Media: DVD-RAM

• 100 Pack OptoDisc 2X DVD-RAM Media 9.4GB Rewritable Discs in Cake Box (OM940-C25-011-01), $4.50 Each

• 25 Pack OptoDisc 2X DVD-RAM Media 9.4GB Rewritable Discs in Cake Box (OM940-C25-011-01), $4.70 Each

• 4.7GB Maxell DVD-RAM Disc Rewritable Single-Sided ( 636040 )

• 4.7GB Panasonic DVD-RAM Rewritable Single Sided ( LM-HB47U )

• 5.2GB DVD-RAM (DVD-Random Access Memory) Rewritable Media

• 5.2GB DVD-RAM Rewritable Double Sided Hotan - DVD Ram 5.2 GB

• 50 Pack OptoDisc 2X DVD-RAM Media 9.4GB Rewritable Discs in Cake Box (OM940-C25-011-01), $4.60 Each

• 9.4GB Maxell DVD-RAM Disc Rewritable Double-Sided ( DRM94F.1P)

• 9.4GB Panasonic DVD-RAM Rewritable Media Double Sided Type IV (Type 4, LM-HB94V)

• BeAll (Matsushita) 3X DVD-RAM Media 4.7GB Rewritable Single Side Type II (RA475-WDN) in Jewel Case

• BeAll (Matsushita) 3X DVD-RAM Media 4.7GB Rewritable Single Side Type II 50 Pack On Spindle, $4.23 Each

• OptoDisc 2.92GB Mini DVD-RAM 8 cm Blank Media Type 6 in Removable Cartridge (OM292-600)

• OptoDisc 4.7GB DVD-RAM Media, DVD-RAM Disc in Cartridge, As Low As $3.60 Each

• TDK 4.7 DVD-RAM Media Type II Rewritable DVD-RAM Removeable

• Verbatim (94177) DataLifePlus 9.4GB DVD-RAM Double Sided Hard Coated 50 Pack on Spindle, $11.99 Each

Back up to Blank Media and Burners index

DVD R Media, DVD-R Media, DVD+R Media

What's DVD?

You think the format wars are bad... wait till you've experienced the COMPATIBILITY WARS...
The recent rise in popularity of digital recording devices like cameras, entertainment like DVD video and greater need for inexpensive storage have driven sales of DVD recordable media and drives to an impressive level. What was previously expensive and impractical is now cheap and easy.

Q: What is DVD+R/+RW media?
A: It is just a name that company that initially design the "Plus" formatted disc use to differentiate themselves from the -R formatted industry. The +R formatted media usually runs at a higher price comparing to -R media, but the volume of sale has dramatically increase during the past few month due to the price decrease.

Q: What is the difference between DVD+R and DVD-R? Is DVD+R better than DVD-R?
A: Pioneer produced the first DVD writer in 1997. It used the DVD-R format. The DVD-RW came later. In 1999 the DVD Forum was formed. It embraced the DVD-R format.
In the summer of 1997 Philips lead a group (included Sony and Hewlett-Packard) that split away from other disk manufacturers because of disputed over DVD writing standards. They formed the DVD+RW alliance. Since then Dell, MCC/Verbatim, Mitsubishi, Ricoh, Thomson, and Yamaha have joined the group. They developed the DVD+RW DVD writing format and later the DVD+R format which was derived from the DVD+RW format.

CDRInfo ran some compatibility tests on both PC and home DVD drives. They found the following:
DVD-R=96.74%
DVD+R=87.32%

Today some manufactures just make either + drivers or - drivers. Others produce both types. Last September Sony produced the first drive that wrote both + and - formats the DRX-500UL. Now there are several drives that can write both formats. If this trend continues then the answer may be that both formats will continue. Also if DVD read-only drives are all made to read either then it won't make any difference which format you use.
It comes down to this:

1) DVD-R disks seem to be cheaper now
2) DVD-R disks seem to be more compatible with read-only drives
3) Current writers can write DVD-R/-RW at 2.4X while DVD+R/+RW at 4X
4) If you make disks for yourself then it does not make any difference which format you use
5) If you make disks for someone else then you make disks that they can read

Q: What are Type I, Type II, and Type IV DVD-RAM cartridges?
A: Type I cartridges are non-removable for both single-sided and double-sided DVD-RAM media. Type II cartridges are removable for single-sided media. Type IV cartridges are removable for double-sided media.
Currently, Imation offers the following DVD-RAM choices:
a. 5.2-gigabyte (GB) double-sided media in a Type I cartridge
b. 2.6-GB and 4.7-GB single-sided media in a Type II cartridge
c. 9.4-GB double-sided media in a Type I and a Type IV cartridge

Q: Are there plans to have double side DVD+R in the future?
A: No such plan available right now.

Q: How come the price varies from media to media?
A: Different media are of different quality and cost.

Q: What's the difference between the generic and brand name media?
A: The brand name is the name under which the product is originally sold. A brand name is protected by a patent for up to 20 years. When the patent expires, other manufacturers can produce the generic equivalent of the brand and sell it under its generic, or chemical, name.

Q: What brands of DVD media do you recommend for good compatibility with most of DVD burners?
A: BeAll, Ritek, and Meritline.

Q: What brands of DVD media do you recommend for good playback compatibility with most of DVD players?
A: BeAll, Samsung, Ritek.

Q: What brands of Ink Jet Printable DVD media do you recommend for the best printing quality?
A: BeAll and Samsung.

Q: What brands of DVD media has no stacking ring?
A: BeAll 1X and 4X silver/purple DVD-R (which is good for thermal printing); BeAll 4X inkjet printable DVD-R; Samsung 1X inkjet printable DVD-R.However, different batches of discs may change, so please refer to the item desciption on site when you order.

Q: How can I know the brand of a DVD disc while there is no brand logo on packing nor on disc top?
A: You need related software to test the DVD disc in the burner.

Q: Does my camcorder take your mini DVD-R?
A: Yes. If your camcorder takes standard mini DVD-R, please confirm with your camcorder manufacturer.

Q: Why is the disk not working on my drive but it is listed on your compatibility chart?
A: Our compatibility chart is partly provided by our vendor and partly based on our testing report. The testing report is under certain combination of hardware, software, and firmware. The result may differ under different conditions.

Q: Why did I have a big failure rate when I burn the DVD?
A: a. Your burner may not support the media format.
b. Media might not be compatible with your burner.
c. You don't have a proper software, hardware, and firmware combination.
d. You might have a problem with your recorder.

Q: Why my DVD disk cannot playback on the DVD player?
A: The DVD media might not be compatible with your DVD player. Please choose more compatible media such as BeAll.

Q: What speed would different types of media burn in my drive?
A: Usually the burning speed of the media is regulated by the actual DVD burner and the certified speed of the media. For instance if you have a burner that are capable of burning at 4X but you actually purchase a disc that could only runs at 1X. The chances are your burning speed of the media would only be able to reach 1X speed.

Q: How can I determine what speed I am burning my media with?
A: In most cases the burning speed can be determined from the following chart:
1X full disc burning = approximately 45 minutes
2X full disc burning = approximately 30 minutes
4X full disc burning = approximately 15 minutes

Q: Why your 4X DVD media cannot be burned in my burner at 4X?
A: Not every DVD blank media is 100% guaranteed to every DVD burner. Please refer to our compatibility chart for recommendations.

Q: I have an 4X DVD burner. Which DVD blank media is guaranteed to burn at 4X?
A: Please click here to find out recommended DVD media for your DVD burners/recorders. Please notice that list is based on the DVD media test reports and the feedbacks from our customers. Your mileage may vary. We can NOT gurantee the list is 100% correct. The best choice depends on your usage environment and preferences. BeAll DVD media is recommended for a stable maximum burning speed.

Q: What DVD burning software do you recommend on your website?
A: RecordNow 4.6, Nero 6.0, Ulead DVD movie factory II second edition.

Q: What DVD playing software do you recommend on your website?
A: InterVideo WinDVD, Sonic MyDVD

Q: Does DVD-burning software (Roxio, Record Now, Nero Express) burn copyrighted DVD?
A: No software burns copyrighted DVD. You are not allowed to burn copyrighted DVD.

Q: Does Pioneer DVR-106 work on Mac machine?
A: Yes, Mac OS 9.0 or above, but it needs Roxio software.

Q: Where to download the latest firmware for my DVD burner?
A: Please go to the website of your DVD burner's manufacturer.