The price of a blu-ray burner has dropped to the point where I really should consider picking one up. The problem is, BD-R media hasn't. Any BD-R in bulk deals? Spindles of around 50 or so where the price might drop to $2.50 or less per disc?

The price of a blu-ray burner has dropped to the point where I really should consider picking one up. The problem is, BD-R media hasn't. Any BD-R in bulk deals? Spindles of around 50 or so where the price might drop to $2.50 or less per disc?

Dual Layer DVDs are about $3.50 each in bulk. They rate at 8.5GB So price per gig is $0.41

BluRay's on spindles are around $7 a disk. They hold 25GB. So price per gig is $.28

Single Sony BluRay disks are about $16. Price per gig is $0.64.

MiniDV tapes are about $3.50. DV takes about 13GB per hour. So miniDV costs are about $0.26 per gig.

People keep talking about how expensive BluRay disks are, but the math shows they are cheaper per gig than DL-DVDs which we all keep buying to do our movies on now. And on spindles they cost about the same as our miniDV tapes which we happily buy.

The media price will continue to drop, but our unrealistic expectations are really hurting us in the end.

Dual Layer DVDs are about $3.50 each in bulk. They rate at 8.5GB So price per gig is $0.41

BluRay's on spindles are around $7 a disk. They hold 25GB. So price per gig is $.28

Single Sony BluRay disks are about $16. Price per gig is $0.64.

MiniDV tapes are about $3.50. DV takes about 13GB per hour. So miniDV costs are about $0.26 per gig.

People keep talking about how expensive BluRay disks are, but the math shows they are cheaper per gig than DL-DVDs which we all keep buying to do our movies on now. And on spindles they cost about the same as our miniDV tapes which we happily buy.

The media price will continue to drop, but our unrealistic expectations are really hurting us in the end.

True.

My problem is that while BluRay is $.28 per gig, hard drives are $109.99 per TB, or .10 per gig. Even buying two of them to make sure you have a backup, it's still cheaper than BL media.

DVDs are more expensive, but they're small, portable, can be used anywhere, and inexpensive enough that if you lose one, you'll just burn another. Because BR can't be used except in other BR drives, utility is limited.

True.

My problem is that while BluRay is $.28 per gig, hard drives are $109.99 per TB, or .10 per gig. Even buying two of them to make sure you have a backup, it's still cheaper than BL media.


Yep. But these are complaints only heard from the hobbyist/SD centric user. People are comparing their former consumer SD price points to Full HD professional format prices. It's comparing apples to apple trees. If you compare BR prices to REAL pro HD media like HDCam, HDCamSR, DVCProHD, etc., then it looks darn near free. HDCamSR, which is one of the VERY few formats that can actually write a full 1920x1080 to tape, is $110 per HOUR for tape, and the VTRs are north of $80k. The daily rental would buy a BR recorder and a days worth of disks to go with it.

Hard drives don't like being transported. They are a PITA to hand off after a job, and you can't buy a player at BestBuy for $200 and hook it to your TV. Just depends on how you want to use the technology you have.



Because BR can't be used except in other BR drives, utility is limited.

I remember hearing the same things when DVD was replacing CD. And again when Dual Layer was making older DVD recorders and players obsolete. And earlier still when CD was replacing vinyl. It's a non-issue. In 2 years, BD will be as cheap as DVD is now, and they will be standard on home PCs. We're right on the top of the curve. By the summer, things should be shaking out.

I just paid $6 each for individual Panasonic ink jet printable BD-r on sale from Frys.

That is half of last year.

The Pioneer 202 burner is 299, down from 650 last year.

$199 players and $99 computer drives were just announced.

I seems that Bluray is finally gaining momentum. I predict that media prices will be cut in 1/2 by next year.

Pre-digital pro equipment and consumables were bloody expensive. Pro digital equipment is still quite dear and will stay that way because they sell a couple of hands full of them a year.

In the consumer digital realm, we all live under Moore's law (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moore%27s_law) and its corollaries. Prices for BD-R media will drop as we buy more of them and the manufacturers learn how to reduce manufacturing costs.

Prices always have to do with burdened cost and demand. Six months from now the media will be cheaper.

I bought an BD writer on a travel. (the blank discs cost quite good comparing with Brazilians price..here one 25Gb -R disc can cost u$30-40 easily) but i only use RE discs, so i can re-use.... For now i am happy with results, and i learning how to encode, author the next (?) hd video standard...


its just wait, month by month the prices was dropping... (i hope ehehhe)

I have been using the Verbatim 2x Inkjet printable (Verbatim (96661) 2X Blu-ray (BD-R) Single Layer Write-once DataLifePlus White Inkjet Printable 25GB Blank Media on Spindle (http://www.meritline.com/verbatim-2x-blu-ray-datalifeplus-white-inkjet-printable-96661.html)) discs for 6 months now with no problems. I purchased an LG 2x burner from SAMS Club last summer. There was a pricing error in my favor ;) I also purchased the external enclosure from OWC with USB/Firewire 800. This way I can move it from my PC to my Mac.
If you dig around on Meritline, they have some nice Blu Ray cases as well.

-Chad

BD is only cheaper if you're using all of the space on the disk. Are your HD projects 2+ hours in length? It's too slow for just data.

Anyone else know a place selling cheap printable Blu-ray disc? Meritline still too expenseive though. At $13 each for a pack of 25.

David Moody, $6 for printable BD-R is a damn good deal. I wonder if we still can get it around that price.

I'd love to see $US6 BD-R media. Since the nearest Fry's is thousands of miles away that's not going to be cost effective for me.

B&H have it a bit cheaper than Meritline for Verbatim | BD-R Blu-ray DataLife Plus Inkjet Printable | 96661 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=workaround.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=568852&is=REG). They're $US225 for 25 burnable at 2x. 4x are a bit more.

As long as the Japanese yen stays strong, and it is currently very strong, I wouldn't expect big price changes for several months. If the yen gets closer to 100:1 to the US dollar, you might see some price drops. Predicting when this will happen is nearly impossible in these uncertain times.

Everyone probably knows this already, but you can burn Blu-Ray to standard DVD-R's. Not sure if you can burn Blu-Ray to DL-DVD's though (my guess is yes).

Perrone: Western Digital makes a device that you can connect a USB hard drive to which will convert the video on your hard drive to HDMI for play back on flat-screen tv's.

Sorry if this is all old news..... :)

Mitchell, most people feel safer following the established route with BD-R however with anything subject to change, safe is a state of mind.

So I had to order more Blu-Rays this month. One Verbatim Spindle of 10 for $74,but saw spindle prices putting single layer disks below $5.50. I ordered 15 Dual layers today. Prices are hovering around $30, but saw some at $27.99.

So the tale of the tape is my single layers are 33 cents a gig, and my dual layers are 60 cents a gig. In terms of actual purchase price, single layer disks are now cheaper than master quality DV tape. I am actually SAVING money on media over shooting and archiving SD. And that is on a per unit cost. In cost per gig, Single layer Blu-Ray is just over half the cost of master quality DV tape.

People talk about the recorder cost. My DV deck was $1600.

Today was a milestone for me. Shooting HD is now cheaper than shooting SD.

Wow!

BD is only cheaper if you're using all of the space on the disk. Are your HD projects 2+ hours in length? It's too slow for just data.

Most of my SD work was event filming. 2-8 hours at a time. With mpeg4/VC-1, I can now put that on Blu-Ray instead of tape, at comparable quality.

As for slow, I am writing 25GB disks in just over 30 minutes. This week I brought all of my file based video archive forward. Tape will stay on tape until I can justify costs to move it.

Frys has Memorex 15 pack 25gb non printable for 59.99 on sale. That is down to $4.00 a disc.

FRYS.com (http://shop3.frys.com/search;jsessionid=mIJyYSh2KKQQKM4Lej1SeQ**.node2?cat=-59552&pType=pDisplay)

Sorry to brought this post up again.

I was wondering. Those of you who are using Verbatim (96661) 2X Blu-ray (BD-R) Single Layer. Does the disc has a Verbatim lettering, speed marking (ie. Verbatim 1-2x) printed on the inner circle of the disc? Because this will definitely ruin my design.

I've been trying to find s picture of the disc, but can't find any.

Thanks

I don't have that specific part number, but here's what part #95357 looks like.

Ow. Thanks Mitchell. But I'm so sorry. My bad. I forgot to mention what I meant is the "Verbatim Printable Blu-ray Disc" BD-R.

Verbatim BD-R Blu-ray DataLife Plus Inkjet Printable Disc (Spindle Pack of 25). Mfr# 96661
Verbatim | BD-R Blu-ray DataLife Plus Inkjet Printable | 96661 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/568852-REG/Verbatim_96661_BD_R_Blu_ray_DataLife_Plus.html#features)

Sorry, I don't have any of those.

THREAD HIJACK: I've thought about getting a disc printer, but my peers have tried them and told me they are very slow and that I should stick with using disc labels. Thoughts?

Desmond... The Verbatim media is not hub printable. I actually have been searching for hub printable BD media and have come up empty thus far. I cannot understand why unless there is some technical reason that I know nothing about.

Mitchell... Search the forums here on disk printers and labels and you'll have your answer.

So, Tripp. This Printable Verbatim BD-R is Full Face Printable? You were saying it is not a "Hub" Printable, right?

I believe the Hub Printable is where the inner diameter is larger thus giving us less printable area. For example, if we print a close-up photo of a person on the center of the disc, that person's face will definitely not visible because it is not on the printable area.

I'm looking for printable BD-R with smaller inner diameter for the printable area. Which I think they call it Full Face? (not sure). I'm not good in describing this. Others??

Mitchell. I use EPSON R230 here. Been using it for few years now for printing on a Printable DVD and CD. Works great. Took around 2-3 mins /disc with full face color design.

Hub printable is what you are looking for Desmond. The Hub is the clear plastic area in the center.
Such as these link is for illustration only not an endorsement of this product or supplier :
TDK Blu Ray Disc 25GB Inkjet Printable, Hub Printable - Recordable BD-R - Increments of 25 at Discount Prices (http://www.tapeandmedia.com/detail.asp?product_id=BD-R25PWX25CB)

Bryan... lord, that's dear. I can get the non-hub printables for US$7 less per disk in the same quantities listed on your link. I'd have to really want to get that face in the center to pay a 60% premium.

Yeah, that is a murderous price but it will come down as more of us adopt BD. I am sure you could find a better price if you look around, i was mainly looking for one that illustrated the answer to Desmond's query and that was the first i came across.

Bryan, Yes. That's the one. But TDK is much more expensive that Verbatim. I don't understand why. From the link I post earlier, B&H has Verbatim for less than $10 /disc.

Is TDK made a better disc than Verbatim?

From the link you post here, I search for the Verbatim 96661. It's like what Tripp said. It is NOT "hub printable". Now I got that terminology right.
So, Hub Printable = Full Face (where we can print on the hub).

Desmond, i am sorry to have thrown a wrench in the works. My link and attachment were to illustrate the terminology you were trying to get clarified. I do not recommend those disks specifically because I have never used them so i cannot comment on the TDK vs. verbatim, I was just trying to visually clarify the full-face vs hub-printable question. The link is not an endorsement but an illustration of what a "hub-printable" disc looks like. Sorry if I muddied the water a little bit. And yes, hub printable means you can print all the way to the hub. And now back to the thread in progress...

I have seen some BD-R printable media going for ~$4 each.

I just picked up a Pioneer 203 burner along with a 25 pack of the $4 media.

Hope the disc quality is good.

This market should have even lower prices even with the brand names by the end of the year.

Once the burners start coming down and into their second and third generations I think it will start to snowball.

Can anyone here speak to the data integrity of any particular brand? We will begin archiving HD projects to Blu-ray next week after the arrival of 2 LaCie D2 external burners (4x). We are looking at several items at Meritline. But I wanted to get some feedback on specific brands/types. The 25pk 2x (non-printable) spindle is down to less than $4/disc. Any advantage (other than speed) of getting the 4x pack? Any feedback would be appreciated as we need to free up valuable server space soon. Thanks!

Sorry, I don't have any of those.

THREAD HIJACK: I've thought about getting a disc printer, but my peers have tried them and told me they are very slow and that I should stick with using disc labels. Thoughts?

There are a number of threads that talk about using the paper labels.
The consensus seems to be don't.

I know from personal experience that with changes in temperature & humidity they will over time wrinkle and generally not look as nice as when new. Others talk about the heat of being inside a drive can over time soften the glue and things move around.

Around the start of the year I bought one of these:

CD & DVD Label Printing, CD/DVD Printer | DYMO DiscPainter (http://global.dymo.com/enUS/DiscPainter/default.html)

I was sufficiently underwhelmed by its print quality that when the print cartridges ran dry I replaced it with this:

Epson Artisan 800 All-in-One Printer, Overview - Product Information - Epson America, Inc. (http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/consumer/consDetail.jsp?oid=63075471)

I am very happy with its output. Very.

The Dymo Discpainter feels like a cheap toy.
The Epson Artisan 800 feels like serious hardware. It's probably the same speed as printing paper labels except of course you don't have to apply paper labels. And it really does look a lot nicer. You get the same nice glossy finish as when printing on Premium Inkjet Photo Paper. Color, sharpness, and detail all really pop in comparison to printing on matte paper labels.

I have seen some BD-R printable media going for ~$4 each.

I just picked up a Pioneer 203 burner along with a 25 pack of the $4 media.

Hope the disc quality is good.

Are those the Vinpower 4x discs from newegg? I ordered a 10 pack with my LG burner. I've only burned one so far, and it worked fine on my BDP350. The reviews on newegg are generally positive, FWIW.

They're inkjet printable, but not to the hub.

They're inkjet printable, but not to the hub.

I haven't looked seriously in a couple of months, but I haven't found any hub printable yet. If there's not a technical reason why they can't be hub printable I expect they'll be along presently.

http://bluemediasupply.com/index.php?cPath=1_440_66
The above link is for a company that approached me about media supply services. I have not yet used them but they do have hub-printable bd-r discs in their online product listing.

Are those the Vinpower 4x discs from newegg? I ordered a 10 pack with my LG burner. I've only burned one so far, and it worked fine on my BDP350. The reviews on newegg are generally positive, FWIW.

They're inkjet printable, but not to the hub.

Hey,

The discs are "Optical Quantum". The disc info in imgburn said Phillips.

The discs I have made have burned and played fine.

I got up 5.6x speed using imgburn burning an ISO file.

Lets hope the disc prices keep falling as $4 is still a bit steep, but better than $10!

Blu-ray sure does look good.