I'm looking to start using double layer media. I burn a lot on single and always use the ink printable surface primarily with Taiyo Yuden. I haven't found a DL in that brand but did find Verbatim. Would you recommend Verbatim? How about Ritek which has the printables? Any others that you might feel is the best? Thanks,
Verbatim is right up there with Taiyo Yuden as excellent media and is available in DL inkjet printable. Here is a media guide to look over: http://www.digitalfaq.com/media/dvdmedia.htm Just to add, I believe the Verbatim DL printable are only available in + format and when you purchhase DL, make sure your burner supports it as I first purchased - and can only use +.
1)Verbatim DL media is the finest DL media out there.They are made in Singapore. 2) I've seen way too many bad reports of Ritek DL media. I wouldn't risk any other brand for dl backups other than verbatim. 3)The +R DL media is a totally different format. Some players will have trouble with them-no disc errors. If your burner is capable of booktyping-that'll definitely help you out. 4) Burn program: I'll warn you on that before you waste any DL printable media. Beware of Nero6. Nero6 has issues with the layer break. Nero7 was suppose to take care of that issue. I use Dvd decrypter in ISO Read, to rip a DL original to the hd. Then I'll open up ImgBurn,locate the mds files/open/ and burn away. You can also burn by using dvd decrypter, MODE ISO write/locate mds files/open/and burn away. ImgBurn and Dvd decrypter were created by LightningUK.ImgBurn also looks identical to dvd decrypter's ISO write mode. It's suppose to be a better DL burn program than dvd decrypter.
Hi there, I never even bought 1 DL Media yet, but based on what I have read, there are 2 rules when it comes to Dual Layer Media. 1) Buy Verbatims 2) Can't find Verbatims, see rule #1 Verbatims or nothing if what a lot of people are saying
Basically, that's right. DL is still expensive even though it's come down in price. If you shop around, you can always find it on sale. Right now, Microcenter is selling 10 packs for $15.99. You just gotta poke around.
Thanks for all the information but I'm still a little confused. Some sources say use -R for movies and some say +R. I know +R is Double Layer and -R is dual layer in name. Your recommendations say Verbatim. Verbatim makes the +R and I've always used the -R in DVDR and they play great on my DVD player. How do I know the +R DL will play in my DVD player or do I just but the discs and try it. I'm sorry for all the questions but I'm on hold to order. I have a new drive, NEC 7170 and it does both. Thanks,
DVD-R is better for single-layer stuff, DVD-5 4.7 Gb. Better compatibility and no need to worry about bitsetting/booktyping. DVD-R DLs exist but they are expensive, hard to find, and the only makers currently widely-availabe is Ritek (junk). Plus, it's thought there are going to be some compatibility issues as very little software handles the "Layer Jump" correctly - most of it doesn't work well with the vastly more-popular DVD+R DL. DVD+R is okay for single-layer, but it really shines in DL. Most drives, including your NEC, will bitset DL +Rs but not single-layer +Rs. There is only one reputable manufacturer of DVD+R DL, and that's Verbatim. But that's one more than DVD-R DL has, although I hear the respected Taiyo-Yuden was supposed to start making -R DLs back in April. Haven't seem 'em though. To some extent you have to roll the dice and try. DVD-R supposedly offers compatibility with 93% of devices out there (I think this is based on www.digitalfaq.com's statistics, though I don't know where they come from). DVD+R is only 89%, probably a lot more if you can bitset +Rs to appear as DVD-ROMs (you need a hacked firmware to bitset single-layer +Rs on NEC drives -> see http://liggydee.cdfreaks.com ). Again, all drives bitset DL DVD+Rs so they're not likely to have too many compatibility problems. But there's always a chance of that and you have to consider that when your DVD player dies, you will need a replacement, and it may not be so tolerant of your burned media.
Your best bet for playing DL backups in your NEC drive would be plus format and booktyping them to dvd-rom.Dvd decrypter and ImgBurn are both free,and very good.There may be some newer encryption that dvd decrypter may not be able to crack. After having a slew of different drives play my backups,booktyped backups have far superior stand alone player compatability-no contest. ImgBurn and Dvd decrypter-when in write mode: Click on the small/ open book icon on the lower/right corner of both dvd decrypter and ImgBurn-you'll see a tab for NEC. Click on NEC tab: Change for- Select Dvd +R DL Current setting New Setting- Select Dvd-rom/OK. Close out and open up again. If successful-that current setting will say Dvd-rom.
