The $2 MAM-A Gold's seem the best value of 'gold' discs implied to last 100 years--while the 60-cent DataLifePlus's seem the only low-priced discs that similarly claim a superior base (metal azo) to lengthen data life. The DataLifePlus discs are inexpensive enough for all everyday uses. Thus answering the need that, even if it is just HBO movies, you probably prefer never to suffer that your big pile of DVD's turn out to be useless.
2010 UPDATE:
After several years of use, I have found one problem with "white label" (aka "inkejet printable") DVD's. We maintain about 50 open (non-finalized) movie DVD's for 4 cable movies per disc in ES (extra slow) mode. Sometimes, these open 'white' DVDs would fail to read. THIS HAPPENED WITH 2 DIFFERENT BRANDS OF "WHITE LABEL" DVD. We have no such problem with ordinary "grey label" DVD's. Yes it seems absurd that the color of the label might affect the recording...? Maybe it is that the "white label" discs are designed more for computer use, not movie recording? I don't know. I sure prefer the look of the white label, but sadly, we have stopped buying them--and consequently, have stopped having those "unreadable disc" disasters...
MY RESEARCH NOTES:
--Please note that my interest is in compatibility and durability, not in fancy labels. I scribble my titles using a
Delkin archival pen
, or an acid-free Bic Mark-It Retractable which is available everywhere. (Note that only the 'retractable' version is 'acid-free'.)
--The durability of home-burned DVD's is not nearly as well proven as for CD's. Also, because the DVD system carries about 6 times the data, there is less error tolerance. In other words, a 60-cent Verbatim DataLifePlus CD is rather certain to last 10 to 20 years, whereas we don't really know whether any DVD, 'gold' or otherwise, might possibly self-destruct in 5-10 years. (This is not likely but possible.) For the ultimate bid for eternity, a gold CD is certainly safer than a gold DVD.
--One reviewer finds that these Verbatim DataLifePlus 'White Inkjet Printable' discs are much more likely to fail to burn than another with a 'Shiny Surface.' p.s. I NOW AGREE WITH THAT REVIEWER! (See my 2010 update above.)
--Another reviewer warns to beware of Verbatim ValueLife or DataLife discs without the 'Plus'. Sounds like good advice. Anyway, if you need a very good disc for only 40 cents after shipping, the clear choice of experts is Taiyo Yuden.
--Among the 'gold' or '100-year' discs: one reviewer says the Memorex $2 gold product is flimsy and will separate if bent slightly. Reviewers report that the Delkin gold discs have compatibility problems, and Delkins cost $3 if you want 'scratch armor.' Even assuming that this 'scratch armor' might be tougher than the MAM-A 'diamond coat' (at no extra cost)... yet after all, archival discs are for archiving! For use by children and in the car, just make an extra 60-cent copy using ValueLifePlus. Verbatim also has a 'gold' disc for about $2, but reviews are similarly lukewarm. There are not yet many reviews on 'gold' discs, so perhaps another disc may eventually seem as good as a MAM-A Gold. Nonetheless, I am convinced there is nothing better.
--'MINUS R' VS. +R. (We are not supposed to say 'minus R' but what clearer way is there to say...?) Putting it on one breath: so-called 'minus R' is the original system... and +R has theoretically better error tolerance... but which feature is not yet available... and maybe never will be... and meanwhile is a bit more likely to be incompatible... and they are on sale less often... and to stick with one format is to know that any new problems are not due to the format... so... forget about +R for me, though it probably just doesn't make any difference...
Conclusions:
. . . Use
$1.25 MAM-A Gold CD's
(not DVD's) for PHOTOS (and short CD-compatible videos) of weddings, babies, and graduations.
. . . Try
$2.00 MAM-A Gold DVD's
for any archiving that will not fit in CD's. (But if you want to be totally safe, make a second backup on a zip drive or hard drive, from which to re-burn to DVD every 10 years.)
. . . Use
60-cent Verbatim DataLifePlus DVD's
for everyday copying of HBO etc., or for non-archival copies of large amounts of data for convenience or travel.
. . . Use
60-cent Verbatim DataLifePlus Crystal CD's
for almost all other CD's, whether important or not. The price is always right and so is the quality! (Be sure to include the 'Crystal' scratch resistance feature.)
. . . Honorable mention goes to the
60-cent Maxell CD-R Pro
. This seems to use a high quality version of the conventional base (cyanine) which after all is the most proven process, and adds a 'Triple Coated Scratch Resistance,' and claims 'superior archival life.' All for the right price. For important data, make two copies. The Maxell CD-R Pro seems a good choice for that second copy.
. . . For lots of cheap and reliable copies, consider the
40-cent Taiyo Yuden White CD-R
and the
40-cent Taiyo Yuden Silver DVD-R
.
If all this works as intended, it may give your great-great-grandchildren something to scratch their antennae over.
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This Item  Verbatim DVD-R 4.7GB 8X Datalifeplus White Inkjet Printable Surface, Hub Printable - 50Pk Spindle |  |  |  | |
| Price | Currently unavailable. | $32.89 | $15.99 | -13% $25.98 List: $29.99 |
| Delivery | — | Get it as soon as Monday, May 13 | Get it as soon as Monday, May 13 | Get it as soon as Monday, May 13 |
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| Sold By | — | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com |
From the manufacturer
Why Verbatim
Verbatim has been trusted for over 50 years to provide reliable and affordable data storage products and is the leading brand of optical media sold today.
Verbatim prides itself on producing optical media compatible with more drive manufacturers than any other brand in the world, giving our customers better disc burns at rated drive speeds.
Why Optical
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Optical discs have a higher long-term reliability than other types of data storage devices. And with long-term archival options, optical media can have lifetimes of hundreds of years. With better backwards compatibility than tape, flash, or cloud storage, data stored on optical media can be accessed for many years to come. |
With data security being a bigger concern than ever, storing important information on physical media lets you take control of your data. Some optical discs are read-only, meaning once data is written, it cannot be altered, further protecting your data |
Optical media remains the most affordable form of storage with an extremely low cost per MB. |
Who Can Use Optical Media as a Long-Term Archival Solution?
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Government/Official Agencies
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Medical Institutions
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Businesses/Financial Institutions
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Individuals
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DataLifePlus Technology
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Blue AZO DyeVerbatim’s blue AZO dye provides better protection against UV light degradation, offering better archivability and keeping your data protected. Our dye is optimized for higher laser sensitivity, meaning better reading and writing of your data at faster speeds. |
CompatibilityDataLifePlus discs have been tested, tuned and certified by drive manufacturers to burn at their maximum rated speeds. |
High Quality & ReliabilityDedicated and monitored production lines ensure DataLifePlus discs have been designed to have a low error rate and high read/write reliability – feel safe trusting your data to these high-quality discs. |
Printable Optical Media
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High-Quality SurfaceVerbatim printable discs are designed with a high-quality surface and trusted Verbatim technology – don’t sacrifice performance for a printed disc. |
Vibrant Color ReproductionOur discs are designed for vibrant color reproduction and photo-quality printing with edge-to-edge printing and fast-drying ink absorption. |
Wide RangeVerbatim offers a wide range of printable discs, including shiny silver, inkjet and thermal printable, with options for a printable or branded hub. Be sure the disc surface type matches the requirements of your disc printer. |
Reviews with images
Save your old pancake box.
I have had great success with these blank dvds. Like other customers have noted however Amazon has started shipping them in a brown paper bag instead of the padded boxes which results in a shattered pancake box. The dvds themselves appear undamaged.
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2021
Size: 50pk SpindleVerified Purchase
I have had great success with these blank dvds. Like other customers have noted however Amazon has started shipping them in a brown paper bag instead of the padded boxes which results in a shattered pancake box. The dvds themselves appear undamaged.
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
Charly Van
Fáciles de manejar
Reviewed in Mexico on November 23, 2019Size: 50pk SpindleVerified Purchase
Stephen Sheila
Made for the job
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 20, 2016Size: 50pk SpindleVerified Purchase
Celinka Serre
When I need DVDs, Verbatim's my go-to company to buy from!
Reviewed in Canada on February 4, 2020Size: 50pk SpindleVerified Purchase
sixkings
Work most of the time
Reviewed in Canada on February 9, 2023Size: 50pk SpindleVerified Purchase
