Target Stores - Memorex CD-R deal 2/9-2/15

[McGhyver]

Hey, I'm new here the last few weeks - learned a lot.

I saw these in the local Target store ad in Sunday's paper. Checked their web site and can't find them there though.

** "Extra Special Value" Memorex 50ct data CD-R $14.99, 100ct $24.00 **

is what the ad says.

Any idea on the quality of these? (Will look for Made in Japan tomorrow.)

I've not been a CD-R/RW disc aficianodo - using whatever was the cheapest (Yeah, call me a cheapskate!) UNTIL one of my copies of Office XP I use to install on systems @ my employer failed to install due to FLAKEAGE!!! - Been trying to use name brands since. Mostly Memorex.

So what do you wise ones (sincere gratuitous suck-up) think?

Thanks
Russ

PS: Recently scored a CenDyne 48x12x48, at local OfficeMax ($39), then discovered LTR model number on box. Checked google, read a few forum's (you guys, etc.) and, SCHWING, realized I'm blessed with a Lite-On. Burns were taking 7-8 min's for full disk (650-700MB) after install, hmmm, what the . . . Oh, change PIO mode to UDMA in IDE controller properties (doh!), reboot and feeeeeeeeel the heat baby!

[cfitz]

Welcome to the forums Russ.

As you have probably read by now, the CD-Rs that Memorex sells under their brand are actually made by either CMC or Taiyo Yuden. The Taiyo Yuden discs are excellent quality. These are the ones that are labeled "made in Japan". The CMC are of lesser quality. CMC in general makes lower quality discs than Taiyo Yuden, and some CMC discs are really not very good quality at all. The quality of CMC discs seem to vary according to who is reselling them, leading to speculation that CMC makes a variety of quality grades and the resellers choose which price/quality point they want to purchase and resell. Having said that, the Memorex and Imation branded CMC discs seem to be better quality than other CMC discs, and many people find the performance of these two brands perfectly adequate.

The 100-count spindles are almost certainly CMC discs, since Taiyo Yuden doesn't package discs in 100-count spindles (100-count Taiyo Yuden packages are sold as two 50-count spindles shrink-wrapped together). But, the best discriminator is the "made in Japan" label as noted above.

Both Circuit City and Best Buy have better deals this week on Memorex CD-Rs than the Target deal that you posted. Check the corresponding posts in this forum.

cfitz

[TheWizard]

The 100-count spindles are almost certainly CMC discs, since Taiyo Yuden doesn't package discs in 100-count spindles (100-count Taiyo Yuden packages are sold as two 50-count spindles shrink-wrapped together). But, the best discriminator is the "made in Japan" label as noted above.

Erm, who makes these Memorex discs? That's the new Taiyo Yuden spindle, isn't it? And it is indeed a single 100-count spindle, not two 50-counts stacked on top of one another.



On a further note, I have seen 100-count Memorex/TY discs in a single spindle with the old-fashioned screw cap on top, although they were rated 32X and not 48X. Just proof that TY does use 100-count spindles sometimes.

[cfitz]

Well then, I stand corrected. That certainly does appear to be the new style Taiyo Yuden packaging. I have never personally come across any single-spindle 100-count Taiyo Yuden packages or seen any pictures thereof. Thanks for the info. As I said, the best discriminator is the "made in Japan" label.

cfitz

[TheWizard]

Absolutely, "Made in Japan" = you can't go wrong.

[Kantos Kan]

Following up on TheWizard's comment, I am holding in my hands a very similar "made in Japan" Memorex 100-pack spindle. Mine are rated 40X, and I bought it more than 3 months ago.

Having said all that, all the Memorex spindles (50- or 100-pack) I've seen in stores in 2003 are "made in Taiwan".

[McGhyver]

OK, so I didn't want to wait 3-6 mos for a MIR from BB or OffMx or etc. Went to Target to see what they had and found, tada, Made in Taiwan's.

EVERY Memorex box!

Settled on the Mem 50pk, on sale for $14.99, (no MIR) and looked a little closer at what all was on the shelf. First saw 50pk @ 40x, rummaged around the shelf and lo and behold found a 48x 50pk, took them both to the price scanner and they BOTH came up @ $14.99.

So I bought the 40's cuz the 48's wouldn't give me enough time to get up and get a cup of coffee. NOT!

Now if I could only find a way to upgrade my "collectors item" Yamaha 8424E from 8x to 48X (Just read the Yamaha-not-doing-CDRW info )

BTW, where in the forums here or elsewhere can I find info on upgrading the firmware and hopefully the burn speed of my LiteOn 48125W and Yamaha 8424E?

Appreciate any help!

[TheWizard]

http://www.firmware-flash.com

[cfitz]

OK, so I didn't want to wait 3-6 mos for a MIR from BB or OffMx or etc. Went to Target to see what they had and found, tada, Made in Taiwan's.

EVERY Memorex box!

I guess Kantos Kan's observation applied to your local retailer as well.

Settled on the Mem 50pk, on sale for $14.99, (no MIR)

If you haven't opened up those discs yet, have a Circuit City nearby, and want to take one more stab at finding Taiyo Yuden-made Memorex discs, you might want to stop by your local Circuit City. The 50-packs on sale there (and listed in the hot deals section at http://www.cdrlabs.com/phpBB/viewtopic. ... 2504#52504 ) are also $14.99 before MIR. Maybe you could find some TY discs, and send the rebate form in just for grins - consider it found money if it does come through eventually.

cfitz