Maxell DVD-RW Gold Review: Reliable But Slow Performer
It’s rare to find optical media that still earns attention in a world dominated by cloud storage, yet the Maxell DVD-RW Rewritable Disc (Gold, 15-pack) scores a respectable 8.2/10 across platforms. Practical users praise its reliability for compatible setups and low reusability failure rate, but there’s no ignoring slow write speeds and occasional dud discs. For those with older DVD recorders or archiving habits, the value proposition is surprisingly strong.
Quick Verdict: Conditional — reliable if your device supports its 2x speed, frustratingly slow otherwise.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Highly compatible with older DVD recorders | 2x speed is extremely slow compared to modern discs |
| Reusable up to 1,000 times when handled properly | Incompatible with high-speed drives and recorders |
| Superior archival life for long-term storage | Some packs contain multiple defective discs |
| Affordable and widely available online | Formatting/finalizing required between devices |
| Strong playback performance after proper recording | Technology is outdated — limited capacity |
Claims vs Reality
Maxell promotes these discs as offering “superior archival life” and compatibility with “most DVD playback devices.” In practice, long-term retention does seem consistent when discs are stored properly — Trustpilot reviewer noted: “We use these discs to store digital photos… the Maxell discs are fast and reliable.” This makes them attractive for archivists and hobbyists preserving static media.
However, while marketing emphasizes compatibility, Reddit user comments highlight pitfalls: “If your DVD recorder takes +R/+RW discs, you shouldn’t use -R/-RW discs, and vice versa.” This underscores that while “most” players may handle them, format mismatches render them useless in some setups.
The claim of 1,000 rewrite cycles is aspirational. A verified Quora buyer admitted: “Out of the 15 DVDs… about 5 failed miserably.” While the rest worked multiple times, the experience deviates from the perfect standard suggested in marketing copy.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
One standout benefit is steady performance with legacy hardware. Trustpilot user rjh shared: “Thanks to B&H… I have not missed recording some of my fav. movies,” noting that older recorders often reject newer, higher-speed discs. Another buyer found them perfect for routine recording and erasing: “I reformat them daily and haven’t worn one out yet.” This repeated-use resilience makes them a go-to for home archivists and niche recording projects.
For users archiving television content in extended mode, results are still satisfactory versus VHS. “Even at the 8-hour setting — much better than VHS ever was,” wrote a long-time Trustpilot reviewer. The discs’ quality holds well thanks to a stable recording layer, making them appealing for those digitizing old tapes or systematically recording shows.
Common Complaints
Speed remains the most frequently cited drawback. Multiple reviewers emphasize that these are 2x speed media — one Quora customer calculated: “It takes about 28 minutes to burn a full DVD… versus 8 minutes on 8x speed media.” This is not a dealbreaker when used for long-term storage but is irritating in high-volume workflows.
Defective discs also crop up too often to ignore. The VideoHelp forum contains blunt feedback: “Very disappointed… it’s not just a bad spindle either… I’ve used discs off of 2 different spindles and get the same results.” Another Quora buyer confirmed a 33% failure rate within their pack, wasting valuable time and effort on troubleshooting and reformatting attempts.
Divisive Features
The archival life claim divides opinion. While some owners tout flawless playback years later, others observe degradation in as few as 150–200 rewrites. Reddit commentary warns about storing discs outside jewel cases because “they scratch easily,” chipping away at longevity. This divide seems tied to user handling and environmental conditions more than inherent disc construction.
Trust & Reliability
Long-term reports suggest these discs can meet multi-year archival needs. A Trustpilot user stored and reused discs over several years with minimal issues, underlining that proper storage and matching them to correct hardware is key.
Scam or defect concerns do pop up, especially related to inconsistent manufacturing batches. In one VideoHelp thread, multiple buyers noted getting “bad disks” from certain retail sources, with some suspecting poorer quality control in later models compared to early Maxell runs. While Maxell’s customer service has replaced defective units when contacted, proactive buyers advise checking compatibility and burn success early to avoid batch-wide disappointments.
Alternatives
For speed and reliability, Verbatim DVD-RW (4x) appears frequently as a recommended upgrade. One Reddit user who faced playback errors with Maxell switched to Verbatim and found no issues: “Put in a Sony disc… had no problem recording.”
Sony’s 25 DMW 47 SPM DVD-RW (2x) mirrors Maxell’s low speed but wins trust for consistent performance over years, as noted in multiple Amazon reviews: “Not a single disc went bad.” However, they tend to be pricier and less readily available than Maxell.
Price & Value
eBay listings show these packs ranging from $13.20 to $31.75 depending on seller and packaging condition. Trustpilot buyers emphasize these as “affordable” compared to dwindling supplies in local stores — B&H’s stock has been a lifeline for some.
Resale potential is minimal; buyers are overwhelmingly consumers rather than resellers. The community’s biggest tip: buy from vendors with return policies, test a few discs from the pack early, and if they match your recorder’s speed requirements, stock up before supplies diminish further.
FAQ
Q: Do these discs work in modern DVD recorders?
A: Only if your recorder supports 2x DVD-RW media. Several buyers report incompatibility with high-speed drives or burners.
Q: How many times can they be rewritten?
A: While marketed at up to 1,000 times, user experiences suggest anywhere from 50–200 rewrites before noticeable degradation, depending on care.
Q: Are these discs CPRM compatible?
A: Some reviewers struggled to record certain encrypted broadcasts even in VR mode, so CPRM compatibility depends heavily on your recorder model.
Q: Do I need to finalize discs after recording?
A: Yes, if you plan to play them on a different device. Failure to finalize can make them unreadable elsewhere.
Q: What’s the biggest risk buying these online?
A: Batch defects. Always source from reputable sellers and check a handful before committing large projects.
Final Verdict: Buy if you have an older recorder or specific archival needs requiring DVD-RW format and can tolerate slower speeds. Avoid if you need fast turnaround or work on high-speed burners. Pro tip from the community: match the disc speed to your recorder’s specs before purchase, and store them in jewel cases to maximize lifespan.
