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Media codes? CMC MAG? What are they?
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malfnkton
Newbie
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15. July 2006 @ 03:17 |
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Hi Folks!
Right as a n00b i have a couple of questions regarding the above topic.
I have done a search of the forums and i have a couple of questions.
What are the media codes and what do they mean?
How do you find out the codes for the media you are using? (can it be done by 'testing' a blank disc on some software or does the disc have to contain data?)
Also what is CMC MAG and why is it so bad?
I was burning onto some cheap HP DVD-R 8x discs that i got but am now using Verbatim photo printable DVD-R 16x.
How can i tell the difference between these disks i.e which is better?
Cheers
MalfunKtion
p.s my r220 printer will be with me on monday! looking forward to a whole new burning/printing experience! :)
Note to self: I must spend more time in the real world!
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Senior Member
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15. July 2006 @ 03:33 |
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Media codes, a code identifying the type of and who makes that particular disk.
Dogbomb's quite excellent list of Media Codes.
http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/155431
How to find DVD Media codes, if you are using Nero, look in the tool box section, CD/DVD Speed will list the manufacturer and the type of disk, Also DVDInfo will show you as well, 
Or, DVD Decrypter will show the same info when you load a disk in. 
both programs are located at www.filehippo.com, a good place to download various freeware,trial and demo programs, worth a look.
CMC MAG disks are notorious for being lousy, will burn fine at first, then tend to fade after a while and will be unplayable unreadable after a short while. The difference between CMC MAG and Verbatim is akin to asking what the difference between a Yugo automobile and a Lexus, 'nuff said. Wait a year and compare the quality of both disks.
I hope that this helps, if you have any further questions, don't hesitate to ask. Welcome to AD by the way.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 15. July 2006 @ 03:35
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malfnkton
Newbie
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15. July 2006 @ 04:12 |
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Cheers for the info on how to find out the codes- i have Nero so will have a look at doing it myself.
i had already looked at dogbomb's thread but it didnt really make much sense to me. Once you identify the code (i.e manufacturer) is it just a case of knowing which manufacturers are better than others?
One other thing (so many questions!)- are CMC MAG a make of disk then such as verbatim etc- i read something on another thread that mentioned the dye that was used- is this what makes them bad?
thanks for the help and the welcome!
MalfunKtion
Note to self: I must spend more time in the real world!
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Senior Member
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15. July 2006 @ 05:08 |
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CMC MAG are CMC Magnetics Corporation, just simply a company which mass produces lots of media, unfortunately most of it has the reputation of being bad. I'm not a chemist so I can't answer if it is the dye being bad or just the entire process of how they make the disk. My personal recommendations, stick with Verbatim, Taiyo-Yuden, Ritek or RICOH-JPN as the 4 types which have not let me down. Taiyo Yuden AKA TY, are hard to find due to the fact that most of them found in Brick and Mortar stores are rebranded, example Sony uses Taiyo Yuden for some of its disks,
this link is long but very imformative, http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/296925
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Jigen
Senior Member
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15. July 2006 @ 10:45 |
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CMC is middle of the road. Mine usually tested out around 70-80 quality wise. Never once did a CMC I burned fail to complete or fail to play. I also have some that are push 4 years old that still work, so don't believe that all CMC "self destruct" in 6 mo. YMMV, but it is possible to get decent burns, and very high success rate using their discs.
I don't suggest using them though. Places like Rima or Supermediastore have the good stuff like TY and Verb (with free shipping) for nearly the same price as cheapo CMC from wal-mart. Sometimes the price is a bit higher per disc, but really the quality difference is worth it. TY discs test out in the low to higher 90's burned on my rig, and they also never fail. Jump on a sale from these guys and buy 2-3 hundred when the price is right. You will not be disappointed.
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AfterDawn Addict
1 product review
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15. July 2006 @ 20:27 |
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KHypermedia CMC MAG media used to work great for me DVD backups and PS2 games, but the place I bought them from stopped selling them.
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AfterDawn Addict
6 product reviews
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17. July 2006 @ 11:25 |
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Another great free app for identifying your media is dvd identifier http://dvd.identifier.cdfreaks.com/ BTW most verbatim media is made by mitsubishi chemical company and is the best taiwan made media available. Comparable to taiyo yuden.
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17. July 2006 @ 12:24 |
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I agree with Jigen,
I prefer TY (I use 8X DVD+R) over the cheap stuff... IMO it is simply worth the couple extra pennies. I buy mine from www.supermediastore.com and I pay ~$40 for 100 discs. $.40 per disc is not bad at all, when you consider you will give more then that in most cases for junk media.
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JoeRyan
Senior Member
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25. July 2006 @ 14:02 |
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CMC makes the Verbatim discs from Taiwan. MKK azo-cyanine dye is used for both Verbatim discs and other CMC-manufactured discs, but not all of the discs CMC makes. Often those who swear by Verbatim swear at CMC. There is much more to the story than "CMC is bad; Verbatim is good"--but too many people have already made up their minds to hear more.
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AfterDawn Addict
6 product reviews
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25. July 2006 @ 14:37 |
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CMC may make verbatim discs but they use verbatims (mitsubishi chemical company) blueprints and materials. Can't say the same for media that codes out as CMC MAG. I've tried CMC MAGS and although they will burn successfully most of the time, their dye is inferior and their longivity in most cases is poor.
They may use the same dye as verbatims for some of their media but personally for me it is not worth the gamble especially when verbatims can be had for the same price (little more in some cases, little less in some cases). Verbatims never let me down. CMC MAGs do.
Joe if you are comfortable using cmc mags that is your prerogative but for a vast majority of ppl, they will have better performance and results with mcc coded verbatim media than they will with cmc mag coded media.
Rig #1 Asus Rampage Formula Mobo, Intel Core2Quad Q9450 CPU @ 3.55ghz, 2gb Corsair DDR2 1066 Dominator Ram @ 5-5-5-15, TR Ultra 120 Extreme w/ Scythe 9 blade 110 cfm 120mm Fan HSF, HIS Radeon 512mb HD3850 IceQ TurboX GPU, Corsair 620HX P/S, CM Stacker 830 Evo Case, Rig #2 Asus P5W DH Deluxe Mobo, Intel C2D E6600 CPU @ 3.6ghz, 2gb Corsair XMS2 DDR2 800 Ram @ 4-4-4-12-2t, Zalman CNPS9500LED HSF, Sapphire Radeon X850XT PE GPU, Corsair 620HX P/S, Cooler Master Mystique Case, Viewsonic 20.1" Widescreen Digital LCD Monitor, Klipsch Promedia Ultra 5.1 THX Desktop Speakers, http://valid.x86-secret.com/show_oc.php?id=348351 http://valid.x86-secret.com/show_oc.php?id=236435This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 25. July 2006 @ 14:51
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malfnkton
Newbie
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25. July 2006 @ 15:09 |
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all that you guys have said is really interesting.
From what i can gather CMC mag corps make (some) of the disks for verbatim however they make their disks to a higher specification and testing procedure than just the standard ones that they label CMC.
Is that right? am i getting the general idea here?
Is it comparable to Gibson guitars where by 'Gibsons' are made in the U.S.A to a high standard but Epiphone (made by gibson) are produced under a different name in mexico (or somewhere) with less of the testing and quality control standards in place?
(obviously i realise that this is not a direct comparison but i am just trying to illustrate a point! :) )
MalfunKtion
Note to self: I must spend more time in the real world!
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AfterDawn Addict
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25. July 2006 @ 19:06 |
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here is a media guide..... I know..... many membes say that this guide isn't up to snuff, but if anyone can come up with a better guide let me know:
http://www.digitalfaq.com/media/dvdmedia.htm
according to the media guide..... MCC is the best (Verbatim, Maxel are made by them)
then comes Taiyo Yuden..... will I prefer Taiyo Yuden more than MCC but I'd burn both with no problem.
then Sony and then TDK..... I disagree with this rating but what the hell... it's a guide line. For my backups only Taiyo Yuden then Verbatim! Use what works for you. Keep in mind you want to have your backups for a long time so I use the better disks and it's not that much more of an expense to have something that's better and will last longer!
CMC Mag is just crappy media....... I am lucky I don't have them..... my Memorex is RICOHJN not CMC MAG! Thank G-d for that!
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 25. July 2006 @ 19:08
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Member
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27. July 2006 @ 15:18 |
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Quote:
From what i can gather CMC mag corps make (some) of the disks for verbatim however they make their disks to a higher specification and testing procedure than just the standard ones that they label CMC.
Is that right? am i getting the general idea here?
CMC makes dvd's then HP, Memorex, etc slap their name on them and sell them. All CMC mag suck equally, they don't change their specifications for each brand label. CMC doesn't make Verbatim or TY DVD's, they make them themselves.
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AfterDawn Addict
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27. July 2006 @ 15:33 |
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Verbatim DataLife DVD+R 2.4x (CMC MAG.R01)
Verbatim DataLife DVD+R 4x (RICOHJPNR01)
Verbatim DataLife DVD-R 2x (CMC MAG. AF1)
Verbatim DataLife DVD-R 2x (CMC MAG.AF01)
Verbatim DataLifePlus DVD+R 12x (MCC.....003)
Verbatim DataLifePlus DVD+R 4x (MCC.....002)
Verbatim DataLifePlus DVD+R 4x Pastel (YUDEN000-T01-000)
Verbatim DataLifePlus DVD+R 8x (MCC.....003)
Verbatim DataLifePlus DVD+R 8x Advanced AZO (MCC.....003)
Verbatim DataLifePlus DVD+R 8x Printable (MCC 003)
Verbatim DataLifePlus DVD+RW 2.4x (MCC.....A01)
Verbatim DataLifePlus DVD-R 4x (MCC 01RG20)
Verbatim DataLifePlus DVD-R 4x (TYG01.......)
Verbatim DataLifePlus DVD-R 8x Advanced AZO (MCC02RG20)
Verbatim DataLifePlus DVD-RW 1x (MCC 00RW11N9)
Verbatim DataLifePlus DVD-RW 2x (MCC 01RW11n9)
Verbatim DataLifePlus SERL DVD+RW 4x (MKM A02)
Verbatim DigitalMovie DVD-R 4x (MCC 01RG20)
Verbatim DVD+R 2.4x (MCC 001)
Verbatim DVD+R 4x (MCC 002)
Verbatim DVD+R 4x Digital Movie (MCC 002)
Verbatim DVD+RW 4x (MKM A02)
Verbatim DVD-R (CMC MAG.)
Verbatim DVD-R 2x (MCC00RG20)
Verbatim DVD-R 4x (MCC01RG20)
Verbatim DVD-R 8x Photo Printable (MCC 02RG20)
Verbatim DVD-R Scratch-Resistent (CMC MAG.)
Verbatim DVD-RW 2x (MCC 01RW11n9)
Verbatim DVD-RW 2x (MCC01RW11)
Verbatim DVD-RW 4x (MCC 01RW4X)
notice all the CMC MAGs are from old media...... now Verbatim is made by Mitsubishi Chemical (MCC) or Taiyo Yuden! Verbatim made in Singapore/Taiwan is MCC, and the Made IN Japan ones are from Taiyo Yuden! the Verbatim LightScribe 16x media is MCC..... Verbatim DL media is RICOHJPN!
What I'm trying to get at is that Verbatim has no CMC MAGs anymore. they are top notch media now! here's a media guide that shows you:
http://www.digitalfaq.com/media/dvdmedia.htm
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Member
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27. July 2006 @ 15:36 |
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be aware that MCC is the only producer used by verbatum in the united states
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AfterDawn Addict
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27. July 2006 @ 15:38 |
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MCC are Singapore/Taiwan....... and Verbatim also have from Taiyo Yuden .... MIJ!
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AfterDawn Addict
6 product reviews
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27. July 2006 @ 16:43 |
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IHoe,
Quote:
Verbatim DL media is RICOHJPN!
Sorry my friend but Verbatim DL media will code out as Mitsubishi Kagaku Media (MKM) not Ricohjpn.
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AfterDawn Addict
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27. July 2006 @ 17:20 |
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I stand corrected....... I haven't looked at mine in a long time as I only bought them once..... and I thought I remembered them as RICOHJPN........ thank you for correcting me...... don't want anyone to get the wrong Info and I'll remember to look it up next time! sorry!
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AfterDawn Addict
6 product reviews
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27. July 2006 @ 18:17 |
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Quote:
I stand corrected
No problem IHoe. Set back down. We just don't want to get inaccurate info floating around. I'm not 100% sure but I think the ritek and memorex DL media may be ricohjpn (I could be wrong) and can be pretty particular on which drives they are compatable with. Most have had much better results and compatability with the verbatim (MKM) DL media.
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AfterDawn Addict
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27. July 2006 @ 18:23 |
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and that's the main thing......compatability! I know Verbatim is the best DL you can get.... unless they are making Taiyo Yuden DLs..... which I haven't seen yet! I can dream can't I? LOL
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AfterDawn Addict
6 product reviews
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27. July 2006 @ 18:33 |
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I prefer verbatim media even over TY's. Usually cheaper (less money) and I never have any playback problems with them. I have had occassionally with TY's. I seriously doubt that if TY did make DL media they would be any better than the verbs. Verbatim was 1st to develope DL media and they have it down to a science.
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27. July 2006 @ 18:58 |
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maybe that's why Taiyo Yuden hasn't made a DL disk yet..... but, as far as it goes.... I like Taiyo Yuden. I haven't had any trouble with their disks at all.... just my preferance..... but I do have Verbatims and I will buy my next printable spindle Verbatims just to see how they burn and to see how they print! then I'll make up my mind which is best for me. I'm waiting for my BenQ to come back from Meritline.com...... about 2 weeks.
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AfterDawn Addict
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27. July 2006 @ 21:39 |
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@mort81
Quote:
I'm not 100% sure but I think the ritek and memorex DL media may be ricohjpn (I could be wrong) and can be pretty particular on which drives they are compatable with.
actually, you hit the nail right on the head...and as for Benq drives, i DO NOT recommend either or for the DVD+R DL media~ :) Verbatim DVD+R DLs have been the only "sure-fire" DLs to use...for the Ritek (Ridata branded) or the Memorex, or Imation, or Maxell, or TDK as well as the Fujifilm DVD+R DLs, they will be RicohJPNR00 coded OR they will be RitekD01 coded (on a few of the above mentioned "brands"- Ridata, Dynex, and Memorex primarily) ~ :) i've used both and can safely say they are about the same in terms of quality on my various drives...however, you WILL hear a LOT of "RitekD01" bashing around here as well as cdfreaks, many people have issues with them on all sorts of diff. drive/burners, but that is a quality issue w/ Ritek, not a compatibility issue with the burners (other than Benq, which they are very POOR on if you can even get a successful burn out of them) :)
so, bottom line on DVD+R DLs, stick w/ Verbatim as they are in MY EYES, the very best the market has to offer at this point, i've had plenty of success (about 200+ now w/ either the RitekD01 or RicohJPNR00 coded DLs under various "brand" names), but even personally, i've had more "coasters" using those than i have with Verbatim MKM coded DLs as in my sig...i would like to point out i HAVE had a 10-pack spindle of Verbatims that produced 8 coasters, this was definitely a "Defective batch" i had purchased and it is already on it's way back to Verbatim for a direct replacement~ :)
EVERY manufacturer has it's fair share of "bad batches" nobody is immune, whether it be Verbatim, Taiyo Yuden, or even...cough cough...CMC Magnetics~ LOL :) good day to you my friend~
docTY
Recommended Media:
Taiyo Yuden 4x dvd-r TYGO1/ 8x dvd-r TYGO2/ 8x dvd+r YUDEN000T02/ 16x dvd+r YUDEN000T03
Verbatim 8x dvd+r MCC003
Verbatim dvd+r DL (MKM001)= flawless no compression backups
"Do Yourself A Favor, Use The Good Stuff
TY & Verbs 4 Life~ :)" ~docTY~
"Its better to be quiet and appear stupid, then to open your mouth and remove all doubt."
I am always prepared to recognize that there can be two points of view - mine and one that is probably wrong - John Gorton
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JoeRyan
Senior Member
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3. August 2006 @ 12:34 |
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From what i can gather CMC mag corps make (some) of the disks for verbatim however they make their disks to a higher specification and testing procedure than just the standard ones that they label CMC.
Is that right? am i getting the general idea here?
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CMC makes dvd's then HP, Memorex, etc slap their name on them and sell them. All CMC mag suck equally, they don't change their specifications for each brand label. CMC doesn't make Verbatim or TY DVD's, they make them themselves.
CMC makes all the Verbatim discs that come out of Taiwan. The MCC code is the MID code used on the stamper, and that code appears on all the discs from that stamper whether they are made by MCC Singapore or MBI India or TY in Japan. If any of these factories uses a different stamper with a different MID code (as happens when a stamper is damaged or if Verbatim OKs the use of a different stamper.) then all those Verbatim discs will have that MID code on them. Here's the kicker: if the Verbatim line in CMC's factory loses its stamper and substitutes a stamper with the CMC code, all the discs from that line will behave as CMC discs in a drive even if nothing else changes. The drive applies the firmware for the CMC discs. In many Japanese drives that means lower performance even if nothing changes except the MID code in the ATIP. Interesting. Of course stamper quality is a critical issue in manufacturing, and that cannot be discounted in determining quality. But the quality standard for MCC discs and CMC discs in the CMC factory is identical. CMC uses the same azo-cyanine dye for many of its discs but not all of them because some manufacturers want a lower price and settle for cyanine. (That does not include either Imation or Memorex--they spec azo.)
As for longevity, part of the problem is the stability of the dye used; but the quality of the recording is critical, too. The edges of the light/dark marks have to be sharp and clear and free from time deviations (jitter). If the disc is underburned or overburned, the data can become illegible quickly even if the dye is stable.
If Verbatim switches to inverse stack production of DL discs instead of the present 2P process, those discs will not perform as well in older drives as the present discs unless manufacturers update firmware to include IS versions (fat chance!). IS media are coming simply because yield rates are better and the discs are less expensive to make--no wasted photopolymer layers. That doesn't mean that Verbatim DL discs will be any less quality than what appears now--it is a compatibility issue. Any behind many compatibility issues is the politics of Japan vs. Taiwan and India. Ritek makes RICOHJPN and RITEK DL on exactly the same lines with exactly the same materials. There is NO DIFFERENCE at all if one looks at the CATs test results, but RICOHJPN DL discs work better on more drives than RITEK DL. Guess why. Hint: it's not a quality difference.
For the vast majority of people it is very difficult to distinguish between compatibility and quality. Recommending Verbatim or Taiyo Yuden is wise because they both combine high quality with high compatibility. Trashing discs for incompatibility is not fair, and trashing entire companies despite the fact that those very companies often make the "best" discs is incongruous.
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