritek has produced the least amount of coasters and has played the best with maybe a 1% error rate.

I'd like to see LAMB's reply, he knows about this stuff too.

Mike

[DeadLamb]

Originally posted by dagwood
metallic candy-apple-red?

yeah you joke about it but Ritek makes some just BRUTAL orange topped disk that is one of the lamest looking disks I have ever seen..

the thing is many of the bigger media makers don't really have a true "retail" line, they just sell to others who then put a top on the disk..

So if you are going to buy those sort of OEM disks many feel they want at least some sort of cover over the top of the disk.. Some of the cheaper media only has this thin foil like cover, same as cheap CD-r bulk packs and not the sratch proof top like say a TDk or Memorex disk has.. Some think this is NO big deal at all but keep in mind if that foil like layer gets dinged some how, the laser shoots past the disk rather then read it.. whoops..

so for me at least, I always get some sort of top on the disk.. Like Ritek with the white printer top from Newegg.. Plus, I just think they look better. I guess you can print to them with some printers but I don't have one of those yet..

color of dye is just the formula that a company might use. I don't know if there is one true "best" based on anything sep brand name.. as Area said, the Ritek seems to THE cheap disk everyone loves.. Only brand most of my DVD burning friends buy anymore. Cheap too..

as for printing to the disk.. Most everyone I know just breaks out the good old sharpie pen.. :) Most will not risk the printed stick on labels like say stomper makes and so on.. being DVD spin so fast they can come off or off blance the disk if not on 100% even.. Also if they do start to come off, and you have cheap disk, you pull it off and pull part of the foil layer.. Ruined disk.. So you leave it on and risk it messing up a drive?

Of course others never seem to have any problems with the stick on labels.. I think area has been running them for a while and he never said one blew up or anything. heh.. For me, I'll just stick to the blue sharpie pen.. Blue being everone seems to use black and if anything gets lost at a LAN ".....with blue txt on it...." seem to get them found quick..

[dagwood]

Ok, everyone switch to blue sharpies. Ready? Go!

[Poncho]

Originally posted by DeadLamb
Most will not risk the printed stick on labels like say stomper makes and so on.. being DVD spin so fast they can come off or off blance the disk if not on 100% even..

That's why you get a printer that can print directly to a Disc. Although I don't have a DVD burner yet......waiting for dual layer....Direct CD printing is the way to go if you care about your discs looking nice. Labels suck......Direct CD printing = teh win. :D

[Bullfrog]

Originally posted by Poncho
That's why you get a printer that can print directly to a Disc. Although I don't have a DVD burner yet......waiting for dual layer....Direct CD printing is the way to go if you care about your discs looking nice. Labels suck......Direct CD printing = teh win. :D

What's a good printer that will do direct CD printing?

[Poncho]

Originally posted by Bullfrog
What's a good printer that will do direct CD printing?

I have the epson 960. It works great and doesn't cost a fortune. The biggest thing is that you want a good quality image to print on the CD. If the picture looks like shit....so will the CD.

[Moddy]

Originally posted by Poncho
I have the epson 960. It works great and doesn't cost a fortune. The biggest thing is that you want a good quality image to print on the CD. If the picture looks like shit....so will the CD.

Before you print to a CD, do you usually print to a blank piece of paper first to "test" it?

[Poncho]

Originally posted by MyKuL
Before you print to a CD, do you usually print to a blank piece of paper first to "test" it?

Not really.....when I first got it I did a few test CD's to get all the dimensions right, just setting it up in the program that you use to print the CD. After that.....I just make sure that the picture is of good quality and it's all good. Every once in a while I get one that is a bit fucked up.....but so what. The CD's are like 30 for 20 bucks so 1 bad one in 15-20 CD's is really not that big of a deal. Seriously....I love the thing. I can show you a few that I made this Sat.