All Optical Media Related Posts Here

**MetalheadGautham** · 04-01-2008, 07:04 PM

Introduction:

Its not everyday that we use the buyers guide in digit. I mean, do we buy processors, hard disks, optical drives, GPUs, PCs, RAMs, Laptops, MFDs, etc everyday? These rare occasions. But Media like DVDs, CDs, etc on the other hand, are bought every now and then, and I was surprised that there is no proper advice on that topic. So this thread has been started by me, MetalheadGautham, in order to enlighten the needy about optical media, how to choose the right media, what are the expected lifespans of media, which brands to buy, etc.
I really do hope team digit decides to give some professional advice on a topic as useful as this in the magazine, because this is one of the few things that is a quintessential IT information used very often, and by everybody.

This thread is still in its incomplete form, and I need help from those who can to complete it. Choto Cheeta, Digit Admins, and other guys who have a high knowledge on the topic are welcome to post here and I will include your inputs here.

So lets get to the Objectives of this thread:

1. To give good buyers advice regarding media
2. To explain the propose of different media
3. To give information about the care and safety of media
4. To explain myths and realities
5. To answer commonly asked questions

You are welcome to start asking questions here, and help put this thread to some good use, and for now be contended with this limited(or null) content in this post.

Why Use Optical Media?

Optical media is very useful for us. We can take backups of important software, we can reduce the load on the hard disc, we can make gift discs, etc.

A standard DVD5(the normal DVD+R or DVD-R you buy) today costs just Rs. 18/- for a good brand like Sony, Moser Baer, etc per disc. Cheaper ones like Tech-Com, Nav-Tech, etc are available for just Rs. 11/-. With these offering 4.7 GB of storage space each, you get a very good deal for your money.

With Optical Media, you can do a lot many things that are now an everyday activity for most tech and non tech people. That's why optical media are popular. Weather to store your music or movie rips, or to create presentation and project discs, weather to make archives of various programs/data, or to backup important information you store on your computer, weather to make a home movie or to reinstall your OS, optical media are very handy indeed.

Its essential that you learn enough about them, because, if you are viewing this thread, you must definitely have handled or used them. Optimal performance and value for the money you spend on them can be ensured only if you have good knowledge about optical media.

So hoping that you have got some reasons for the importance of this thread, I move on to the next topic, Media Maintenance.

Media Safety and similar advice(to be posted, contribution welcome)