Century Disc | Information Introduction Page

This unique, one-of-a-kind disc, was conceived right here in America. Using Mitsubishi's DRL and SRS features and is manufactured under very strict guidelines using the latest equipment and the most advanced technologies available.

Just take a look at all of the amazing features this disc has to offer!

Century Disc Information Page
The Official White Paper

Introduction
Recordable Digital Disk media markets are growing rapidly all over the world. The media is used for a wide variety of purposes and has become a commodity product much like Recordable Compact Disc (CD) media previously did. Many people assume that the quality of a Recordable DVD or CD does not vary from one manufacturer or brand to another, however this is not the case.

Most professional users of Optical Media require Recordable DVDs and even CDs of the highest quality, which can offer them greater reliability in storing and protecting critical data. Consumers hope to store precious memories to Recordable DVD or CD with the knowledge that the content will be accessible for many years to come.

In response to concerns and anxiety regarding Disc Longevity, Disc Failure, and Disc Quality, Dual Reflective Layer Technology has been developed by Mitsubishi Kagaku Media (MKM). Mitsubishi is the world leader of Recordable DVD and CD media in sales, manufacturing and R & D. These new discs (released fall 2007) featuring this technology are brought to market as the Century Disc and are available in either CD-R and DVD-R format.

Product Structure
Compared with conventional DVD-R and CD-R discs, the main difference is within the reflective layer, responsible for reflecting the recording or playback laser beam from the CD/DVD writer or player.

Normally a DVD-R disc is manufactured as follows:
a disc label, a 0.6mm dummy substrate (plastic), the bonding glue, one metal reflective layer (silver or often an alloy), and the recording dye layer on another polysubstrate (plastic), which is also 0.6mm thick.

Dual Reflective Layer (DRL) Technology means literally two metal layers are processed in the reflective layer that usually consists of a single metal layer. This unique layer is made of both 24-karat Gold and Real Silver (AG). More importantly, each material is separately positioned with a crucially different function. The lower layer is made of real silver and the upper layer is made of 24-karat gold. Normally only silver is used as the main reflective layer material, while a few DVD-R products utilize gold only for the layer.

To provide the most complete protection possible, MKM has included even one more substantial material in the Century Disc, an Ultra Hard Coat Protection. This Ultra Hard Coat Protective layer is on the data side of both the Century Disc DVD-R and CD-R discs, much like the protective coating now found on most Blu-ray discs.

The image below shows The Century Disc layers compared to an ordinary DVD-R.

Excellent environmental durability of Gold Reflective Layer
Gold is more durable than silver against atmospheric substances such as oxygen. Oxidation is one of the primary causes of degradation and corrosion. Which is true for all optical discs including CD and DVD media.

In some DVD-R media products, oxygen can penetrate through the bonding glue exposing the DVD's metallic reflective layer to the dangers of corrosion. The 24-karat Gold Layer prevents this integral element from deterioration far better than silver alone.

Tested under a full range of environmental and accelerating aging conditions, the Century Disc CD-R and DVD-R media performed flawlessly when subjected to extreme heat, humidity, and ultraviolet light. Estimated lifetime tests show that this revolutionary Archival Grade Media lasts longer than premium grade recordable CD and DVD discs avalable today.

As illustrated in the following chart, "gold only layer" discs show inferior performance to the Century Disc using DRL technology, Gold itself is chemically stable but remains relatively soft when used alone in CD and DVD media. This can lead to deformation of other adjacent materials such as dye and polycarbonate substrates, which are easily heated.

Drive Compatibility
Almost all current DVD-R discs use silver for their reflective layer. DVD drive manufactureres develop writing strategies, namely laser power control for precise data recording, optimized for compatibility with a broad range of media brands. Knowing that each metal or alloy indicates a different optical characteristic (or heat conductivity) in reflectivity of the laser, the drive manufacturers usually tune the writing power to that of silver discs. In other words, the silver reflective layer looks standard to the majority of current DVD drives available on the market today. The gold one, on the hand, doesn't look like a standard disc to those drives.

This little deviation makes additional "signal to noise ratio" unecessarily low when recording and reading of a gold-only layer disc. Firmware upgardes of the drives are usually necessary or even required when use of the gold-only layer discs are used.

Advanced AZO Media Dye Formula
The "Advanced Azo" technology, patented by Mitsubishi (MKM), is another factor that contributes tot eh extended life of the Century Disc. Anvanced AZO media dye is used in the recording layers of both the CD-R and DVD-r of the Century Discs. Proven for more than a decade, MKM has used their AZO media dye technology across their wide range of optical media in response to the demand for high quality and reliable media from a broad range of users.

The most striking advantage of this AZO dye formula is durability against heat, UV light, and repeated writing and playback laser usage in comparison to other dye solutions.

Advanced AZO Technology was designed to optimize the essential chemical reaction where DVD drives make the pits of "0"s and "1"s through the laser. If the dye being used doesn't react finely, precise data pits will not be created. Advanced AZO media dye by MKM eliminates this problem.

Purity of dye is the other key component of the media when drive manufacturers develop a new burner and decide writing strategies.

The above chart shows the results of Drive Compatibility Tests
using various writers frequently used in archival systems
using the Century Disc vs. a Top Competitors Disc.

SRS (Scratch-Resistant Surface) Technology
For enhanced data protection, an Ultra Hard Coat protection layer is applied to the data/record side of the Century Disc. While the upper surface of the disc is just part of a dummy substrate, the lower surface is where the laser passes to read/write digital data. When scratches or abrasion occur on this surface, transmission of the laser light through the surface can be distrupted.

In spite of the usual care of users, damage can often occur even duringdisc handling. The critical digital information can become corrupted much faster if the reflective layer or recording layer is scratched or damaged. Even oil from fingerprint smudges can eventually leave a 'ghost trace' which can disrupt the reading of the media by the laser.

The Century Disc's Ultra Hard Coat, called SRS (Scratch-Resistant Surface) Technology, is up to 100 times more resistant against scratches than non hard coat or regular media.

Many professional users will appreciate the benefits of the Dual Reflective Layer (DRL) Technology that is incorporated into the Century Disc, both CD-R and DVD-R formats.

The Century Disc uses a "Spin-Coat" process which allows for a more uniform covering of the disc. The resin material is applied to the recording surface, then spun at high speeds creating a uniform protective coating. We call this SRS (Scratch-Resistant Surface) Technology. This coating is rated to be up to 100 times harder than the actual disc material itself.

Note from the editor:
Due to the combination of technologies (DRL and SRS technologies) used to create the Century Disc, we have had to learn to condense this information when trying to explain all of these great features. So, we help the following helps to simplify things.

The Century Disc is like taking the best CD or DVD you could possibly make and then putting a 24-karat Gold Layer on top of that, encapsulating and protecting the Real Silver (AG) Layer from degradation and corrosion. The 24-karat Gold Layer covers the entire Silver Layer from edge to edge. Gold lasts longer than Silver because Silver tends to errode and deteriorate, whereas, the 24-karat Gold Layer will make the disc last for over 100 years.

Then, we put a clean white printable surface on top of the 24-karat Gold Layer to protect the top layer from scratches and abrasion. Ensuring an even longer lasting product, as well as giving you a surface you can print on or write on with a permanent marker. (Most people are not aware of the dangers of using a permanent marker on their ordinary discs.)

In addition to all of that, the Century Disc has an Ultra Hard Coat Protection called SRS Technology to keep your recorded surface from losing its data, pictures, or other recorded media in the event it gets dropped and/or scratched.

Not only are you getting an Ultra Precise CD or DVD, you are getting the best quality disc we can possibly find, to help you accurately record and safely store your data. Whether family photos, videos, images, data, or just your everyday files and records, for a very long, long time.

AND, on top of all of this, EACH Century Disc is one of only 25,000 discs made per production run. All disc manufacturers use what is called a Stamper Die. This is the machine that presses the media dye layer onto the reflective layer. These stamper dies, are made of steel and they also press the grooves and pits into the reflective layer so that the media dye, when read or burned, stores and records your data.

Most manufacturers run an average of about 500,000 (yes, half-a-million) discs per stamper die run. These stamper dies (steel) as well as the media dye (liquid) tend to wear out and the engineering begins to lack precision. With the Century Disc, you are guaranteed a near-perfect disc every single time. Compare 25K to 500K, that means you are getting the cream of the crop, right off the line. That's why earlier we said, it's like taking the best CD and DVD you could make and then combining all of these other great features.

We, as well as Mitsubishi, stand behind the Century Disc and are prepared to offer you a limited lifetime guarantee. The Century Disc will record the first time, everytime, and it will play back whatever you have recorded onto it, every time you use it or we'll give you a complete refund. No bones about it.

rmgproducts.com
Professional Media for Professional People for Over 35 Years!

Archival Gold Century Discs
are available in CD-R and DVD-R formats.

Shipping in Continental U.S.A. only.

Outside of the U.S. contact our offices to make arrangements for International orders.

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6029 Decon Rd
Sarasota, FL 34238

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Century Gold Archival CD-R

700MB Storage Capacity supports:
All Music Formats (WAV, MP3, etc.)
All Photo Formats (JPEG, GIF, etc.)
All Data Formats and File types

CD-Rs
Sold in multiples of 25 per cake box

cartons contain 300 discs per carton
12 - 25 cake boxes per carton

Century Gold Archival DVD-R

4.7GB Storage Capacity supports:
All Video Formats (MPEG 1-2-3, AVI, M2V, DAT)
All Photo Formats (JPEG, GIF, etc.)
All Data Formats and File types
Music Mastering (DDP & other formats)

DVD-Rs
Sold in multiples of 25 per cake box

cartons contain 300 discs per carton
12 - 25 cake boxes per carton

Century Disc | DVD-R | 25-Pack

4.7GB Disc Space - MAC or PC Compatible
Scratch-Resistant Recording Surface - Printable Surface

Only Century Disc offers you Gold-Fusion Technology

Patented Dual Reflective Layer (DRL) Technology
24-karat Gold Protective Layer and Real Silver Reflective Layer
Precise Groove Engineering (only 25K produced per run vs 500K)
Scratch-Resistant Recording Surface (SRS) Technology
AZO Patented Media Dye (tests best in the Industry)
Custom White Inkjet or Thermal Printable Label Surface

Mitsubishi's (MKM) MID Code for Better Read/Write Compatibility

All Video Formats Supported (UDP, MPEG 1-2-4, AVI, M2V, DAT, etc.)

Hi-Def Video Codecs Supported

All Photo Formats Supported (JPG, GIF, TIFF, IMG, etc.)

All Data Formats Supported - Great for Backup & Archives

Music Mastering Format Supported (DDP)

$98.75 Sale Price $72.25

Century Disc | CD-R | 25-Pack

700MB Disc Space - MAC or PC Compatible
Scratch-Resistant Recording Surface - Printable Surface

Only Century Disc offers you Gold-Fusion Technology

Patented Dual Reflective Layer (DRL) Technology
24-karat Gold Protective Layer and Real Silver Reflective Layer
Precise Groove Engineering (only 25K produced per run vs 500K)
Scratch-Resistant Recording Surface (SRS) Technology
AZO Patented Media Dye (tests best in the Industry)
Custom White Inkjet or Thermal Printable Label Surface

Mitsubishi's (MKM) MID Code for Better Read/Write Compatibility

All Music Formats Supported (WAV,MP3, etc.)
All Photo/Image Formats Supported (JPG, GIF, TIFF, IMG, etc.)
All Data Formats Supported - Great for Backup & Archives
Great for DIVx Movies & Music CD Backups

$73.25 Sale Price $54.75