DVD format & media

[ntoulme]

Michael, I have a Sony DRX-500ULX on order and am glad to see that AC's DVD support is just around the corner. I am new to DVD and really know nothing about it other than that it's "bigger." Do you have any suggestions on which DVD format and media to use with AC?

Best,

Nill
~~
www.toulme.net

[MichaelT]

Both Peter and I use the Sony drive, both IDE and Firewire. It has been great. Make sure that you have the latest firmware, which is now "g".

Regarding Media. Get a bunch of +R/W to play with and experiment. Regarding permanant media, the -R is cheaper now and will probably become the standard, but it is not a sure thing.

I am still experimenting with Brands. I have had great results with good high quality media, as well as some cheap $1 -R media...and also some very bad $1 media.

So my testing is still not complete enough, as during my testing of AC I use the good cheap brand since these discs will be thrown out. (I have to test weird comibnations of test files).

I am experimenting with...
verbatum
Rytek 4X
Optodisc Gold ($1 and very good so far)
Mitsui Gold

I should have more concrete data in a week or 2. Right now I am concentrating on getting the DVD version of AC prepared and tested.

[ntoulme]

Great, thanks very much.

Nill

[TonyK_in_Texas]

I use Imation for my CDRW media. I have not had any issues with them in the nearly 5 years I have used them. I started with some major brand and made WAY too many coasters.

I would probably start with Imation DVD media once I get a drive. And I have been looking at the Sony which handles all the media. It is a great way to hedge the standard problem. :)

Take care,

[Cattle-Dog]

Michael, I am no industry insider, just a hobbyist and a guru. That said, why do you feel -r(w) will become the satandard?

My guess would have been +r(w). CSS header information is pre-burnt into -r(w) which can be incompatible on older players. +rw will provide a much more "floppy like" experience with the addition of lossless linking and defect management (both absent on -rw).

Also, again my oppinion, "+" media seems to have more of the major names backing it. HP, Sony (yes, even though they support both), Mitsubishi (Verbatim), Philips (RCA), Ricoh, Yamaha, and some recent power hitters, Microsoft, Dell, and Plextor.

"-" media is not without it's major brand names, but they tend to be fewer and more home entertainment-centric as opposed to PC-centric. I.e., Samsung, Sharp, Hitachi, Pioneer, and of course Apple. I contrast the two, because I think it is the personal computer that will drive the standard, not the home video recorder.

Please, no flame wars. I'm just throwing out some food for thought. It will hopefully all be said and done this time next year. ;)

[MichaelT]

My data was based on what I understand to be the cost and sales figures of -R vs. +R. I was not indicating which was better, only where I saw the trend going based on cost and sales.

You may very well be right. Thanks for your input. It is appreciated.

[ntoulme]

Any recommendations for good cheap and reliable online sources for media?

Nill
~~
www.toulme.net

[MichaelT]

We have had excellent success with these discs the Optodisc Gold -R (1X/2X) from newegg.com. I have not had 1 bad disc buring at 2X in my Sony DRU-500a. I have burned about 50 of these so far. I cannot speak to their long term stability, but as opposed to many other inexpensive media that I have tried, this has been the best..

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=&submit=Go&description=optodisc+gold

For important long term storage I would recommend Mitsui or Verbatum available from proSource Sales at 888-339-1501.

I cannot say that the expensive discs will or will not last longer, but so far the Optodisc has been reliable in my system.

You should do try for yourself and see how your system responds to the discs. The burn and verify should be fast and consistant.

Note that the above is my experience and not a specific recommendation.

[MichaelT]

In refernece to the discussion of +R vs. -R...

Here is a document that describes the different DVD standards..

http://www.verbatim.com/products/images/dvd-rtechnologyupdate.pdf