Best quality recordable DVDs?

[jhoda]

they are still the standard and they are the best for copying movies.
Jhoda

[- bill]

One of the standard DVD quality review sites over the years has been http://www.digitalfaq.com/reviews/dvd-media.htm (CLiNT made a reference to another part of that site earlier).

[jhoda]

Thank you,great article

[scaisson]

I want to update the post, in case it is still read.
The important thing concerns about the famous reliable Matsui made disc.

Matsui sold the CD production a long while back (maybe before 2000/1). Their disc code is MAM, and ID code is MMC.
The codes no longer mean anything related to the old reliable Matsui CD.

Besides, the famous Matsui quality can only apply to CDR when Matsui CDR was still in production in Japan.

The later development of DVD recordable discs was done by different companies who bought, sold/bought again of the Matsui disc operation. Today, not a single initial Japanese maker is in disc maker business. Most disc productions were sold/resold. Brands are only in names only. No disc is made in Japan anymore.

For current DVD, BluRay disc reliability, please google and do research on it.

Some basics in reliability re optical recordable (my own opinion):
1. Major thing is oxidizing and dulling of the reflective layer over time. Gold is better as it does not oxidize. However, gold has a problem. It reflects too much and it is not easy to burn reliably. So burning errors are a concern. However, in archiving, you want long term storage reliability. So gold reflective layer is still preferred for backup/archiving over long term.
2. Silver reflective layer is a compromise.
3. Argument can be made if the plastic sealing is made much better, then the oxidizing of cheap Aluminum reflective layer could be overcome. Plastic is much cheaper than gold, silver.
4. Rigidity is both a way to prevent breaking the seal, and, to easily breaking the seal (if it is flexed too many times).
5. Anther way is more flexible disc, thus keeping the seal integrity. But then it is easily scratched.

The effort is to cut down the usage of expensive materials such as gold and silver.

For long term storage (not used much), No.5 type is still preferred. Thermal shock and mechanical stress are inevitable. Flexibility can handle it better. For many handlings, less flexible disc is preferred.

Do your own research is advised.