The Taiyo Yuden company (now owned by JVC) is credited as being the first to manufacture CDs, and it is consistently rated highest for both archival quality and consistency of providing error-free discs. These are priced competitively, and the Meritline company continues to have manufacturing agreements, and these are guaranteed NOT to be "fakes."

BE SURE TO ORDER THE DVD-R (DVD minus R) BRAND, either with water protection or without, depending upon your choice. Re-Writeable DVDs (DVD-RW) do not reliably read on every brand of computer: DO NOT BUY THESE! The DVD+R (DVD plus R) brand is a newer manufacturing mode developed by the Sony Corporation, and so this brand is not advised. DVD-R is the original mode of manufacturing and goes back furthest in time.

Link for purchasing: http://www.meritline.com/taiyo-yuden-cdr-dvd-r-blank-media-discs---m-13.aspx

Link for Review of DVDs/CDs: http://www.digitalfaq.com/reviews/dvd-media.htm

There are several noise removal software programs that can be used independently or as add-ons to Photoshop. The results for grayscale images from noisy sources, like Photomultiplier Tubes at high voltages or gains, are largely disappointing. However, for color images, and especially those taken with consumer cameras, the results are outstanding. Before purchasing these programs, download trial versions and try each on your images. Reviews on the web are pointless for scientific images.

For my own purposes, I've used Neat Image. This program, like others in its class (Noise Ninja, Topaz DeNoise, Picture Cooler, Noiseware, Grain Surgery), looks for metadata to identify the camera and settings where these are found in consumer cameras. Scientific cameras always confuse the software, and settings have to be applied manually after creating a region of interest where noise exists on the image. Often grayscale images need to be changed in mode to RGB Color before these programs work. Report the use of noise reduction programs when publishing.

Link for purchasing: http://www.neatimage.com/

Mostly for consistency, one monitor in a workgroup should be calibrated, and the monitor should be in a dark room with no ambient light from windows. The idea behind calibration lies in setting darker and lighter tones so that all are visible, and to set grays to a neutral color (go to link below for more detailed information). It is especially important for the principal investigator or lab manager to be on a calibrated monitor, because decisions about image quality is often their call.

The better calibration tools are made to match monitors to personal inkjet printer outputs, and primarily for color matching. Since this is rarely the output for images in research, it doesn't make sense to spend the extra money for a more expensive calibration system, such as the Monaco. The Spyder 2 Express is a worthwhile purchase for the expense.

Link for purchasing: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=spyder3express&N=0&InitialSearch=yes

Review of Calibration Devices: http://www.imaging-resource.com/ARTS/MONCAL/CALIBRATE.HTM