Dual Layer Media

[Venner]

Anyone know of a source of semi-reasonably priced dual-layer DVD media?

The local Best Buy and Circuit City have stopped even carrying it (which is understandable...no one was buying it at their ridiuclous prices.)

[Merlin]

:stupid: I've got a DL burner and have never burned a DL disc. I hope the prices of those things come down soon.

[Kevster]

Those damn things can make a mighty expensive coaster if burned incorrectly.

[Hoser]

I got some at about $3.20 a disc a couple weeks ago at CompUSA when I bought 25 of them.

[nate el bueno]

pc magazine had a long article on dual layer discs, and apparently they are susceptible(spelling?) to "dvd rot" so you might be better off burning 2 single layer discs. as for the reccomendation, newegg always has great burners from plextor, nec, samsung ect. for around 50, and they are dual layers.

[zippyjuan]

Given how much cheaper single layer media is than dual layer, it does not seem worth it to me to get a dual layer burner. Not one coaster from my TDK 4x so far.

[Venner]

Well, I am converting all of our old family movies from the early 80s to DVD before the VHS tapes all expire (some have gotten terrible already.) There are a few that would benefit from being put on DL media, just for the fact that there are no convenient break points to fit them on regular DVDs.

It just seems that merchants don't have the disks, or charge exhorbitant prices for them*

Thanks for the heads up on the PC Magazine article though. I'll go have a read.


*I read somewhere that consumer-writeable dual layer disks are actually patented, which may be part of the high price problem.

[SnowSurfer]

here, these prices seem pretty reasonable :)

http://www.shop4tech.com/z/DVD_Media/1_88

[Merlin]

Thanks for the heads up but still $3.79 for the cheapest disc is a lot. Hopefully one day they'll be less than a buck.

[DarkFury]

Given how much cheaper single layer media is than dual layer, it does not seem worth it to me to get a dual layer burner. Not one coaster from my TDK 4x so far.
Well... if you get a burner like the NEC 3540A (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827152047) then you get the best of both worlds at a very reasonable price.

And you continue to burn single layer discs until the DL media becomes affordable at a much faster speed than your old 4x unit. 16X burning is da bomb! :D

[Jeffbx]

Hey DF - now that you've steered me in the right direction with that burner (thanks man) - what media are you using to burn at 16x??

[MikeD]

Hey DF - now that you've steered me in the right direction with that burner (thanks man) - what media are you using to burn at 16x??

My NEC 3520 burns 8x Memorex discs at 12x. That's good enough for me.

BTW, got the burner at NewEgg. It is the best place to pick stuff up...

This review may help you out too. I don't think you can wrong with the 3540 at its current price...

LINK (http://www.cdfreaks.com/article/206)

[DarkFury]

Hey DF - now that you've steered me in the right direction with that burner (thanks man) - what media are you using to burn at 16x??
I've been using Ritek discs from SuperMediastore.com.

Go check these out...
http://www.supermediastore.com/ritek-ridata-16x-dvd-r-white-inkjet-printable-blank-madia.html

[zippyjuan]

If the media for dual layer can get to about 1 1/2 times that of single layer, it could take off. Single layer was fairly expensive when it first came out too. This would require more companies making it. There seem to be a lot of DL burners out there waiting for it. For myself, I don't see the need to step up yet.

[civicdidex]

does any company make DL RW?

[Jeffbx]

I just had a brilliant idea - why doesn't anyone package up & sell a group of different brand DVDs or CDRs for testing purposes? You know, a couple of discs from all of the major manufacturers so you can test them all out & see which ones work best on your burner.

Then I Googled it & saw that other people are way ahead of me -

http://www.supermediastore.com/8x-16x-dvd-r-white-inkjet-hub-printable-sample-pack-free-shipping.html

http://www.rima.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=R&Product_Code=1600PlusRS


Maybe I'll grab one of those & take them for a spin.

[AlpineJay]

My Pioneer DVR-108 burns Fuji (Taiyo Yuden) medias at 16X with no problem at all. Verbatim's media is usually good, too. I heard that the NEC is a good burner but I bought the Pioneer back when that was the best out - and I get great ripping speeds in DVD Shrink.