Testing DVD-R and CD-R 25 years later: optical disks from Japan
3 days ago
- #vintage tech
- #Japan
- #optical media
- Thrift shopping for optical media in Japan via the internet is enjoyable but can be dangerous due to the variety and age of products available.
- TDK DVD+R 4x UV-Guard discs feature a special hard coating and UV guard, unique to TDK's own production era, with a diamond-like carbon coating.
- LG Super Multi Versatile Drive 8x DVD+R discs were likely promotional items, showing high quality despite their origin as possible drive bundle inclusions.
- Maxell 8x DVD-R with CPRM discs, once a quality brand, now show variability in quality, with some discs exhibiting dye spatter and elevated error rates.
- Mr Data 4x DVD-R discs, a budget option, performed better than expected for their age, though with some quality inconsistencies towards the outer edge.
- Mitsubishi 2.4x DVD+R and Maxell 12x Master Quality CD-R discs highlight the nostalgia and challenges of using older media, with some discs failing to burn properly due to age or compatibility issues.
- Fujifilm 12x 650MB CD-R discs demonstrated excellent longevity and performance, even after decades, showcasing the durability of well-made optical media.
- The review concludes with reflections on the quality and nostalgia of older optical media, noting the TDK UV Guard's effectiveness and the variable performance of other brands.