Can a CD-R/CD-RW drive be used for reliable masters?

[Kendog]

It's well known that CD-RW disks shouldn't be used to provide masters to duplication houses, but what about CD-Rs created on a CD-R/CD-RW burner? My clients need these to be flawless, and I can't have something that I'll guess about, but it's once again time to upgrade. There's a great-looking 32x/10x/40x reviewed at ZDNet.com...

http://www.zdnet.com/supercenter/stories/overview/0,12069,551508,00.html

and it runs just over a hundred bucks if anyone else is interested.

Can I take the plunge, or is it safer to have a slower, more expensive, CD-R only drive?

Thanks in advance...

 

[Whoopysnorp]

As far as I know, it's fine to use a CD-RW drive to burn reliable CD-Rs. I don't know who'd buy a CD-R only drive in this day and age. As far as brands go, the one you linked to may be OK, but if you want to be sure that your drive will burn good CDs, get a Plextor.

 

[hokypokynose]

I'd reccomend a high speed burner, the highest you can find, and then burn at 2 or 4X. Just because if the burner can do 32X or whatever, then it's no work at all for the burner to do 2X and therefore should do a better job. Unlike a standalone burner that burns at 4X, if you choose to burn at 4X, your pushing the burner to it's limit.

I'd reccomend a TDK VeloCD, or a Plextor drive. My Phillips 8/4/24 never fails unless it gets too hot(which only happens when I use it as the source drive and it's 95+ degrees ferenheit outside). Use only TDK or Sony media if you use consumer, or quantagy or BASF if you buy pro(I'm sure you knew this).

 

[WildFire]

I'd reccomend a high speed burner, the highest you can find, and then burn at 2 or 4X. Just because if the burner can do 32X or whatever, then it's no work at all for the burner to do 2X and therefore should do a better job. Unlike a standalone burner that burns at 4X, if you choose to burn at 4X, your pushing the burner to it's limit.

I wouldn't go that far, I've heard that theory before and its never been proven. Granted, its almost impossible to find anytihng lower then a 8x nowadays so its a moot point.

I'd reccomend a TDK VeloCD, or a Plextor drive. My Phillips 8/4/24 never fails unless it gets too hot(which only happens when I use it as the source drive and it's 95+ degrees ferenheit outside). Use only TDK or Sony media if you use consumer, or quantagy or BASF if you buy pro(I'm sure you knew this).

TDK, Plextor, and Yamaha.. all good drives

Stay away from noname media for masters. Though, no names are a great for burning CDs for you car

As well, don't waste a good cd-r on a test burn to play on your home stereo. Use a cd-rw. It'll save you a few bucks.

 

[hokypokynose]

I wouldn't go that far, I've heard that theory before and its never been proven. Granted, its almost impossible to find anytihng lower then a 8x nowadays so its a moot point.

It really cant hurt though. The fast speed is good for burning for yourself, and it's always a good idea to burn things that need to be high quality at low speeds.

TDK, Plextor, and Yamaha.. all good drives

I forgot about Yamaha. They seem to be cheaper as well.

 

[Emeric]

Plextor and TDK are the same thing. Prices fluctuate, but underneath the front label they are the same unit. Both good drives.