If you've been reading my reviews lately (and I hope you have) you will know that I have been trying to find the PERFECT BLANK DVD. Its been a long quest that isn't over yet. For the past 2 years I have been using both the Maxell DVD+R and Maxell DVD-R to make back up copies of my movies. This is my review of Maxell 8X DVD-Rs (although to be honest with you, it would read pretty much the same as the DVD+Rs, because I have noticed NO difference).
First, you may ask, if the Maxell 8X DVD-R is your reference standard, why are you still searching? Well, I will begin my review with a con.
Non Printable Tops
I am searching for blank media that I can print on, and this Maxell media doesn't fit that bill. You either have to print labels and stick them on, which I found to my chagrin messes up playback of most DVDs. You can also write on them with a Sharpie, which I just don't really like because it looks sloppy. So there, thats my problem with the Maxell blank DVD-Rs (or Rs) that you can find at just about any Wal-Mart, Circuit City, Best Buy, CompUSA, Staples or Office Max (did I leave anyone out? sorry those are the stores in my area).
General Info Plus or Minus
The particular set I reviewed isn't pictured correctly, but neither are most of the Maxell products. Hopefully epinions will correct that one day so I don't have to read specs to see if I am reviewing the right product instead of just looking at the photograph. Nevertheless, I reviewed the 25 Spindle Pack of Maxell 8X DVD-Rs. Can I tell you the difference between +R and -R? Actually, no I can't, both my computer and my DVD players work just fine with each format. From what I have read some home DVD recorders only work with +R and others only work with -R. Only expensive decks work with both. On the other hand, most computer DVD burners burn both +R and -R and also play both +R and -R. My Pioneer DVD players play both kinds as well.
Burn Quality
Well for starters, I have used the Maxell discs for data and movie backups for years, and have had outstanding results. I couldn't tell the difference between the back up and the original, except for the screen that says this is a BACK UP DVD. I always play back my back up movie after burning it (and before adhering those terrible labels to them) and have had perfect results nearly every time. Those times I didn't have perfect results was usually the result of my original DVD being too scratched up to read properly. Even the first few times I played the Maxell DVD-Rs with the labels on, they played error free. Data backups I did at my office a couple years ago are still error free. I occasionally use blank DVDs because of the higher capacity. Lately, I have been using the Maxell 8X DVD-Rs to act as a Comparison Test with printable media I have been testing. I burn a copy with the tested media, and another with the Maxell media. That way if for some reason, it was the DVD I am attempting to back up, I will know, and not judge the tested media poorly if the Maxell is unable to make a good burn. The Maxell is that good! I have been able to compare dozens of perfect burns with the Maxell against the Frisbees of many of the new printable DVDs. (and yes, I know, I should and probably will go online to see if I can order some printable Maxell DVDs, they aren't available in stores. I have Verbatim and Taiyo Yuyen on the way for evaluations). As I write this, I am watching a perfect burn of Huey Lewis at the Rockoplast that I used to compare to a TDK 8X DVD-R burn. You will have to wait til I write my TDK review to find out how it came out!
Capacity
These are single layer DVDs, so they hold 4.7 gigabytes. Thats two hours of video, or a standard DVD with some compression. I use DVD-X to make backup copies of my DVDs. The program is now off the market because it also easily copies any commercial DVDs for illegal purposes as well. Myself, I don't want to pay a $250,000 fine or spend five years in prison for the chump change I would make selling backed up DVDs in bulk. They are also great for holding a LOT OF DATA!! I usually just use CDs to back up data, but if you are backing up large chunks of storage, like the entire Word files of a small law office and the Outlook Files, and the Publisher Files of all your advertising brochures, a blank DVD will hold it. Thus far, it is my experience that the Maxell DVDs are archival quality, because my old files are still there. Thats a lot of MP3s too for all you music lovers. (just note that pretty much only a computer can play MP3s recorded onto a DVD, many DVD players and ALL CD players will not recognize a DVD full of MP3s.
Label Warning
Do not, I REPEAT, DO NOT put labels on these DVDs. You will mess them up as surely as if you scribbled all over the side that the laser reads. I don't know why, but the thin labels that you print out and attach with products like CD stomper mess up the spinning of the DVDs and result in pixelation, skips and outright freezes. They may seem okay at first, but eventually you will have problems. Please take my word for it, I learned the hard way. If you are able somehow to get the adhesive label off of the DVD, it will play again like brand new. However that takes lots of GOO GONE, patience and time. (and it doesn't always work).
Speed
I feel like I am repeating myself here, because all the discs I have tested are about the same speed. Nevertheless, these DVDs are 8X and will play in slower DVD burners with firmware updates, and work just fine in 16X DVD burners. At least they have done just fine in my old 4X IO magic DVD burner, and my new Memorex 16X DVD burner. In my 16X burner, an 8X DVD takes about half an hour at most to both read and then write a 2 hour movie. The read speed has nothing to do with the blank media that you purchase, only the speed that your DVD burner reads the source DVD.
Summary
I like these blank DVDs, Maxell is very reliable. The man in the leather recliner can continue to blast his stereo system secure in the knowledge that the Maxell will hold his data, video and MP3 files. (do you remember those Maxell ads? maybe I'm showing my age).
Other Blank Media (DVD+/-Rs, CD+/-Rs)
Here you can read more about my quest for the perfect blank media to burn back up DVDs, CDs and data.
Verbatim 52 X printable CD-Rs (50 spindle pack)
Verbatim 8X Printable DVD-Rs (50 spindle pack)
Memorex Printable 8X DVD+Rs (20 spindle pack)
Memorex Printable 16X DVD+Rs (50 spindle pack)
