There was a very informative article linked on Slashdot about how to choose the best DVD media for archival purposes. The article really answered a lot of questions for me, especially on the confused topic of DVD-R versus DVD+R (it turns out that DVD+R is better). It’s also nice to know that the author concluded that Japan and Taiwan make the only good-quality CD/DVD media.
The stuff about DVD+R being better than DVD-R seems to be something pulled out of his nether regions. All DVD media uses the exact same error correction method. There is not special super-duper error correction specific to DVD+R. Otherwise everyone would have needed to buy new DVD Players for DVD+R. (Note: The “DVD-R/DVD+R compatible” players are no different other than having a better quality laser that is able to more easily read the different reflective properties of recorded DVDs.) There’s really not much difference in general between DVD-R and DVD+R media quality wise. Also modern burners can use the better laser tracking during burning on either standard.
Other than that, the advice to stick to Japan and Taiwan made disks is pretty good. That said, there’s a lot of crap media made in Taiwan, so you still have to stick with a decent brand. I’ve had good recent experience with Maxell, TDK, Pleomax and Verbatim. You can get Verbatim media that’s made in Japan here but you have to look closely because the packaging is almost identical to the made in Taiwan variety.
I think TDKs are made by CMC, but they use their own ID code (e.g. TDK003) for the manufacturer code, so it’s hard to know for sure. Maxells are usually made by Ritek, though I’ve had more consistent results with the Maxell branded stuff than either Ritek or Ridata, probably because they get a better grade. The Pleomax disks I have are made by Prodisc.
How does “Melody” rate? I’ve been using them for a number of years with no problem.
But, a funny thing happened to a few of my old Phillips CD-R’s made here almost ten years ago. The top layer and the recorded layer just came off like dust. Never saw that before. They were stored in a typical zipped plastic carying case.