When compared to the following (If the following is even right):

Generic-->Princo-->RITEK-->Verbatim-->Apple

Also is there a typle of DVD-R media known for long life? I know Fuji use to make good long life CD-R's, but I dont know about DVD-R's. But I still need to know about TDK.

TDK make very good DVD-R but there very expensive compared to others, As for your little lineup of media i hope the start (Generic is the poorest) as for ritek/verbatim and apple id rate then all about the same with pioneer winning hands down but they are way too expensive.

well, if price doesnt matter, how do they compare. So you think the chart looks more like this:

Generic-->Princo-->Ritek/Verbatim/Apple-->Pioneer
(Poorest ---> Best Quality)

But where does TDK fall in this with no price concern

Well theyd be with ritek and above anyway but as staded before ritek, apple, verbatim, TDK, fuji and pioneer are all of grade A quality and it is hard to choose between the 6 which is best they are all very simular when it comes to performance.

Moving this to the media forum.

The new TDKs are Ritek GO4s. On some of the TDK 2x pack, they have G04s in them, which record at 4x speed. From my readings, I hear Pioneer no longer makes dvd-rs.

I use TDK for my home movies and Ritek for everything else. I also heard apples were rebranded Pioneers? Fuji is also using Riteks now too. I guess go w/ Riteks, GO4 in particular.

Yup in most cases when you buy a quality brand name, you are simply paying for the name. You can get a 50 pack of G04 unbranded Riteks right now for $58 with free shipping from www.newegg.com or you can get a 25 pack of the same G04 discs for $1.20 a disc+ shipping from www.rima.com I have yet to see 4x TDKs at that price.