I decided to use these Verbatim archival DVDs for my Master Discs of all our family videocamera memories. I am burning these on a VCR/DVD recorder, from video tapes, mini-DVs, and now an HD camera. I like everything I have researched about them, and Best Buy had an excellent price for ship-to-store. The kids get copies on cheaper discs, these pricey discs are for my long term storage. I called Verbatim, and they said the various Archival Gold CD/DVD Safe Pens were best for writing on the shiny gold top surface, and to avoid other permanent felt tip pens.