Buyer's Guide to Blank CD-R, CD-RW and Mini CD-R Discs

With the appropriate equipment, recordable compact discs let you save audio, programs, or data to a CD for easy transfer from one computer or audio device to another. However, not all recordable CDs are the same; a variety of types, including CD-R, CD-RW, and mini CD-R (a.k.a. "Pocket CD-R"), are available, and there are variations within these types. Here are some tips on choosing the best blank recordable CDs for your purposes...

GENERAL TYPE: CD-RW discs can be written to repeatedly, while CD-R and mini CD-R can only have data or music "burned" to them once, after which they cannot be changed. Blank CD-RW discs are usually more expensive. CD-RW is preferable if you want to repeatedly transfer data between two devices or use them for back-up purposes. On the other hand, CD-R and mini CD-R discs are better if you need to distribute an audio or software CD to other people. According to wikipedia.org, CD-RW discs "cannot be read in some CD-ROM drives built prior to 1997" and "will also not play in audio CD players made before around 2000, with some exceptions." Additionally, Wikipedia indicates that CD-RW discs "need to be blanked before reuse." Mini CD-R discs tend to be somewhat more expensive than CD-Rs, and hold less data/audio, but have the advantage that they can be mailed in smaller envelopes and are usable in CD-based Sony Mavica digital cameras. Make sure your CD "burner" is capable of using CD-RW discs before buying them; some drives are only designed for recording to blank CD-Rs.

LABEL, SLEEVE: Some blank CD-R and CD-RW discs come with paper or vinyl protective sleeves. This adds about $0.04-0.08 (the cost of buying sleeves separately) per disc to their value. Special 3" sleeves are available for mini CDs. The surface of recordable CDs also varies; some have a blank white face, while others have a color manufacturer logo printed on them, or a blank silvery surface. One type of ProDisc CD-R has a solid green top surface. Recordable discs with printable top surfaces can have labels printed on them directly with a CD/DVD-capable printer such as the Epson Stylus 380. Round labels are also available which can be applied to CDs; some can be printed to in a regular printer, then removed from the sheet and applied to a CD.

SPEED: CD-R and CD-RW discs usually have a speed, such as "32X" or "48X" printed on them (or their packaging). CD "burner" drives also have specific reading and recording speeds. According to imation.com, it takes nineteen minutes to record 650 megabytes of data to a 4X speed CD, while it only takes ninety seconds to record the same amount of data to a 48X CD. It also states that older drives can record to faster CDs (but at a lower speed), but newer drives should be set to a slower speed when recording to slower speed discs.

CAPACITY: The data capacity of CD-R and CD-RW discs usually ranges from 650 megabytes (or 74 minutes of audio) to 800 megabytes (90 minutes), with the majority at 700 megabytes. Mini CD-R discs hold smaller amounts of data ranging from about 180 to 210 megabytes (approximately twenty minutes), making them more useful for data than audio; a mini CD-R holds the equivalent of about 130 floppy disks worth of data, but less than one cassette tape worth of sound.

Blank CD-R, CD-RW, and/or mini CD-R discs can be purchased at a variety of stores, including Radio Shack, Wal-Mart, Target, and Office Depot. They are also offered by some online shopping websites and internet auction services. Brand names include Memorex, TDK, Durabrand, Imation, Sony, and others. They are usually less expensive when purchased in larger quantities.