Cd-R preference

[Jason Molinari]

hello...

Simple question: what brand do you folks prefer for backing up files? Furthermore: is there a preference for blank discs when mixing?

Thanks.

Jason

[dobro]

"Simple question: what brand do you folks prefer for backing up files?"

No preference.

"Furthermore: is there a preference for blank discs when mixing?"

No preference.

I mean, a CDR is pretty much a CDR, right? They record the data more or less exactly. And even if they don't do it EXACTLY, can you hear the difference? No?

[lpdeluxe]

There does seem to be a difference in error rates and in durability. Using no-name CDRs I find high error rates and a fair number of unusuable CDs; Memorex give me lower error rates and fewer coasters; Maxell are the best I've used so far, but I haven't tried some of the high-priced spreads.

The CD Red Book limits C1 errors to 220/sec, and the numbers from the above run around 60+ for no-names, 40+ for Memorex, and 20+ for Maxell, using Plextools for testing. I also see a lot of C2 errors with no-names (the Red Book specifies none) and sometimes Plextools won't run at all because of faulty discs.

[warble]

Bulk discs have caused problems for me before (read errors for both audio and data burns) . A brand that has consistently worked well for me:

Mitsui Unbranded Silver

These discs have played well with a variety of different players (for audio discs), and with data burns, I've never experienced read errors among various CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, burners, etc.

I mean, a CDR is pretty much a CDR, right? They record the data more or less exactly. And even if they don't do it EXACTLY, can you hear the difference? No?

Not all discs are the same IMO. I don't spend countless hours dwelling in these thoughts of mine, but I've had some bad luck with the dirt cheap unbranded ones. If I were backing up data, well I might not be as picky necessarily (I've used Imation, Memorex and Maxell), but if I were creating audio discs for duplicating or replicating, I would rely on ones that I know work well and have produced fewer error rates. I wouldn't want to dup or rep a CD with higher error rates. Just my 2 cents.

[crispycutz]

Although the price u pay for "x" quantity of discs does reflect durability and half life of CDRs not taken care of...

I remeber a problem I had a couple of months ago...when I was mass recording a mixtape...

Turned out I had my burner set at some obnoxious recording speed, like 1028x...

Just remeber to keep it around 8x for safety...

or else u get a bunch of frisbees

[dobro]

Interesting. As far as I know, there haven't been errors in mine - I'm going by what they sound like only, though.

What's the software for checking the integrity of a backup disk?

[chrisharris]

I've had the best luck with Maxells and TDK. I haven't tried a bunch of expensive discs because I go through them like water during a salt eating contest, but I've been burned (pun intended) with many of the nameless/faceless bulk CD's from Best Buy/Office Max/CompUSA, etc.

[Tukkis]

Once the data or audio is burned to a cd, it should sound exactly the same provided the cd's have no errors. It's 0's and 1's.

But the reason you pay extra for name brand cdr and dvdr is because they are less prone to burning errors (higher success rate) and generally have less read errors (compatibility). The companies can also guarentee durability. That's why companies like TDK and Maxell usually have 50yrs or 100yrs life span on the disc.

Personally I use no name cdr for transfering files but if it's something important where you need high reliability like a Master or impirtant data then i use name brand like Verbatim or Ritek.

Which brand is best for you depends on your burner. Each burner is different. You need to trial a few and find one that works the best for your burner without errors.

Tukkis

[Richard Monroe]

For backups, I use Maxell CD-RPro-Richie

[Kevin Deschwazi]

Originally Posted by dobro

What's the software for checking the integrity of a backup disk?

http://www.elpros.si/CDCheck/

I haven't actually got around to d/loading this yet but I've heard it's useful.

[lpdeluxe]

My Plextor Premium burner came with Plextools software. I check CDRs every time I burn. A lot of blank media come fresh out of the box with flaws that make them useless.

[sile2001]

I haven't found any differenece between the main brands when it comes to CD-Rs..only DVD-R's or +R's. Stay completely away from noname brands, no matter how tempting the prices may be. Stick with these and you should be fine:

Maxell
TDK
Sony
Verbatim
Memorex
Fuji
Imation

I've mainly used TDK's and they seem bulletproof, provided you have all your software set up correctly.