Both SAO and packet should work for most ppl. In our experience, folks that have had problems with -R media and are using packet, often, but not always, experince no problems when switching to SAO or to +R media. (I'm not suggesting that +R is better and that everyone should somehow prefer -R).
Having said this, my preference is SAO, but I've use both successfully and see no difference in quality, time, etc., etc.

Assuming good quality blank media, most of the regular users (I mean the frequent flyers here on cdf) have target sizes of 4460-4472 MB and have no problem. Things always can get a little hairy when burning out toward the edge of the disc...dye uniformity becomes more inconsistent, wobble increases...laser focus can become problematic...yada, yada, yada.

With TY and verb media, you shouldn't have a problem...