Testing DVD-R and CD-R 25 years later: optical disks from Japan

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Summary

As it turns out, “thrift shopping” in Japan via the internet can be both very enjoyable as well as very dangerous. In this series of posts, I’ve been examining various optical media I’ve obtained from Japan, both in-person and online, and they just keep on coming as the listings are refreshed and more products get put up for sale. It’s been an amazing trip “back-in-time” but also an opportunity to share some of the fun and beauty of older optical discs.TDK DVD+R 4x UV-GuardThe first disc in this post will be a rather special one – a Japanese market TDK product from back when TDK were making their own discs, unlike now when their brand is used to rebadge primarily CMC products (but occasionally Ritek too).This is a five pack of DVD+R 4x-rated discs with hard coating and UV guard. This is a rather special product, as hard coating (later advertised under the Durabis 1/Durabis 2 names) was a TDK specialty, using a diamond-like coating made of carbon. Perhaps this is why such products often get a strange translation of being “carbide series” discs.As with discs of the era, a compatibility warning features in the plastic colour shrink wrap itself. This particular pack has a product code of DVD+R47HCX5G and a barcode number of T490693352241 and is Made in Japan. The graphs seemingly show how PI error rates evolve over exposure compared to an ordinary DVD, making the case that the UV guard coating improves longevity. A look from the side shows these discs being packed in ordinary-size jewel cases, rather than the slim-line cases of later products. The front inlay and rear inlay are simple, offering ample room for noting contents and advertising the fact they are printed on 100% recycled paper.The tray is clear, so the rear inlay also makes use of the back to provide handling precautions. The disc is a logo-top which has a gold-bronze colour at the top, branded at the edge and with the Super Hard Coat / UV Guard logos. The disc itself has a clear polycarbonate substrate but ...

First seen: 2025-04-02 00:49

Last seen: 2025-04-02 16:51