Introduction
Just recently Verbatim have introduced their 8x DVD-R Double Layer media on the market, manufactured as usual by Mitsubishi® Kagaku Media. After already having reviewed Verbatims 4x DVD-R Dual Layer and 8x DVD+R Double Layer media earlier this year I am eager to see if the usual high Verbatim standards of good quality and support have been continued. Will this be another resounding success story or will issues be found? These questions and more should be answered within the course of this in depth analysis of the Verbatim 8x DVD-R Dual Layer media.
Together with parent Mitsubishi Kagaku Media (MKM), Verbatim is the first manufacturer to produce a DVD-R disk with dual-layer technology with 8x read and write speeds. Key to the whole process is a special pigment for the recording layer, which promises high performance without diminishing the media’s reliability and compatibility. In addition, the development of sophisticated coating techniques and a special production method to form the grooves controlling the reading and writing process were required.
“Speed should never be at the cost of quality,” says Torsten Leye, Marketing Manager Optical at Verbatim GmbH in Eschborn. “We have performed exhaustive tests on the new media using and focused on the needs of conventional hardware to provide our customers with a new generation of powerful storage media, highly compatible and guaranteed to play / record perfectly.”
| Detailed media information for the Verbatim 8x DVD-R Dual Layer media | | Media name: | Verbatim 8x DVD-R Dual Layer | | Brand: | Verbatim | | Manufacturer: | Mitsubishi® Kagaku Media | | Made in: | Singapore | | Media ID Code: | MKM 03RD30 | | Media Type: | DVD-R DL | | Rated speed: | 8x | | Max. storage capacity: | 8.5GB/215 mins | | Writing surface colour (dye): | Purple | | Top surface colour: | Matt Silver | | Printable top surface? | No |
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The review media came to me in 5 Packs of 5, each piece of media having its own jewel case. The usual Verbatim branding is applied to the top surface of the media and anyone having used Verbatim media will be familiar with this style. Plenty of room is available for labelling as is also normal. Made in Singapore, the Verbatim 8x DVD-R Dual Layer media used during this review has a reorder number of 43596.
I must also point out that this review comes at a time when some DVD Writers may not have fully optimised support in their firmware at present. Though being Verbatim branded I would expect a very good level of support from all tested recording devices. Verbatim pride themselves on having an excellent standard of support for their media before they release it to the market. That is something I will be checking for during this review.
For the real media quality enthusiast, the batch number codes on the inner circle of the disc are clearly marked ZD7495-DVR-1850A and 0101 respectively. The recording surface is a deep purple and carries the Media ID of MKM 03RD30 according to VSO Inspector.
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