I started downloading and converting my Audible stuff, but there's just too much of it at this point (844 titles) so I haven't gotten very far and am not overly enthusiastic about doing it. It'd be great if there was a quick way to actually remove the DRM instead of re-recording it via the analog hole.
Here's what the US National Archives has to say about recordable optical media.
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4. What is the significance of different colors for CDs/DVDs?
The color of a CD/DVD indicates its quality. It is best to look for a gold or silver CD/DVD - look at the color from the underside of the disk, not the top. In addition, to assure the highest quality of a CD-R, look for those manufactured using phthalocyanine dye with gold or silver reflective layers. Do not use Azo- or (plain) cyanine-dyed media. For DVD-Rs, purchase double-sided/single-layer with a gold reflective underside. To assure you're using the highest quality CD/DVD and/or to avoid pitfalls in purchasing the correct type, refer to the source references in FAQ 15, below.
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6. How long can I expect my recorded CDs/DVDs to last?
CD/DVD experiential life expectancy is 2 to 5 years even though published life expectancies are often cited as 10 years, 25 years, or longer. However, a variety of factors discussed in the sources cited in FAQ 15, below, may result in a much shorter life span for CDs/DVDs. Life expectancies are statistically based; any specific medium may experience a critical failure before its life expectancy is reached. Additionally, the quality of your storage environment may increase or decrease the life expectancy of the media. We recommend testing your media at least every two years to assure your records are still readable.
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http://www.archives.gov/records-mgmt...media-faq.html
http://www.archives.gov/records-mgmt/faqs/optical.html