Imation DVD-R Media - Compatible but Not Durable
Written: Mar 19 '04 (Updated Jan 07 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Reliable burn quality, good playability/compatibility
Cons: Low durability (at least for discs produced by CMC), price
The Bottom Line: Although I had good experience with these discs short term, if you plan to archive important videos, get Verbatim DataLifPlus instead.
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| dkozin's Full Review: Imation (16336) DVD-R Storage Media |
I have used the Imation DVD-R discs to perform backup of several DVD-Video titles I own using DVDSrink software and NERO 5.5 Burning ROM burning software. The DVD burner I used is a 8x Pacific Digital Dual-Format Burner (which is really NEC 2500a).
The discs in question ar write-once DVD-R and fit 4.7 Gb of data or video of varying length (depending on the bit rate). I normally fit the backup of the whole DVD-Video (even dual-layer) after mild compression by DVD Shrink DVD backup software.
Results
The recording was performed at 2.4x. The resulting discs played perfectly in my Panasonic S35 DVD player as well as Artec 16x DVD-ROM Drive and the NEC 2500a DVD-RW/+RW drive.
Packaging and Handling
The DVD-R discs from Imation have silver label side and purple media side. They come in cases, which are slimmer than “regular” jewel cases, but are more sturdy than them. The discs can be labeled with a permanent marker with a felt tip (which I normally do).
Performance
As far as performance goes, out of 3 discs I burned, there were no coasters. But this is the result I achieved with NEC 2500a, which, according to reviews, handles many types of media well. Once again, the discs were burned at 2.4x speed and worked well in DVD-ROM drives as well as in my home DVD player (Panasonic S35).
Durability
I previously recommended these discs. Unfortunately, yesterday, while trying to make backup copies of my videos (shot by my camcorders in the last several years) from these Imation discs to Verbatim DataLifePlus DVD+R, I discovered that I had hard time reading some of Imation discs. I managed to make copies after several attempts. I want to mention that my previous discs included Philips-branded discs also and those were read well.
Both Philips and Imation branded discs were made (according to the DVD Identifier program) by CMC Magnetics - a maker not known for the best quality. I am not sure that the Philips-branded discs will last either. I don't write (with a permanent marker or other) on my discs and I don't abuse them. They are stored in a fire-safe in the dark environment in low humidity and with no extreme temperatures.
The problem with some manufacturers is that they don't produce the product themselves. Some Imation, Philips and KHypermedia discs, ofr example, are produced my CMC. Not good.
Verbatim (a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation) produces their own discs using their own, superior, Advanced AZO dye.
I decided to use Verbatim DataLifePlus discs for important video archival exclusively for their superior Advanced AZO recording dye and acclaimed durability.
Bottom Line
Although I had good experience with these discs short term, if you plan to archive important videos, get Verbatim DataLifPlus instead.
Recommended:
No
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dkozin
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Location: California
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I love to push buttons on electronic (audio and video) equipment. It makes me happy.
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