Longevity of the media is determined by three primary factors:
In terms of heat and moisture, all disc surfaces are identical.
However, for the light aspect, certain surfaces can still pass light from the top side, while others will not. This becomes a moot point, of course, when the discs are stored in dark cases. But for anything generally exposed and left out, the discs with branding or inkjet surfaces would theoretically last long, as light cannot pass. Those surfaces are opaque, and not partially translucent.
Silver-topped "thermal surface" media was made to be printed on, not used as-is by consumers. The silver surface is a magnet for fingerprints and gunk, as it was designed to adhere with thermal printing. Unfortunately, it adheres smudges, too! And then the top of the disc is not covered with any opaque coverings, be it branding or inkjet surface -- you're supposed to add that surface yourself via thermal print.
So I would not suggest "shiny top" thermal media for general use, no.
I'd suggest you get Verbatim DVD-R branded:
http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B000...SIN=B0009YJXMI
Only $35 from
Amazon.ca with free shipping. That's what I use.