CD
Types and capacity: CD-R and CD-RW. Capacity: 700MB or 80 minutes of audio
Pricing: CD-R: 50 for $14 (0.28 per disc)
DVD
Types:
Record once and record multiple times: DVD-R and DVD-RW
Single and double layer (e.g., DVD+R DL)
Capacities
Capacity for single layer: 4.7GB
Capacity for double layer: DVD+R DL: 8.5 GB
Pricing
DVD-R: 50 discs for $16 ($0.32 per disc)
DVD-RW: 30 discs for $24 ($0.80 per disc)
DVD+R DL: 50 for $35
Blu Ray
Capacity: Holds 25GB (single-layer) or 50GB (dual-layer), with BDXL versions offering 100GB or 128GB.
Types of Discs:
BD-R: Recordable once (BD-R).
BD-RE: Rewritable multiple times (BD-RE).
BD-R XL: Higher capacity (100GB/128GB) for even more data.
UHD Blu-ray: For 4K content, often with Dolby Vision/Atmos.
Data Archiving: Blank BD-R/RE discs offer a durable way to back up important data.
Current Status: Sony stopped consumer production of recordable Blu-rays in 2024, but manufacturing continues for business data archiving, and the format remains popular for high-quality movie releases.
Pricing
BD-R 25GB box of 10 = $16 ($1.60 per disc)
BD-R 50GB (dual layer) box of 10 = $40 ($4 per disc)
BD-R XL 100GB box of 10 = $70 ($7 per disc)
Typical Price Ranges (Per Disc)
Standard 25GB BD-R: $0.50 - $1.50 (bulk)
Verbatim box of 10: $16.39/each($1.64/Optical Disks)
50GB BD-R DL (Dual Layer): Around $2.00 - $3.00 (bulk)
5 pack Verbatim: 17.49/pack ($3.50 per disc)
10 pack: $70; $7 each
25 pack: $127 ($5.08 each); $86 (3.44)
M-Disc
M-Disc is an archival-grade optical storage technology designed for long-term data preservation, claiming a lifespan of up to 1,000 years by engraving data onto a durable, inorganic "rock-like" layer instead of using organic dyes that fade over time, making it resistant to light, heat, and humidity.
Available in DVD (4.7GB) and Blu-ray (25GB, 50GB, 100GB) formats, M-Discs are ideal for archiving important photos, videos, and documents, requiring specific M-Disc compatible burners for writing but readable by most standard DVD/Blu-ray players.
Regular Blu-rays (especially HTL inorganic types) offer faster burning and lower cost but are less robust for long-term archiving. Technology: Inorganic (HTL - High To Low) metal ablative layer, more stable than older organic (LTH) discs but less than M-Disc. Compatibility: Most Blu-ray burners (including many modern ones) can write M-Discs, but you need an "M-Disc Ready" drive for best results and compatibility.
Data Migration: For critical data, migrating between high-quality optical media (like M-Disc or HTL Blu-ray) every 50-100 years might be more practical than relying on one disc for 1000 years.
M-Disc Pricing
M-DISC prices vary by capacity (25GB, 50GB, 100GB) and pack size, but generally, expect around $2-$4 per disc for standard 25GB DVDs and $4-$8 per disc for 50GB/100GB Blu-ray (BDXL) discs, depending on whether you buy a spindle or smaller packs, with bulk purchases offering lower per-disc costs, around $100 for 25 discs at ~40 cents/disc or less for larger spindles.
Typical Price Ranges (as of late 2024/early 2025):
25GB M-Disc (DVD): ~$2 - $4 per disc (e.g., $65 for 25 discs).
50GB M-Disc (BD-R DL): ~$4 - $8 per disc (e.g., $105 for 5-pack).
100GB M-Disc (BDXL): ~$4 - $8 per disc (e.g., $185 for 25 discs).
DVD-R (4.7GB): 15 for $67 (-- per disc)
Blu-ray
25GB (BD-R) (single layer): 10 for $26 (2.60 per disc); 25 for $80 (3.20 per disc)
50GB (BD-R DL) (double layer): 10 for $63 ($6.30 per disc)
100GB (BD-R XL): 5 for $63