staples 12.15 - 12.21

[M17]

optimum 48x cdr 100pk, $38 - 16 instant rebate - $20 mir
pacific digital 48x12x48x cdrw drive, $80 - $10 instant rebate - $40 mir
artec 56x cdrom $50 - $10 instant - $20 mir

and bunch of other stuff.
http://instorespecials.staples.com

I got the 50pk of optimum cdr's about 2 weeks back, they wore CMC. On my liteon 48246s they took 2:47 to record 78 min of audio. That was with ccd and SS04 firmware, I have not tired it with the SS09 firmware yet.

M17

[TheWizard]

To save you all from doing the math, the 100-pack of Optimum CD-R's is $1.94 after rebate. That is super *HOT*! Get these while you can!

[BillyG]

To save you all from doing the math, the 100-pack of Optimum CD-R's is $1.94 after rebate. That is super *HOT*! Get these while you can!

A friend bought a 50 pack of 32X Optimum CD-R's from Big Lots for $9.99 a couple months ago and they were "generic" (no label) CMC discs with a very thin top layer. Hold the CD-R up to a light and you can see right through them!

An excellent deal if you need some basic non-critical use CD-R's, I wouldnt trust them for long time storage.

[M17]

pacific digital ships liteon in thier boxes, atleast in my area.

[TheWizard]

A friend bought a 50 pack of 32X Optimum CD-R's from Big Lots for $9.99 a couple months ago and they were "generic" (no label) CMC discs with a very thin top layer. Hold the CD-R up to a light and you can see right through them!

Nothing wrong with a thin top layer, I have lots of unbranded discs that have no top layer...even some Riteks...which I can see right through. I trust these are just as good as branded discs, and for half the price.

I'm not saying the Optimum discs are "optimum" but you never know. Only time will tell.

[cfitz]

Nothing wrong with a thin top layer, I have lots of unbranded discs that have no top layer...even some Riteks...which I can see right through. I trust these are just as good as branded discs, and for half the price.

What does everyone mean by "thin top layer"? If you mean a thin protective layer of lacquer, then that is bad. It renders the disc more susceptible to scratching on it most vulnerable side - the top (label) side. If you mean a thin reflective layer, that wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing, as long as it still reflects sufficiently. But remember that the more light that passes through the reflective layer (and thus the more "see-through" it is), the less laser power that gets reflected back and the lower the signal-to-noise ratio the player must cope with when deciding "1" or "0".

Of course, the presence or absence of an opaque labeling layer (such as on the white Memorex discs) doesn't directly affect the quality of the disc.

cfitz

[TheWizard]

I was referring to the silkscreen or lacquer, that is what I perceive to be the top of the disc. Even if you have discs with a thin top layer and are worried about getting scratches, there are still ways to protect the discs. Invest in a closure for the discs, whether they be sleeves, jewel cases, or whatever.