Review on 📀 Verbatim DVD-R 4.7GB 16X DataLifePlus - 100 Pack White Inkjet Printable and Hub Printable - Efficient Tape Wrapped Option (97016) by Oso Mears

$2 MAM-A Gold seems to be the best of the 100 year gold discs while 60 cent DataLifePlus seems to be the only cheap discs similarly claiming that the superior base (metal azo) extends the life of the data. DataLifePlus drives are affordable enough for everyday use. So in answer to the question that even if it's just HBO movies, you probably prefer never to suffer that your big stack of DVDs are useless. UPDATE 2010: After years of use, I found a "white label" issue. (aka "Inkjet") DVD. We store about 50 open (unfinalized) movie DVDs with 4 cable movies per disc in ES mode (very slow). Sometimes those opened "white" DVDs were unreadable. THIS HAPPENED WITH 2 DIFFERENT BRANDS OF "WHITE LABEL" DVD. We don't have this problem with normal "grey label" DVDs. Yes, it seems absurd that the color of the label can affect the entry.? Maybe it's because "white label" discs are meant for computer use rather than movie recording? I do not know. I certainly prefer the look of white labels, but unfortunately we've stopped buying them - and thus no longer encounter that scourge of "unreadable discs". not in fancy labels. I sketch my titles with a Delkin Archival Pen or the acid-free Bic Mark-It Retractable Pen, which is widely available. (Note that only the "retractable" version is "acid-free.") -- The durability of home-burned DVDs isn't nearly as well documented as that of CDs. Also, since the DVD system contains about 6 times more data, it is less fault tolerant. In other words, a 60 cent Verbatim DataLifePlus CD will certainly last 10-20 years, while we don't know if a DVD, 'golden' or not, can self-destruct after 5-10 years. (It's unlikely, but possible.) For the ultimate forever offer, a gold CD is certainly safer than a gold DVD. One reviewer says these Verbatim DataLifePlus White Inkjet Printable discs are far more likely to fail. than another with "glossy surface". ps I AGREE TO THIS REVIEWER NOW! (See my 2010 update above.) - Another reviewer warns to beware of Verbatim ValueLife or DataLife discs without a plus symbol. Sounds like good advice. In any case, when you need a very good disc for only 40 cents upon delivery, the obvious choice of the experts is Taiyo Yuden. Under "gold" or "100 year old" discs: One reviewer says Memorex's $2 gold product is unreliable. and separates when slightly bent. Reviewers report that Delkin gold discs have compatibility issues, and Delkins is $3 if you want "scratch armor." Even assuming that this "protective armor" can be stronger than the "diamond coat" from MAM-A (at no extra cost). But archive discs for archiving! For children and in the car simply copy extra for 60 cents with ValueLifePlus. Verbatim also has a "gold" disc for about $2, but the reviews are equally lukewarm. There aren't many gold disc reviews yet, so maybe another disc will be as good as MAM-A Gold. However, I am convinced that there is nothing better. -- 'MINUS R' VS. + R. (We shouldn't say "minus R", but what can be said more clearly?) In the same breath: The so-called "minus R" is the original system. and +R theoretically has better fault tolerance. but which function is not available yet. and maybe never will be. and meanwhile most likely to be incompatible. And yes, they sell less often. and sticking to a format means knowing that new problems are not related to the format. So. forget the +R for me, although it probably doesn't make a difference. Conclusions:. . . Use $1.25 MAM-A Gold CDs (not DVDs) for PHOTOS (and CD-compatible short videos) of weddings, babies and proms. . . Try the $2 MAM-A Gold DVD for any archive that doesn't fit on a CD. (But if you want to be absolutely sure, make a second backup every 10 years on a zip archive or hard disk to overwrite on DVD.) . . Use Verbatim DataLifePlus 60 cent DVDs for daily copying of HBO etc. or non-archival copies of large amounts of data for convenience or travel. . . Use 60 Cent Verbatim DataLifePlus Crystal CDs for almost any other CD, important or not. The price is always relevant, as is the quality! (Be sure to turn on the "Crystal" anti-scratch function.) . . The Maxell CD-R Pro, which costs 60 cents, deserves a special mention. It appears to use a premium version of the regular base (Cyanine), which is ultimately the best practice, adds a "triple scratch-resistant coating" and claims to have "superior archival durability". Everything at the right price. Make two copies of important data. Maxell CD-R Pro seems like a good choice for a second copy. . . For many cheap and reliable copies, consider the 40 Cent Taiyo Yuden White CD-R and 40 Cent Taiyo Yuden Silver DVD-R. Your antennae are gone.