Whether you are a small business owner looking to back-up company files, an art teacher who wants to pass on interesting curios to your class, or an audiophile who is transferring your LP records and want a copy that will last for many years. Despite advances in CD and DVD-R technology, data breaks down and degrades occur over time. The dye on a disc which stores the data can corrode causing data errors during playback or reading the disc. The reflective layer can also oxidize and prematurely cause data degradation and loss of quality or even complete loss of data.

Archive DVD-R, Gold Layer

Many recordable DVD and CD discs use silver as a reflective surface. Special “archive grade” CD-R and DVD-R however, use a more resistant 24 carat gold reflective layer. MAM-A boasts that their gold CD-R can last 300 years and Gold DVD-R 100 years.

To test longevity claims, manufactures submit their archive grade CDs to a special “rapid aging” gauntlet. Discs are placed in an environmental chamber and exposed to varying levels of heat and humidity. Silver layer reflective DVD-R discs tend to fail after spending 500 hours or so in such a chamber. MAM gold discs, on the other hand, retain their efficacy for far longer. (The ISO guidelines for such environmental stress tests have been well established and search for disc errors at intervals of around 500 hours.)

Why might archiving data be important to your home, office or firm? Here are some examples of when you might need this technology:

•    You want to keep important tax information or business accounting records on hand for years to protect your business.

•    You live in a climate that has a lot of humidity and other climate factors that might cause non-archival grade discs to degrade relatively rapidly.

•    You’ve discovered from experience that standard recording technologies are not long term enough for your data protection.

•    You need to create a “master” audio CD that will archive music recordings that can’t be replaced if lost.

•    You want to keep copies of camcorders movies for generations.

If you need help choosing an Archive DVD-R or CD-R, visit our Gold DVD-R section or the Gold CD-R section at Gotmedia.com

In the professional CD and DVD duplication industry one of the downsides of inkjet printing was the fact that it smudged if touched during the dry time, also it would smeared if it came in contact with a liquid even after it was dry. In 2008, we have seen the introduction of waterproof inkjet media surfaces by Taiyo Yuden, Verbatim and Imation. Waterproof inkjet media allows consumers and professionals alike to label CDs and DVDs with the ease and flexibility of using an inkjet printer combined with the advantages of a permanent waterproof surface. When you print on a waterproof inkjet CD-R or DVD-R, you not only get a glossy finished look (which provides better color contrast), but you also get more protection against moisture, smudging and damage from the elements.

When might you want to work with waterproof media? Here are some situations:

•    You’re archiving data for your company and storing it in a basement that has a history of flooding.

•    You’re burning a bunch of audio CDs to take on a wilderness trip, during which you might be exposed to harsh elemental conditions.

•    You’re compiling a presentation for a “give away” at a sales conference, and you anticipate that the people who will be receiving your demos will treat them roughly, so you want to prevent your labeling from rubbing off. (if your contact information rubs off the disc, an interested buyer might not be able to find you).

The Taiyo Yuden Company makes waterproof inkjet printable DVD-R and CD-R named Watershield. Taiyo Yuden Watershield DVD-R is offered in a 16x record speed and the CD-R is a 52x. Both CD-R and DVD-R Watershield discs are hub printable allowing inkjet printing on a larger part of the disc surface (closer to the center hole of the disc). These discs are great for color inkjet printers. The Watershield coating dries rapidly and resists both water and smudging.

Another waterproof inkjet product is the AquaAce Water Resistant DVD-R manufactured by Verbatim. This disc will provide exceptional color contrast, edge to edge printing, compatibility with a wide variety of printers, a lifetime warranty, and very rapid dry times.

Check out our available line of Waterproof Inkjet DVD-R and Waterproof Inkjet CD-R.

Dual layer DVD, DVD+R DL technology is changing the way businesses, consumers, and home users can archive and store their data. Dual layer DVD (DVD+R9) technology first debuted in October 2003 and got released to the popular markets about a year later.

What makes dual layer DVD recording different? Essentially, with single layer discs, you’re limited to storing data on just one layer. With dual layered discs, on the other hand, you can store information on both a first layer (which is semi transparent) AND an underlying second layer. In other words, you almost double the capacity of the DVD+R. The industry standard single layer DVD+R, for instance, holds 4.7 GB; whereas a dual layer disc has a capacity of 8.55 GB.

Most popular DVD recorders and players are compatible with dual layer DVD technology. However, if your computer or optical disc drive is relatively old (2004), you may have some compatibility issues. Check equipment manuals for DVD+R DL compatibility before you purchase dual layer DVD discs.

A little confusion from time-to-time causes customers to ask “which version do I chose +R (plus) or –R (minus)?” With dual layer DVD the +R (plus) format is the more popular version, whereas with single layer DVD, the –R (minus) format is the more popular version. As for the brands, Verbatim tends to be the most popular for DVD+R DL (Dual Layer) and both Taiyo Yuden and Verbatim brands are the most popular for DVD-R (single layer).

Given that the dual layer recording layers are not continuous (obviously), there can be a very slight delay when you transition from the first layer to the second layer. This pause is completely normal and does not mean that the disc is not working. The laser that reads and writes the data will actually focus on the different layers and that is what causes the delay. Most packaging will explain this upfront.

Browse our complete line of DVD+R DL

JVC looked to spin-off “non-core” businesses in May 2008 and Taiyo Yuden acquired 65% of JVC Media. Taiyo Yuden looked to expand their market share in the blank media business and also expand their popularity with the use of the JVC Media brand name.  Taiyo Yuden planned to evaluate JVC business through Sept 2008 before making decisions on merging product lines.  See press release here

All JVC optical media products will now be manufactured by Taiyo Yuden and retain the JVC Media brand name.

A few more statements from Taiyo Yuden:

Taiyo Yuden acquired the branding and licensing rights to the JVC media name.

Taiyo Yuden Media is changing its name to JVC Advanced Media U.S.A. effective April 1, 2009

All current TY and future JVC branded products we supply will be manufactured in existing TY plants and should bring no change to our normal day-to-day business selling Taiyo Yuden, just the name change to JVC

At this time no schedule is set for the transition to JVC branded products

Any new products released will be branded JVC.

All current products will transition to the JVC brand in about 3-6 months but we have no firm time line.

Blu-ray LTH Type Discs
Blu-ray, also known as Blu-ray Disc (BD) is the next generation optical disc format developed to enable recording, rewriting and playback of  high-definition video (HD), as well as storing large amounts of data. The applications for Blu-ray span the entire storage spectrum–Data, Audio, Photo and Video storage for personal and professional use.

With the availability of LTH Type hardware and firmware from industry leaders such as Sony and Panasonic, the momentum is already building for media that will enable consumers to move up to the more affordable BD media. Verbatim 25GB BD-R LTH Type discs feature a new technically advanced organic dye in the recording layer that can be burned at speeds of 1x and 2x. By switching from the more expensive inorganic layer used with current BD-R to the new organic layer, manufacturing costs can be reduced.

Leveraging its many years of success in developing organic AZO recording layers for CD-R and DVD-R media, MKM developed a new organic AZO recording layer for the BD-R LTH Type media and produced sample discs for testing.

The patented AZO dye used in the recording layer of Verbatim BD-R LTH Type media provides a unique combination of features that range from increased sensitivity to laser light — the key requirement for optimized recording performance, to control the heat interference between consecutive recorded marks for substantially less jitter and reduced degradation of recording marks. The innovative dye also features a wide power margin to ensure quality recording on the entire disc surface.

Unlike current BD-R discs, in which the inorganic recording layer is made by the sputtering process, the organic recording layer for BD-R LTH TYPE media can be applied using the same dye spin coating process as CD-R or DVD-R media. As a result, Verbatim will be able to begin mass production of its BD-R LTH TYPE by only slightly modifying existing CD-R or DVD-R production lines and by adding the cover layer coating process with super hard coat feature.

Verbatim BD-R LTH Type Technology
BD-R LTH Type discs offer a more affordable solution to high-definition video storage. In comparison to standard BD-R discs which use inorganic dye, BD-R LTH discs use an organic AZO layer which MKM developed leveraging its many years of success in developing organic AZO recording layers for CD-R and DVD-R media. BD-R LTH Type media is applied using the same dye spin coating process as CD-R or DVD-R media. Recorded data lies close to the surface of BD discs. Therefore all Verbatim BD media features a proprietary Hard Coat finish. This layer provides added protection from scratches, dust particles and fingerprints that can damage data and cause recording and playback errors.

BD-R LTH Type Recorder Compatibility
With increased availability of recorders, players and camcorders that support this new technology, the demand for BD-R LTH is high. The following BD disc recorders (Format v1.2 standard) are compatible with the latest LTH Type BD Recordable discs*:
Panasonic – All new and legacy burners (except legacy slim burner)
Sony – Currently testing LTH Type to support with new recorders
Pioneer – New burners by updated firmware
HLDS’s – New burner currently support LTH Type

Features and Benefits:

• Store up to 25GBs of information on BD-R LTH Type discs
• BD-R LTH discs can record at speeds up to 2X
• Increased sensitivity to laser light – Key requirement for
  optimized recording performance
• Controls heat interference between consecutive recorded
  marks – Less jitter and reduced degradation of recording marks
• Wide power margin – Excellent recording compatibility and
  prolonged archival life

*Compatibility depends on drive manufacturer and subject to change

Verbatim BD-R LTH, 96569 expected Summer 2009.

Blu-ray disc technology is changing the way professionals and consumers store data. High-definition video technology seems to be springing up everywhere these days – business for HD flat screen TVs has increased significantly in recent years, for instance. High def video produces 1080 lines of resolution — versus standard definition, which only provides 480 lines. Thanks to these additional details, HD video looks far more crisp.

Unfortunately, getting HD video stored effectively poses something of a technical and logistical challenge. The answer to this challenge is Blu-ray disc technology (also known as “BD”). BD is a next-generation optical format which uses a blue laser — hence the “blu” in the name “Blu-ray” — to minimize the pitting size required on the surface of discs, so you can fit more information on a given surface area. A Blu-ray disc has a capacity 25 GB of data on a single layer and  50GB capacity for dual layer BD-R, which equates to over 9 hours of HD Video storage with a dual layer BD-R.

Many companies, such as Verbatim, have taken Blu-ray technology to the next level by using special films and coatings to ensure the integrity of recordings and prevent smudging or scratching which can cause data errors. Blue lasers have a shorter wavelength than red lasers that are used in standard DVD-R.  This allows the laser in BD-R to be  incredibly close to the disc surface to ensure higher fidelity and more accuracy.

Blu-ray discs even have more capacity than dual layer DVD-Rs (which store around 8.5 GB) and now defunct HD DVD-Rs (which pack in 15 GB per side). You’re not going to get super fast recording speed here - generally you’ll get 2X or 4X - but the amount of information you can pack onto a disc more than makes up for this slower speed. You can also find “mini” Blu-ray discs which yield a still impressive storage capacity of 7.5 GB.

Please visit our Blu-ray media section for a full line-up of avaiable Blu-ray Media from Verbatim, MAM-A and TDK.

Verbatim was founded almost four decades ago as a state-of-the-art data storage solutions company. Since its beginning in 1969, Verbatim® has been at the forefront of the evolution in data storage technology. Today, more than 39 years later, Verbatim remains one of the most recognizable names in the data storage industry.

Today, Verbatim is known primarily for creating top quality CD, DVD and Blu-ray blank media recording products and accessories. Verbatim is also known for superior manufacturing practices, quality control, and excellent customer service. Reviews from industry analysts, professionals and consumers rate the company’s products highly.

Some of Verbatim’s more recent innovations are its LightScribe DVD+R DL and the next generation optical disc format Blu-ray Media, BD-R. Verbatim is the first company to produce a dual layer DVD with a Lightscribe printable surface.

Verbatim also produces CD-R, DVD-R, DVD+R DL and BD-R with wide variety of printing surfaces for the professional duplication industry like white or silver inkjet printable media and white thermal printable discs for the Rimage Everest and Teac P-55 color thermal printers. Verbatim also manufactures storage media and hardware, printer supplies and flash media products.

To see a full line of Verbatim blank media visit our Verbatim DVD-R section or Verbatim CD-R section.

CDs and DVDs have been around for years.  This optical disc format has been the defacto standard for data distribution over the last dozen years.  Well, things are starting to change, and that change is a shift from CD & DVD to USB.

Here at GotMedia we’ve spotted this trend and jumped into the market.  Our goal is to bring our customers the latest and greatest technology for not only CD and DVD products, but emerging markets as well.  So today we are talking about USB.

There are some great benefits to USB that optical media doesn’t touch.  For example:

• Access time and copy time from USB is much faster than CD or DVD.
• Although we have re-writable media, nothing can touch the ease and convenience of read and writing to USB.
• USB is the new floppy disc.  People get “attached” to their USB drive.
• USB sticks are very durable and great for travel and portability.

There are more benefits to USB, but in broad terms, these are some key components on why people - today - are considering USB over the traditional CD and DVD formats.

So the next step is, how do you manage these flash drives?  One product GotMedia has brought to light is the Nexcopy USB200PC USB Duplicator.  This 20 target duplicator is an easy and economical way to data load content to USB drives.  The system runs from your Windows computer and will copy files and folders directly to 20 USB drives.  The software will also copy bit-for-bit from a target device and step you through a Wizard type interface to insure no step is forgotten.

So now that USB flash drives are heating up as the next digital distribution medium it’s something we  recommend you consider.  With Nexcopy USB duplicator equipment to handle the data loading, there is no better time to start considering USB technology.

We just started receiving pallets of Taiyo Yuden media with new barcode and description markings. Taiyo Yuden told us they were implementing a new barcode and description label on the master carton and spindles that will be phased in throughout 2008. This is a welcome improvement which only helps reduce confusion by customers and end-users. Taiyo Yuden CD-R and DVD-R media has been a staple for professional duplicators for many years. Professionals are used to Taiyo Yuden’s generic packaging; in fact most products used by professional CD/DVD Duplicators have generic packaging since they are not packaged for retail sales. Just as e-commerce has done for so many other product markets, the lines between professional and consumer have blurred significantly. Thus for years tech savvy users have been hip to Taiyo Yuden quality and have recommended CD-R and DVD-R made by Taiyo Yuden in many respected tech forums such as Digital FAQ, VideoHelp and CDFreaks. The confusion for many end-users, who don’t typically buy CD-R and DVD-R in master carton quantities they buy them in 100 packs, is how do I know this is Taiyo Yuden media? The 100 pack spindles either come in a beehive or what is called tape-wrap with no brand label or markings to indicate the media is made by Taiyo Yuden. Once again the tech savvy users recognize Taiyo Yuden’s distinctive beehive or even better just used a CDR Identifier to verify Taiyo Yuden’s manufacturer ID (More on that here).

In 2005 Taiyo Yuden started distributing their “ValueLine” CD-R and DVD-R in America to compete with Taiwan media manufacturers Prodisc and Ritek. Taiyo Yuden ValueLine media again with generic packaging further confused the end-user. Some users even wondered if they received ValueLine or Standard Taiyo Yuden. I have had countless follow-up emails from customers who bought Taiyo Yuden for the first time and asked how they distinguish that the media is from Taiyo Yuden once they received their order.

So it should come as no surprise that a simple package label is a welcome improvement and probably should have been implemented long ago. Hey…..better late than never, right? Let’s hope this will quell the confusion. After all Taiyo Yuden is trusted for their quality media and anyone who uses CD-R and DVD-R should consider giving Taiyo Yuden a try.

Home audio standalone CD recorders use SCMS which is a copy protection scheme that limits the number of copies that can be made as well as prohibits recording through digital inputs. These home audio CD recorders require a CD-R that is approved for Digital Audio. The digital audio distinction means that the disc is compatible with recorders that use SCMS. This means that home audio CD recorders can not just use any CD-R, they have to be a digital audio CD-R, or “music only” CD-R. Consumers have limited product availability of digital audio CD-R because …