and thought I'd throw the link in here. What caught me eye is that, at the end of the summary, they show a sample CD output. Looks pretty darn good to me.

They also mention that different white disks give very different results. Finally, they mention that the results aren't waterproof (yet).
===================================================
The review was primarily photo print based because it is a digicam website.
Here are some quotes from the review regarding the direct CD printing on the ONE and ONLY sample they showed:

"This is a 300dpi scan of a CD that was printed on the R300M printer. This is un-edited and looks as close to the original as I could make it.
" As you can see from the inner CD label, it is a Verbatim brand DataLifePlus
CD-R disc. "
"My suggestion is to buy a small number of discs when first trying a new brand until you're sure that they will work out OK."
" 1/16/04 update - Be forewarned that these inkjet printable discs are -not- waterproof. I didn't know this until a reader asked me about it -- so I got one wet and watched a good portion of the ink wash off. This was a CD that had been printed several days earlier so it was thoroughly dried. I think I'll keep using my Casio thermal CD printer to label my discs. "
End

That's hardly a comprehensive review of the Cd/DVD print quality of the R300. And it's hardly a rave review either. He couldn't have been too impressed if he went back to his Casio Thermal Near Monocrome CD Printer.
Moreover, it's hard enough to find a white injet printable media which is universally compatible when you burn it. I doub't that anyone will buy DVDR's based upon how well they work with an R300.

John

I understand, but what surprised me was the mention that different disks gave different results. I had been under the impression that all white blanks gave similar "fair to good" results, but now it seems that, from a color saturation viewpoint anyway, some blanks can do pretty well.

There are two types of white printable finishes, one for thermal and one for inkjet. Certainly the finish will affect the look of a printed disk.

I'm now exclusively using Prodisc -R media and printing in Epson Photo 900. It doesn't look as good as photo grade glossy labels for sure. But like any media you work within the limitations of it. So far all my clients are taken aback by the very idea that they can have something printed on the DVD without it costing a fortune.

As for it not being dishwasher proof, well none of them are microwave proof either. I pointed this out to a prospective client yesterday, and I think I might have lost them. I got the impression from their reaction that they thought I was nuts thinking that was an issue.

As for the compatibility issue, its just not an issue as far as I'm concerned, with a DVD player that'll play anything I've made on either +/-R or +/_RW and burnt at whatever speed I choose costing the same as two Hollywood DVDs if it will not play in what the client has they just buy a DVD player that will play it.

This week I've been printing on white blanks using the Canon i865.

The first one i did looked washed out - a video still pic covered the whole disc, but the pic itself was a little on the light side, and when I darkened it and increased saturation a little in PSP8 it came up looking great. Since then, I always make sure that colours err a little on the dark side ("Hey babe, take a walk on the dark side ...") and the results are very impressive.

No, they don't look glossy, but who says they have to. I think the matte surface gives them their own special look, and agree with Bob - if you work within the boundaries of what you've got there's no problem.

As for not being waterproof - by the cringe! Neither is my PC, but so far I've managed to avoid hosing it down or leaving it out in the rain.

This week I've been printing on white blanks using the Canon i865.
================
Wish Canon would sell them here in the US.

After Craftech recapped what I said about the DVD printing fine from the r300 and saying he just was not that please with the finish I ran not walked over to a freinds house who just got the 300 a few days ago. We printed out a couple of different DVDs and they were not glossy nor were they so flat that I couldn't live with them. But What I think and what my client thinks is two different things. So I ran not walked (really I drove) over to two cleints and presented the the DVDs. The first cleint said ya there not glossy but for sure they looked good enough for him. The second client said they looked great and why was I concerned and seeing the DVD gave him an idea for a new project putting his new product labal on the front of the DVDs. So thanks Craftech for the heads up and the new job I got for just worring about the finish on a printed DVD.

Thanks again.

"they mention that the results aren't waterproof (yet). "

As I stated before the ink had nothing to do with the output being waterproof, it's the surface of the disc that determines this. Most Cd's and DVD's that are inkjet printable have a surface that is made from clay, therefore no matter what ink you use they will never be waterproof unless they can invent a new type of inkjet printable surface.