Recommended DVD format for distribution?

Question

Hello all!
I am just finishing my training/lessons video, created
in Elements 3.
Now, I am deciding how to make copies of my project
for the sake of distribution.
I anticipate a "small" quantity (less than 100) so Id like
to burn the DVD's with my home computer.
My project actually came in at 1 hour 25 minutes, so if I
write to a "standard" DVD, Premiere will do some compression
which may be good enough for a training video.
At any rate, does anyone have an idea of what format DVD will
be the most compatible with the most peoples DVD players?
Im considering DVD-R, DVD+R, and DL (Dual Layer).
(PS: Ive checked with DiskMakers and their "short-runs" are
made with a replicator, so my query would still stand if I
farmed-out the project to them.)
Thanks so much!
--Tom Nickel

Answer 1

Taiyo Yuden are considered by many to be the best recordable DVDs you can buy. If you're interested, research via Google...
The only thing you really need to watch out for is whether you're getting genuine Taiyo Yuden media (watch out for fakes).
Well, another thing is that TY seemingly makes about a gazillion different variations, so for the first-time buyer it can be a bit hard to figure out exactly what you need.
For instance, your post said you were looking at "silver thermal"... I believe that's shorthand for DVDs that can be printed on via high-end thermal printers. You probably don't need that, although it doesn't hurt, either.
Here's what I always remember to look for with Taiyo Yuden:
* Value line vs. Premium line. They have two product lines, "value" and "premium". I have no idea what the difference is, although I always get the premium because it's usually only a few cents per DVD more, and I *assume* that "Value Line" would mean it's something less than the premium??? Although, I've never seen/heard complains about the Value line, so it could just be cosmetic. In any event, I mention this just so you're aware that if you're comparison shopping, you could be comparing prices of one site's Value media with another site's Premium media... in some cases "Value Line" is specifically mentioned in the description, but in other cases it's like pulling teeth to figure it out.
* DVD-R. For some reason, seems to be easier to find this format than DVD+R, so that's what I get. Avoid DVD+RW, DVD-RW, or dual layer since you'll run into compatibility problems with off-the-shelf DVD players.
* Cake box is desirable (this is the spindle and cover you normally see in the stores). TY also sells "wrapped in tape"... same media, but you get 100 DVDs wrapped only in cellophane - after you open it, you've a stack of 100 loose DVDs waiting to be knocked over! I've taken to just keeping my old cake boxes :)
* A DVDs can be non-printable, printable via inkjet, or printable on a thermal printer. If printable, you can either print only up to the hub (usually labeled just "Printable"), or up to the hole in the middle ("Hub Printable"). Printable DVDs are hard to find in the store. Online, it's hard to find ones that aren't. Go figure. In any event, my printer (a cheapy HP 5160) will print directly on CD/DVD (which is VERY COOL!), so I get the "hub printable" inkjet DVDs. As far as I know, they're all equivalent except for what type of printing is possible.
Putting that all together, here's what I ordered last time:
"Taiyo Yuden Premium White Inkjet Hub Printable 8X DVD-R Media (Premium Line) in Tape Wrap (Free Ground Shipping)", mfgr. part. no. DVD-R47WPP600SK.
BTW, I go one step lower than Hunt and actually use a 2.4x burn rate, even though my drive and media support 8x. Slower is better, from what I've heard, and I'm in no hurry, so...
Within Premiere, I "burn" my DVD to a folder (manually selecting the max quality that will fit on a DVD). I then use Nero and Taiyo Yuden 8x media to burn the DVD at 2.4x.
Using this approach, I've had 0 defects, 0 problems.