Imation was the rebranding of 3M, a name often mistaken for the word “Imitation”, it often sold CMC Magnetics manufactured products of middling quality. That didn’t stop me from amassing a significant number of their discs.
Imation 4x 74-minute CD-R
This is one of the most memorable types of disc as it was available from the local stores (e.g. K-Mart) in the early days of CD-burning. The disc top was less yellow originally, seemingly yellowing over the years despite being in a darkened environment inside a jewel case. I like the reference to PD650 on the rear – a technology that has since long gone. The disc has a capacity of 74m59s73f with an ATIP of 97m26s060f (CMC Magnetics Corp).
Imation 16x 80 minute CD-R
While this is one of their older products, it demonstrated Imation’s forward thinking, being already released in slimline packaging to save space and reduce costs. The speed is shown prominently on the front, and the disc bears the traditional CMC Magnetics central hub area markings. The MID is 97m26s66f (CMC Magnetics Corp.) with a capacity of 79m59s74f.
Imation 24x 80 minute CD-R
While I don’t have a clean sample of this disc to show, the speed has been taken out of the subtitle in gold and moved to a slightly less prominent position. This was sold in a full size jewel case, and thus has the rear insert complete with their compatibility matrix table. The disc top is very similar to the one above, just missing any mention of speeds. The MID is 97m26s66f (CMC Magnetics Corp.) with a capacity of 79m59s74f.
Imation 52x 80 minute CD-R
A late product of their line-up, this was sold in large spindles. Unfortunately, this example has oxidised somewhat, and is soon to entirely fail. The MID is 97m26s66f (CMC Magnetics Corp.) with a capacity of 79m59s71f, three frames short of the maximum.
Imation 52x 80 minute Lightscribe Printable CD-R
A much later example of an Imation CD-R, this one with the direct laser printing Lightscribe coating and clocking marks in the centre of the disc. The hub code implies a Moser Baer India disc. The compatibility table is a little strange regarding DVD-ROM/RAM drives being able to write to CD-Rs. The MID is 97m17s06f (Moser Baer India) with a capacity of 79m59s74f.
Imation 4x 74 minute CD-RW
One of their older products, this had a tacky white top surface similar to what you might find on some printable discs, just a bit stickier. Given that you’re not supposed to use regular pens on the surface, the finish seems a little strange as permanent markers had a habit of “diffusing” through and turning into a cloudy mess. The ATIP is 97m34s22f Mitsubishi Chemical Corp. as was a good majority of CD-RWs of this type from Verbatim and Kodak.
Imation 10x 80 minute CD-RW
While this was sold in a full size jewel case, there was no rear insert. The ATIP is 97m26s65f (CMC Magnetics Corp.) with a stated capacity of 79m59s74f.