Verbatim DVD+R DL 8.5GB 2.4X 20pk Spindle

I use this product to record TV programs (mostly sporting events) from my DirectTV DVR, where I save until I'm ready to transfer them onto DVD. I need to be ultra picky about quality because these recorded images will forever more be projected onto a 92" screen (which exposes any & all flaws to the max). My objective, then, is to achieve superior playback of programming having run times of more than of 2 hours each.

So far, I've gone through an entire 20-DVD spindle with zip, nada, zero defects.

Previously, for programs having run times of less than 2 hours, I'd been tempted to use single-layer blank DVD's, but at only $1.40 per blank Verbatim DVD, why risk or settle for inferior quality? A no brainer in my book.

Not all DVD media is created equal. There are many trusted names out there that outsource where they can have their media made cheaply and their product suffers for it. (A good general rule of thumb, stay away from ANY media made from Taiwan and Hong Kong.) And while some cheap media may work for you, it's a gamble that often loses. It is generally agreed among those in the know, Verbatim is one of the most reliable DVD media's around.

After I toyed with cheaper media - and lost some irretrievable memories set down on inferior brands (now coasters), a good friend steered me to Verbatim. I tried it and I have never looked back.

The secret behind the recording quality of Verbatim's DVD media? -- Verbatim's parent company, Mitsubishi Chemical. Mitsubishi is one of the largest chemical companies in the world, and they take the manufacturing of Verbatim DVD-R media very seriously.

Verbatim is also the leader in the production of DVD+R Dual Layer media. No other manufacturer has anything comparable to Verbatim's Dual Layer DVD. Verbatim's Inkjet and Thermal Dual Layer is not only the standard, but really the only viable option in DL media.

Great disc for anyone serious about DVD burning.

In the past year, I've burned dozens of cakeboxes of Verbatim DLs sold in purple shrink wrap. In my experience, it doesn't matter where the discs are made - India, Singapore or Timbuktu: some of the cakeboxes give me good burns and some of them don't, and there's no way I can predict the outcome of the burns by looking at the package. That's why I think it's a crap shoot.

I've had cakeboxes of discs made in India that rendered excellent C1 and C2 scores and provided superb video reproduction. I've had cakeboxes made in Singapore that rendered terrible C1 and C2 scores and provided grainy, blotchy video reproduction. And vice versa.

I get fewer coasters from a cakebox of Verbatim DLs in the purple shrink wrap than I get from competing brands.

Given the erratic quality control of these Verbatim DLs, I think they're overpriced.

I was fortunate enough to receive MIS instead of MII, it is unbelievable how good these DVDs really are. All other brands I've purchased before gave errors on the second layer, but not with these. 20 out of 20.

I was quite concerned about finding a DVD +R DL that would work. Most reviews pointed to these Verbatims. So far, so good. Interestingly, went to purchase more and the price had gone up 10%. So I guess I'll wait and monitor the pricing for a better deal. The one package I have purchased so far seems to work well.