I've been shopping for the least expensive DVD+R DL online, and found this Memorex 50 pack for around $50. This seemed the best deal around only if they worked!!!
I had used Verbatim Verbatim 2.4x Dual-Layer DVD+R DL Spindle, 10 Discs in the past with no problems. So It was a gamble to order this item after reading many negative reviews. After receiving this item, I started burning DVDs and had no problems at all. Every single Memorex DVD+R DL seemed to work perfectly!
For those who had trouble with this item I suspect a software or hardware incompatibility issues more than a problem with these disk. I use a 17" Apple Laptop Computer (2006 model) with a G4 processor at 1.67 Ghz. The software I used to burn the DVD's is Roxio Popcorn 3.0.2 (recommended) and the hardware is the built-in Apple Super Drive.
Compared to the next choice of Verbatim at $1.65 per DVD :Verbatim DVD+R DL 8.5GB 2.4X 20pk Spindle at $33 (today's price--I've noticed the price on the Verbatim to fluctuate from $32-$38- The memorex at $1.00 per Double Layer 8.5 GB is the best deal around with no quality issues.
Pros:
1-Double Layer DVD+R at 8.5 GB for a buck
2-Silver and a handsome looking writable surface (with a permanent marker)
3-Appears of a nice quality and no difference compared to other more expensive DVD+R DL
4- Works fine with my Apple factory Superdrive (G4)
5-Recorded (burned) DVD plays fine on all of my home DVD players as well as other computer drives
Cons:
None-still hoping for the price to go below a $1.00!
PLEASE SEE UPDATE AUGUST 2008 BELOW.
Conclusion: Recommended!
Tip: (I had success with Roxio softwares-Popcorn 3)
Update March 1, 2008: Amazon dropped the price to $44.99 for 50, bringing the cost down to 90 cents each-An even better deal!
IMPORTANT Update-April 2, 2008: I received one 50 pack Spindle with defective DVDs, I tried only 2 with the same set up and software and computer, and I kept getting error messages and the DVDs wouldn't burn. I returned to Amazon and requested replacement. The replacement seems to work fine like the previous ones that led to this positive review.
At this point, It is questionable which batch you're going to get with some "defective" sets floating around the market or perhaps not compatible with certain drives?. The only positive thing here is Amazon's amazing customer service which allowed me to exchange or return the defective ones. Other sellers may sell you the defective batch and may not accept a return once you open them and try to burn one.
***NEW UPDATE: August 27, 2008. I received two defective sets of 50 (total of 100) with the same setup mentioned above. I tried to burn every single one of them but ZERO results. Not a single one worked. I was able to burn some of the left over discs from the last order dated March 2008.
AT THIS POINT I AM WITHDRAWING MY RECOMMENDATION AND REDUCING THE 5 STARS RATING TO ONE! THESE DISCS MUST HAVE A QUALITY CONTROL ISSUE. I AM SWITCHING BACK TO VERBATIM AT A HIGHER PRICE PER DVD THAT I HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH SO FAR. Memorex 8.5GB 8X Double Layer DVD+R (50pk Spindle)
I bought a spindle of Memorex DLs based solely on the price. I was aware of the bad reviews, but I just could not justify paying nearly $2 per Verbatim DL disc when I could split movies or burn data on 2 single-layer discs for less than 20 cents a disc (or 40 cents compared to $2 for the same capacity). A costly mistake to buy these.
Out of 20 discs, less than half even burned successfully. The bad burns would fail as it started writing to the second layer. On the successful burns, the discs would stutter and freeze in my DVD player when it started playing the second layer (yes, I can tell where the layer break is). People touting successful burns with Memorex mean nothing! And I don't have the time to run PI/PO error checks or even watch every movie or video that I burn! The worst feeling in the world is watching a burned DVD a month later and finding glitches knowing that your original recording is long gone from your PC.
My advice is to stay away from Memorex at all costs. If you factor in a conservative 25% fail rate with Memorex, you'll see that it's cheaper to just buy Verbatim. This doesn't even account for the wasted time or the value of your movies or irreplaceable personal videos. If you are just burning data, stick with cheaper, more reliable single-layer media. I personally would never use any DLs to archive important data files. Just because you've owned commercial DVDs for a decade now means nothing. Keep in mind that those DVD-9 double layers are not even burned on a chemical dye which degrades over time but pressed.
I was a bit worried when I bought these disks, having read the negative reviews. And, sure enough, the first burn made it only halfway. So, reflecting that the new thing about the disks is their speed rating, I slowed the burn down to 4X for the second try. I've burned three at 4X with no problems. In conclusion, if the first one fails, maybe your hardware or software isn't really ready for 8X. Just slow it down. The disks are (apparently) fine.'
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