DVD blank media dye

[Workaholic]

Here's the story: I had a quick look at what dvd discs I should buy for my NEC 4551 (Labelflash drive) and have noticed that different ones (especially different manufacturers) use different dyes. The different dyes available now that I have found are:

CMC MAG AE1
Ritek G03
Ritek G04
Ritek G05
AZO dye?

Basically what I gather from the info from the older forums and other sites using google (mainly CDfreaks) is that the end product of DVDs with these dyes last longer than others, also ritek dyes relate to the speed they write at (G04 = 4x, G05 = 8x). From reviews CMC is the worst and Ritek G05 is the latest? (but may also require a firmware update on all DVD drives I use it on.)
Next I also found out that its not advisible to use stick on labels on DVDs (as the high speeds and temperature will peel it off and by using them, the discs will wobble and not spin evenly resulting in an unreadable disc!!!)
But using CD pens may also penetrate the top layer and actually write on the data layers due to the small manufacturing sizes of DVDs.

Could someone tell me whether this is correct and possibly point me in the right direction of which ones to get (I'm after 2 spindles of discs, 1 printable and the other spindle not.)

Thanks in advance.

[DanceswithUnix]

I use a Memorex CD pen that came with some Memorex CDs years ago. I can't believe that the media manufacturors would make obvious lined areas to write on, and not make them resistant to CD pens!

I am happy with Ritek dyes in my older 8x NEC writer, and just tend to get whatever I find cheap.

[Funkstar]

IMHO, you can't go wrong with Verbatim disks. i always get my media from http://www.svp.co.uk.

Disk Labels: yeah i can believe that, but the drive should be able to detect any imbalance and slow the read down so it doesn't damage itself or the disk. To be on the safe side, don't apply the label until you are written the disk

Disk Pens. I find this hard to believe. DVDs have relatively thick plastic substrate above and below the recording layer. CD's don't, some just have the aluminium film and nothing else. Quality disks or any tipe will be laquared or coated in some way on the top too.

[Workaholic]

So are the dyes in the right chronological (and good) order?

[DanceswithUnix]

DVDs have relatively thick plastic substrate above and below the recording layer. CD's don't, some just have the aluminium film and nothing else. Quality disks or any tipe will be laquared or coated in some way on the top too.

I had wondered why CDs sound different to DVDs when I put them through the shredder at work.

[Dav0s]

Ritek G04 is considered one of the best dyes available, its what I use. but i ahve never used G05....

[johnny02004976]

i always get my media from http://www.svp.co.uk.

Agreed... you cant go wrong with SVP for media... as for DVD dyes ive always trused Ritex, ive never had any major problems with them what-so-ever

[Funkstar]

I've actually never had a problem with *any* DVD-R i've bought. We go through quite a few at work and they are usually just basic 4x or 8x unbranded plain white tops. nothing special.

I had wondered why CDs sound different to DVDs when I put them through the shredder at work.

Next time you need to destroy a disk or two, take some paper or comething, fild it in half with the disk inside then bend and snap it. You will easily see the difference between DVDs and CDs

[Skinleech]

I generally use Datawrite 8x greytop disks from ukdvdr.co.uk, and they always work a charm - don't think I've ever had a band one. They use G04 as far as I know. I've also never had an issue with a cd-r pen leaking through.

[teachmech]

Hi just to be the opposite ritek has always been a problem for me I am using MMC based disc and they are working well but have also had alot of success with CMC Mag A1E. I know people say avoid but I speak as I see and these have worked fine Datawrite Titanium. Try some different types and see whats best for you.

[Slamdog]

i use riteks exclusively.

i have tried cmc mag ae1's and i had so many failures i had to send the remainder back. we are not talking one or two, but 250 failures out of 1200 new disks. i ended up sending 900 disks back.

it isn't just one type of writer either... i currently have 2x nec 3500, 3x3520, a pioneer 108 and a pioneer 107. riteks never fail. if you can find g04's they are brilliant. realistically you will only be able to get g05's these days. never had a failure yet. i also buy from svp as well, a very good retailer.